The Dead Daisies are back with their brand of solid straight-ahead rock that is leaving fans eager with anticipation for the new album and tour dates!! The band recently lit up the US on the first leg of the ‘Light ‘Em Up’ Tour to rave reviews from both fans and media alike.
“I’m Gonna Ride” is the second single from the band’s upcoming album and hits the airwaves today. Recorded by Marti Fredericksen in Nashville, this exhilarating track is sure to get you pumped on your next road trip.
“I’m Gonna Ride is a song about leaving your worries, and everyday stresses behind, getting on your Harley and cranking it up. It’s an anthem of the open roads and our next single from the “Light ‘Em Up” album. See you on our UK Tour in September!! Love you guys” – John Corabi
Accompanying this rockin’ track is a video to inspire a feeling of freedom.
“Light ‘Em Up” – the album, is available to pre-order now ahead of the UK and European Tours in early September and November. https://thedeaddaisies.com/light-em-up-album/
ROCK IS INDEED ALIVE & WELL!
Rolo Tomassi to Release New Album -Live at the Electric Ballroom- on Sept 27
UK Progressive metal band Rolo Tomassi announce a new live album, Live at The Electric Ballroom, to be released on September 27, 2024, via MNRK Heavy. The 15-track project was recorded from a headlining show on February 15, 2023, at London’s Electric Ballroom. The set showcases Rolo Tomassi at their most dynamic and mesmerizing.
The first single, "Aftermath," is out today. Originally released on 2018’s Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It, this live version intensifies the melodic and sweeping soundscape.
Vocalist/keyboardist James Spence says, “Since its release, this song has been an audience favourite along with a rare opportunity for a sing-along. It remains an outlier in our material, but in the context of a full set, it always feels like an elevated moment. Our band has always been about stark contrasts, and this is a perfect example of that.”
Rolo Tomassi have spent 17 years leading the pack rather than following, and on their recent album, Where Myth Becomes Memory, they've led with more poise and determination than ever before. The album served as the final part in an unintended trilogy that began with 2015’s Grievances and continued with 2018’s Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It.
Barbarians of California (Feat. AWOLNATION, Tinfed) Share "Bazooka" Video + Announce Album + First Show
The West Coast's contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Featuring Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION and Eric Stenman of Tinfed, as well as being a noted producer, TBOC are equal opportunity iconoclasts, gleefully thrashing the left and the right in the hardcore-punk tradition of nonconformity and raw fury. The band isn't "political," because they aren't advocating for anyone's platform. The central message is defiance.
Today, the band has announced its debut album And Now I'm Just Gnashing My Teeth. It arrives October 4 via ONErpm. Pre-order it here.
The band also announced its first show on October 19 at the Troubadour in L.A., with Strife, Will Haven, and Berthold City also to appear. Get tickets here.
"This album is the culmination of many, many hours spent chasing down a sound that we weren't, currently, hearing out in the world," says Stenman. "Personally, I almost felt guilty getting to make it... like we were putting our real lives on hold to pursue a pure passion project. I hope that the amount of fun that we had making it, comes through to the listener."
As for the gnarly and gritty new track "Bazooka," he continues, "I was psyched when Aaron gravitated towards this piece of music. It's a bit of a departure from a lot of what we're doing... but, it's definitely a sound I think we'll pursue more in the future."
The video also nods to an adjacent aspect of the hardcore scene's culture, as it's comprised of some incredible skateboarding footage. Stenman says, "Putting this video together was also a blast. I first became passionate about music when I began to learn about bands in the back of Thrasher magazine. The fact that Aaron's cousin happens to be Mike Mo Capaldi, one of the coolest skaters ever, is just amazing. Mike and his friends had all this extra footage lying around and we were more than happy to make use of it. Lastly, the simple fact that we have a song titled 'Bazooka' makes this whole project worth doing!"
So, who, exactly, are The Barbarians of California? Let's find out, shall we?
Eric Stenman and Aaron Bruno first collided in the California hardcore scene of the early '90s. Stenman cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk. Bruno was born and raised just north of L.A. and nicknamed "AWOL" by his high school friends. Eric played guitar for cutting-edge, electro-infused rockers Tinfed. Commercial success eluded them despite a cult following, a deal with a major label, and an appearance on the M:I 2 soundtrack.
Bruno co-founded the hardcore band Insurgence as a teenager. His next band, Home Town Hero, toured with Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots and released a major label album, but combusted in 2004. Next came Under The Influence Of Giants, who, despite critical acclaim, disbanded in 2008. Stenman became one of the most sought-after producers of alternative rock. His discography as a producer, mixer, and engineer includes important releases from 7 Seconds, Senses Fail, ††† (Crosses), and AWOLNATION. AWOLNATION, of course, is the multi-platinum act Bruno formed in 2009.
The spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians were born.
The apparent "full circle" moment isn't lost on either of them. "It's a funny time in our lives to go back and make the most aggressive music we've ever created," Stenman laughs. “Both of us have always had a love for this world. If given the opportunity, why not try to give back to it?"
OPETH Announces New Album 'The Last Will & Testament,', Shares First Single, "§1"
Swedish prog legends OPETH are now pleased to reveal that their 14th studio album, 'The Last Will & Testament’, is set for release on October 11, 2024 via via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget! In celebration, the band is now sharing the first single from the offering, "§1" available on all DSPs HERE. Prior to today's worldwide announcement, the album was teased yesterday, exclusively for attendees at Wacken Open Air 2024 in conjunction with the band's performance at the illustrious festival.
In addition to OPETH's previously announced North American headlining tour, which will take place in October 2024, the band is also now revealing an extensive European run for February 2025! OPETH is offering a special bundle for fans who pre-order 'The Last Will & Testament'. Starting today, August 2 at 10:00 A.M. CEST, fans who pre-order the album will receive a special ticket pre-sale code for advanced tickets to the European tour! The offer will end on Tuesday, August 6 at 15:00 CEST, so don't sleep on this limited opportunity!
General sales will start on Friday, August 9 at 10:00 A.M. local time.
Pre-order the album HERE to get access to the pre-sale for the EU tour
Tickets for North America are now available HERE
Opeth vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt admits: "I love this record. I have to say it (write it). Maybe I’m proud even? There are some familiar ingredients in there I suppose. Most of our music has sprung from the same source, so I guess it’s not much of a shocker if it’s going to sound like 'us’. I’m a bit in awe of what we did with “The Last Will and Testament”. It feels like a dream. There is some 'coherence' and 'songwriting skills' I hope, but what do I know? I tend to favour the 'strange' over the 'obvious,' but I feel like I’m in the minority, and that’s fine. So…fair warning! Don’t expect an instant rush (as per usual), but if you do “get it” (have you got it yet?) right away, that’s ok too!"
'The Last Will & Testament' is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves through the patriarch's confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-ridden girl who the family have taken care of. The album begins with the reading of the father's will in his mansion. Among those in attendance is a young girl, who, despite being an orphan and polio-ridden, has been raised by the family. Her presence at the will reading raises suspicions and questions among the twins.
Regarding the record's creation, Åkerfeldt adds: "This is the first record with Walt on drums. Seeing and hearing him record his bits was otherworldly and what went through my head was something like: How can a human being play this stuff? The older cats (myself, Mendez, Fred and Jocke) did our bits in due time. We did them well (I like to think) and the alcohol concentration in our blood was mostly quite low as the red light was on. We’re professionals, you see! Rockfield Studios treated us well and we love that place! Stefan Boman recorded and mixed it all (CAPTURED it on TAPE… kind of…). Miles Showell did the master at Abbey Road Studios and then we (myself and Stefan) took him for a curry in Covent Garden. Travis Smith has done this odd-masterpiece-artwork that put 'clothes' on the music. All in all, we hope we’ve put together a nice little morsel of information for you to nibble on when it’s raining out. Thank you for your time. Thank you for reading. Thank you for listening. Thank you for giving us a respectable past. I’ll thank you for our future in the actual future, OK?"
Pre-Order ‘The Last Will & Testament’: HERE
Opeth's fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). ‘The Last Will & Testament’ was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on ‘The Last Will & Testament’ were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4", and "§7". Joining Anderson, Europe's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2”, while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".
‘The Last Will & Testament ‘is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth's finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story—this time with growls.
OPETH North American Tour Dates (w/ TRIBULATION):
10/11: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club
10/12: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater & Ballroom
10/14: Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/15: Montréal, QC @ L’Olympia
10/16: Worcester, MA @ Palladium
10/18: Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
10/19: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
10/20: Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
10/22: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
10/23: New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
10/24: Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
10/25: Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
10/27: Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
10/29: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
10/30: Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater
10/31: San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Lineup:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars
Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals
Martin Mendez – Bass guitar
Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion
Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals
Special Guests:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) // flute (tracks 4, 7)
Joey Tempest (Europe) - backing vocals (track 2)
Mirjam Åkerfeldt - spoken word (track 1)
All Music and Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt
Lyrical concept by Mikael Åkerfeldt, dramatic consultation by Klara Rönnqvist Fors
Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt
Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman
Engineered by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth
Mixing by Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden
Mastering and vinyl lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studios, London, UK
Strings conducted by Dave Stewart at Angel Studios, London, UK
Strings arrangement by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart
Drum technicalities by Kit Cunningham
Artwork by Travis Smith with directions from Mikael Åkerfeldt
Biography by Dom Lawson
About Reigning Phoenix Music
Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. But most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success!
More on RPM:
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Future Palace Share "Decarabia" Video
NEW ALBUM DISTORTION OUT SEPTEMBER 6 VIA ARISING EMPIRE
It is commonly said that shared suffering is half the the suffering — but is it really always that simple? Berlin post-hardcore trio Future Palace dedicate their new song "Decarabia" to the relationships of people who are suffering from mental illnesses.
Watch the video below.
Stream the song here at midnight.
The picture the band paints of this difficult circumstance is engagingly complex and asks fundamental questions: How much can we help the loved ones around us when we ourselves are already dealing with so many of our own demons? How can we not be alone in our struggles when at the same time we see how it becomes too much for our counterpart?
"It's not just bad if you yourself lose joy in life. It hurts all the more when you find out that a loved person has to deal with it," singer Maria Lessing explains. "It's a struggle to try to support someone when you need all your strength to be able to function. But in the end, you can resolve even such serious problems with work and growth and become happy together. In any case, I hope so."
Musically, Future Palace show a completely new side with "Decarabia." The nostalgic and at the same time modern synths in the intro and chorus make the band's sound no less heavy, but give it a real danceable note. The trio creates hits potential that initiate reminiscences of compositions by Electric Callboy without their lyrical-ironic double bottom. The music video, again directed by Pavel Trebukhin, was filmed fittingly in an abandoned Soviet discotheque in Latvia on the border to Lithuania.
"Decarabia" appears on Future Palace’s upcoming third album Distortion, out September 6 via Arising Empire.
Future Palace's music has always explored internal struggles, and Distortion is the brutal climax of this approach. The album title, derived from the psychological term cognitive distortion, reflects a world where changing perceptions trap individuals in recurring pitfalls. Distortion addresses various mental illnesses and personal struggles, from ADHD to depression to narcissism. The band's third album is a powerful force of emotions, cycles, and cries of desperation, overwhelming listeners with its intensity.
The band's creativity shines as they tackle demanding topics with fresh perspectives. On Distortion, they build on their previous work by incorporating new elements, like orchestral interjections in "The Echoes of Disparity," which combines brutal screams and chant-like passages to convey psychological struggle. "Panic Paralysis" features a massive vocal motif with an arabesque touch, while "They Take What They Want" dives into emotional depths, blending raw metalcore with gentle vocal passages and massive choirs.
Despite the album's emotional intensity, Distortion was created amid excessive demands. Produced by Julian Breucker and Christoph Wieczorek, known for their work with Annisokay, Beyond the Black, and Smash Into Pieces, the recording process was grueling. Lessing recorded the album with a root infection and after wisdom tooth surgery, adding stress but enhancing the songs' authenticity. Guitarist Manuel Kohlert notes that the album reflects the band's experience as a heavy touring band, capturing the feelings of being on the road and contemplating their existence.
Despite its challenges, Distortion carries a piece of hope. "Decarabia" tells a bittersweet story about a depressed couple, while "The Echoes of Disparity," featuring Charlie Rolfe of As Everything Unfolds, is militantly rebellious, addressing abuse of power and the oppression of women. "Lessing" emphasizes the importance of female support to convey the song's message loudly.
The band has just announced their headline tour across Europe and the UK including support from Our Promise, kicking off in October 2024.
FUTURE PALACE ARE:
Maria — Vocals
Manuel — Guitar
Johannes — Drums
Boston Manor Share Video For New Single "Horses In A Dream"
BOSTON MANOR will drop their forthcoming album Sundiver on September 6 via SharpTone Records. Today, they drop the video for "Horses In A Dream" is out now.
Listen to "Horses In A Dream" on streaming services here and watch the video below.
Following recent new album cuts including the impassioned "Container," the hulking "Sliding Doors," and the rousing "HEAT ME UP," "Horses In A Dream" has a dizzying liquid groove that coats a song about human connection.
Guitarist Mike Cunniff comments on the new single, "'Horses In A Dream' explores raw human intimacy. It touches on desperation, and deep emotional connections forged when two people are together and completely free."
MORE ABOUT SUNDIVER:
"Could you please open that window, let the new world in." The sage simplicity of Sundiver's opening lyrics says it all. Boston Manor front man Henry Cox is opening the next chapter of a story that began with 2022 album Datura. That record opened with the lines, "Do me a favour, close that window, keep the heating in, there's a fire in the car park, I see it smouldering." Sundiver, then, is the yin to Datura's yang. Sundiver is Boston Manor's fifth album and one that represents a glimmering dawn for the Blackpool five-piece. Grown from a seedbed of optimism and sobriety, the LP celebrates new beginnings, second chances and rebirth. With two members recently stepping into fatherhood, hope is baked into every note.
Like anything worth doing though, that hope has been hard-won. On Sundiver, change doesn't just happen it is willed into existence, forged in the flame of grief and bent into shape with a hammer blow of positivity. Working with long-time producer Larry Hibbitt, alongside engineer Alex O'Donovan, the band switched recording from London to the leafier pastures of the home counties. There's a brightness searching to get out of Sundiver that feels like a purposeful about-turn from the darkness of [2022 album] Datura.
This year's pair of earlier single releases explored second chances ("Container") and "What If?" scenarios ("Sliding Doors"), bringing with them a refreshed mindset, the band clearly ready to create something immersive, embracing the unpredictable, glorious, devastating nature of life as a human being. Lyrics foxtrot from parallel universes to personal growth, vivid dreamscapes to raw grief. Individually they're single strokes full of meaning and magic. Together, they're a landscape.
Lead singer Henry Cox comments, "Sundiver is the culmination of two years work and four years of planning. Going into the pandemic we knew our next record would be a double album released in two parts, the first a short shadowy-noiry electronic record set over one night and the second a sprawling rock record that documents the following day. Both albums are products of their environments, we made Datura in the dead of winter in a windowless studio complex that mostly just produced techno, we'd enter before the sun rose and leave long after it set, basically never seeing sunlight. We made Sundiver in Welwyn Garden City over two summers, we barbecued every day and would walk across the road to a meadow and just take naps in the sunshine when we weren't recording.
"We've essentially been working on this album and building up to it since the pandemic. We were obsessed with trying to make a record that felt like blistering sunshine, or that wavy/hazy horizon you get when the pavement is super hot, but we didn't want it to sound 'happy' or 'major key.' Sundiver is by far Boston Mano's best and most ambitious record to date, and we couldn’t be happier with it, I really hope our fans love it as much as we do."
KINGCROW Release Title Track off New Album
"...dark at times, atmospheric at the right moments and heavy when it needs to" - The Prog Report
"Certainly progressive rock, but they are also heavy at times, alternative in others, and their sound wavers between the darkness of Riverside and the rock of Porcupine Tree" - The Prog Mind
"Each listen exposes layers like peeling an onion" - Angry Metal Guy
"Bleak and desperate, yet also a message of hope and warmth" - The Progressive Subway
Italy's progressive rock alchemists, KINGCROW, continue to etch their legacy of evocative soundscapes and profound lyrical narratives with the release of the title track off their upcoming eighth album. "Hopium" heralds a new zenith in the band’s storied journey, where genres dissolve, and the music becomes an experience beyond the ordinary.
Watch the band's playthrough of "Hopium" below:
Hopium comes out August 23 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & pre-save: https://orcd.co/kingcrowhopium
Can't wait for the release of Hopium? Listen to all 10 songs off Kingcrow's new album two weeks early and chat with the band during their Bandcamp Listening Party.
Hopium Bandcamp Listening Party
Wednesday, August 7 @ 1 pm Eastern Time / 7 pm Central European Time
RSVP: https://kingcrow1.bandcamp.com/merch/hopium-listening-party
"Hopium" pulsates with an emotional resonance and raw vitality, capturing the essence of Kingcrow's relentless pursuit of innovation. Seamlessly intertwining existential introspection with the band’s signature blend of progressive rock, ambient and metal influences, their new single is a manifesto of passion, intricately weaving a tale of wrestling with societal illusions while seeking true inner self.
The playthrough video of "Hopium" was filmed at Hologram Studios in Francavilla al Mare, Italy, which is where Kingcrow's new album was mixed. It was directed and edited by Riccardo Nifosì, who also handled the cinematography alongside Giorgio Amadori.
The first incarnation of the band was originally founded in Rome, Italy, by brothers Diego Cafolla (guitars) and Manuel Thundra Cafolla (drums) under the name of "Earth Shaker".
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Raven" and driven by a will of change, the band's name was soon altered into KINGCROW and a couple of self-produced demos/albums where recorded under the KINGCROW moniker: Something Unknown(2001), Insider (2004) and Timetropia (2006).
In the early months of 2010 the band finished recording their new album “Phlegethon” that was released in June of the same year under the “Scarlet Records” label.
It was considered on an international level as a relevant masterpiece and was classed as one of the elite progressive metal albums of the year. It has been near the top of the “album of the year” charts in some international prog-rock websites. Phlegethon promotion lasted for about two years and a half.
During the same year, the band recorded the new album “In Crescendo” that was released in February 2013 by the American label “Sensory Records.
The band toured along with Pain Of Salvation in North America in April and May, 2013. In 2015 the band released the album “Eidos” and toured Europe as Headliners. Meanwhile KINGCROW signed a management deal with GlassVille Music, house of very well known progressive acts like Pain Of Salvation and Riverside among others.
The band recorded the new album titled “The Persistence”.
The album was released on September 7th via Sensory Records and received great reviews and ended on a lot of “best of 2018” lists on magazines and webzines.
The upcoming album “Hopium” marks another step forward in pushing boundaries remarking the restless progressive attitude of the band in incorporating countless influences into a personal sound.
Describing the band today is quite a difficult task, but one could state that the influence of different kinds of music, from progressive rock , ambient music, alternative rock and metal are all present in the music of KINGCROW.
With each release KINGCROW has taken a step further away from their original roots and is regarded today as one of the most exciting bands that Italy has to offer.
Line-up
Diego Marchesi - Vocals
Diego Cafolla - Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì - Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra - Drums, Percussions
Recording Studio
Sound Under Pressure (Rome, Italy)
Production Credits
Produced by Diego Cafolla & Thundra Cafolla
Sound Engineer - Diego Cafolla
Mixed by Giampiero Ulacco at Holofram Studios (Francavilla al Mare, Italy)
Mastered by Marco Vannucci at Spitfire Mastering Studio (Italy)
Guest Musicians
Vikram Shankar - Piano solo on "Hopium"
Cover Art
Devilnax
Pre-save & Pre-order: https://orcd.co/kingcrowhopium
Links/Follow Artist:
Official Website: https://www.kingcrow.it/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Kingcrowband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcrow_official/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KingcrowBand
Bandcamp: https://kingcrow1.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3nnSgQo8TIgiO5M5pv3mlV
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kingcrow/594989536
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/1002506
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/6519112
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
SPECTRAL WOUND to Embark on 'Bloodmoon Oath 2024' West Coast U.S. Tour
Québec black metal horde SPECTRAL WOUND will be embarking on the 'Bloodmoon Oath 2024' tour in support of HULDER this September! The West Coast trek will kick off on September 17 in Seattle, WA and will draw the curtain in Oakland, CA on September 28. Tickets will be made available this Friday, August 2 @ 9:00 A.M. PDT at THIS LOCATION.
In addition, SPECTRAL WOUND will be performing a special run of dates in Canada and the EU/UK! The full run of upcoming performances can be found below.
SPECTRAL WOUND will be supporting their upcoming fourth studio album, 'Songs Of Blood and Mire,' which will be released on August 23, 2024 via Profound Lore Records. The Montreal-based legion recently unleashed the second offering from the record, new single, "The Horn Marauding," which can be heard below.
Spectral Wound play black metal. Furious and visceral, untrammeled by esoteric posture or grasping idealism. It is music for the poisoned, the futile, the debauched and profane. The blooming of a flower of corruption, torn by cold winds.
Pre-orders are now live HERE.
SPECTRAL WOUND Canadian Dates 2024:
08/30 – 09/01: Edmonton, AB @ Infest Festival
09/07: Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus (w/Verglas, Vesperal, Skumstrike)
SPECTRAL WOUND U.S. Dates 2024
(Bloodmoon Oath 2024 tour supporting HULDER w/ ARIDUS):
09/17: Seattle, WA @ Substation
09/18: Boise, ID @ The Knitting Factory
09/19: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
09/21: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
09/22: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
09/24: Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
09/25: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
09/26: Garden Grove, CA @ The Locker Room
09/27: Los Angeles, CA @ The Lodge Room
09/28: Oakland, CA @ Eli's Mile High Club
Spectral Wound EU/UK Dates 2024:
10/24: London (UK) @ The Dome (w/Pagan Altar, Ante Inferno)
10/25: Copenhagen (DK) @ Pumpehuest (w/Imha Tarikat, Abyssinia)
10/26: Leipzig (DE) @ Institut fur Zukunft
10/27: Maastricht (NL) @ Samhain Festival
SPECTRAL WOUND Live Dates 2025:
04/17-20: Oslo (NO) @ Inferno Festival
The cover artwork was created by Spectral Wound
The album was recorded and mixed by Patrick McDowall (Guitarist in Spectral Wound) at his studio Black Gate and mastered by James Plotkin.
Lineup:
Jonah - vocals
Illusory - drums
Patrick - guitars
Sam - bass
A.A. - guitars
Recorded and mixed by Patrick McDowall
Mastered by James Plotkin
Links:
ORANSSI PAZUZU - Release Video For New Single 'Valotus' From New Album "Muuntautuja"
Finnish Psychedelic Black Metal innovators ORANSSI PAZUZU are pleased to announce that their latest mutational meisterwerk, Muuntautuja (or Shapeshifter in English) is set to be released on October 11th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records. A boa constrictor of slithering, warping, interdimensional cosmic horror, the band's sixth full-length Muuntautuja is in a world of its own, seeping through the speakers like irradiated sand. Ever transmuting, unsettling chords that raise the hairs on the back of your head and then pummel it with nauseating rhythms that both transport and destroy you.
Drawing inspiration from eclectic sources ranging from Death Grips to Portishead, Nine Inch Nails (Downward Spiral era), Beherit and My Bloody Valentine, ORANSSI PAZUZU are a feast for those who dig deep, heavy and strange. With inhuman and biological sound, Muuntautuja is electronically charged, both organic and inorganic in origin.
Guitarist Ikon reflects:
"Our experimentation with samplers and electronics made us step towards the weird concept of making nightmarish Rave music. We tried to find common ground between danceable rhythms and oppressive waves of noise and distortion."
Muuntautuja transcends genres, embodying a transcendent experience that slimes listeners in its nightmare of space and metamorphosis. Jun-His (vocals & guitars) muses, "For us, this album is like a sculpture made of black electric ooze."
Await the release of Muuntautuja, ORANSSI PAZUZU’s fire in the sky, where reality bends and shapes shift with each and every haunting note, and you will be visited by higher beings, though not with your best intentions entirely at heart.
As of today, Muuntautuja can be pre-ordered and you can listen to a second single called 'Valotus'. Alongside the single a nightmarish, extremely unsettling music video has been released, which you can check out below.
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE MUUNTAUTUJA:
https://oranssipazuzu.bfan.link/muuntautuja-album
LISTEN TO 'MUUNTAUTUJA':
https://oranssipazuzu.bfan.link/valotus
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR 'VALOTUS' BELOW:
NE OBLIVISCARIS Announce 'Citadel' Remaster
"Citadel is a blind plunge well worth taking...Ne Obliviscaris have crafted all their wild conceits into sprawling epics that flow with grace and fortitude" - Metal Hammer
"It will stand the test of time...Sit back, and drink the spirit of good metal with no regrets" - Metal Injection
"Nigh-on masterful" - Angry Metal Guy (4.5/5)
"Never before have we seen such range from a violinist in this context, all performed with maximum control and in such a way that the instrument rarely feels out of place or in any way a gimmick" - Heavy Blog is Heavy (4.5/5)
Prepare yourselves for a journey back into the abyss with Ne Obliviscaris. This fall the titans of extreme progressive metal are celebrating 10 years of Citadel by releasing a remastered version of their iconic sophomore album.
The band will also be making new memories on tour in Europe and Latin America while performing a career-spanning set with old friend and drummer Dan Presland, who brings both a thunder and precision that only he can command.
The Remastered 10-Year Anniversary Edition of Citadel will be released across all digital platforms on August 16 via Season of Mist. A CD and vinyl version will be announced later this year.
"First of all, we just wanted to thank Kevin Paradis who has done a wonderful job over the last 14 months as the band's live drummer on our Exul world tour" Ne Obliviscaris says. "Kevin has been part of some of our best-ever tours and we are grateful for his contribution to creating some of our best-ever moments performing as a band. Reuniting with Dan on drums was not something we had in mind until quite recently. But after three years apart, and a rekindled friendship, the lure of performing Citadel, Exul and other fan-favorites with Dan behind the kit is something we are incredibly excited about. This exciting news, combined with our just-completed European summer festival tour, and the amazing new re-master of Citadel on the horizon, sets up an amazing second half of 2024 for us. See you all on the road!"
First unleashed in 2014, Citadel stands as a monolith in Ne Obliviscaris' discography, epitomizing their unique blend of ferocity and grace. This new version was remastered by Mark Lewis, who mixed and mastered the band's latest album, Exul. Together, they've meticulously resurrected the original's power, ensuring every note, every growl, and every whisper of the violin rings clearer and more haunting than before.
Ne Obliviscaris will perform Citadel and Exul in full this fall while touring Europe and the United Kingdom. Presland - who drums for Vipassi and Black Lava - will also join them on this special anniversary tour.
Get tickets: https://neobliviscaris.com.au/tours/eu-uk-tour-2024
Drum tracking for Exul, the fourth long-player from Australian extreme progressive metallers Ne Obliviscaris, started in March 2020. There is an ominous tone to that date: March 2020. The pandemic demarcation line. That month, Daniel Presland laid down his drums in Nashville, Tennessee, with American producer Mark Lewis. As flight cancellations increased and borders shuttered, Presland made it home literally hours before Australia closed theirs. Lewis, guitarist Benjamin Baret and bassist Martino Garattoni weren’t as lucky. They were due to land in Australia in the days that followed to continue tracking, but were forced to remain overeseas indefinitely. With recording studios shuttered throughout Melbourne, a slow, tedious, life-altering two-year grind to complete Exul ensued for Ne Obliviscaris.
What should have been the continued upward swing after 2017’s critically acclaimed Urn turned into the most fraught moment of Ne Obliviscaris' career. Clean vocalist and violinist Tim Charles says the period “came close to breaking us completely.” It was a time filled with death, relationships breaking down, despair and financial loss. Presland, Ne Obliviscaris’ drummer since 2005, amicably parted ways in early 2022, throwing yet another wrench into the band’s plans.
There are, however, happy accidents scattered throughout the creation of Exul. The extra, unexpected downtime allowed the band to fine-tune and even re-write parts previously set in stone before the pandemic. Charles’s violin solo at the end of “Graal” is a prime example: His original idea wasn’t fully realized until he revisited the song in early 2021 and promptly came up with a new part. It was a classic “a-ha” moment that improved the song.
“Getting an opportunity to have a song mostly done for a year or so and then go back to it, find what you loved about it the first time and maybe even improve it in some ways was a nice silver lining from all the delays,” says Charles. “I think because we had so many delays that were out of our control, we were even more determined to take our time to make sure when the time came to record and to mix, that we ensured it was the absolute best it could be in every way.”
Seven additional studios and three more countries later, Exul was finally mixed and mastered in July 2022.
The album personifies Ne Obliviscaris' distinctive, boundary-pushing ethos. The band’s trademark blend of emotion and beauty is as towering as ever, if not even more compelling, particularly how Charles’s violin lines carefully weave their way around Baret and fellow guitarist Matt Klavins’ riffing. The duality of Charles’s clean vocals and Xenoyr’s growls remains the narrative anchor, elevating songs that emanate sophistication and are a masterclass in composition.
“Our approach is always the same,” says Charles, “which is essentially to just write and see what comes out. Exul definitely had its challenges during the songwriting process. Part of the beauty of how our music comes together is that we are quite different individuals bringing an array of ideas together. From there, we work out how to combine them into something that is seamless and beautiful to us. We were determined to make this our best and most complete album yet, which definitely resulted in it taking longer. But we are so proud of this album and it’s exciting to finally share it with the world.”
The album’s centerpiece is the two-part “Misericorde I – As the Flesh Fails” and “Misericorde – Anatomy of Quiescence.” (A Ne Obliviscaris album is not complete without a multi-part epic!) According to Charles, Part II began by taking a song they thought was finished (Pt I) and asking, “What if after that…?” The band then wrote a section that took the piece in a new direction and what was a 7 minute song, became an almost 17 minute 2 part epic.
“The bulk of Part I was written more so by Benji and Martino,” notes Charles. “You can hear the very guitar-driven approach present throughout that track. Part II, by contrast, was written more so by myself in collaboration with others and the emphasis changes more towards expansive solos and slow-developing sections that build towards the epic finale. These two tracks are a great example of how it’s the combination of our different strengths as songwriters spread across an album that results in the sound that is 'Ne Obliviscaris'.”
Charles’s violin parts, whether on “Misericorde II,” “Equus” or “Suspyre,” exude confidence. The instrument has always been central to the band’s sound. On Exul, Charles’s violin playing is taken to another level. “I think that over the years, in regards to how my violin interacts within NeO’s music, I’ve simply continued to add more strings to my bow, so to speak,” he says. “With Exul, I definitely explored even further the use of layers of violin and viola parts to create a more textured feel compared to other albums. ‘Mesericorde II’ was definitely a bit of a breakthrough song for me, where I felt I could utilize the strings in a way that hadn’t been done in NeO’s music before. In the end, whatever serves the song best is always the aim and having more ways of creating music makes it easier to serve the song.”
The Exul album title came to Xen when he was summing up the album’s feeling musically and lyrically. Coincidentally, it matched the experience of most people during the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I think everyone at some point has felt at odds with the world around them, felt alone, cast out, or misunderstood,” says Xen. “Exulfelt right to use in a broader sense and as a lone word, for we each have our own history and a story of exile.
“Overall, there’s a darker core to this album, perhaps more ominous than previous releases,” he continues. “However abstract the lyrics are, they involve some form of unwanted departure — all journeys into torment, passion, longing and even despair. They touch on the process of physical and psychological destruction that comes from that sense or reality of being exiled, whether forced from one’s land, ostracised from a community, shunned by a religion, or even simply being treated differently for being who they are.”
Touring factored heavily into Ne Obliviscaris' 2023 plans. The band embarked on headlining tours worldwide that hit new territories. As luck would have it, the return to live show activity coincided with the release of Exul and the band’s 20th anniversary. As one of Australia’s leading extreme metal exports, there is a distinct sense of gratitude from Charles and his bandmates. They’re looking forward to sharing it with fans when they resume touring.
“Simply getting the opportunity to perform music that we’ve written on stages around the world to people that genuinely love and connect with it,” finishes Charles when talking about Ne Obliviscaris' 20-year journey. “There is something incredibly special about the energy that exists between an artist and audience at a concert and it was an honor to get the opportunity to spend 2023 connecting with people in that way once more.”
Lineup:
Xenoyr - Harsh Vocals
James Dorton - Harsh Vocals (Live)
Tim Charles - Violin & Clean Vocals
Benjamin Baret - Lead Guitar
Matt Klavins - Guitar
Martino Garattoni - Bass
Dan Presland - Drums (Live)
Biography:
David E. Gehlke
Follow Ne Obliviscaris
www.facebook.com/NeObliviscarisBand
www.instagram.com/neobliviscarisofficial
www.twitter.com/neobliviscaris3
www.youtube.com/NeObliviscaris
www.neobliviscarissom.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/neobliviscaris
https://www.neobliviscaris.com.au/
Order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/NeO-exul
Stream
https://orcd.co/neoexul
Available Formats forExul
Digital
CD Digipak
CD Digibox
12" Vinyl Gatefold in various colours
Cassette
NYC rockers The Giraffes unveil hypnotic single ‘The Shot’, heralding new ‘Cigarette’ album
"Undeniably captivating. There’s a certain charm to their music with instrumentation and vocals that are absolutely assured and insanely fucking groovy. Offering a very cool melody, time-shifting and dramatism that builds in intensity, 'The Shot' is a superb and infectious single" ~ Amplify Music Magazine
Brooklyn-based alternative rock outfit The Giraffes present 'The Shot', a hypnotic rock-meets-psychedelic-surf earworm that shimmers between shadowy depths and sunlit crescendos. This is the first taste of their eighth album 'Cigarette', slated for release on September 27, in which the band promises "a score for our current age of decay and disappointment, fear and fury, idiocy and hope".
Known for their trademark menu of metal-tinged scuzz-rock, The Giraffes offer a tasteful mixture of heavy rock, punk, post-punk, surf and whatever else they find interesting. Formed in 1996, they've been crafting a hedonistic soundtrack that is loud, agile, dangerous, funny, sick, complex and satisfying.
With lead singer Aaron Lazar and guitar maestro Damien Paris as its core, drummer Andrew Totolos provides the locomotive rhythm section with Hannah Moorhead anchoring the bass. This year marks the beginning of a new era for the band, with Moorhead now also contributing backing vocals and songwriting. With the line-up no longer in flux, the focus is now largely on songwriting.
The result is 'Cigarette', an album full of surprises, taking new risks with subject matter and composition, while maintaining the intensity and dexterity fans know and love. Recorded & engineered by Andrew Totolos at Apesauce Studio, this album was mixed by Grammy nominated producer Francisco Botero (Matisyahu, Odesza) at the legendary Studio G Brooklyn and by James Dellatacoma (Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock, TS Monk, John Zorn, Angelique Kidjo) at Bill Laswell's famed Orange Music Sound Studio.
'The Shot' single https://thegiraffes1.bandcamp.com/track/the-shot
'Cigarette' album pre-order https://thegiraffes1.bandcamp.com/album/cigarette
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OfQhA76hhDafHFYgyyokm
"'The Shot' is a song about Gen x (my generation), which has always chronically undersold itself. We have limited desires and, as a result, we tend to see limited returns. We were raised by these selfish boomers and we really don't want to become like that but, at the same time, the rules we must live by still happen to be boomer rules," says Aaron Lazar.
"Consequently, we (or honestly I) fall into the trap of pulling back and looking at the larger picture. The bigger story of degradation and cope that leads us to envisioning a paradise on the other side of this disappointment of an existence. This is a song about millennialism I suppose, where we are doomed to fail, but forced to race nonetheless."
Four years since cutting their teeth on the NYC underground scene and two years since releasing their 1998 debut album 'Franksquilt', The Giraffes finally found its true form as a band in 2000 when joined by vocalist Aaron Lazar. Upon releasing 'Helping You Help Yourself', their first album with Lazar in 2002, the band would stake its claim as the most unbridled and fun-loving Brooklyn live act. Indeed, with fierce musicality and peak audience participation, The Giraffes earned themselves a dedicated fan base.
From 2002, the band toured nationally and released four studio albums in succession, signing with various labels along the way. Their spaghetti western EP 'A Gentleman Never Tells' (2003) was followed by 'The Giraffes' album (2005), the 'Pretty In Puke' EP and the 'Prime Motivator' album (2008). Their epic 2010 concept album 'Ruled' proved to be Lazar's swan song before leaving the band in 2011. While his departure seemed to mark the end of an era, the embers of their explosive sound would later reignite, proving that this was not the band's final act.
2014 brought sold-out reunion concerts with Lazar back at the helm, reuniting fans from far and wide. Bolstered by their support, the Giraffes began developing new material, resulting in their sixth album 'Usury', released to critical acclaim in 2015. Finally, 2019 brought a new lineup with the addition of bassist Hannah Moorhead (Netherlands, Twenty Two’s) and new impetus with the release of the 'Flower of the Cosmos' album and remixes by Swervedriver's Adam Franklin and notable hip-hop record producer Blockhead.
Over the years, The Giraffes have toured with Eagles of Death Metal, Local-H, The Vacation and Skeleton Key, and shared the stage with Interpol, Fishbone, Yeah Yeah Yeah's and The Strokes. They've played SXSW, Bonnaroo, Amsterjam, Voodofest, Monolith, Northside and CMJ Festivals, and landed sync licensing placements in the 'Guitar Hero' video game, Sundance Festival winning film 'I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore', and the forthcoming 'Toxic Avenger' remake.
As of July 30, 'The Shot' will be available everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The 'Cigarette' album, which is out on September 27 is now available for pre-order via Bandcamp.
ALBUM CREDITS
Music written by The Giraffes
Lyrics & vocals by Aaron Lazar
Damien Paris - guitar
Hannah Moorhead - bass
Andrew Totolos - drums & percussion
Aaron Lazar - vocals
Recorded & engineered by Andrew Totolos at Apesauce
Mixed by Francisco Botero at Studio G
Tracks 4 & 5 mixed by James Dellatacoma
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 mixed by Francisco Botero
Mastered by Matt Labozza
Cover artwork by Aaron Lazar
Artist photos by Ebru Yildiz
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with The Giraffes
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | Link edIn | Email
Klone Announce New Album "The Unseen" + Share "Interlaced"
French art-rock band Klone have announced the release of their tenth full-length album, The Unseen, set for release on November 8 through Berlin's Pelagic Records. Pre-order it here.
A bold new journey through a singular yet contrasting soundscape, The Unseen is an immersive, dreamlike experience that pushes Klone’s already sumptuous sound to new, magisterial heights and speaks to the significance of things that at first glance seem to lack it.
Emotive and conceptual, Klone have once again broken new sonic ground and built further on their signature expansive sound. Since the release of Le Grand Voyagein 2019 , French art-rockers Klone have risen to new heights across the globe, touring in Europe, USA, Australia, and Mexico alongside the likes of Devin Townsend, Leprous, Riverside, Pain of Salvation, Gojira, and blowing away festival crowds at Hellfest 2024, Prog Power USA, Midsummer Prog, and Cruise to the Edge. Coming off the back of their phenomenal 2023 album Meanwhile, The Unseen is a masterpiece of both performance and production that sees Klone wearing their years of experience proudly on their sleeves.
With every member and every instrument pushed to its expressive limit, The Unseen has a might and intensity to it that, whilst sometimes abrasive, simultaneously feels natural, coherent and unified as the band move from motif and melody as one; guided as ever by the unmistakable voice and vision of Yann Ligner.
Lead single and album opener "Interlaced" is a breathtaking journey through rich, rhythmic depths; chiming intertwined guitars give way to a soaring, free-jazz inspired saxophone solo as lyrics exploring moments that allow us to rediscover our youth establish the introspective themes of the album as a whole.
With such an inimitable 25 years of music already behind them, it seems apt that The Unseen is also Klone's tenth full-length release. The album serves as a milestone that uses reflections on the past as a means of appreciating the beauty of the present, with the band employing their shared decades of creativity and collaboration to offer enlightening new perspectives on the here and now.
The Unseen is releasing on November 8.
"Interlaced" is out now. Listen below.
Linger says, "'Interlaced' opens the album, introducing several new facets of our sound and establishing tones and themes that continue throughout 'The Unseen.' The lyrics of 'Interlaced' describe those moments that take us back to our youth, those situations that, through play, allow us to rediscover our childlike soul."
OCEANS OF SLUMBER Release Cover of "Wicked Game"
The Houston metal band are performing their upcoming new album at Metal Injection Festival and Mad With Power
"One of modern metal's brightest hopes" - Metal Hammer
"A band that nails a unique balance and has the potential to do whatever they want" - Angry Metal Guy (4/5)
"Masterful compositions that reveal more secrets with each listen" - Metal Injection (9/10)
"Dark, turbulent, and above all, incredibly emotional" - New Noise (4/5)
"They are the new Southern gothic, and you need to pay attention" - Distorted Sound (9/10)
"This band is truly something special" - Ghost Cult (8/10)
Since their star turn in 2016, Oceans of Slumber have included a cover song on all of their albums. As expected for a band that defies any and all conventions, the list of covers spans far beyond the metal realms, ranging from goth to blues rock, baroque pop and classic American folk.
While they always planned on ending their upcoming eighth album with another cover, a last-minute change of heart led Oceans of Slumber to revisit Chris Isaak's signature sleeper hit. By stripping the song down to its chilling core, the band turned "Wicked Game" into the dark and doomy end credits score to the dark, cinematic Where Gods Fear to Speak.
Hear Oceans of Slumber cover Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" BELOW.
Where Gods Fear to Speak comes out September 13 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Stream
https://orcd.co/oceansofslumberwheregodsfeartospeakalbum
"Wicked Game" was on Oceans of Slumber's list well before Where Gods Fear to Speak. But when the Houston metal band arrived in Columbia to record their new album with GRAMMY nominee Joel Hamilton, they had already decided on covering the country-meets-Brill Building staple "Crying". Which would've made perfect sense; after all, Roy Orbison was a fellow proud Texan.
"I'm sure we'll cover 'Crying' at some point down the line", says Cammie Beverly. "But in the end, this album called for something more unexpected".
Oceans of Slumber's well-laid plan for finishing Where Gods Fear to Speak changed during their last session at Audiovision Studios. Having already recorded for nine and a half hours straight, the band were running out of time and energy. "My voice was so tired", Cammie reveals. While she's blessed with one of the cleanest and strongest set of pipes in all of metal, this album challenged her to flex a guttural new muscle: death growls.
"I had just recorded the demo for the hardest song on the album", Cammie continues. With its dizzying high notes and crushing, demonic lows, it's no wonder "Poem of Ecstasy" left even a powerful singer like her both physically and emotionally drained. "It was really frustrating", she remembers. Unsure whether her voice could summon The Big O's sweet, booming crescendo, at the final hour, she consulted with her husband and drummer Dobber Beverly. "We realized that the album needed to end on a note that was still familiar but also a bit unsettling".
Luckily, Dobber had just the right song in mind. "When we were in Columbia, I heard a club remix of 'Wicked Game' while out at a restaurant", he says with a smile. "It was so bad that I needed to go and make things right in my head". The band didn't have a moment to spare, either; like all of the songs on Where Gods Fear to Speak, they tracked this cover live, nailing the final take within their very last hour of studio time.
All jokes aside, "Wicked Game" proved to be a match made in heaven with Where Gods Fear to Speak. Chris Isaak wrote and released "Wicked Game" as a single off his third album in 1989, but the song didn't climb all the way to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 until an Atlanta radio host heard it featured in David Lynch's 1990 romantic crime drama Wild at Heart. As its spellbinding title track unveiled, Oceans of Slumber still deliver more of the fiery death, doom and black metal that long-time fans have come to expect, but this new album expands their progressive vision to dark, cinematic heights.
"We've taken the raw and heavier direction of our last two albums and elevated it to the scale of a blockbuster IMAX movie", says Dobber. "Our cover of 'Wicked Game' is the song that plays over the end credits".
Still, it wouldn't have been all that surprising if Oceans of Slumber had stuck with the dazed, vaguely tropical vibe that Isaak nailed on the original version of "Wicked Game". After all, they had just spent two weeks soaking up Bogotá's sultry, sunny atmosphere. Alex Davis adds a lovely Spanish guitar line, but the band's chief composer took the out-of-nowhere hit in a bone-chilling direction.
Underground metalheads will always worship him as the drummer for grindcore legends Insect Warfare, but Dobber is also a classically trained pianist who arranged all 10 songs on Where Gods Fear to Speak. In his well-calloused hands, "Wicked Game" proceeds slowly, gracefully, as if welcoming a ghost, which allows Cammie plenty of breathing room. "No, I don't want to fall in love", she sings amidst the softest reaches of her upper register. Chris Kritikos joins in on back vocals, recasting the song's memorable refrain into a haunting coda of the doomed romance at the album's heart.
"With 'Wicked Game', we're sending the characters off into the sunset with a cliffhanger", says Cammie and Dobber. "Nobody loves no one".
To celebrate the release of Where Gods Fear to Speak, Oceans of Slumber have three special performances planned for later this year.
In August, Oceans of Slumber will battle alongside their new label mates Oak, Ash & Thorn at Madison, Wisconsin' Mad With Power Festival. The band will then reconvene with producer Joel Hamilton at Studio G Brooklyn, where they'll treat a small but lucky group of fans to reimagined versions of new and old classics.
"During this exclusive evening at Studio G, we'll be graced by esteemed guest musicians and a captivating string quartet", Dobber says. "Each song will be reinvented, breathing new life into the songs our fans cherish".
Come September, Oceans of Slumber will join forces with fellow Houston heavies Necrofier at Metal Injection Festival.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Metal Injection's 20th anniversary at this year's festival", says Cammie. "We'll be sharing the stage with amazing bands like Jinjer, Converge, God Forbid, 3 Inches of Blood, Hanabie, Cave In, Rivers of Nihil and our good friends in Necrofier. We can't wait to rock out with you and hit the streets of New York City".
Mad With Power Festival
Saturday, August 3 - Madison, WI [TICKETS]
Live at Studio G w/ String Quartet + Special Guests
Saturday, August 10 - Brooklyn, NY [SOLD OUT]
Metal Injection Festival
Sunday, September 22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch & Meadows [TICKETS]
Lineup
Cammie Beverly - vocals
Dobber Beverly- drums, piano
Semir Ozerkan - bass
Alex Davis - guitar
Chris Kritikos - guitar, synth
Recording
Audiovision Studios in Bogotá, Columbia
Assistant engineering at Audiovision by Deyra Castillo and David Dueñas Piña
Production
Produced and engineered by Joel Hamilton
Mixed by Joel Hamilton at Studio G in Brooklyn, New York
Additional engineering by Chris Kritikos
Assistant engineering by Justin Termotto
Artwork
Giannis Nakos - Remedy Art Design
Biography
Dom Lawson
Follow Oceans of Slumber
https://oceansofslumber.com/
https://oceansofslumber.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/oceansofslumber/
https://www.instagram.com/oceansofslumber/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/user/oceansofslumber
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JSza6IRxLr1Ez3wqKd0SY?si=aWrsTRHCSCemMNRQaSk5tw
Pre-order & Stream
https://orcd.co/oceansofslumberwheregodsfeartospeakalbum
Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Translucent Red)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Translucent Clear)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Orange with Black Splatter)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Translucent Orange)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Color-In-Color Translucent Orange)
2X12" Vinyl Gatefold (Color-In-Color Translucent Red)
LAINEY WILSON ANNOUNCES “GOOD HORSES (FEAT. MIRANDA LAMBERT)” OFF UPCOMING RECORD WHIRLWIND OUT AUGUST 2
Today, GRAMMY® award winning multi-PLATINUM artist, Lainey Wilsonannounced that her soul-stirring new song “Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” will release on Friday, August 2, off her forthcoming and highly anticipated record, Whirlwind, via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Pre-order/pre-save/pre-add “Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” and Whirlwind HERE.
“Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” is Wilson’s first collaboration on her own project and the fourth song to be released from Whirlwind, after Wilson’s lead single “Hang Tight Honey” which is currently in the Top 15 at Country radio and climbing. Co-written by Wilson, Lambert, and Luke Dick and produced by GRAMMY ® award winning producer, Jay Joyce, the multi-talent, who has been teasing the eagerly awaited new track during her live shows this year, delivers the latest preview of Whirlwind.
Combining Wilson’s distinctive songwriting style and signature country flair, “Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” takes listeners on a soulful experience, evoking a sense of longing and familiarity, while exploring the theme of how love will always find its way back home - no matter where you are in the world.
Already this year, Wilson has won a GRAMMY® for Best Country Album, a People’s Choice Award for Female Country Artist of The Year, a CMT Music Award for Female Video of The Year, three ACM awards, including the coveted Entertainer of The Year, and became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry. With no signs of slowing down, fans can catch Wilson on her “Country’s Cool Again” North American 2024 headlining tour throughout the year. For a full list of tour dates and more information, please visit laineywilson.com.
Photo Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson
About Lainey Wilson:
GRAMMY® award winning, prolific singer-songwriter, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm and praise of the industry. Critically acclaimed and touted as ‘Entertainer of the Year,’ the Louisiana native who has often been described as a “bona fide storyteller at work,” has made a name for herself as a next generation icon. Constantly defying the traditional norms and conventions of the Country music genre, Wilson’s “rulebreaking” achievements have led her to numerous accolades and a diehard fanbase.
Nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams in Nashville, she earned her first PLATINUM certified song, with “Things A Man Oughta Know,” and won over legions of fans across the globe with her signature sound and aesthetic, blending traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. Thus far, her music has taken her worldwide with headlining shows in Europe, the UK, Australia, and more. With seven No.1 songs to date, Wilson has become the lead female artist with the most No.1’s this decade along with two GRAMMY® nominations, nine ACM awards, seven CMA awards, and becoming an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Making her acting debut in Season 5 of Paramount’s smash hit series Yellowstone, Wilson has become a triple-threat in the industry, claiming the roles of singer, songwriter, and actress. Fans can also catch Wilson on her “Country’s Cool Again” headlining North American tour this year and pre-order/pre-save/pre-add her forthcoming studio album, Whirlwind, now. For more information, please visit laineywilson.com.
KEEP UP WITH LAINEY WILSON
GRAND MAGUS - Announce New Album "Sunraven" + Release Video For First Single 'Skybound'
Acclaimed heavy metal battering ram GRAND MAGUS from Stockholm, Sweden are pleased to announce that their brand new album Sunraven will be released on October 18th through Nuclear Blast Records. Sunraven marks the 10th full-length in the band's impressive discography and conceptually deals with the legendary poem Beowulf, an ancient tale of epic proportions about heroes and monsters, honor and bravery, victory and defeat. In short, themes that have always played an important role in the lyrical concept of GRAND MAGUS.
Alongside the album announcement, GRAND MAGUS have released a video for the first single from Sunraven, the mighty opening track 'Skybound', one of the most anthemic songs the band has ever written.
JB (vocals & guitar) commented:
"'Skybound' is obviously a song about death and going to Valhalla. That’s where Beowulf ended up in the end because after he defeated Grendel and Grendel’s mother, he was king for 50 years! Then his lands were plagued by a dragon, and by this time Beowulf is fucking ancient, but he’s still mean as a snake. He goes against the dragon and he manages to kill the dragon, but he’s mortally wounded in the process. He’s sky-bound, you know? These are all my own ideas about this. I used the myth as a starting point for my own ideas and imagination."
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE THE NEW ALBUM SUNRAVEN:
https://grandmagus.bfan.link/sunraven.ema
LISTEN TO THE SINGLE 'SKYBOUND':
https://grandmagus.bfan.link/skybound.ema
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR 'SKYBOUND' BELOW :
Sunraven is available in the following formats:
Jewelcase CD
Gatefold LP (Solid Gold)
Gatefold LP (Orange & Yellow Sunburst)
Digital Album
ABOUT GRAND MAGUS
Not every band can be 100 percent authentic and true. Not every band has the necessary cojones to summon the spirit of heavy metal. But GRAND MAGUS are not every band. A trio of windswept warriors, driven by a belief in the power of this ageless music that so many of us consider a real-world lifeline, they return in 2024 with glad tidings of heroism and valor.
Over the course of 25 years, the Swedish trio have established themselves as stoic standard bearers for heavy metal in its purest, most triumphant form. From their early years as honorary combatants in the doom scene, GRAND MAGUS have grown in confidence and stature with every passing year. Initially signed to legendary UK imprint Rise Above Records, they released acclaimed albums like 2003’s Monument and 2005’s fiery breakthrough opus Wolf’s Return and garnered effusive plaudits for live shows that always resounded with the thump of metal’s beating heart.
Later signed to first Roadrunner and then Nuclear Blast Records, GRAND MAGUS have marched on through the decades with their now trademark sign a continual benchmark for red-blooded heaviness. Bulging with fresh anthems, albums like Triumph & Power (2014) and Sword Songs(2016) took the band to new heights, as their status as a thunderous, rabble-rousing live band continued to grow. In 2019, the ninth studio album Wolf God put the seal on a second decade of active service, and GRAND MAGUS set off on tour as 2020 dawned; only to be confronted with a worldwide Covid shutdown that might have even spelled the end for Stockholm’s finest.
When work finally began on the tenth GRAND MAGUS album, JB made tentative steps towards something bigger and better than past achievements. With a final deadline waiting at the end of 2023, he began to piece together some ideas in January, slowly forming the backbone of what would become the new GRAND MAGUS album, Sunraven. After reconvening with bassist Fox and drummer Ludwig Witt in Halmstad, Sweden, the new songs swiftly came to life.
Not just the tenth GRAND MAGUS full-length, but their first bona fide concept album, Sunravenis a full-bore return to the heavy metal might of Wolf God and Sword Songs, but with an underlying story that adds greater depth to the Swedes’ earthy bombast. Made manifest via a gritty but grandiose production courtesy of the band and co-producer Staffan Karlsson, Sunravenwas inspired by the revered Old English epic poem of Beowulf. In true heavy metal style, these nine new songs dive deep into heroic fantasy, but with the same real-world resonances that are scorched into the genre’s calloused skin.
Photo by Johan Baath
Defiled Reveal Raw Truth on New Single
The samurai of death metal are touring Japan this fall behind their upcoming eighth album Horror Beyond Horror
"For fans of the classic era of death metal" - Blabbermouth
"Nobody sounds like these guys; they make art out of riffs, snares and death" - New Noise
"The one-two punch of tight musicianship and an inclination to pummel into submission without the need for flashy antics makes for a dazzling experience" - Ghost Cult
"Straight to the point and relentless" - Distorted Sound
"Encapsulates both the oldschool familiarity and the modern aesthetics of death metal" - Metal Trenches
Though they've more than earned their distinguished title as the samurai of death metal, Defiled have never had the patience to suffer any fools. For the past 30 years, Yusuke Sumita and his lethal band of warriors have been on a war path, leaving nothing but inevitable ruin in their grimy wake. They've conquered crowds from across their native Tokyo all the way to Milwaukee Metal Festival while touring with their fellow legends in Mayhem, Incantation, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse.
Now, just two years removed from reaching the highest level of straight-forward, bone-crushing death metal, Defiled have topped themselves once again on their upcoming eighth album. Horror Beyond Horror is the kind of good ol' fashioned ass-kicking that only a true master can deliver. It slices and dices from all directions, but their new single cuts straight to the bloody truth.
Watch the video for "Smoke and Mirrors" below:
Horror Beyond Horror comes out September 20 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Stream
https://orcd.co/defiledhorrorbeyondhorror
Ever since they clawed out of Tokyo's underground back in 1992, Defiled have carved out a reputation as one of the world's finest practitioners of relentlessly raw death metal. "Those who prefer the schools of olde should be right at home", Lambgoat wrote in praise of their last barbaric offering.
But Horror Beyond Horror proves that Defiled can still inflict maximum punishment in ways that are strangely satisfying. Like a poisonous dart, the band come come shooting out of the shadows on "Smoke and Mirrors". Blast beats pummel at unforeseen angles, only to shift around every corner into a dizzying flurry of drum fills.
"Smoke and Mirrors" will toy with even the most decorated of battle vests, but Defiled know when it's time to vanquish foes with a brutal finishing move. "Every lie has been revealed", fearless frontman Shinichiro Hamada shouts, taking aim at perpetual frauds and tyrannical technocrats. Upon getting the signal from Hamada's screaming whammy bar, the band charge straight into the pit of battle with a grisly, grease-slicked groove that will snap plenty of necks on their upcoming Japanese tour.
"We are very excited to kick off our tour in support of our new album in our home country", says guitarist Yusuke Sumita. "If you're in the area, be sure to join us. See you on the road".
The video for "Smoke and Mirrors" was filmed at Katakai Pier in Kujukuri, Chiba, Japan in May 2024. It was directed and edited by Seaside 99 Works. Special thanks to Kujukuri Gyogyou Kumiai.
In customary fashion, this fall, Defiled are welcoming Horror Beyond Horror with a tour of Japan.
Don't miss the chance to watch these legends shred through "Smoke and Mirrors", "To See Beyond the Wall" and other nasty rippers off their new album for the very first time.
Line-up
Shinichiro Hamada - Vocals, Guitar
Yusuke Sumita - Guitar
Takachika Nakajima - Bass
Keisuke Hamada - Drums
Recording Studio
Studio Zot, Tokyo, Japan
Production Credits
Sound Engineers - Shinichiro Hamada & Keisuke Hamada
Produced by Yusuke Sumita
Mixed & Mastered by Kenji Kikuchi at Studio Nest, Chiba, Japan
Biography
Defiled, with edits by Sébastien Gamez
Cover Art
Wes Benscoter
Photographer
Shigenori Ishikawa
Booking Contact:
Yusuke Sumita - info@defiled.info
Stream & Order: https://orcd.co/defiledhorrorbeyondhorror
Available formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Colored (Crystal Clear & Transparent Green)
Follow Defiled
Website : http://www.defiled.info/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/defiled
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/defiledjapan
Bandcamp : https://defiledjapan.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/defiled
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@defiled
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KDc0SB4ero6zAgrafjVrt
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/defiled/72867298
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B001GJ407S/defiled
OCEANS - Announce New Album 'Happy'
Exciting news from German nu-death band OCEANS!
After the band's triptych of EPs in 2022, which later formed the album Hell Is Where The Heart Is, the band now announces their third official studio album. HAPPY, which will be released on September 27th, sees the band delving into the all too familiar topic of mental health struggles as they explore the lows of human existence, with the album's title serving as the desired state of mind.
OCEANS have also delivered a brand new single called 'Parasite', which comes with an accompanying music video that you can witness below:
Timo Rotten comments:
"Music has always been our way of confronting our darkest emotions and finding a sense of release. I hope that this song resonates with those who have faced anxiety and depression and reminds them that they are not alone. Your fear might hold you hostage. But you can also choose to fight back!”
Stream the new single here: https://oceans.bfan.link/parasite
Pre-order/pre-save the new album HAPPY here: https://oceans.bfan.link/happy
Watch the previously released music video for 'Slaves To The Feed' here:
https://youtu.be/7Bbd0ECvG0E
Watch the previously released music video for 'Breed Consume Die' here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9H7aIw9uI&feature=youtu.be
Get your copy of OCEANS' last album Hell Is Where The Heart Is here:
https://oceans.bfan.link/hell-is-where-the-heart-is
TOUR DATES
Just in time for their upcoming album release, OCEANS are going on tour. As support for labelmates SEPTICFLESH, the nu-metallers will be playing several shows all through Europe. From October 3rd to November 2nd, catch OCEANS along with SEPTICFLESH, EQUILIBRIUM, and SCAR OF THE SUN as they blaze through 28 electrifying concerts across 13 countries.
Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and prepare to experience the
MODERN PRIMITIVE TOUR 2024 like never before!
Make sure to grab your tickets now: https://bnds.us/0ibwu7
About:
Germany’s Nu Death powerhouse OCEANS are back with unprecedented ferocity since their debut EP in 2018. Brace yourself for their third album HAPPY, a colossal juggernaut that once again showcases the band's ability to seamlessly fuse nu-metal, death metal, and post-rock into their own signature sound. The days of subtle introversion seem to be over. As the world faces one crisis after another, OCEANS are channeling their frustration at the state of the world into a bold statement against the influence of social media on society, while staying true to their mission of promoting mental health awareness. This band has never sounded as angry as they do now, and these 11 songs are impressive proof of how well that emotion suits them. Surely this is also what convinced Australia's finest, keyboardist MISSTIQ and Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER, to take part as feature artists on two tracks. OCEANS ’previous album Hell Is Where The Heart Is put the band on the road with international acts like BLIND CHANNEL in 2022, as well as supporting ANNISOKAY in 2024. It’s safe to say that HAPPY will ignite massive mosh pits on their upcoming extensive European tour with SEPTICFLESH in October 2024.
OCEANS is:
Timo Rotten | vocals, guitar
Patrick Zarske | guitar
Thomas Winkelmann | bass
J.F. Grill | drums
More info:
www.oceansofficial.com
www.facebook.com/oceansofficialde
www.twitter.com/ocnsofficial
www.youtube.com/oceansofficial
www.nuclearblast.de/oceans
The Oklahoma Kid Announce "Featherminded" EP + Share "Masquerade" Visualizer
THE OKLAHOMA KID continue to captivate their audience with the release of their newest single, "Masquerade," from the upcoming EP, Featherminded, out on August 22 via Arising Empire.
This latest offering showcases the band's ability to blend intricate guitar work with soaring melodies and compelling lyrical narratives.
The track combines aggressive instrumentation with melodic hooks, creating a dynamic tension that reflects the song's thematic depth. This single further establishes The Oklahoma Kid's penchant for pushing musical and thematic boundaries, solidifying their reputation as innovators in the genre.
To celebrate the release of Featherminded, The Oklahoma Kid is set to host a major release show on August 31. This event promises to be a high-energy showcase of the new material, providing fans with an immersive live experience.
Watch "Masquerade" visualizer below.
The song is out worldwide on DSPs at midnight.
Pre-save Featherminded here.
THE OKLAHOMA KID stand for breathtaking modern metal that bridges the gap between technical intricacy and energizing rhythms. Since their formation in 2012 the band has consistently pushed the envelope and have established their foundation in the German metal scene.
After their successful debut album Solarray (2019) and struck by the global pandemic, THE OKLAHOMA KID set their focus on writing new music, with one simple goal in mind, to best themselves and give every fan something to crave for — Tangerine Tragic.
Tangerine Tragic is built on the strengths of their debut Solarray. It plays with new ideas and concepts, comes gentle as a breeze and strikes hard as a wreckingball. The album was recorded and produced by Jan Kerscher (Ghost City Recordings) - mixed and mastered by Lance Prenc (Alpha Wolf, Polaris, Dealer) that gives this production its full blown punch.
They toured the country with renowned acts such as Stick To Your Guns, Carnifex, Evergreen Terrace and Hatebreed and electrified crowds with their passionate, relentless performance.
THE OKLAHOMA KID ARE:
Tomm Brümmer | Vocals
Fred Stölzel | Guitar
Andreas Reinhard | Guitar
Robert Elfenbein | Bass
David J. Burtscher | Drums
WORMWITCH Streams New Self-Titled Full-Length in Full Ahead of Tomorrow's Release
Blackened speed metal entity WORMWITCH will unleash their eponymous fourth studio albumtomorrow, July 26, 2024 via Profound Lore Records! The Canadian necromancers are now streaming the upcoming offering in its entirety! The record can be heard below.
WORMWITCH sets out to combine a melodic blackened death assault with the ferocity and attitude of crust punk and classic rock and roll, jettisoning the burdens of ceremony and pomp that dominate the genre today.
The album can be pre-ordered in various formats HERE.
The cover artwork for Wormwitch's eponymous record was created by Abomination Hammer
Like black wings from an obsidian sky, WORMWITCH descended from the darkness in 2015, somewhere upon the rain-soaked woodlands of coastal British Columbia. Animated from the bones of several local punk and metal bands, the new entity set out to combine a melodic blackened death assault with the ferocity and attitude of crust punk and classic rock and roll, jettisoning the burdens of ceremony and pomp that dominate the genre today.
WORMWITCH released their first demo, 'The Long Defeat' in 2015, and shortly after signed to Prosthetic Records, under whom they released 'Strike Mortal Soil' (2017), 'Heaven that Dwells Within' (2019), and 'Wolf Hex' (2021). During that time the band toured with the likes of The Black Dahlia Murder, Suffocation, Midnight, Necrot, Uada, Bewitcher, and many others, earning themselves a dedicated cult following and international critical praise. In 2022, WORMWITCH struck out to independently release a string of singles and embark upon several tours of North America. After a busy festival season, 2024 saw the release of a six-song split with Atlanta black-thrashers Sadistic Ritual.
Now, with blades meticulously honed and tempered under the light of a feral Canadian moon, WORMWITCH emerges once more to offer their fourth full length record. Simply self-titled, “Wormwitch” is a statement of a band coming into it’s own - a revelrous celebration of devilish speed, searing melody and diabolical intensity.
Wormwitch Lineup:
Robin Harris: Bass, Vocals
Colby Hink: Guitars
Israel Langlais: Drums
Recording & Mixing: Michael Kraushaar at Little Red Sounds at New Westminster, BC
Mastering: Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
Guest vocals: Erlend Hjelvik (HJELVIK) on "The Helm And The Bow"
Cover Artwork: Abomination Hammer
Photos: Lucien Cyr
Links:
ANCIIENTS Deliver Timeless Wisdom on New Single
JUNO Award winners hosting Bandcamp Listening Party for highly-anticipated third album Beyond the Reach of the Sun
"Big, melodic and fun" - New Noise
"A blend of soothing acoustic rock melodies and crushing heavy metal" - Guitar World
"It's exciting stuff, really - often complicated without seeming excessive, skillful but soulful, approachable but not pedestrian" - Pitchfork
"Heady stuff...arch-synthesists, cleverly appropriating a number of familiar, inter-related genres to fuse into a seamless ethos" - Metal Injection
"Proggy, sludgy and downright rocking" - Angry Metal Guy
"When the riffs rumble out of the speakers, you're moving" - No Clean Singing
"Combining powerful drumming with Thin Lizzy inspired riffs, while sounding like the musical equivalent of Game of Thrones" - Echoes and Dust
"Parts progressive finesse, classic rock grandstanding and grass-roots bludgeon" - PopMatters
Before they saw their new album to the finish line, Anciients had to climb an awfully rocky mountain. It might be hard to believe, but a global pandemic wasn't the only obstacle that stood in the Canadian band's path after winning a JUNO Award. They had to navigate multiple line-up changes, serious health complications and newfound fatherhood. But at last, the heavy, heady and heartfelt Canucks have returned to the summit of progressive metal with Beyond the Reach of the Sun.
The album's new single is plenty crushing, but "In the Absence of Wisdom" radiates with hard-earned perseverance.
"The hiatus is over" says frontman Kenny Cook. "We're ready to hit it hard".
Watch the eye-opening visualizer for "In the Absence of Wisdom" below.
Beyond the Reach of the Sun comes out August 30, 2024 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Stream
https://orcd.co/anciientsbeyondthereachofthesun
Can't wait any longer for the return of Anciients? RSVP for their Bandcamp Listening Party and listen to all 10 mind-blowing tracks off their new album before anyone else!
Bandcamp Listening Party
Thursday, August 15 @ 7 pm Pacific Time
RSVP
https://anciientriffs.bandcamp.com/merch/beyond-the-reach-of-the-sun-listening-party
By the time we arrive at "In the Absence of Wisdom", the story behind Beyond the Reach of the Sun appears to have already reached its pointed conclusion. The shadowy galactic forces that enslaved society on the album's first two singles have been vanquished. The sun has returned to its vaulted place in the sky. Light and balance have been restored to the universe. All is well. Or so it seems...
"In the Absence of Wisdom" is the closing statement on Beyond the Reach of the Sun, which makes it stand out as an ominous coda. After all, Anciients didn't spend the last eight years soul searching through the Canadian wilderness just so they could wrap up their long-awaited new album with a big kumbaya. A bluesy guitar intro unravels like a cry in the dark before Cook and his new axe man Brock MacInnes (Dead Quiet) are locked back into a classic headbanging riff.
"We awaken", Cook sings, shrouded in reverb. "No one left to guide us through".
"In the Absence of Wisdom" does build to a grand finale in due time. But the song revolves around a gloomy conceptual framework. "I was thinking about all the times we as humans have failed to learn from the mistakes of everyone who's come and gone before us", Cook explains. "Making the same decisions over and over again in hopes of finally experiencing a breakthrough just leaves you caught in a viscous cycle".
The pandemic didn't help, but Beyond the Reach of the Sun had already been delayed long before COVID-19 prevented them from performing outside Canada for two-plus years (and counting). Cook's wife nearly passed away from heart complications after giving birth to their first child. "They're happy and healthy now", the grizzled frontman ensures, "but it was a bit of a road".
As if that wasn't enough weight for one metalhead to carry, Anciients were hit with a last-minute hurdle. A month before the band was all set to hunker down at Rain City Recorders, suddenly, they found themselves in search of a new bass player. Fortunately, Justin Hagberg, who plays the soft glowing keyboard on "In the Absence of Wisdom", showed them Bushwhacker's sure-handed bassist Rory O'Brien.
"We got lucky and Rory saved our asses at the last minute", Cook says.
The journey wasn't without plenty of pitfalls, but in the end, Beyond the Reach of the Sun is a testament to Anciients' perseverance. "At its core, this album is all about overcoming adversity in order to seek enlightenment", Cook says. "In the Absence of Wisdom" concludes with the fiercest and most fiery of its three guitar solos, the flaming hammer-ons fanned higher and higher by drummer Mike Hannay's thunderous toms.
"We are now the demons", Cook warns, "Following the footsteps / Of the ones we hate". His growl is deadlier than ever, but it's a prophecy from a band that's lived to tell the tale.
The images in the visualizer for "In the Absence of Wisdom" were created by Martin Stebbing and Alison Lilly.
Lineup
Kenny Cook (vocals, guitar)
Mike Hannay (drums)
Brock MacInnes (rhythm guitar)
Rory O'Brien (bass)
Guest musicians
Justin Hagberg plays keyboard on "Forbidden Sanctuary", "Is It Your God", "Melt the Crown", "Candescence", "In the Absence of Wisdom".
Jess Gander plays synths on "Candescence" and "Cloak of the Vast and Black".
Recording studio
Rain City Recorders
Producer / sound engineer
Jesse Gander
Assisted by Szymon Wojciech
Mastering studio and engineer
Stu McKillop @ Rain City Mastering
Mixing studio and engineer
Jesse Gander Rain City Recorders
Cover artwork artist
Adam Burke @ Nightjar Illustrations
Bio
Kevin Stewart-Panko
Pre-order & Stream: https://orcd.co/anciientsbeyondthereachofthesun
Press kit: https://presskit.season-of-mist.com/Anciients/
Username: presskit
Password: Presskitofmist
Follow Anciients
https://www.facebook.com/ANCIIENTSRIFFS
https://www.instagram.com/anciients/
https://twitter.com/ANCIIENTS
https://www.youtube.com/user/ANCIIENTS
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anciients/603538280
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQOcYukzO6U1MjFcavDUE?si=4QWahfZxQjOmAI7nYrav6g&nd=1&dlsi=0142e5e62ae54105