Fred Abong (Throwing Muses, Belly) releases eighth full-length album 'Blindness' via Moochin' About Records

May 7, 2024

“Purity and honesty in his approach that gets more and more intense with each track... like you’re riding a wave of energy” ~ Higher Plain Music

“Beautifully raw, uncluttered and quite cinematic... Melodically infectious and lyrically mysterious" ~ Newport Naked

“Abong’s vocal delivery is a testament to his storytelling prowess. His voice carries the weight of experience, each phrase brimming with authenticity and emotion... connecting on a profound level with the emotions that make us human” ~ Skylight Webzine

“So unique that there is no possible way this music could be mistaken as being performed by anyone else" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

“An almost painful intimacy to his words despite the oblique phrasing and imagery he conjures” ~ Isolation Records

'Blindness' album
https://moochinaboutltd.bandcamp.com/album/blindness
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qHuRR8HuuAkPb1VTPSExd
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/fredabong

Alternative crooner-philosopher Fred Abong presents his new 'Blindness' album, released via Moochin' About Records. Previewed by the lead track 'Heaven', these ten tracks comprise his eighth long-player to date. At the same time, he's shared a new video for the album's title track.

Now based in New Orleans, Abong is no stranger to the US music scene, having got his musical start in the 1980’s on the Rhode Island hardcore punk scene. In the early 1990s, he played bass for Throwing Muses and then Belly.

Putting music on hold for academic pursuits, he then earned a PhD in Humanities and taught at various universities for eight years before returning to music. Now back as a solo artist, Abong also plays bass in the Kristin Hersh Electric Trio. He has also been a practicing Vedic astrologer for the past 20 plus years.

"This album is a first for me. Composed entirely on keyboard/piano, I wanted to challenge my songwriting, to not rely on guitar to guide or limit what showed up. The first and biggest problem with this is that I don’t play piano. So I really had to have faith that the gods of music would show mercy on me … would be there for me if I was earnestly there for them. As always, I’ll let the listener decide whether or not my instrumental humility was divinely rewarded, but I personally feel that the Blindness album, if nothing else, reflects a willingness to follow artistic intuition wherever it may lead. This is something of a credo for me. In love as in music, I follow my heart," says Fred Abong.

A Filipino-American singer-songwriter, Abong's music has a raw and unpolished production aesthetic with an overall direct, though deceptively imaginative and oblique, presentation. Taking a detour from the musical road most traveled, Abong wrote the material for this album on the piano rather than bass or guitar, effectively opening up a new compositional and emotional space for him.

“Love is blind. Is this a truism or just true? I suppose it depends on where you are on the romantic journey. If the romance is fresh, then infatuation and sexual desire are usually foregrounded. You are ‘blinded by love’ and can see nothing else. Anyone who’s ever fallen in love is familiar with this. It’s dizzying," says Abong.

"As things progress, or in order for things to progress, another type of blindness must develop. Being blinded by love, in this case, means accepting or even loving difference - being blind to competing or incompatible attitudes. It means placing the other’s happiness on an equal footing to one’s own. It’s not dizzying; it’s grounding. True love, then, combines both forms of blindness. It’s ‘blind in both eyes’, you could say. I think Blindness, both the song and the album, reflects (among other things) a pursuit of this total love blindness - it’s hopeful and aspirational in that sense.”

Between the bookends of the new 'Blindness' album and 'Homeless', the first set of songs as a solo artist, originally self-released in 2018, Abong has released several critically acclaimed records, including his self-recorded 2023 'Fear Pageant' and earlier albums 'Yellowthroat', 'Pulsing' and 'Our Mother of Perpetual Help'.

On May 9, the 'Blindness' album will be released on CD, along with his 'Homeless' album, both of which can be pre-ordered via the label's Bandcamp. It will also be available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics by Fred Abong
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Fred Abong
All instruments performed by Fred Abong
Videos by Fred Abong
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Album reeleased by Moochin' About Records

Brighton's NICK HUDSON releases 'Kanda Teenage Honey' album on CD - introspection, intrigue and adventurous soundscaping

May 7, 2024

“Beautifully written, recorded, produced and arranged... all complimented by vocal that lives up to the same standard. No cheating, no fronting, just honest crafted musicality” ~ Billy Gould (Faith No More)

"Kanda Teenage Honey is shockingly emotional, thoughtfully orchestrated and wonderfully curious lyrically. It is a record for true music lovers" ~ Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu)

"A profound, clever and vividly confessional Avant-pop composer, Hudson is always pushing the envelope in his works, his unique musical output forged via musical territory that is hardly explored" ~ The Spill Magazine

"There isn’t really anyone making music like Nick Hudson“ ~ The Quietus

“Nick Hudson is a unique talent. His song writing and performances are breathtaking. He is long overdue being heard by a wider audience. This solo album is a peak in an already stellar career” ~ Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai)

"Scott Walker channeling Coil” ~ MOJO Magazine

"Genius” - BBC Radio (BBC Introducing)

'Kanda Teenage Honey' album order
https://nickhudsonindustries.bandcamp.com/album/kanda-teenage-honey
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/4WKJCeF2uXCudjxME03nye

Brighton avant-pop artist Nick Hudson announces the release of his new album 'Kanda Teenage Honey' on CD. Complementing an expansive 16-track collection, this 4-panel CD digipak comes with an 8-page full colour booklet containing artwork by Nick Hudson and Berdia Arabuli and photography by Carl Solomon, Jack Hubbell Rosene and Kenneth Anger.

With recent coverage in Billboard, this album was recorded largely in a huge former Soviet movie studio in Georgia under the shadow of the Ukraine war. Born of geographical explorations amidst musical territory that is hardly touched on, this record was previewed by the singles 'For My Silence' and 'Khevsureti'.

Mixed by and featuring Toby Driver of Kayo Dot, this album involves numerous talented guests, including Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, Stuart Dahlquist (Asva, Burning Witch, Sunn O))), Lizzy Carey (Bat For Lashes), Robert Wyatt collaborator Alfreda Benge, Christopher Nell (legendary German performer and collaborator of US theatre visionary Robert Wilson), and soprano prodigy Poppy Efemey.

Recorded with Ilya Lukashev at Leno Studio and Sano Studio in Tbilisi, this album was mastered to analogue tape by Paul Pascoe (Barry Adamson, Beat Hotel, Sleaford Mods) at Church Road Studios in Hove, Hudson collaborates with some incredible Georgian musicians and his friend Seva, a Russian dissident who fled the FSB, having worked for Navalny. Hudson explains, "He contributes a poem narrating his thoughts on exile, through which I've layered field recordings of the recent Tbilisi and Paris protests, where many of us got tear-gassed."

"Russia attempted to invade Georgia most recently in 2008 and we've seen a vast influx of Russians fleeing the conflict and resettling in Tbilisi (which endures and suffers a pro-Russian government ideologically in conflict with most of its citizens). This geopolitical tension has inevitably made its way into the lyrical and musical texture of the record via the songs 'Hollow Man' and 'Sky Burial While Alive'. It also contains oligarch-hexing magic realism and a tribute to that vastly-neglected demographic – the old-school homosexual. Musically it encompasses art rock, black metal, ambient music, agitprop folk, charred goth rock, symphonic vastness and piano ballads -all infused with the energies and landscape of Georgia," says Nick Hudson.

In 2021, Hudson released his 'Font Of Human Fractures' album and the 'K69996ROMA:EP'. His band The Academy of Sun released their opus album 'The Quiet Earth' the year before. He's collaborated with such legends as Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Matthew Seligman (David Bowie, Tori Amos, Morrissey), Massive Attack's Shara Nelson, plus David Tibet (Current 93) and queercore icon GB Jones. His vast output also encompasses painting, film and a novel.

"As an album, 'Kanda Teenage Honey' explores ideas of preserving the sacred from the corrosively kleptocratic institutions of church and state: spiritual and material kleptocracy. The title itself refers to a very real preservation of innocence derived from a story I heard of a local villager whose teenage son was shot and killed: the father had his son's body preserved in honey. As such, there are secular hymns for peace and lucid stillness, tales of saints de-martyring themselves and falling in love free of judgement from anachronistic scrutiny - a thinly veiled parable of queer love. Two very close friends died within six months of each other during my first year in Georgia – there are requiems in the songs 'Archipelago' and 'Bardo', plus an acappella tribute to the Siberian husky that helped me grieve them during a retreat to the sublime mountainous region of 'Khevsureti' by the Chechen border, where despite being an ostensibly Orthodox country, pagan traditions are still passionately observed. I dreamed eighty-percent of 'Bardo' in the energised serenity of this beautiful region while mourning my friend Jesse. Patrick, honoured in 'Archipelago', was one of my earliest mentors and a dynamically brilliant pianist. They are much missed," explains Nick Hudson.

"'Ortolan' references the summer of 2021, when I fled to the same Isle Of Wight monastery at which Scott Walker had sought refuge in the sixties, as my mental and physical health hit a nadir and I was forced to leave the city I'd called home for twenty years. 'This Heat' refers to a return journey from a plague necropolis at the Chechen border, where giddily drunken park rangers piloting a 4X4 hurtled us passengers down a treacherous mountain pass and I briefly thought it might be the last song I'd ever write. Since then, I've come to learn that Georgians are some of the virtuosic drivers in the world, even drunk, and I need not have feared."

'Kanda Teenage Honey' is out now, available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, along with his new book 'The Land Exists So The Seas Don't Argue', showcasing a decade of lyrical output in five albums plus ephemera with a foreword by renowned Scottish author Chris Kelso.

Party Cannon Release New Album 'Injuries Are Inevitable' via Unique Leader Records

May 6, 2024

Let's get this Party (Cannon) started! The purveyors of Scotland's finest party slam have unleashed their new album out into the world, 'Injuries Are Inevitable' and the official music video for "Bonus Ambulance" (via Unique Leader Records). Leading up to today's release, the band shared "Weird, But Not Illegal" and "Not Immediately Life Threatening". Speaking about "Bonus Ambulance" and the video, Party Cannon bassist Clankenstein commented:

“Blastbeats. You love them, we’ve got them. Death metal has evolved beyond the need for songs without them. This is one of the most punishing, guttural songs we’ve ever written. And by ‘punishing’, I mean punishing ourselves because this song is an absolute nightmare to play. Lots of BRODEQUIN and DISGORGE vibes on this one with an unhealthy dose of the most intelligence-void slam riffs and pitch-shifted LDOH style vocals. If you didn’t need to shower before then you will after hearing this, because it is rancid."

“The video was filmed at a graveyard in Bo’ness, Scotland and features an evil cult summoning the anti-Party Slam demon played by our good friend and long time collaborate Hamish Maguire who you may know from the bands LACERATION, OMNIPOTENT HYSTERIA and INIQUITOUS SAVAGERY. We really get what’s coming to us in this video, we’ve been guilty of ruining death metal for a while now and it’s about time someone summoned a bodybuilding demon to deal with us. As with the previous videos, this was produced and directed by our guy Calum McMillan and features SFX work by Katie Cooper and Bailey from Scapegoat.”

Stream 'Injuries Are Inevitable' in all of its slammingest glory at the link here, and watch the "Bonus Ambulance" music video below.

Party Cannon will bring the heat across Europe on the EU VOMITOUR 2024 kicking off in one week with Cognitive as support. For ticket information please click 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.

Loverboy’s Paul Dean Touts Release of Rare 1971 Album Featuring His Band The Fox (Then Canada)

May 6, 2024

Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean is excited about the recent release of the long-lost debut album by his band The Fox (later changed to Canada-Fox), formed in 1969 in Vancouver, a full decade before Dean would co-found Loverboy with Mike Reno and Doug Johnson.

The other members of Canada-Fox consist of organist/lead vocalist/writer and arranger Clyde Harvey, bassist Brian Newcombe and writer/drummer/vocalist Billy McBeth. The previously unreleased album has been picked up by Sony Music for distribution to all streaming services.

Ten songs were originally recorded by the group in 1970 in a Toronto studio after getting picked up by RCA Canada, an event Dean only recalls by seeing pictures of them “signing something” with the label boss. The band was dropped after two singles were released, leaving the original lacquer acetates of the album with drummer McBeth, who copied it onto a CD and sent it to Paul. Dean then isolated the vocals and instruments from the original two-track stereo. “I polished those suckers for literally months, restoring them with these new software programs, much the same way the Beatles reconstructed ‘Now and Then.’ It was a great learning experience, and yeah, I’m a real tech nerd”, says Dean.

“I was blown away by these songs that I hadn’t listened to in over 50 years, and then I dove right in, looking for ways I could update them, from a technical point of view. I wanted to clean up all the little flaws, rebalance the instruments, make it loud and clean with no outside noise, so-on with my producer/mixer hat.”

Remixed and remastered, Canada-Fox offers a compendium of blues, soul, R&B, funk and psychedelia that both recalls those halcyon times, but also remains timeless and modern, sounding as if it was recorded yesterday. Highlights include a spirited mash-up of

The Beatles' “Day Tripper” and James Brown’s “Licking Stick,” which has Dean aping that classic George Harrison guitar lick, then taking it to the bridge. "That's my favorite track on the record,” says Paul. “It’s just so funky, and Clyde really nails it.”

“Coochy Coo” is a blues-rocker with a cheeky, sensuous backbeat, while “Livin’ My Life” has a country feel and a classic Paul Dean guitar solo. These, along with a gloriously funky take on Sly Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song”, were recorded in 1971 in Vancouver and Edmonton, respectively. Dean's sole writing and lead vocal credit, “Mr. Tall,” shows him vamping like his idol Jimi Hendrix, which can also be heard on the heavy instrumental,

‘The Fox'. “We‘d listen to Hendrix on our PA system, which we unpacked and set up in the basement of our band house,” says Dean. “In fact, we used to cover ‘Foxy Lady’ and ‘Voodoo Child’ in our set.”

The Fox toured extensively through the country, making a name for themselves opening for Steppenwolf in Calgary, then at the Orange County Rock Festival in Edmonton. The band also appeared at the local Calgary date for the famed Festival Express, the train-touring music event which crossed Canada featuring Janis Joplin, The Band and Grateful Dead.

To mark the occasion, the band’s manager Lou Blair, who later went on to the same position for Loverboy, suggested the boys cut their long hair as a publicity stunt, which was duly noted in the local paper to mark their three-night stand at Calgary’s Apollo club. “They gave us these pointy sideburns, which was even more ridiculous,” laughs Paul, “Lou turned it into big news, but the downside was all the people who knew us thought we were [undercover] narcs.”

As for what’s next, Dean says, “Everyone is still alive and kicking. My manager Jonathan Wolfson suggested putting the band together and touring, and well, maybe. It was a pretty rockin’ band back in the day.”

“But for now, we want to put this album out as a service to our fans, who might find some interest in what we were doing more than 50 years ago. It’s a labor of love really, a way to say thanks for the decades of support.”

For more information, please contact Felix Gonzalez at felix@wolfsonent.com

Cameron Alexander Releases New EP "Ice Blue Punk" & New Single "Fight For Fun"!

May 6, 2024

Friday, April 26th 2024 - Rising pop punk prodigy, Cameron Alexander, has today released his brand new EP "Ice Blue Punk" alongside his latest single, "Fight For Fun". Bursting with infectious anthems, the long-awaited EP release blends his punk attitude and beloved pop sensibilities. Fans can listen to the EP HERE.

With catchy melodies, soaring choruses, and the signature grit of pop punk, Cameron Alexander brings a fresh and contemporary edge to the pop punk sound, drawing inspiration from legends of the genre while infusing it with his unique style. Fans can watch the new visualizer for his latest single, "Fight For Fun" below.

Speaking on "Fight For Fun", Cameron Alexander shares:

"This is one of those songs that came to life off the vibes in the studio alone. I had the pleasure of writing this song with my friend JJ Jones, lead singer of the surf rock band Club Honey. He always brings the energy when we write, and once I laid that initial guitar riff down, it was smooth sailing for us. This is a song that romanticizes the emotional turbulence of dealing with toxic relationships, and how deep down we can't help but enjoy it."

Celebrating the release of his new EP, "Ice Blue Punk", Cameron Alexander adds:

"Growing up in an era where kids like me were more likely to pick up a laptop to make music rather than a guitar, it feels amazing to be apart of the next generation of kids packing out small venues and screaming the music that's there for us through the good times as well as the bad ones. The rock/pop-punk and live music scene has made me the musician I am as much as it's made me the person I am, and "Ice Blue Punk" reflects that wholeheartedly."

Elevated by the collaboration of decorated producers Justin Cortelyou (Taylor Swift, Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires) and Liam Muckala (Anthony Amorim, Tornsey, Eva Snyder), Cameron Alexander has infused his music with a blend of contemporary innovation and timeless authenticity, setting the stage for his rise as an artist to watch in the industry. As more begins to approach on the horizon, be sure to stay tuned for more Cameron Alexander news coming soon.

ABOUT CAMERON ALEXANDER

Cameron Alexander is an emerging force in the pop punk scene who effortlessly bridges the gap between the old and new. With a deep respect for the genre's pioneers and a keen ear for contemporary trends, he crafts a captivating blend of nostalgia and modernity. Cameron has a deep care for his sound by playing every instrument in his tracks, yet it's his relatability and knack for weaving meaningful, heartfelt lyrics with a touch of honest wit that truly resonates with fans. A torchbearer for a new generation of guitar-wielding youth, he's revitalizing the spirit of pop punk while wholeheartedly embracing the modern musical landscape.

FOLTERKAMMER Shares Track by Track Breakdown Clip for 'Weibermacht'

May 5, 2024

To celebrate the success of their freshly released sophomore full-length, operatic black metal rising stars FOLTERKAMMER are now sharing a detailed track by track breakdown for ''Weibermacht' in a brand new clip! Frontwoman Andromeda Anarchia takes a deep dive into the album's taboo themes of domination, fetishism, and the courageous men who submit themselves to strong women, the special guest appearances, the meanings behind some of the German expressions, the folklore inspirations behind the record's themes, and so much more! The 10-minute video can be found below.

'Weibermacht' serves as a counterpart to the band's 2020 debut, 'Die Lederpredigt.' The new record is another searing blend of modern black metal and classical music elements, lending to its Avant Garde sound. The music itself is elevated by frontwoman and vocalist Andromeda Anarchia's dynamic vocal work as she juxtaposes her classical training as an opera singer with her hellfire screams, summoning a maelstrom of ethereal chaos.

The record is available HERE.

Here's what the press is saying about 'Weibermacht!'

"Part Nina Hagen, part Joan Sutherland, part Diamanda Galás, Anarchia’s four octave range really is something to behold as she hits notes with precision and perfect clarity, and conjures tortured, inhuman shrieks like an enraged banshee." - Ghost Cult Magazine (9/10)

"...Anarchia's vocal gymnastics of unhinged vocal screams, aggressive dominatrix presence in her commanding voice, and just overall progressive and vibrant vocals." - This Day in Metal (9.5/10)

"...this record will leave listeners quivering, shaking, maybe a little aroused." - Meat, Mead, Metal

"Folterkammer should be at the top of every extreme metal fanatic's list of bands to watch as they leave their grim mark on the pages of heavy metal history." - The Metal Mayan

"Folterkammer are not your typical symphonic black metal band, with Weibermacht showing a unique approach and flawless execution." - Heavy Music HQ (4/5)

"[Andromeda] is a tour-de-force, no two ways about it, a hellcat in nine-inch heels who will purr with contentment as she licks your blood from underneath her fingernails." - New Noise Magazine (3/5)

"The darkly erotic Weibermacht is the band’s second album, and it’s a breathtaking blend of jagged black metal riffage and piercing operatic vocals.” - Bandcamp Daily

Lineup:

Andromeda Anarchia - Vocals

Zachary Ezrin - Guitars

Brendan McGowan - Drums

Darren Hanson - Guitars

Laurent David - Bass

Guest Harpsichord: Steve Blanco on "Anno Domina"

Album Credits:

Producer: Zachary Ezrin

Recording: Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in NJ

Additional Recording: Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix

Mixing: Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, in NY

Mastering: Fred Kevorkian

Cover Art: Eliran Kantor

Album Layout: Brendan McGowan

Photography: Alex Krauss

Logo Design: Mister Kams

Bio: Jillian Drachman

Photos: Alex Krauss

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Return to Dust Release Self-Titled Debut Record & Brand New Anthemic Single "Face Down"

May 5, 2024

The wait is finally over! Boundary-pushing grunge quartet, Return to Dust, have today released their long-awaited debut self-titled album via Jim Kaufman Productions, alongside their brand new single, "Face Down". Fans can listen to the new album HERE, and purchase the album merchandise HERE.

Returning to the roots of grunge with a modern twist, Return to Dust's self-titled debut album is a visceral exploration of angst, rebellion, and introspection. From infectious riffs to haunting dual-melodies, each track is a testament to the band's dedication to pushing musical boundaries while staying true to their distinctive sound. Their upcoming appearances at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple only amplify the band's undeniable allure, solidifying their status as a must-see live act this year.

"Face Down," the album's latest single, serves as a poignant reminder of Return to Dust's sonic evolution. With its explosive instrumentation and poignant lyricism, the track captures the essence of smash hit "Belly Up," while ushering in a matured sound that emphasizes the band's rapid growth and their fearless embrace of musical experimentation.

Celebrating today's album release, the band shares:

"The timeline for our self-titled 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."

Speaking on today's single release, the band adds:

"Face Down is the anthem of the record. As 'Belly Up' (the first single) opens the era of the album, 'Face Down' bookends it, and hints to the future of the band's sound: somber, romantic, and inquisitive."

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. With the release of their debut record under their belt,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.

Return to Dust's self titled debut album is 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.

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 quartet Return to Dust (Matty Bielawski, Graham Stanush, Sebastian Gonzalez, London Hudson) 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), dynamic drumming (Hudson) 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 LP, a mesmerizing self-titled creation. 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

New music from Escuela Grind!

May 5, 2024

New England extreme metal powerhouse, Escuela Grind today drops the new single/video, 'Always Watching You.'
Recorded at Salem, Massachusetts' GodCity studio with producer Kurt Ballou (High on Fire, Cave In), "Always Watching You" is taken from Escuela Grind's as-yet-untitled new LP, set for an autumn release via MNRK Heavy.
Watch the video for 'Always Watching You,' directed by Zack Perez for Astral Media below.

“Most of "Always Watching You" was written in a practice space by Jesse and Krissy, and refined during soundchecks we had over the year," offers Escuela Grind vocalist Katerina Economou . "I've had this desire to write a song where I could portray the obsessive-stalker-girl archetype through lyrics for a while. Although not physically threatening, it's really interesting that society is so terrified of this stereotype. In "Always Watching You", I wanted this fantastical, Nightmare on Elm Street-style imagery that was rooted in the gore and horror of death metal. Themes of parasocial relationships, anxieties from social media, and an omnipresent algorithm are strongly observed in this song and throughout the entire album."
Escuela Grind - Memory Theater CD
SHIPPING NOW
In sync with the release of " Always Watching You " and as part of its seemingly unending live gauntlet, Escuela Grind will launch European tour dates with Finnish grindcore band, Rotten Sound, on May 3. The 'Europe & UK Domination' tour will launch in Berlin, Germany and run through May 18 in Ypres, Belgium.
SEE ESCUELA GRIND TOUR DATES HERE

Sleep Theory Share "Gone Or Staying" Official Video

May 5, 2024

Breakout four-piece Sleep Theory — vocalist Cullen Moore, guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt — were one of the biggest success stories of 2023. With monthly streams numbering at nearly 11 million per month, a Top 10 track at Active Rock, and a full slate of touring though early summer, the band continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Sleep Theory also show absolutely no signs of slowing down, with more music on the horizon!

Today, they release the official video for the hit single "Gone or Staying." Watch it below.

The story-driven video perfectly captures the song's melancholy subject matter — holding on to a bad relationship when you really should just let go and burn it all to the ground, quite literally — and is bathed in beautiful blue tones.

"'Gone or Staying' is a special song to us as a band. In this video, we wanted to capture the tension between a couple's relationship as it comes to an end, and the grieving process of letting go of what once was," the band shares. "Cullen can be seen throughout the video walking through what once was, and eventually burning his past to move on."

The band's Paper Hearts EP is out now via the Epitaph Records. Get the EP, which has been streamed over 87 million times, here.

Sleep Theory are in the middle of a tour with Wage War and Nothing More in the spring. All upcoming Sleep Theory tour dates are below, including festival appearances at Sonic Temple, Rock Fest, So What?!, Welcome to Rockville, and more.

Since bursting onto the scene earlier this year, Sleep Theory have gone from strength to strength. The Paper Hearts EP has established Sleep Theory as one of the most exciting and talked about artists of 2023. The band was praised by Loudwire for its ability to "adapt 2000s arena rock and nu-metal for the future with their anthemic metal-tinged sound that would please any fan of Linkin Park and their ilk. At once enthralling, emotional and disarming, Sleep Theory's supercharged single 'Numb' is everything a radio rock fan could want. You'll be humming it for days after."

With further press coverage from American Songwriter, Billboard, Celebrity Access, and Punktastic and with forthcoming coverage at Men's Journal, Consequence, and Alt Press, they've enjoyed major nods from SiriusXM's Octane. They've toured with everyone from Shinedown to Set It Off to Beartooth, shared stages with I Prevail and Falling In Reverse, and have appeared at Louder Than Life, Rock Fest, ShipRockled, and Point Fest. They also count Jellyroll and Disturbed David Draiman as fans.

SLEEP THEORY ON TOUR:
WITH WAGE WAR, NOTHING MORE, + VEIL OF MAYA:
5/3 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC Event Center
5/4 — East Moline, IL — The Rust Belt
5/5 — Omaha, NE — The Astro
5/7 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee
5/10 — Daytona, FL – Welcome To Rockville
5/12 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE**
5/14 — Norfolk, VA — The National
5/15 — Greensboro, NC — Piedmont Hall
5/17 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
5/18 — Maryland Heights, MO – Pointfest
5/19 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple
6/1 — Fort Worth, TX – So What!? Fest
6/28 – Thompson, CT – Capulet Fest
7/18 — Cadott, WI – Rock Fest
7/20 — Grand Rapids, MI — Upheaval Fest
9/28 — Clarkston, MI — WRIF Fest @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
**Nothing More, Veil Of Maya + Sleep Theory only

FUMING MOUTH DEBUT NEW SINGLE "DAYLIGHT AGAIN" AHEAD OF UPCOMING TOUR

May 5, 2024

Acclaimed New England death metal band FUMING MOUTH has released a new single, ‘Daylight Again,’ in anticipation for their upcoming US Tour with August Burns Red and festival performances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple.

The furious new death-sludge track was produced with Kurt Ballou (Full Of Hell, Code Orange, Nails) at GodCity Studios during the band’s Last Day of Sun recording session and is part of the critically acclaimed record’s concept of perseverance, survival and resurrection inspired by vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan’s battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The single features artwork by sci-fi/fantasy legend Bruce Pennington and is accompanied by the b-side track ‘Timeless,’ an alternate version of ‘Out of Time’ from Last Day of Sun.

Commenting on the new track, Whelan says:

“‘Daylight Again’ expresses that the future is bright. It got so dark for the band behind the scenes. We had so many friends die, so many issues. It felt like it would never end.

The song was supposed to be the final track on our album Last Day of Sun but it didn’t fit on the vinyl so we threw it in the vault. It feels appropriate that a song called “Daylight Again” finally gets to see the light of day.”

Stream ‘Daylight Again’: https://fumingmouth.bfan.link/daylight-again

Overcoming cancer in 2022, Whelan and crew rebounded in late 2023 with Last Day of Sun, setting a new pace for death metal in the process. Featuring the raw, brutal tracks ‘The Silence Beyond Life,’ ‘I’ll Find You’ and ‘Kill The Disease’ the record unravels with cataclysmic riffs and dire, ferocious vocals that take fans on a tumultuous journey through the arduous process of suffering and healing.

Purchase/Stream Last Day of Sun: https://fumingmouth.bfan.link/ldos

FUMING MOUTH is currently touring in support of Last Day of Sun, and will hit the road for headlining dates, festival appearances and shows with August Burns Red in May. Tickets are available now at https://fumingmouth.com/pages/tour.

FUMING MOUTH North American Tour Dates:

May 7 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506

May 8 - Savannah, GA - El-Rocko Lounge

May 9 - Daytona Beach, FL - Welcome To Rockville

May 10 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City*

May 11 - Dothan, AL - The Plant*

May 13 - Columbia, SC - The Senate*

May 14 - Lexington, KY - Manchester Music Hall*

May 15 - Chattanooga, TN - The Signal*

May 16 - Indianapolis, IN - Hoosier Dome*

May 17 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple Festival

May 18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose

May 19 - Mechanicsburg, PA - Lovedraft’s Brewing Co

May 20 - Syracuse, NY - The Song & Dance

May 21 - Hartford, CT - The Webster

June 1 - Colorado Springs, CO - Olympic City Dissonance Fest @ Monument Valley Park

June 15 - Boston, MA - Storm Fest @ Big Night Live

*w/August Burns Red

About FUMING MOUTH:

A fiery, resurrected rage barrels its way out of hell’s erupting chasms with blistering fury; Fuming Mouth has returned. Lead singer, guitarist, and founder Mark Whelan emerges triumphant after a life-threatening battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, rekindling the inferno of their music with Fuming Mouth's second full-length album, Last Day of Sun.

What initially began as a full-on, fictional concept album underwent a profound transformation into a concept-reality hybrid, largely influenced by Whelan's harrowing conflict with his health and anear brush with death. Just three weeks away from recording the album, Whelan was struck with a devastating cancer diagnosis. While bravely fighting the illness, he rewrote melodies, drum sections, and lyrics, infusing the music with his personal journey of struggle and hope.

The recording sessions began in October 2022, with Grammy Award winning Kurt Ballou of Converge at his studio, God City, in Salem, Massachusetts. Ballou reached out to Whelan after his battle with cancer and encouraged him to get back to their previously scheduled recording session. Working closely with Ballou in both engineering and production, the band found a wonderful and collaborative experience, as Ballou invested himself wholeheartedly in shaping their sound and vision. Salem itself also helped shape the album, as the Halloween Season had begun. Droves of tourists and residents mixing with people in costume made the streets of Salem seem like Last Day of Sun had come to life. The city where the Witch Trials took place presented the perfect setting for the album to be recorded.

At the genesis of this record, there was no other artist that could have captured the album's essence better than Mariusz Lewandowski, with whom the band had already established a creative relationship through his work on the cover art of The Grand Descent. Tragically, Mariusz passed away while working on the album artwork, presenting the band with an immense obstacle to overcome. In tribute to his spirit and legacy, they joined forces with the talented artist Stefan Todorovic who crafted an evocative album cover depicting a Faustian city crumbling amidst the gray and sandy storms of the apocalypse. A colossal monster blocks the sun and hovers above the city as it burns, smoky buildings topple to the ground; all a visual representation of the chaos and darkness that permeates the album.

In the end, Fuming Mouth stands resilient, a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Amidst the carnage and depression lies a flicker of hope - a beacon of light that emanates from within.

FUMING MOUTH is:
Mark Whelan - Guitar, Vocals
Keith Goldoni - Drums

Pat Merson - Bass

Follow FUMING MOUTH:

https://www.fumingmouth.com/

https://www.facebook.com/fumingmouth/

https://www.instagram.com/fumingmouth/

https://twitter.com/FumingMouth

https://www.youtube.com/@FumingMouth

https://www.tiktok.com/@fumingmouth

Irish Folk / Celtic Rock Band JOLLY JACKERS Release New Album 'Welcome to the Grind'!

May 4, 2024

Irish Folk/Celtic Rock band JOLLY JACKERS unveiled their latest masterpiece, Welcome to the Grind," now available on all major platforms since April 26, 2024. With spirited melodies and electrifying rhythms, they invite listeners on an unforgettable journey through the heart of their musical realm. Get ready to be swept away by their signature blend of tradition and innovation as they infuse every note with the soul-stirring spirit of Ireland.

"This album is different than our previous ones. It’s a rainbow of feelings, with the lowest lows and the highest highs in it. For the first time, we are telling you stories from the deep corners of our minds, things we haven’t talked about before. You’ll meet demons, nightmares, and dark thoughts haunting our minds… But also hope, and maybe the power as well to fight them all in the end," says the band.

They add, "We have reached the most important record of our career so far. In our first 10 years, there were a lot of changes in membership (22?) while we were constantly working. 5 albums, 5 singles, and nearly 400 concerts in 14 countries are our record. Many could not stand this pace and left. The last time we almost hit the ground running was a month before we recorded the album, but one of our founders, Rea, led the band and we decided to stay five of us and still make this record."

STREAM the Full Album

Spotify

Watch the full album Below.

With 13,000 Facebook followers and nearly 34,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the Jolly Jackers have now played in 13 European countries. The band is getting more and more attention on the Hungarian and international press.

The Budapest based Jolly Jackers, founded in January 2013, is a truly unique and professional production with more than 300 concerts, 5 records and 5 singles behind them.

The band roars like an incredible energy bomb on every stage, be it in a small pub somewhere in the Swiss mountains or at a big international festival in the heart of Spain. They have already played together with artists such as The Rumjacks, Fiddler's Green, Europe or Eluveitie.

At their concerts they only play their own compositions, and the production is now traditionally spiced up with a bottle of whiskey, which the group shares with the thirsty audience during the concert.

The Band:
Rea - vocal, flute, whistle
Enéh - bass
Ilka - violin
Simi - drums
Mark - guitar, mandolin

For More Information Please Visit:

Wildstreet's New EP 'Wildstreet IV', and "The Road" Single + Music Video, Out Worldwide Now!

May 4, 2024

Wildstreet released their new EP IV on April 26th via Golden Robot Records and Beyond Agency. The EP includes "The Road," a previously unreleased single and music video. Wildstreet frontman, songwriter Eric Jayk described the "The Road" as “the most personal and autobiographical song he has ever written.”

With a steady rhythm and thoughtful, reflective lyrics, "The Road" is equally melodic and powerful. The song develops in intensity and emotion leading to a powerful guitar solo. The songs depth and atmosphere are complimented with guest keyboardist Spencer Albee’s haunting B3 Organ. With the track’s mysterious ending it’s certain it will leave fans guessing what’s next.

Stream (all platforms):

Wildstreet - IV

https://orcd.co/wildstreet-iv

Hailing from New York City, Wildstreet began in 2006. They released Wildstreet in 2009, Wildstreet II . . . Faster . . . Louder! in 2011 and the single "Easy Does It" in 2012. Their two official music videos "Poison Kiss" (which featured Don Jamieson) and "Easy Does It" quickly reached 3 million youtube views and gave the band a worldwide following. Wildstreet showcased at SXSW, M3 rock festival, Rocklahoma and performed alongside Avenged Sevenfold, Black Veil Brides, Escape the Fate, Sebastian Bach, Dorothy, Twisted Sister, Michael Monroe, Crashdiet, Kix, and LA Guns. Wildstreet’s songs have been licensed for National/International TV: MTV, VH1, Oxygen, TBS, movies, and video games.

In 2017, Wildstreet performed select USA dates and released the "Raise Hell" single. The band toured Europe for the first time in 2019, and released "Tennessee Cocaine", "Three Way Ride", and "Born to Be".

In 2020, Wildstreet signed with Golden Robot Records and released III in June 25, 2021 along with the official music video for "Mother". Making an appearance at RockFest WI, they toured the USA and Europe and released their cover of The 69 Eyes"Mrs. Sleazy".

In 2022, Wildstreet released the singles, "One Tattoo", "Born To Be (RLK)", "Won’t Be Apart" and "Say Goodbye" while touring in the USA and Mexico, and again appearing at Rockfest WI and Rocklahoma.

In 2023, Wildstreet set out on a 30-date Europe tour in 12 new countries. They also toured Europe in fall, recording the music video for their new single, "Sick To Death" in Brno, CZ. Wildstreet released their new EP, IV, via Golden Robot Records on 4/26.

Wildstreet:
Eric Jayk: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
Wrath Starz: Lead & Rhthym Guitar, Vocals
Kevin R. Scarf: Bass, Vocals
Dylan Graff: Drums, Vocals

For More Information Please Visit:

Bodysnatcher Release "Human Disdain" Music Video via MNRK Heavy

May 2, 2024

Heavy Floridian quartet Bodysnatcher have released their latest track and music video "Human Disdain", the final culmination of the story which began in last week's release, "Severed". The tracks can be found on the band's upcoming EP 'Vile Conduct', recently released on vinyl for Record Store Day and will drop digitally on September 3 (via MNRK Heavy). Speaking about "Human Disdain", Bodysnatcher's Kyle Carter commented:

“‘Human Disdain’ is a song that talks about our inner demons as a collective species. We are capable of incredibly complex emotions, and unfortunately that brings in a long list of terrible thoughts and feelings that a lot of us act on and make the world a worse place. The track speaks for itself and is very to the point lyrically.”

The band is also gearing up for their US co-headlining run The Common Enemies Tour 2024 alongside SPITE with Thrown, Mouth For War, PSYCHO-FRAME, and CELL kicking off May 9 (ticket info here). Pre-save 'Vile Conduct' here, and watch "Human Disdain" below.

The Common Enemies Tour 2024 North American Dates:

May 09 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville

May 10 – Destin, FL @ Club LA

May 11 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

May 12 – Nashville, TN @ Eastside Bowl

May 14 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

May 15 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

May 16 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage

May 17 – New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Hardcore

May 18 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Festival

May 19 – Harrisburg, PA @ Midtown Arts Center

May 20 – New York City, NY @ Irving Plaza

May 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

May 22 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

May 24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation

May 25 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues

May 26 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

May 28 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

May 29 – St Louis, MO @ Red Flag

May 30 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada

May 31 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

Jun 01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

Jun 03 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre

Jun 04 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

Jun 06 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

Jun 07 – Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse

Jun 08 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

Jun 09 – Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theater

Jun 11 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

Jun 12 – San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center

Jun 13 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

Jun 14 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Beer City Music Hall

Jun 15 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall

Jun 16 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues

IN FLAMES - Announce Anniversary Vinyl Re-issues Of "Lunar Strain", "Colony", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" And "Siren Charms"

May 1, 2024

IN FLAMES and NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS are happy to announce exclusive anniversary vinyl re-issues of the band's beloved classic albums Lunar Strain (30th anniversary), Colony(25th anniversary), Soundtrack To Your Escape (20th anniversary) and Siren Charms (10th anniversary), all of which have been out of print and in high demand. The new editions are scheduled to be released on July 19th, 2024.

2023 marked the beginning of a new era for IN FLAMES with the release of the band's fourteenth studio album Foregone - a new masterpiece from a band whose creative output changed the course and direction of modern metal. The year also marked the re-issue of four seminal titles from the band’s extensive catalogue, namely A Sense of Purpose (2008) (15th Anniversary Edition), Reroute to Remain (2002), Come Clarity (2006), and Sounds of a Playground Fading (2011).

To continue the upwards tide, 2024 marks the re-issue of four more influential titles. The 2024 reissues feature all original art with a few, careful touch-ups. All releases have been re-mastered specific for vinyl by Justin Shturtz at the legendary Sterling Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring different colourways, all records will be pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl and will feature the instantly recognisable etching of the Jesterhead logo on side D (ex. Lunar Strain & Colony).

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPIES NOW
https://inflames.bfan.link/vinyl

In addition, IN FLAMES have extensive touring plans for 2024, with a full US tour with GATECREEPER and CREEPING DEATH just around the corner and a Europen tour with ARCH ENEMY and SOILWORK in autumn. Scroll down for all confirmed dates!

US TOUR 2024
w/ GATE CREEPER & CREEPING DEATH

May 1 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
May 2 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
May 3 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
May 4 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
May 5 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
May 7 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
May 8 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall
May 9 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead
May 10 - Daytona, FL - Rockville
May 12 - Huntsville, AL - Mars Music Hall
May 14 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
May 16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
May 17 - Buffalo, NY - The Town Ballroom
May 18 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple
May 19 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest
May 21 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews
May 22 - St. Louis, MO - The Hawthorn
May 23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
May 24 - Austin, TX - Emo's
May 25 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
May 26 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues

TICKETS AVAIALABLE AT www.inflames.com

ABOUT IN FLAMES

IN FLAMES are one of the biggest metal bands in the world - never shying away from pushing their artistic boundaries, crafting music that's as catchy as it is crushing. Formed in 1990, the band is considered one of the forefathers of melodic death metal and the purveyors of the ‘Gothenburg sound'. With now fourteen studio albums under their belt, countless successful tours around the globe playing with the likes of Black Sabbath, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest and Slayer - with millions of records sold and a massive fanbase worldwide, IN FLAMES have proven to be an unstoppable force. From their 1994 debut Lunar Strain onwards, the band's intricate twin guitar attack, melodic vocals and superb arrangements have given them a signature sound that has evolved throughout the years.

IN FLAMES are
Anders Fridén | Vocals
Björn Gelotte | Guitar / Vocals
Chris Broderick | Guitar
Tanner Wayne | Drums
Liam Wilson | Bass

Octavian Winters joined by electronic music icon Mark Pistel (Consolidated, Meat Beat Manifesto) on new 'Nebula / Velveteen' release

May 1, 2024

"A dark and lush tapestry of near-classic post-punk, oscillating between shadow and shimmer. Reflecting the troubled times that we live in, sublime dark sonic delight" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Feels like it was recorded in a studio deep beneath the earth, drawing power from subterranean caves and bubbling magma... tectonic thunder... Such power, strong and true, a voice that scales the wall of sound beneath her with ease" ~ Joyzine

"A dark musical weave forged of post-punk and gothic strands. A sonic web of pulsing bass grooves and shaded ethereality, dark and delicious guitar slashes and haunting sound washes" ~ The Big Takeover

"Seriously compelling incitement, which Aursjoen’s tones and the electronically atmospheric mists around her only escalate" ~ Ringmaster Review

San Francisco post-punk outfit Octavian Winters has teamed up with Mark Pistel (Consolidate, Meat Beat Manifesto) on their new two-track single. Out April 30 via Stratis Capta Records, the A-side 'Nebula', which underscores the inevitable impermanence of all that is seen and unseen, known and unknown, is complemented by Pistel's infectious pulsating remix of 'Velveteen'.

Formed in 2022, Octavian Winters is guitarist Stephan Salit (Thrill of The Pull), drummer Randy Gzebb (Thrill of The Pull, Love Club), bassist Jay Denton and Ria (Amenti) Aursjoen on vocals and keyboards. Together, they weave their visceral and ethereal sound into a texture all its own – of stories once told but half-remembered, under a dusk of shadows and stars, in an abandoned city under the winter moon.

A producer, engineer, programmer, remixer and songwriter active in the electronic music scene since the 80s, Mark Pistel is perhaps best known as a founding member of the band Consolidated and contributing member of Meat Beat Manifesto since 1997. From his own Room 5 studio, he has worked with The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Grace Jones, Therapy?, MC 900 Foot Jesus, Machines of Loving Grace, Hector Zazou, Mark Stewart, Lee Scratch Perry, Cabaret Voltaire's Stephen Mallinder and Fishbone's Angelo Moore.

Pistel explains, "Randy Gzebb called me about remixing one of the tracks off 'The Line or the Curve' EP. I was excited to do so, as we'd recorded some of these vocals at my Room 5 Studio in San Francisco. I chose to do 'Velveteen' as I already loved the track with its fantastic vocal melody and Stephan's unstoppable guitar hook! I took on the track with pulsing analog synths and a slamming dance floor beat for the clubs."

Octavian Winters also present their new video for 'Nebula', created by filmmaker David Kruschke, who also produced the band's most recent video for the original version of 'Velveteen'. Both songs were lifted from the band's debut EP 'The Line or Curve', released in October 2023, following videos for 'Undertow', 'Ondine' and 'Surreal'.

"Nebula began as an experiment. I was trying to pin down the concept of the song in my head lyrically for a while and just knew it felt very “big”, even apocalyptic in a way. I kept envisioning a sort of “last day at the end of the world” — what would the sky look like? Would we know and understand what was happening? There is this broadly Gnostic idea of the universe as unfolding and unfolding through what are called Aeons, essentially levels of manifestation, until we get this world we live in here," says Ria Aursjoen.

"I imagined this world reaching the fullness of its life, that whole cycle ending — and then everything reversing, refolding back to the start to make way for the next universe. There is a lot of esoteric symbology referenced in this song for those out there who like that sort of thing. The incredible thing about symbolic language is that it can have so many levels of meaning depending on the viewer/listener. I am sure I will understand my own words to this in new ways, in the future."

Drawing from darkwave and post-punk traditions, Octavian Winters dives into the ethereal, their layered music counterpointing edged grooves alongside lush synth textures and soaring vocal harmonies.

Randy Gzebb explains, "We were discussing what song idea we should work on next during the writing process and Ria brought in the demo of Nebula. We listened once and started playing it at rehearsal and after a couple of takes, everyone had their parts locked down. I started to play with the Tom groove and tried to make it powerful, but still leave some space for the track to breathe. The rhythm and tempo set the overall tone and emotional mood of the song, with guitar and pulsating bass creating a haunting atmosphere with powerful vocal lines".

'The Line or Curve' EP was recorded in San Francisco byMark Pistel (Meat Beat Manifesto, Consolidated) at OW Studio and Room 5 Recording, the band produced this EP withWilliam Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate, Faith and the Muse, Christian Death, The March Violets), who also mixed and mastered it at13 Studioin Chicago.

Over the years, members of Octavian Winters have shared the stage with many iconic acts, includingNine Inch Nails, Killing Joke, Lords of the New Church, Savage Republic, Christian Death, The Frozen Autumn, Everything Goes Cold and Black Tape for a Blue Girl.

As of April 30, 'Nebua / Velveteen (Mark Pistel Remix)' is available digitally from fine music platforms, including via Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where 'The Line or Curve' EP is also available. The band's next concert is on Friday, July 26 at San Francisco's DNA Lounge - they headline with Halou and Sword Tongue as support.

CREDITS
Ria Aursjoen - Vocals / Keyboards
Stephan Salit - Guitars
Randy Gzebb - Drums
Jay Denton - Bass
'Velveteen' remix by Mark Pistel
'Nebula' written by Ria Aursjoen
'Velveteen' written by Octavian Winters
Recorded at OW studios San Francisco
Vocals recorded by Mark Pistel, Room 5 Recording, San Francisco
'Nebula' mixed & mastered by William Faith at 13 Studio, Chicago
'Nebula' produced by Octavian Winters and William Faith
Cover art Ria Aursjoen
Design by Eric Olson
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video by David Kruschke

Keep up with Octavian Winters
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Email

Cold Years release third album ‘A Different Life’

April 29, 2024

Following on from “Paradise,” a politically charged look at life in their hometown of Aberdeen, and 2022’s soaring follow up “Goodbye To Misery,” Cold Years return in 2024 with their most triumphant record yet, ‘ A Different Life,' an album manages to make sense of a world that’s lost most of it.
‘A Different Life ’ features singles “Roll With It”, a song that boasts one of the most infectious choruses rock music has heard in recent years, “Radio”, a joyously melancholy track about leaving the small town you grew up in, “Choke” an incisive invective about the current political state of the UK plus choice album cuts incl. “Sick”, an epic power ballad that focuses on Gordon’s troubles with insomnia and the negative thoughts about himself that arise from it, “Low” a moody rocker that gives any Green Day song on American Idiot a run for its money & more.
“This is the first time I’ve ever come out of a studio able to listen to the tracks, where—and I say this 100% with conviction—we went in and did everything we wanted to do and more,” says Gordon. “I’ve always come out feeling like we could have done something better or different. But this album changed the game for all of us as a band. We tried to make things a little different. That happened naturally, and it’s the most musical experience I’ve ever had”

Recorded at The Barber Shop Studios, New Jersey by producer Brett Romnes ( Hot Mulligan, Boston Manor, Heart Attack Man, Brand New ) & mastered by Rogue Planet Mastering ( Against The Current, A Day To Remember, The Bronx ), ‘A Different Life’ is packed with songs that are both intensely personal and universally relatable.
Cold Years - A Different Life Splatter Vinyl
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Darkest Hour To Join Fit For An Autopsy & Sylosis on EU & UK Tour This Fall

April 28, 2024

Darkest Hour continues to celebrate the release of their blistering new album, Perpetual | Terminal, and announce a new UK and EU tour, supporting Fit For An Autopsy and Sylosis on 25 dates this fall. The tour kicks off on November 22, 2024, in London at the Electric Brixton and wraps on December 21, 2024, in Köln, Germany, at Essigfabrik. See full dates below.

Darkest Hour’s Mike Schleibaum says, "We are so absolutely excited to announce that we will return to the EU and UK this year with new music and old friends! All in the spirit of celebrating the release of our new album, Perpetual | Terminal. This tour covers a lot of ground and we are honored to team up with good friends FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY and incredible bands SYLOSIS & HERIOT! Joining forces with them allows us to bring our special style of Melodic Death Metal to some places that we haven’t played in over a decade. Looking forward to closing out 2024 on this tour, if you live near or in any of these cities do not miss this massive metal party!”

General on-sale tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 29th. For more information and ticket links, click here.

The band released their new album, Perpetual | Terminal, earlier this year. Kerrang gave the album 4 / 5, saying, “The mighty Darkest Hour deliver yet another slice of pure melodic death nirvana,” while Blabbermouth wrote, “As great as diehard fans will be expecting, and maybe even greater than that, Perpetual | Terminal adds yet more weight to DARKEST HOUR's unassailable reputation. Listen and learn, half-assed infidels: The experts are back.”

Darkest Hour tune into the cycle of death and rebirth, absorbing its intensity and spitting it back at the world in the form of a signature hybrid anchored by death metal exorcisms, thrash recklessness, hardcore punk attitude, and melodic catharsis at the speed of a circle pit. The Washington, D.C. quintet—Mike Schleibaum [guitar], John Henry [vocals], Aaron Deal [bass], Travis Orbin [drums], and Nico Santora [guitar]—have weathered time, trends, and tides of change and stand stronger nearly three decades since their formation.

The band, as a whole, have weathered time, trends, and tides of change and stand stronger nearly three decades since their formation. Their unique sonic style incorporates death metal exorcisms, thrash recklessness, hardcore punk attitude, and melodic catharsis at the speed of a circle pit.

Perpetual | Terminal is the band’s tenth full-length offering, available now on MNRK Heavy.

Stream/get Perpetual | Terminal here.

Connect with Darkest Hour:
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DYLAN SCHNEIDER IS GOOD AT MAKING BAD DECISIONS WITH NEW EP AVAILABLE NOW

April 27, 2024

“Country Music’s Next Rising Star” (Billboard), Dylan Schneider “is proving to be all gas, no brakes in 2024” (Taste of Country) today releasing his latest EP, Bad Decisions, ahead of his Stagecoach Festival debut performance this Sunday, April 28. Finding “storylines that make country music listeners go wild is his superpower,” and the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville singer-songwriter “not only lives up to his hitmaker status, but he exceeds it” (All Country News). Listen now Below.

“This is my favorite batch of songs that I have ever released,” says Schneider. “Bad Decisions shares my vision of where I’m heading creatively and sonically. I have a lot of different influences ranging from hip-hop to R&B to country, and with this EP, I’m able to explore all of that. This is also my first project where I co-wrote every single song, so I’m excited to play these out on the road for y’all and see what you think!

Featuring his viral songs “Ain’t Missin’ You” and title track “Bad Decisions” that PopCulture demanded to “PLAY IT LOUD,” the six-track project includes new songs “Carhartt,” “Ruin This Town” and “Buy That Girl A Beer” that are sure to catapult his already viral resume.

After posting a snippet of a sharp-witted chorus on TikTok, the sound went viral, racking up over 156M TikTok views, 182k user-generated TikTok videos, 55M on-demand streams and 1M YouTube views, climbing to #3 on TikTok’s Country playlist and securing placement on viral-song charts. Seeing the incredible response, Schneider immediately went back to the writing room to finish the spit-fire track – “Ain’t Missin’ You.” Boasting wily lyrics and an electric hook, the feisty song finds the “Artist to Watch” (Amazon Music, Pandora, Taste of Country) continuing to “expand the bounds of his artistry” (American Songwriter) and lean into MusicRow’s “Next Big Thing” prediction.

Continuing to strongly connect, having already amassed over 3.8M TikTok views, 26,000 filter creates, 5,000 user-generated TikTok videos and 7.3M streams, Schneider gave into fan-demand again with the sultry track “Bad Decisions.” Seduced by a magnetic connection with an ex, the seductive song follows a couple who just can’t help but give into temptation.

Filling out the rest of the project, Schneider delivers his most-vulnerable song to date with the autobiographical “Daddy Drinks Whiskey” that “takes one of country music’s drinks of choice and turns it into a personal story he’s finally ready to share” (American Songwriter). While the stadium-ready, supercharged anthem "Ruin This Town” showcases his “rapid-fire singing style” (Billboard), the live-in-the-moment reminder of ballad “Buy That Girl A Beer” puts his eclectic vocals and lyrical growth on full display. Finally, the insanely catchy, witty and vibrant groove of “Carhartt” flows with an unforgettable, anthemic beat about a girl who got away that's sure to be his next viral song of summer.

At only 24-years-old, Schneider has amassed a social-media following of 1.8M + fans, banked over 350M on-demand streams, and has toured alongside superstars like Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Scotty McCreery, Nate Smith and more. Next up, Schneider joins Kane Brown on his “In The Air” Tour.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

April 28 - Indio, CA - Stagecoach

May 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Boots In The Park

May 19 - Tempe, AZ - Boots In The Park

June 1 - Danville, VA - Carrington Pavilion

June 8 - Nashville, TN - CMA Fest - Chevy Vibes Stage

June 9 - Myrtle Beach, SC - Carolina Country Music Fest

June 14 - Clearlake, CA - Austin Park

June 15 - Santa Rosa, CA - Country Summer Music Festival

June 20 - Mack, CO - Country Jam

June 27 - Cadott, WI - Country Fest

June 28 - Arnolds Park, IA - Arnolds Park Amusement Park

July 10 - Fort Loramie, OH - Country Concert

July 12 - Knoxville, IA - Marion County Fair

July 13 - Beaver Dam, KY - Beaver Dam Amphitheater

July 19 - York, PA - York State Fair*

August 2 - Orange Beach, AL - The Wharf Amphitheater*

August 4 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live*

August 21 - Fort Hall, ID - Shoshone-Bannock Hotel Casino*

*with Kane Brown

About Dylan Schneider:

Drawn to the storytelling aspects of country music, Dylan Schneider started performing and writing songs at the age of 14, after meeting Brett Eldredge and singing with him on-stage during a concert. After that, he began posting videos to his Facebook page, where he’d cover popular Country songs, gaining a devoted online following. Since then, Schneider has made a name for himself in the Country music community, forging a sound that merges modern pop sensibilities with a down-home feel. He’s been named a “Breakthrough Artist to Watch” by Amazon Music, an “Artist to Watch” by Pandora, Taste of Country and Sounds Like Nashville and declared “Country Music’s Next Rising Star” by Billboard. He’s toured with Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, Scotty McCreery, Dan + Shay and more, co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s Top 5 hit song “Momma’s House,” scored two RIAA-certified Gold records, accumulated over 1.8M social media followers and banked an upwards of 350M on-demand streams (and counting). Signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the MusicRow-praised “Next Big Thing” just released his latest EP, Bad Decisions, April 26, before making his Stagecoach Festival debut performance. Embracing his irresistible rock-n-roll edge and unrestrained pop-country swagger that gained him over 500,000 social media followers in just a few months, the upcoming six-track EP features his viral hits “Ain’t Missin’ You” and “Bad Decisions.” Kicking off 2024 on Nate Smith’s “World On Fire” Tour, next up, Schneider will join Kane Brown on his “In The Air” Tour this fall.

KEEP UP WITH DYLAN SCHNEIDER

Black Tusk Streaming New Album

April 27, 2024

Early praise for The Way Forward

"They are harder and heavier than ever on this record...Nearly twenty years into their career, Black Tusk show no sign of stopping or slowing down" - Metal Sucks (4/5)

"Powerful, defiant music... a record that fills you with the urge to fight for the future, windmilling like a maniac" - Distorted Sound (8/10)

"A record that just rocks, and rocks hard" - Wonderbox Metal

"The Way Forward is Black Tusk doing what they do best and that's playing a ton of fucked up and fast-paced grooves that destroy everything within its wake". - Outlaws of the Sun

"A raucous style of punky, hard rocking sludge, with minimum fuss and ample bursts of energy and ballsy aggression" - Angry Metal Guy

"Chaotic and raw, but also extremely catchy and memorable" - Metal Injection

"A no frills band that goes full throttle. Black Tusk are here to stay" - Heavy Music HQ

"An engine-wrecking riff-fest from the Savannah badlands" - Metal Hammer

"Black Tusk are pretty much the only Georgia metal act who still sound like they hail from the home state of Sandra Dee and Uga" - Invisible Oranges

"Alive, raw, furious, loud...they almost make your face vibrate" - Heavy Blog is Heavy

"Black Tusk's combination of sludge, rock, hardcore and death metal remains fluid, fertile and most importantly, full of life" - PitchforkBlack Tusk came roaring out of the Savannah swamplands nearly twenty years ago, but the sludge metal veterans aren't looking back anytime soon. On their seventh album, The Way Forward, the band blaze full steam into the future behind the force of their new yet familiar lineup.

"This record represents our steadfast resolve to keep making music together as a band and evolve our sound", says Andrew Fidler, Black Tusk's longtime guitarist and co-vocalist.

The Way Forward comes out tomorrow, Friday, April 26, but you can hear all 11 hard-hitting tracks today on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

Listen to the full album stream below.

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/black-tusk-the-way-forward

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

The Way Forward pulls no punches. Right from the rip, album opener "Out of Grasp" charges head-on to the relentless chop of James May's snare drum. Lead single "Brush Fire" quickly grabs the baton and lights it up like a Molotov cocktail. New bassist Derek Lynch makes one hell of a first impression. "I watch you burn!" he spits, already spewing with righteous fury.

"Derek said he’d never done heavy vocals before, so I was like, ‘Well, here’s the mic. Here’s some words. Yell at it and see if you like it.’", says Fidler. "I was blown away the first time he did it. It sounded good as fuck.”

Black Tusk recorded The Way Forward at Hidden Audio, a studio run by frequent collaborator and now official member Chris "Scary" Adams. Not only did Scary handle the production, but he locks horns with Fidler, making this the band's first album to feature a two guitar attack. On "Dance on Your Grave", Fidler lays down a boot-stomping riff so Scary can rip into a solo that never stops climbing.

Of course, no band makes it 19 years without having to shovel their share of shit. "The big theme of this record is putting your life back together", Fidler says. Black Tusk have switched labels and lost members, all while navigating the bumps in the road that come with being tour musicians. But The Way Forward leaves those past misgivings in the rear view. "Sometimes the worst things you've ever seen or done end up being the best thing that's ever happened to you", May says.

"Breath of Life" opens with murky synths that swirl like a depressive fog, but that's just the quiet before the storm. Over fuming distortion, together, Black Tusk reach for something that sounds close to a silver lining. "Mercy in suffering, all I see", they scream in unison.

“The title is kind of a double play,” Fidler says. “It’s the first record with the new lineup, and this is the direction we’re taking the band in. We’ve been doing Black Tusk for 19 years now, and we still love it. That’s why we called it The Way Forward.”

Black Tusk will then hit the road in May for more shows with fans down south.

Black Tusk The Way Forward Tour Dates
April 26 Savannah, GA @ Congress St. Social Club [FREE SHOW]

May 23 Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply [TICKETS]

May 24 Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub [TICKETS]

May 25 Stuart, FL @ East Ocean Pub [TICKETS]

May 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Rain Dogs [TICKETS]

“The big theme of this record is putting your life back together.” That’s Black Tusk guitarist/vocalist Andrew Fidler talking about the band’s new album, The Way Forward. “When everything seems like it’s against you, put your head down and push through. Take those bad things that are happening and use them to help create.”

The Way Forward might be the Savannah swamp metal crew’s seventh album, but it marks many firsts for Black Tusk. It’s their first with their new lineup, which sees guitarist Chris “Scary” Adams and bassist Derek Lynch joining Fidler and drummer James May. Which also makes it Black Tusk’s first record with a two-guitar lineup. “We were able to add leads and harmonies and all kinds of stuff on the new record that we haven’t done in the past,” Fidler says. “As far as our records go, this one has the most guitar work.”

You can hear it in the squealing solo of “Dance on Your Grave,” the killer harmonies on ripper “Harness (The Alchemist),” and the glorious dual guitar interplay of the powerful title track.

“‘The Way Forward’ is my favorite song on the record,” Fidler says. “It’s based on a personal experience that everyone can probably relate to. I got divorced in 2020, and I kinda felt like my entire world was collapsing when that happened. But I pulled myself out of it. I realized that this one thing ending in my life isn’t the end of everything. I’m gonna find a way forward. I’m gonna figure out how to live my life and create and be happy and make new relationships. Which is what I’ve done.”

In true Black Tusk fashion, the new lineup has expanded their triple-vocal approach to quadruple. “Everyone is doing vocals,” Fidler says. “That’s always been a thing in Black Tusk. Derek said he’d never done heavy vocals before, so I was like, ‘Well, here’s the mic. Here’s some words. Yell at it and see if you like it.’ I was blown away the first time he did it. It sounded good as fuck.”

That’s Lynch on lead single “Brushfire,” a song for which he wrote the main riffs and lyrical concept. “That was my first real contribution to the band,” the bassist says. “Thematically, I wanted the aggressiveness of the lyrics to keep with the idea of pushing forward even when the world is trying to drag you down. The mood of the lyrics needed to match the pulverizing tempo of the song.”

The lyrics for second single “Dance on Your Grave” were written by May, who moved from Savannah to Athens, GA, in the time since Black Tusk’s last album. “It’s about his struggles through Covid and what this lifestyle can do to people,” Fidler says. “It’s about getting past the party lifestyle and continuing to do things that are creative.”

Meanwhile, “Breath of Life” distills Black Tusk’s lyrical philosophy into a righteous five-minute pummeling. “Scary came up with the main riff of this song, and it’s one of my favorite riffs on the record,” Fidler says. “I wrote the lyrics, and it’s just about darkness crushing everything. The world is a fucked-up place that we have to navigate through. That’s what a lot of Black Tusk songs are about.”

Black Tusk recorded The Way Forward at Adams’ own Hidden Audio studio just outside of Savannah. Adams engineered the album and the whole band produced. “I actually helped him build the studio in the detached garage next to his house,” Fidler explains. “Me and my carpentry company went out there to do it, and Scary helped.”

“We had about 90% of the riffs and song structures going into the studio, while still experimenting with ideas and inspirations,” Adams explains. “Sometimes we completely reworked parts, which made all the difference. For example, early versions of ‘Breath of Life’ and ‘The Way Forward’ are quite different than the record, and I love where they ended up. Though we did use a few effects and synths here and there for texture and space, to me this record still feels raw and powerful. It captures the feeling of being at a Black Tusk show.”

The cover art for The Way Forward was done by Brian Mercer, who also created the sleeve for Black Tusk’s 2018 album, T.C.B.T. “T.C.B.T. had a dark cover because it was a dark time for the band,” Fidler says, referring to the period immediately after the passing of their longtime friend and bassist Jonathan Athon. “This time, it’s full blown, full-color Black Tusk. Brian Mercer and James collaborated on the concept, and Brian really knocked it out of the park.”

“The title is kind of a double play,” Fidler says. “It’s the first record with the new lineup, and this is the direction we’re taking the band in. We’ve been doing Black Tusk for 19 years now, and we still love it. That’s why we called it The Way Forward.”

Line-up:

Andrew Fidler: guitar, vocals
James May: drums, vocals
Derek Lynch: bass, vocals
Chris "Scary" Adams: guitar, vocals

Recording Studio
Hidden Audio

Producer/sound engineer
Chris "Scary" Adams

Mixing studio and engineer
Chris "Scary" Adams

Mastering studio and engineer
Brad Boatright at Audiosiege

Cover artwork
Brian Mercer

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/black-tusk-the-way-forward
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/thewayforwardpresave

Follow Black Tusk:
https://blacktusk.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tcbt/
https://www.facebook.com/BlackTusk
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iontmL8hXqoJcSA5oTZqa
https://twitter.com/BlackTusk
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/black-tusk/292231967

GRAMERCY ARMS releases sophisticated & endearing fourth album 'The Making Of The Making Of' via Magic Door Records

April 27, 2024

"A fabulous and fresh slice of positivity, wrapped up in a finely-tuned package of upbeat and harmonious pop-rock that will leave you wanting more and checking local concert listings to see if the band is heading your way. Impeccably performed; superbly arranged and produced" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Perfectly straddles popularity and poise, chart potential and also satisfies more discerning tastes... Gramercy Arms is that rare thing. It is a band that makes great albums AND writes killer singles" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Wistful, bittersweet and soaring power pop... With echoes of the likes of Teenage Fanclub and Dinosaur Junior, as well as the classicism of 80s indie-pop, it’s yearning and hooky in all the right places, a gleaming melodic pick me up" ~ God is in the TV Zine

Bringing a little light into our lives, NYC-based collective Gramercy Arms has released their fourth album 'The Making Of The Making Of' via Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label. With nine tracks on offer, this album presents a varied smorgasbord of superb radio-friendly indie pop-rock gems and more intimate acoustic offerings. The band also present a new video for 'Never Say Anything (Magic Door Session)'.

A loose treasure-trove of musicians and artists, masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole) and producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna, Elk City), Gramercy Arms is inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70s and ‘80s New York, creating addictive indie pop with exquisite hook-laden melodies and lyrics that will have you floating back in time and remembering your favorite mistake.

With many of the songs recorded during the same sessions for the band’s 2023 'Deleted Scenes' album, 'The Making Of …' is decidedly more of a band album with a looser and more raucous approach featuring live in-studio performances and an even wider array of contributors.

Produced, recorded and mixed by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording in Montclair, NJ, it was mastered by Ketchem and award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (John Lennon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Tom Petty).

Earlier, Gramercy Arms released 'Never Say Anything', a gorgeously performed paean to paranoid times featuring Lysa Opfer (Aeon Station) and Mark Lizotte (Diesel), and 'After the After Party', a rueful power pop gem about chances missed and taken, featuring longtime collaborators Kevin March (Guided by Voices, The Dambuilders, Shudder to Think), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy, the Monsieurs), Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman, Dead Air) and Mike Errico.

Both albums are loaded with talent, involving Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf, Cobra Verde, Death of Samantha), Sean Eden (Luna), Phoebe Summersquash (Small Factory), Renée LoBue (Elk City, Flowers of America), Kendall Meade (Mascott), Verena Wiesendanger (Semi Gloss), Claudia Chopek (Bright Eyes, The Little River Band, Echo of the Ghost), John Leon (Roky Erickson, Royal Arctic Institute), Rafa Maciejak (Lloyd Cole and the Negatives, Ivy), Jules Verdone, Richard Alwyn-Fisher (King Canutes, The Winter Drinks), Steve Hurley (Gigolo Aunts), Carl Baggaley (Elk City, Royal Arctic Institute), Peter Hess (Phillip Glass Ensemble, Slavic Soul Party) and Gary Burton (Dovedale). 'Deleted Scenes' also involves the legendary Lloyd Cole.

"I initially thought about doing a double album and then decided against it. To me 'Deleted Scenes' and 'The Making Of The Making Of' are companion pieces and part of a larger work. I think of them as two sides of a double album and may release them as a double vinyl album in the future. To me, there is an understated, almost dark horse element to “The Making Of …” that gives it a special charm. In many ways 'Deleted Scenes' was more of the ‘obvious’ A-tracks, whereas 'The Making Of …' is just more fun. Songs like 'Lux', 'Susan' and 'The Long Game' capture that for me. The fact that the album has 4 different drummers with different feels and approaches has a lot to do with that because it still hangs together," says Dave Derby.

"Even though these songs came from the same sessions, this album was much more of a band record whereas “Deleted Scenes” was more about me and Kevin March building the tracks up together. Many of these songs were live full-band takes. I think that approach shows up in the final versions."

'The Making Of the Making Of' album is out now, available from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Their record release party takes place on April 26 at Berlin NYC with support from The Gershwin Brothers and the Hilken Mancini Band.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Derby (Passive Aggressive Music BMI)
Recorded at the Magic Door Studio, Montclair, NJ
Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Ray Ketchem
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Ray Ketchem
'After The After Party' video by Max Skaff
'Never Say Anything' video by Debora Francis
Dave Derby photos by Debora Francis