THE VELDT announces tour dates and ‘Aurora Borealis’ single, a beautiful foreshadowing of their original Robin Guthrie-produced album

As they approach the release of their 'Illuminated 1989' album, the original 1989 full-length record produced by Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, trailblazing soul-influenced shoegazers The Veldt announce North American tour dates and also present the single 'Aurora Borealis' with Elizabeth Fraser making a cameo appearance on backing vocals towards the end. Complementing this is the B-side remix, created by The Veldt around the turn of the century.

This is the second single from the album, which Guthrie produced in autumn 1989 and has now remastered for vinyl. While intended to be the band's first album, their label Capitol Records shelved the recording and sent them back into the studio with producer Lincoln Fong (Moose), resulting in their first album released with the title 'Marigolds'.

Earlier, the band released the lead track 'The Everlasting Gobstopper' digitally (with a video produced by Jammi York and the late Yuko Sueta) and on vinyl, involving a B-side previously unreleased vinyl exclusive 'Joshuu Lullaby', also recently produced by Guthrie.

One of the most notable first-wave shoegaze bands, formed in North Carolina in the 1980s, The Veldt surrounds identical twins Daniel Chavis (vocals, guitar) and Danny Chavis (guitar). Their unique sound was influenced by Cocteau Twins as readily as Marvin Gaye and free-jazz warriors Sun Ra and Pharaoh Sanders. Referencing European post-punk while embracing modern hip-hop, these trailblazers work with transient dreamscapes as fluidly as solid song structures.
 
Pitchfork included The Veldt's album 'Afrodisiac', produced by the legendary Ray Shulman (The Sundays, Bjork, The Sugarcubes) and released via Mercury Records, in the top 50 shoegaze albums ever released, while Stereogum included ‘Until You’re Forever’ in the top 31 shoegaze tracks. Their sound also inspired future generations of alternative artists, including TV On the Radio.

Daniel Chavis on their inspiration for 'Aurora Borealis': "This song is about my brother's love for his newborn daughter. Written out of high school and dug out around the time the band had started to get noticed. We had written so many, but it was one of the newest pieces that we had begun experimenting. This would signal our departure from being a band that made people dance to a band that made people confused. 'The Everlasting Gobstopper' came shortly thereafter and was being finished."

Danny Chavis adds, "This song was written in 1986 and was included in the first batch of songs we demoed under the name VELDT. Having heard 'Treasure' by Cocteau Twins, this song was inspired by that very album and RUN DMC’s 'Sucker MC’s' around the same time that year."

The Veldt's journey is fascinating. Performing since they were children, the Chavis brothers’ musical roots lead back to the church and southern juke-joints, and listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd. The Veldt formed in the late 80’s in Raleigh amongst the legendary North Carolina music scene of the time, initially signing with Mammoth Records - leading to a chain of major-label relationships that took the group across Europe and the U.S. playing shows with the likes of Throwing Muses, Pixies, Cocteau Twins and Jesus & Mary Chain.

After moving from Raleigh to New York, they briefly performed as Apollo Heightsbefore returning to their original name The Veldt. Joined by Japanese bassist-programmer Hayato Nakao, they together forging music that is a heady and sensual blend of shoegaze and progressive soul, dreamy soundscapes and infectious grooves. Some of the band's recent notable releases include 'The Shocking Fuzz Of Your Electric Fur' EP (2017) and the album 'Entropy is the Mainline to God' (2022).
 
Over the years, The Veldt has collaborated with TV On The Radio, Mos Def, Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), A.R.Kane and toured or played with Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Pixies, Throwing Muses, Echo & The Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, Manic Street Preachers, Phantogram, Modern English, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, Chuck D, Living Colour and Schooly D.

'Aurora Borealis' is now available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. On November 24, the 'Illuminated 1989' album will be released on vinyl, CD, cassette and digitally via Portland-based Little Cloud Records and 5BC Records. From October through December, The Veldt will be touring many cities and will be performing at Levitation Festival in Austin and Seattle's KEXP, as well as playing several exclusive dates supporting Violent Femmes.

CREDITS
‘Illuminated 1989’ released via 5BC Records and Little Cloud Records Danny Chavis - guitar
Daniel Chavis - vocals, guitar, lyrics
Marvin Levi - drums
Joseph Hue Boyle - bass
Elizabeth Fraser - additional vocals
Robin Guthrie - programming, additional guitars
Lincoln Fong - programming
Written by Danny and Daniel Chavis
Recorded and produced at September Sound by Robin Guthrie
Live photos of The Veldt shot by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 

TOUR DATES
SAT 10/21 = Norfolk, VA @ the NorVa w/ Violent Femmes
SUN 10/22 = Richmond, VA @ the National w/ Violent Femmes
MON 10/23 = Asheville, NC @ TBA
TUE 10/24 = Nashville, TN @ the Underdog
WED 10/25 = Memphis, TN @ Growlers
THU 10/26 = Little Rock, AR @ EJ’s Drinks and Eats
FRI 10/27 = Dallas, TX @ TBA
SAT 10/28 = Austin, TX @ the Far Out Lounge (LEVITATION Festival)
MON 11/27 = Atlanta, GA @ 529
TUE 11/28 = Birmingham, AL @ TBA
WED 11/29 = New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
THU 11/30 = Houston, TX @ 1810 Ojeman
FRI 12/1 = Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
SAT 12/2 = Silver City, NM @ Whiskey Creek Zocalo w/ Tremours
SUN 12/3 = Phoenix, AZ @ Linger Longer Lounge w/ Tremours
MON 12/4 = San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar w/ Tremours
TUE 12/5 = Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers w/ Tremours
WED 12/6 = San Francisco, CA @ Kilowatt w/ Tremours
THU 12/7 = Portland, OR @ Show Bar w/ Tremours
FRI 12/8 = Seattle, WA @ the Central Saloon (TremoloFest) w/ Tremours
SAT 12/9 = Vancouver, BC @ TBA
SUN 12/10 = Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown w/ Tremours)
MON 12/11 = Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s w/ Tremours
TUE 12/12 = Olympia, WA @ Le Voyeur w/ Tremours
WED 12/13 = Tacoma, WA @ TBA
THU 12/14 = Seattle, WA @ KEXP


Keep up with The Veldt
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Apple Music | Spotify | BandsInTown | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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Ministry Announces Spring 2024 North American Tour Joined By Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly Kicking Off Feb 27; 16th Studio Album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES Coming March 1

Ahead of Ministry’s brand-new studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, dropping March 1, 2024, the band will head out on a Spring 2024 North American tour, once again teaming up with touring comrades Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly.

The 29-date tour kicks off February 27 in San Francisco and runs through April 5 in Tucson, hitting major markets in the U.S. and Canada (see the full list of dates below). Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 6 at 10 AM local time. Find more info at www.ministryband.com/tour.

Says Ministry mastermind and creator Al Jourgensen, “So looking forward to doing another tour with Gary and the gang. We had such a blast the last time. The shows were amazing. Each band complements the other perfectly. Plus, both of our new releases are Kick Ass! Get your tickets and come join us.”

Ministry recently announced details for their groundbreaking 16th album,

HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, slated for release March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records and issued the first single and video for “Goddamn White Trash,” featuring Pepper Keenan.

See the video for “Goddamn White Trash,” directed by Dean Karr, below.

Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – the 9-track HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan.

HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES will be available in three vinyl variants, a CD jewelcase and digital/streaming platforms. The vinyl variants include:green with yellow splatter (in stores everywhere); blue with pink splatter (nuclear blast exclusive); red with white splatter (band/tour exclusive).

Pre-order HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES HERE

The release of HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES follows Ministry’s acclaimed 2021 album Moral Hygiene that kickstarted another era for the band. The critically acclaimed LP wound up on year-end lists from the likes of Consequence of Sound and Loudwire, as the band continued to sell out venues coast-to-coast on the Industrial Strength tour.

MINISTRY SPRING 2024 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Joined By Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly

February 2024

27  San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

29  Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre

March 2024

1    Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

2    Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

3    Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

5    Calgary, AB @ Palace Theatre

6    Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall

8    Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

9    Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore

10  Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

12  Columbus, OH @ Kemba Live

13  Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theater

14  Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom

16  Toronto, ON @ History

17  Montreal, QC @ MTelus

18  Boston, MA @ Roadrunner

19  New York, NY @ Terminal 5

20  Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Casino

22  Cherokee, NC @ Harrah’s Cherokee

23  Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live

24  Tampa, FL @ Jannus Landing

26  Birmingham, AL @ Avondale

27  Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Casino Biloxi***

29  Houston, TX @ House of Blues

30  Dallas, TX @ The Factory

31  Tulsa, OK @ Tulsa Theater

April 2024

2    Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom

4    Las Vegas, NV @ The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

5    Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre

***Front Line Assembly is not appearing

For tickets and more information, visit www.ministryband.com/tour

ABOUT MINISTRY

Born in 1981 in Chicago, Ministry has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, Ministry was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. Ministry’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did Ministry, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, Ministry has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. Ministry’s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, will be released in early 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Find Ministry Online

Website: www.ministryband.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WeAreMinistry

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

Ministry Press Contact

Selena Fragassi

selena@fr-pr.net

GET FOLKED TOUR REVIVED! A HANDFUL OF SHOWS LEFT BEFORE ADAM HAS A BABY!

Get Folked House Concert Tour:

Before COVID, one of my very favorite traditions was an annual tour that took me to the living rooms of fans all over the Country.  We’ve decided it’s time to bring it back!  Starting next Monday, October 9, you can apply to host a concert in your home (or community space of your choosing). 

If you’ve never been to or heard of a house concert, they are one of my favorite ways to perform…a night of hanging together and sharing music and stories that just doesn’t happen on traditional stages.  From December through February these shows will be popping up on our schedule, and even if you’re not hosting, we recommend you pick up a ticket and come out to one in your area!

Learn all about the tour here!

Just click the show links below to find out all of the details, or visit our Tour Page:

Oct. 6, 2023 - LINCOLN, NH: North Country Center For The Arts At Jean's Playhouse

Oct. 7, 2023 - CONCORD, NH - Bank Of NH Stage with Special Guest Lucas Gallo

Oct. 8, 2023 - GOSHEN, CT: Black Bear Americana Music Festival 2023

Oct. 13, 2023 - PAWTUCKET, RI: The Met with Special Guest Stefan Couture and The Moondog

Oct. 14, 2023 - NEW YORK, NY: City Vineyard

Oct. 15, 2023 - PORTLAND, ME: Portland House Of Music And Events 
 

Oct. 18, 2023 - SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT: Higher Ground

Oct. 20, 2023 - AMHERST, MA: The Drake

RallySound:

In the meantime, our nonprofit org, RallySound, will be continuing its mission to empower communities throughout the rest of the year.  Look for RS activities at all AEG shows, as well as our check presentation for $143k (!!!!) to The New England Center and Home for Veterans from this year’s Ramble!  Would you like to be more involved in the work we’re doing?  Send us a message here.

ATTILA Unleash Cathartic New Single, "FU4EVR"

Atlanta's most notorious purveyors of party metalcore, ATTILA, have dropped epic new radio-ready ballad, "FU4EVR" today. Much like previously released single, "Bite Your Tongue", the new track features mostly clean vocals from frontman Chris 'Fronz' Fronzak, further shepherding in the new, more versatile era of the band.

Speaking on the release of their new track, ATTILA shares

"FU4EVR is about standing up for yourself and not being afraid to cut ties with people who are bringing you down. Some people are like parasites and they will do anything in their power to try to remain in your life. At the end of the day you have to do what's best for your own mental health and not be afraid to say "fuck you forever" and cut out the dead weight."

Today's new drop follows previous singles,“Mia Goth” and “Bite Your Tongue”, which came out in April and shocked ATTILA fans around the world with the addition of clean vocals from Fronz for the first time ever on one of the band's tracks. Combined, the two previous singles have racked up nearly 4 million streams on Spotify alone and 390,000 YoutTube views.

These new tracks showcase a new direction for ATTILA, maintaining the band’s signature blend of metalcore, nu metal and deathcore whilst also adding new layers of melodic finesse and instrumental technicality. Proving that even after 15 years, they are still one of the most innovative and prolific forces in the genre.

ATTILA are currently bringing the ruckus to cities across the US, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their seminal album, 'About That Life' by performing the album in full. The band are joined by Gideon, Ten56 and Until I Wake. Tickets for the remaining dates are available here.

ABOUT THAT LIFE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

US LEG

Special Guests: * = No Gideon, ** = No Gideon + ten56, *** = No ten56, **** = No ten56. + Until I Wake, ***** = No Attila + Gideon

Tue. Oct. 3 – Bend, OR – Domino Room

Thu. Oct. 5 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield

Fri. Oct. 6 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock ****

Fri. Oct. 6 – Fresno, CA – Strummers *****

Sat. Oct. 7 – Bakersfield, CA – Temblor Brewing Co ***

Sun. Oct. 8 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720

Mon. Oct. 9 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory

Wed. Oct. 11 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theatre

Fri. Oct. 13 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live Sat.

Oct. 14 – Dallas, TX – Monster Mosh Fest

Sun. Oct 15 – Houston, TX – Studio @ Warehouse Live

Tue. Oct. 17 – Jacksonville, FL – Underbelly

Wed. Oct. 18 – Tampa, FL – Orpheum

Thu. Oct. 19 – Orlando, FL – Level 13

Fri. Oct. 20 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West

Don't miss your chance to witness this monumental celebration of one of metalcore's landmark albums. Get your tickets for ATTILA's About That Life 10-Year Anniversary Tour and join the party.

ABOUT ATTILA

Chris Fronzak (vocals), Chris Linck (guitar), and Kalan Adam (bass) aka ATTILA have been churning out metalcore anthems for nearly two decades, shaping and defining the genre as they go.

Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2005, ATTILA has released eight studio albums, including their infamous 2013 smash hit, "About That Life" which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #22. The band are best known for their uniquely aggressive heaviness, their incendiary, high-energy live shows and their tongue-in-cheek, not-giving-a-fuck attitude. Their music has amassed over 270 million streams and they currently have 807k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

ATTILA has continued to thrive and evolve over the years, cementing their status as one of the most influential bands in the modern metalcore genre. This new era is just another step in their evolution, with plenty more to come.

Sleeping With Sirens Unveils 'Complete Collapse (Deluxe)' via Sumerian Records + Drop New Music Video "Don't Let The Party Die"

Pop-punk titans Sleeping With Sirens has today unleashed their latest offering 'Complete Collapse (Deluxe)' via Sumerian Records. 'Complete Collapse (Deluxe)' includes brand new, never before heard acoustic interpretations of "Let You Down", "Us", and "Be Happy" in this expanded edition. In celebration of today's release, the band has shared their explosive new single "Don't Let The Party Die" (produced by Tyler Smyth) along with the accompanying official music video and limited edition merch. When asked about the new track, vocalist Kellin Quinn shared:

"'Don’t Let The Party Die' is about our nature as human beings- our greed, our ego, and our inability to stop. It’s very much open to interpretation, but I think it’s clear that if we continue to just keep the wheel spinning it will cost us dearly. Tyler Smyth is a legend of a producer and really helped bring this song to life! We really hope you love our new single and the deluxe version of 'Complete Collapse'! We really enjoyed this era of Sleeping With Sirens and are super appreciative of you, your love and support!" 

'Complete Collapse (Deluxe)' is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the album at the link here, watch the music video for "Don't Let The Party Die" , and check out the merch drop below.

Fans can catch Sleeping With Sirens on tour now across North America with The Used and Dead American. For ticket information please click here, and be sure to stay tuned for more Sleeping With Sirens news coming soon.

Upcoming Sleeping With Sirens Tour Dates

October 1 - Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live Sacramento

October 3 - Grand Junction, CO @ Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park

October 4 - Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom

October 7 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

October 8 - Garden City, ID @ Revolution Concert House & Event Center

October 10 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

October 11 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre

DUSTIN LYNCH STANDS TALL IN KILLED THE COWBOY

In a candid display of vulnerability, MULTI-PLATINUM star Dustin Lynch is boldly opening up like never before amid an internal struggle. At 38 and single, he’s admittedly at a crossroads: Does he settle down, start a family, and lean into domesticity, or continue to carve out a life of extraordinary experiences that most people only dream of? Releasing his statement-making sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), today (9/29), the charismatic man in the Resistol hat bravely tries to figure that out. Available everywhere, listen here.

It's a stunningly self-aware series of questions not only for Lynch to ponder, but for single and newly single people everywhere. Through his 12-track journey – with five to his songwriting credit – on Killed The Cowboy, they’ll realize they’re not alone, thanks to highlights such as the brooding title track, introspective “If I Stop Drinkin’,” the shadowy ballad “Blue Lights,” and yearning come-on of “Lone Star.” But they’ll also find a friend at the party via his raise-‘em-up anthems like “George Strait Jr.” and nostalgic dirt road rocker “Chevrolet” (featuring his BBR Music Group labelmate Jelly Roll), to “Honky Tonk Heartbreaker.” Written by Lynch, Hunter Phelps, Zach Crowell, and Ben Johnson, it’s the soundtrack to the best night of your life. With a slippery ‘90s guitar lick, lyrics about tequila shots and surprise phone calls, plus an easygoing vocal from Lynch, the Zach Crowell and Ben Johnson co-produced “Honky Tonk Heartbreaker” explodes out of the speakers and carries fans right into the club. It’s the very definition of a banger and a contender for the ultimate party anthem, with all of it framed through the late-night experiences of Lynch – who not only co-wrote the song, but lived it. Listen to “Honky Tonk Heartbreaker” and watch the lyric video.

“When we wrote ‘Honky Tonk Heartbreaker,’ we thought about what could be celebrated by people in Nashville’s Broadway honky-tonk scene, or in any bar scene. It’s a message to those who are single and ready to mingle, who embrace the excitement of getting dressed up to go out and give off a vibe,” Lynch adds. “But even those who have found their person will still enjoy the song, because at some point they've been out on the prowl, enjoying the nightlife.”

* Produced by Zach Crowell
+ Co-Produced by Zach Crowell and Ben Johnson
^ Co-Produced by Zach Crowell and Ben Phillips
# Co-Produced by Zach Crowell and Kyle Fishman

Presenting on NBC's inaugural 2023 People's Choice Country Awards live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, last night (9/28), Lynch is in the middle of a high-profile media blitz with features in Associated Press, Fox News, PEOPLE, American Songwriter, CMT, The Tennessean, and more, in addition to broadcast segments on Entertainment Tonight and Access Daily with Mario & Kit. He's also been named one of Nashville Lifestyles’ Most Beautiful People in their annual issue on stands now.

As the much-anticipated follow-up to Blue In The Sky, Lynch’s 2022 release delivered the history-making “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter),” which became the #1 song on the Mediabase 2022 Year-End Chart Country and #2 on the Billboard 2022 Year-End Country Airplay Songs chart. The PLATINUM, six-week #1 collaboration remains the longest-running Top 10 single in Billboard Country Airplay chart history at 28 weeks and Broken Bow Records’ longest-reigning single at Country radio. The acclaimed album also included hit “Party Mode” and Lynch’s latest chart-rising single “Stars Like Confetti,” that’s nearing Top 5.

Launching his KILLED THE COWBOY TOUR beginning April 2, 2024, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Lynch is making major city appearances in Charlotte, NC, Minneapolis, MN, and Boston, MA, among others, across the 18-date run next spring. With special guest Skeez, he’ll top off the trek on May 11 at Harrah's Stir Concert Cove in Council Bluffs, IA. Find tickets and a full list of tour dates here.

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

ABOUT DUSTIN LYNCH:
Dustin Lynch has "built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music” (Billboard), achieving eight #1s, four Top 5 albums, 10 GOLD and PLATINUM certified singles, and tallying over 5.4 BILLION cumulative global streams. His sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), is boldly making a statement. The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” – the most-played song at Country radio in 2022 landing at #1 on the Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts – also featured nearing Top 5 single “Stars Like Confetti” and hit “Party Mode.” Launching the KILLED THE COWBOY TOUR in 2024, Lynch has headlined packed venues and toured with Country’s biggest names like Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Kane Brown. Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.

KEEP UP WITH DUSTIN LYNCH
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

Rising Star Erin Kinsey Announces 'same day sessions' with the Release of "never been closer 5.22.22"

Named a “rising star” by People, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erin Kinsey showcases her unique voice and heartfelt songwriting with the same day sessions, an innovative collection wherein each song was recorded the same day it was written, across five different days. Kinsey kicks off the project with “never been closer 5.22.22” today, Sept. 29. Listen to the song and pre-save the collection HERE.
 
“Like many artists, I’m prone to overthinking,” shares Kinsey. “However, this writing and recording style allowed us to capture the tracks in their most authentic form, which is what makes them so different from other projects.
 
“I also wanted to include the date along with the song titles to create a timestamp of what was going on in my life at that time. I think it really gives listeners an opportunity to have a fuller picture of what my mindset was like going into each of these writes,” she explains.
 
Kinsey bypassed a typical writing and recording schedule in favor of an approach that allowed each song to fully absorb the tone and raw emotions of each writing session, whether it was the urgency and frustration in “never been closer 5.22.22” or the playful confidence in “different us 2.15.23,” all while melding her pop and rock influences yet holding fast to her deep passion for Country music.
 
This fresh method finds every producer and featured artist doubling as cowriters on the tracks, solidifying the synergy of the project. same day sessions revisits a fan favorite from her EP Bet My Heart with “stayed a summer (fall version) 8.19.22.” A collaboration with Josh Kerr, Sara Davis and Micah Carpenter, the song confirms Wide Open Country’s declaration: “If you’re itching for some new coming-of-age country anthems, look no further than Erin Kinsey. She’s all about relatable lyrics and catchy hooks that make it nearly impossible not to sing along with her.”
 
With over 5 million views as she continues to tease the project, Kinsey’s vast following on social media has been clamoring for these songs with a collective sentiment of excitement and anticipation. Fans will get to hear the tracks live as she joins Morgan Evans on the U.S. leg of the Life Upside Down Tour, kicking off October 5 in Louisville, Kentucky.
 
Dubbed “one to watch” by Cowboys & Indians, Kinsey has been honing her musical talents since the age of 11, and at 22 years old, she stands as a testament to dedication and artistic growth. Her journey led her from the heart of Texas to Music City, where she embarked on her path to becoming a respected singer/songwriter, whose song “Pink,” cowritten with Victoria Shaw and Jodi Marr for the Susan G. Komen® foundation, has been recorded by the likes of Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Rita Wilson, Jordin Sparks and Monica.
 
Her relentless pursuit of her dreams caught the attention of music insiders who recognized her undeniable talent and potential for greatness, including Barry Weiss’ RECORDS Nashville, a joint venture with Sony, and George Couri’s Triple 8 Management. With over 95 million global streams, Kinsey has performed at London’s C2C Festival, Faster Horses Festival and Tortuga Music Festival among tour dates with the likes of Dylan Scott and Home Free and making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. She kickstarted the 2022 NASCAR Awards with her SiriusXM The Highway’s “On The Horizon” find and Billboard-dubbed “dynamic” introduction “Just Drive.”

Erin Kinsey’s Upcoming Dates on the Life Upside Down Tour with Morgan Evans

Oct. 5              Mercury Ballroom                  Louisville, KY
Oct. 6              Preston Arts Center                Henderson, KY
Oct. 7              Jergel’s Rhythm Grille           Warrendale, PA
Oct. 11             Mulcahy’s                              Wantagh, NY
Oct. 12            Rams Head Live                     Baltimore, MD
Oct. 13            Mohegan Sun                          Uncasville, CT
Oct. 14            The Goat                                 Manchester, NH
Oct. 19            The City Center at Fat City    Champaign, IL
Oct. 20            District 142                             Wyandotte, MI
Oct. 21            Dusty Armadillo                     Rootstown, OH
Nov. 2             Paradise Rock Club                Boston, MA
Nov. 3             Kegs Canal Side                     Jordan, NY
Nov. 4             The L                                      Horseheads, NY
Nov. 29           Terminal We                           Atlanta, GA
Nov. 30           The Underground                   Charlotte, NC
Dec. 1              The Senate                             Columbia, SC
Dec. 2              Music Farm                           Charleston, SC
Dec. 14            Elevation                               Grand Rapids, MI
Dec. 15            Joe’s                                       Chicago, IL
Dec. 16            Majestic Theatre                    Madison, WI
 
About Erin Kinsey
Texas native Erin Kinsey is a rising star in the country music scene, bringing her unique voice and heartfelt songwriting to the forefront. Despite her young age, Erin has been honing her musical talents since the age of 11, and at 22 years old, she stands as a testament to dedication and artistic growth. Born with a deep passion for country music, Erin's journey led her from the heart of Texas to Music City, Nashville, Tennessee, where she embarked on her path to becoming a respected singer-songwriter. Her relentless pursuit of her dreams caught the attention of music insiders who recognized her undeniable talent and potential for greatness. Erin’s musical journey took a major step forward with her signing to RECORDS Nashville, a prominent joint venture with Sony Music in October 2021. In March of 2022, she unveiled her debut EP 40 East which showcased her distinctive style and garnered significant acclaim. Notably, Erin's music has amassed over 95 million streams across her catalog, underscoring the strong connection she has established with her ever-growing audience. Her songwriting has not only resonated with listeners but has also been recognized by industry legends. Erin’s remarkable talent has led her to write songs that have been cut by esteemed artists including Dolly Parton, Rita Wilson, Jordan Sparks, Monica, and Sara Evans. This achievement speaks volumes about her ability to craft relatable and impactful narratives that transcend boundaries. Continuing her artistic journey, Erin Kinsey released her latest EP Bet My Heart in May of 2023. The EP features six tracks, all penned by Erin herself, including the emotionally charged “Always Never,” a collaborative effort with acclaimed songwriters Sarah Buxton and Josh Kerr. The release also includes previously beloved tracks like “Vegas” and “Boys In Boots,” showcasing the depth and versatility of Erin's musical expression. With her compelling storytelling, genuine connection to her audience, and an ever-expanding body of work, Erin Kinsey is undoubtedly a rising star in the country music landscape. Her journey from a young Texan with a dream to a Nashville singer-songwriter is a testament to her unwavering dedication and undeniable talent. For more information, visit ErinKinsey.com or follow along on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter @ErinKinseyTX and Facebook.com/ErinKinseyOfficial.

Blake Shelton Rocks Ole Red Orlando

Blake Shelton returned to Ole Red Orlando to perform in front of a packed house last night. The boss man’s one-hour set included hits like “God’s Country” and “Happy Anywhere,” ending with fan favorite, “Boys ‘Round Here.”

On stage, Shelton remarked, “We wanted to come here and have fun with you guys and say thank you for supporting Ole Red Orlando. This is such a fun place!”

NBC’S “The Voice” season 22 winner, Bryce Leatherwood, opened the evening. Leatherwood started the night off with country classics like “The Fireman” by George Straight and “Whenever You Come Around” by Vince Gill. Leatherwood also performed unreleased original songs “Made Me, Me” and “The Finger” to the pumped-up crowd. The “Team Blake” alum has been a regular guest at Shelton’s Ole Red venues, recently selling out his four-show residency at Ole Red Tishomingo in Oklahoma as well as his shows at Ole Red Gatlinburg and Ole Red Orlando. 

Of his experience on working with Blake, Leatherwood says, “Working with Blake has been an incredible experience. We share a love for pure country music and his Ole Red bars have treated me so well and reflect his love for a great drink or two.”

The official Blake Shelton Icon Park Pre-Party, held in partnership with local country radio station K92.3, surprised a handful of ultimate Blake Shelton fans with last minute tickets to the show. The station began a live broadcast from Ole Red Orlando at 4:00 p.m. while other vendors on-site also hosted giveaways and free samples to fans. 

Shelton’s Ole Red Orlando performance followed the Opry member’s honor of presenting Toby Keith with the “Country Icon” award at the first-ever People’s Country Choice Awards live from the Grand Ole Opry House. During the show, Shelton also received the award for “The Social Country Star of 2023.” Earlier this week, Shelton and Carson Daly celebrated the announcement of the return of their beloved game show, “Barmageddon,” where celebrity friends compete in the ultimate bar game show down set at Shelton’s Ole Red Nashville.

Photo Credit: Matt Jylha 

About Ole Red  
Ole Red is a lifestyle and entertainment brand inspired by Blake Shelton’s clever, irreverent third-chart hit, “Ol’ Red.” Its bar, restaurant and live music venues showcase hand-selected country music talent alongside concert-quality production and a Shelton-inspired menu for a unique experience that is “served all day and night.” You can currently find Ole Red entertainment venues and products in four cities in the United States: Nashville, Tennessee, home to the brand’s flagship multi-story bar and restaurant on the famed Lower Broadway and a new location at Nashville International Airport; Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Blake’s hometown; Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains; and Orlando, Florida’s Icon Park. A sixth location is scheduled to open in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2024. Ole Red is owned and operated by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. as part of its Opry Entertainment division. For more information on Ole Red, please visit www.olered.com. 
 
About Opry Entertainment Group
Rooted in the unparalleled country music history of the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Entertainment Group produces multi-platform entertainment experiences through its growing portfolio of entertainment venues. This includes the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, the iconic Ryman Auditorium, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Blake Shelton-inspired Ole Red brand and the Wildhorse Saloon, just announced to be reimagined as a Luke Combs-inspired entertainment experience coming 2024. Through concerts, tours, music-inspired restaurants, digital content, and WSM Radio, Opry Entertainment Group connects millions of music fans to the artists they love through experiences they’ll never forget. Opry Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) and part of a strategic investment with Atairos and NBCUniversal.

Photo Credit: Matt Jylha 

The explosive debut album from Grove Street!

Randy Houser Releases New Single "Cancel"

Billboard lauded “golden-voiced Mississippi native” Randy Houser reflects on the state of the world today and encourages forgiveness in his new song “Cancel,” available now via Magnolia Music Group. Written solely by Houser and co-produced with Jay Tooke, listen to the song below.
 
“You’ll have a certain amount of people that won’t even look at it because of the title,” Houser shared with Rolling Stone of the “moody, bluesy” song. “It’s OK to call things out. But that doesn’t mean all-out war with each other over something that you disagree with. We’re tearing our country apart by doing that. I believe in what the Bible says about forgiveness, that we’re commanded to forgive. Just treat people fairly and if you see someone needs a friend, be one.”
 
Resonating with his audiences during live performances throughout his relentless touring schedule, fans have urged Houser to release the track that showcases his dynamic vocals as he shares his point of view.
 
“I’m not here to judge anyone else’s lifestyle or their personal choice,” he explained to Rolling Stone. “I don’t deal with the same decisions that other people have had to make in their lives. We all know that there’s people who are born a certain way. It’s not anyone else’s job to judge. It’s just like, be cool to people. Be a human.”
 
Houser will perform at the Ronnie Milsap Tribute Show at Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 3 with Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery and more before resuming his busy touring schedule next Friday, Oct. 6 at Country Thunder in Bristol, TN, with additional tour dates through the end of the year.

Photo Credit: Rachel Deeb

Randy Houser Upcoming Tour Dates
 
Oct. 6              Country Thunder Bristol                                Bristol, TN
Oct. 7              Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges                       Roanoke, VA
Oct. 12            Cumming Country Fair & Festival                 Cumming, GA
Oct. 13            Georgia National Fair                                     Perry, GA
Oct. 20            The Post OG                                                   Orange Grove, TX
Oct. 21            Troubadour Festival                                        Celina, TX
Nov. 10           The Oaks Farm                                               LaFayette, AL
Nov. 11            Bartow Ford                                                    Bartow, FL
Nov. 12           Country Bay Music Festival                           Key Biscayne, FL
Dec. 10            The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas         Las Vegas, NV
 
About Randy Houser
With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy.” Houser added a fourth No. 1 to his catalogue with “We Went” from his 2016 album, Fired Up. Houser’s sixth studio album Note To Self is available now via Magnolia Music Group and features 10 tracks all co-written by the Mississippi native. Lead single and title track “Note To Self” marked his “powerful return” following 2019’s critically-acclaimed album Magnolia, with MusicRow boasting the Mississippi-native “remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.” His latest single “Cancel” is available now. For more information, go to RandyHouser.com.

Return to Dust Release Roaring New Single & Video for "No Love"

The Los Angeles-based grunge trio, Return to Dust, have today released their latest single, "No Love" via Jim Kaufman Productions. Fans can listen to the track HERE, and watch the brand new video directed by Matt Akana below.

After racking up over 2 million TikTok views within a weekend, see HERE, the band's fan base has skyrocketed. The TIkTok featuring the band's single, "Belly Up" swiftly impacted the band's trajectory - over a million streams across DSPs, 65K Spotify Monthly Listeners, 4 million total TikTok views and you can now catch over 76,000 fans across all socials waiting for their next glimpse of Return to Dust.

Speaking on today's release, the band shares:

"No Love" is a tough reminder that the days are escaping and it may feel hopeless to play catch up, but that those feelings are normal. Shedding your adolescence and merging into the global rat race is something we all have to do, and the path ahead is never really clear. Life will spare no love.

It's always been a big part of the band to let people in, whoever, to see what we do. Having a house party with friends and fans that was also a music video shoot was a perfect way to accomplish that. With the video, we wanted to convey the live energy of the band in a show setting, while also steering away from the snoody, "larger than life" facade a lot of artists put on."

Sharing insight as the producer of "No Love", Jim Kaufman continues:

"“No Love' represents the culmination of the band's artistic vision and our commitment to delivering meaningful music. They poured their hearts out on every note. We're excited to share this song and continue to push the depths of the band."

Still on the high of selling out the Viper Room at the EP release show, the band earned a stamp of approval from rock impresario, Allison Hagendorf, as their single "Losing Faith" was featured on an episode of "The Allison Hagendorf Show's" Sound Advice. The trio are continuing to catch fire, as none other than Matt Pinfield tagged in and showcased the band on KLOS' "New And Approved".

Return to Dust, who are heavily inspired by the legendary Alice In Chains, have already cultivated a reputation in the local Los Angeles music scene before the release of their debut EP, "The Black Road" produced by none other than Jim Kaufman (Everclear, Danny Worsnop, Night Riots, Helmet). With their remarkable cinematic approach, the rock trio are on track for an unforgettable year of touring and new music. Be sure to stay tuned for more Return to Dust news coming soon.

Photo Credit - Matt Akana

WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING:

"Return To Dust veer into entirely distinct sonic territories... one likely pivotal for long-term success.

Overall: 90/100”

Unsung Melody

"The band throws a new twist on 90s-sounding riffs bringing the listener back in time. The groovy guitar with dark themes in the lyrics holds over every song on the EP."

Keynote Music Collective

""“Black Road” is the perfect vehicle for Return to Dust to showcase their remarkable cinematic approach. This is a band with a stupendous future."

My Amp Music

""Combined with formidable talent and unmatched dedication, Return to Dust are ready to truly hit the ground running with their debut EP, “The Black Road,""

Interview Under Fire

Return to Dust have taken over listeners' Spotify Release Radar's and Discover Weekly's, all prior to the release of their debut EP. The band have also been featured on Loudwire's Weekly Wire and Spotify's All New Rock, and independent playlists such as Prelude Press' "Music That Doesn't Suck", CHARM Music Magazine's "New Music Friday", NAS 101's "New Artist Spotlight", Get Rocked's "Best New Music", and more.

Southern California fans also have the chance to see Return to Dust at The Haven in Pomona on Sunday, October 1st.

Return to Dust will be appearing with genre blending Marlon Funaki, for an epic night of live music.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance HERE.

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

ABOUT RETURN TO DUST

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

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

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

Return to Dust

Matty Joseph - Vocals & Guitar

Graham Stanush - Vocals & Bass

Sebastian Gonzalez - Guitar

Until I Wake Share "Fool's Paradise" Video — WATCH

Buffalo quartet Until I Wake — vocalist Cody Johnson, bassist Ryan Ridley, guitarist August Geitner, and drummer Alex Curtin — have shared the video for new single "Fool's Paradise." Watch it here. It follows the recently dropped video for "Cold."

With "Fool's Paradise," moody verses erupt into frenetic choruses amid a flurry of riffs, a razor-sharp and epic breakdown, and alternately stung and screamed vocals. It'll instantly become your favorite horns-in-the-air rock anthem! 

"'Fool's Paradise' is a retrospective look on a past relationship/time in your life that you once thought brought you happiness, but realizing you were in a blissful false mental state," the band says. "It's about realizing that something you thought was perfect at a certain time was actually a detriment. A fool's paradise is described as a state of happiness based on a person not knowing about or denying the existence of potential trouble."

Until I Wake have been steadily bubbling under in the hard rock world for the past few years. They released a self-titled EP in 2021. Early praise was swift and streams numbered in the tens of millions worldwide. Press accolades from Outburn, Kerrang!, and Alternative Press followed. The band's Fearless Records' debut Inside My Head is out now. It has amassed 31 million streams to date. They've appeared at major rock festivals including Louder Than Life, Upheaval, and So What and will open for Attila on the About That Life 10-Year Anniversary Tour this fall, in addition to appearing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival.

Until I Wake will be on tour through 2023. All dates are below.

UNTIL I WAKE ON TOUR:
WITH ATTILA, GIDEON, + TENS56:
9/30 — Seattle, WA  — El Corazon
10/1 — Portland, OR  — Bossanova Ballroom
10/3 — Bend, OR  — Domino Room
10/5 — Roseville, CA  — Goldfield
10/6 — Fresno, CA — Strummers*
10/7 — Bakersfield, CA — Temblor Brewing Co
10/8 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
10/9 — Santa Ana, CA — The Observatory
10/11 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theatre
10/13 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live
10/14 — Dallas, TX — Monster Mosh Fest
10/15 — Houston, TX — Studio at Warehouse Live
10/17 — Jacksonville, FL — Underbelly
10/18 — Tampa, FL — Orpheum
10/19 — Orlando, FL — Level 13
10/20 — Atlanta, GA — Terminal West
*No Attila or Gideon

WITH IMMINENCE:
11/26 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird Cafe + Music Hall
11/27 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird Cafe + Music Hall
11/28 — Chicago, IL — Metro
11/29 — Detroit, MI — St. Andrews Hall
11/30 — Toronto, ON — The Opera House
12/1 — Montreal, QC — Fairmount Theatre
12/2 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium 
12/3 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza

HEADLINE:
12/29 — The Rapids Theatre — Buffalo, NY (With Altruist, Fight From Within, Tim The Truth, + An Easy Death)

Zac Brown Band- The Way You Look Tonight – OUT NOW

VRSTY Drop "The Way It Is" — LISTEN

NEW ALBUM LEVITATE ARRIVES OCTOBER 27 VIA SPINEFARM 

BAND ON TOUR WITH MONUMENTS THROUGH OCTOBER 

New York City-based collective VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") — Joey Varela [vocals], Javy Dorrejo [bass], Chris Cody [drums], and Paul Gregory [guitar] — will drop their new album Levitate. The album is out October 27 via Spinefarm. Pre-order it here. 

Today, the band has shared the "The Way It Is" visualizer. Listen here.

It's a moody romp that cycles through a variety of emotions and packs a powerful lyrical punch. 

"This is definitely the most chill song on the record, and one of the more emotional ones," says Varela. "'The Way It Is' is simply a song about knowing that you must save yourself... because nobody else will."

VRSTY ON TOUR:
WITH MONUMENTS + FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS:
9/26 — Spokane, WA — Big Dipper (Only For The Fallen Dreams)
9/27 — Seattle, WA — Substation
9/28 — Portland, OR — Dante's
9/29 — Sacramento, CA — Old Ironworks
9/30 — Santa Ana, CA — Constellation Room
10/1 — Phoenix, AZ — Nile Underground
10/3 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live
10/4 — Houston, TX — Scout Bar
10/5 — Dallas, TX — Trees
10/6 — Springfield, MO — The Riff
10/7 — Chicago, IL — Reggie's
10/8 — Detroit, MI — Sanctuary
10/10 — Lakewood, OH — The Foundry
10/11 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground
10/12 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
10/13 — Rochester, NY — Montage Music Hall
10/14 — Manchester, NH — Angel City Music Hall
10/15 — Brooklyn, NY — Meadows

ABOUT VRSTY:
VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") make music as energetic and richly diverse as the city that spawned them. Assembled by band leader Joey Tyler, a Puerto Rican singer from New York City raised on R&B, pop, and Spanish music and equally inspired by metallic post-hardcore, VRSTY blends genres with fearless ambition and visceral enthusiasm. A handful of EPs preceded 2020's debut album, Welcome Home, itself followed by a three-part series of sequel EPs solidifying the band's reputation.  
 
The band (comprised of guitarist Paul Gregory, bassist Javier Dorrejo, drummer Chris Cody, and Tyler) specializes in what Kerrang! described as "endless grooves and danceable parts, punctuated by breakdowns and completed with dark atmosphere." Meanwhile, "Massive,”"from 2020's Cloud City EP, remained the Most Played on SiriusXM's Octane for two consecutive weeks. In a 9/10 review, Outburn described Welcome Home as "effortless, fun, and above all genuine." Blabbermouth raved: "While other bands may have introduced the concept of genre-bending, VRSTY have refined it."
 
Genuine authenticity and uncompromising passion are crucial to everything about VRSTY. Levitate, the band's stunning sophomore set, is powered by spirited conviction and a commitment to follow their muse wherever it leads. It's an album of rich melodic hooks and headbang-inducing grooves. 
 
Tyler co-produced Levitate with Justin Deblieck (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore, Fit For A King). George Lever (Sleep Token, Holding Absence, Loathe) handled mixing duties. 
 
VRSTY commands the crowd anytime they perform, connecting with anyone who struggles with feelings of low self-worth, bad relationships, or generally feels like an outsider. It’s a feeling of shared community evident on the band's tours with the likes of 10 Years, Nonpoint, Secrets, and For The Fallen Dreams, among others. Ultimately, VRSTY aims to encourage, provoke, and inspire listeners. 

Boys Like Girls Share "NEW LOVE" — LISTEN

NEW ALBUM SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS OUT OCTOBER 20 VIA FEARLESS RECORDS

BAND TOURING THROUGH OCTOBER!

BOYS LIKE GIRLS will release their first full length album in 11 years, SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS, on October 20, 2023 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band has shared the latest single "NEW LOVE." Listen below.

It's a dreamy, shimmery epic that celebrates the universal emotion of love — in all of its different forms. The song's effervescent charm, escalating tempo, and sonic layers will wrap around you like a hug from the BFF you haven't seen in a year, but just reunited with. Put the top down and crank the knobs to 11.

"In early 2019, I was living in Los Feliz, California, renting out a studio in Burbank from the guys in Chromeo," shares frontman Martin Johnson about the song's origin story. "My room was across from Vaughn Oliver, who was busy creating the Power Tools 1 Sample Pack, and backed up right on Ryland Blackinton's room. We knew each other well from days of touring together as early as 2006, supporting Cartel in different bands, and more recently, on the OP tour in 2009 with Cobra Starship and Boys Like Girls. We finally did some work together touring and writing under my moniker 'The Night Game.'"

Johnson continues, "Ryland seems to always have an eerie pulse on my musical taste. It's one of those relationships where you musically finish each other sentences. I remember one day, Brandon Paddock and I were in the studio working on a record when I heard a beat coming through the wall from Ryland's room. It almost sounded like a Garth Brooks country shuffle from where I sat. I realized I was paying more attention to what I was hearing through the wall than what we were listening to out of the speakers. I stood up and stormed in there, Kramer-style, to see what he was cooking up. 'You like that?,'" he asked."

He finishes, "I didn't answer but instead started singing the chorus vocal pop outs in a melody reminiscent of a Dire Straits riff. We recorded them in and started scatting the in-between lyrics. The first verse came about five minutes later. What Ryland didn't know is that I was two or three weeks deep into the relationship with my now-wife and had plenty to talk about. It had been a really really long time since I had written a love song, maybe five years or so, and frankly, almost every song written for The Night Game had an undertone of darkness, desperation and resentment towards the music industry. I knew i was about to chase her across the country to Nashville and these would be my final days in L.A. and likely the last song I would write on the West Coast for some time. A couple years later at Blackbird Studio in Nashville with the boys, Brandon Paddock, and Dannen Rector, we started to assemble the big crashes and arrangement that you hear today. An alternate production with the original demo drums and keys will be available exclusively on the Target version of the album, available October 20. We're BOYS LIKE GIRLS and this is 'NEW LOVE.'"

The journey towards SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS began in May when "BLOOD AND SUGAR" marked the band's official return, garnering widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. The track showcased BOYS LIKE GIRLS' evolution, while staying true to their distinctive pop-rock roots, leaving listeners eager for more. "LANGUAGE" further solidified their comeback as it resonated deeply with both longtime fans and newcomers, reigniting the band's musical flame. "THE OUTSIDE" delved into the bittersweet nostalgia of growing up and the power of music to shape one's identity. 
 
With their return gaining momentum, BOYS LIKE GIRLS are also back on the road. The tour promises a dynamic lineup with a variety of openers on select dates, including support from 3OH!3, The Ready Set, LOLO, Four Years Strong, Max Mernis, The Summer Set, Every Avenue, and SayWeCanFly. All dates are below.

BOYS LIKE GIRLS ON TOUR:
9/23 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — The Revolution+
9/24 — Lake Buena Vista, FL — House of Blues Orlando+
9/26 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center+
9/27 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom+
9/28 — Austin, TX — Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater#
9/30 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren%
10/1 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium&
10/2 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues Las Vegas&
10/4 — San Diego, CA — SOMA%
10/6 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic†
10/8 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom†
10/10 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom†
10/11 — Seattle, WA — Paramount Theatre†
10/13 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot†
10/14 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium†
10/16 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore Minneapolis†
10/18 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee†
10/19 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom@
10/21 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues Cleveland@
10/22 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit@
10/24 — Toronto, ON — HISTORY^
10/26 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway†
10/27 — New York, NY — Hammerstein Ballroom†
10/30 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia†
10/31 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring†
11/1 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz†

SUPPORT KEY:
+ – Four Years Strong and LOLO
# – Four Years Strong, LOLO, Max Bemis
% – 3OH!3, LOLO
& – 3OH!3, LOLO, The Ready Set
† – The Summer Set, LOLO
@ – The Summer Set, LOLO, Every Avenue
^The Summer Set, LOLO, SayWeCanFly

August Burns Red Announce 2023 Christmas Burns Red Details

AUGUST BURNS RED ANNOUNCE 2023 CHRISTMAS BURNS RED DETAILS

"RESCUE & RESTORE" 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR KICKS OFF NOVEMBER 10

NEW ALBUM DEATH BELOW OUT NOW VIA SHARPTONE RECORDS

Grammy-nominated Lancaster five-piece AUGUST BURNS RED — JB Brubaker [lead guitar], Brent Rambler [rhythm guitar], Matt Greiner [drums], Jake Luhrs [vocals], and Dustin Davidson [bass] — know how to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in style. Today, the band has announced the details of their annual Christmas Burns Red event for 2023!

The fourth annual Christmas Burns Red festival will find the band performing Rescue & Restore on Friday, December 8 and a 20-Year Anniversary set on Saturday, December 9. 

Christmas Burns Red 2023 will take place at Freedom Hall at the Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The lineup is below.

FRIDAY, 12/8:
August Burns Red (Performing Rescue & Restore in full)
Texas in July
Brand of Sacrifice
Spite
Crystal Lake
Once Nothing

SATURDAY, 12/9:
August Burns Red (Performing a 20-year anniversary set)
Between the Buried and Me (Performing Colors in full)
Kublai Khan
Galactic Empire
Signs of the Swarm
Kaonashi

Tickets, VIP, and lodging packages are available here. 

"Christmas Burns Red has become the highlight of the year for us as a band," says ABR. "It's been amazing to see CBR turn into a community gathering of ABR fans from all over the world. This December, we've put together our most exciting line up yet. We're ready to deliver Rescue & Restore from start to finish and then play a massive set spanning our entire career the following night. We look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and hopefully some new ones as well."

ABR will also embark on the 10th anniversary "Rescue & Restore" tour next month. The North American tour kicks off November 10 in Worcester, Massachusetts and runs through December 9 in the band's hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All dates are below. The band will perform the Rescue & Restore album in full in each night, along with other fan faves and classics.   Brand of Sacrifice, Spite, and Crystal Lake will serve as support.  VIP tickets are available immediately here. The package includes a meet and greet with the band, photo opportunity, autograph opportunity, an unreleased "Spirit Breaker (Reprise)" 7" record”, VIP laminate, and early entry/access to merch in venues that allow. Get tickets here.

ABR released Death Below on March 24, via SharpTone Records. Get it here.

AUGUST BURNS RED ON TOUR:
WITH BRAND OF SACRIFICE, SPITE, + CRYSTAL LAKE:
11/10 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
11/11 — Montreal, QC — L'Olympia
11/12 — London, ON — London Music Hall
11/14 — Fort Wayne, IN — Piere's
11/16 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
11/17 — Atlanta, GA — Masquerade
11/18 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues
11/20 — Fayetteville, AR — JJ's Live
11/21 — Dallas, TX — The Factory
11 22 — Austin, TX — Emo's
11/24 — Tempe, AZ — Marquee
11/25 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
11/27 — Sacramento, CA — Ace Of Spades
11/28 — Los Angeles, CA — The Belasco
11/29 —  Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl
11/30 —  Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
12/2 — Denver, CO — The Fillmore
12/4 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore
12/5 — Chicago, IL — Radius
12/6 —  Cincinnati, OH — Bogarts
12/8 — Lancaster, PA —Christmas Burns Red
12/9 — Lancaster, PA — Christmas Burns Red

ABOUT AUGUST BURNS RED:
August Burns Red is likely the only metal act ever described as "thrillingly empathetic" (Kerrang!). It's a testament to the ferocious band's ability to recognize and connect with the mixture of brokenness and hope found in their audience and within themselves. A hard-working collective with a shockingly stable lineup for the vast majority of their career, August Burns Red pour every ounce of themselves into their music. Atmospheric, riff-laden, aggressive bursts of controlled chaos, filled with shifting time signatures and tempos, deliver confessional, self-reflective, and authentic emotion.
 
Tour stops with Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and Bring Me the Horizon; several major international hard rock festivals (Rock Am Ring, Download, and Aftershock, to name a few); and the Vans Warped Tour are among the destinations around the world to witness ABR's live prowess. Massive headlining treks celebrating 10-year anniversaries for Constellations and Leveler demonstrated the enduring relevance of the band’s catalog, nearly 20 years into ABR's storied career. 2020's Guardians debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Music, Rock Albums, and Vinyl Albums charts. 
 
Revolver, who put the band on their cover the same year, observed August Burns Red "embrace the pain so well." It's a truth never more evident than on Death Below, their stunning ninth studio album. Recorded with longtime producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, Death Below encompasses all of the pissed-off strength of the band's past without sacrificing an ounce of catchy, melodic might. Death Below boasts guest appearances from ABR allies Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath), Jason Richardson (All That Remains), and JT Cavey (ERRA). "It's getting difficult for the members of August Burns Red to keep one-upping themselves," marveled Billboard shortly before Guardians arrived. With Death Below, they emerge victorious again. 

Taking Back Sunday Share New Single "Amphetamine Smiles" — WATCH + LISTEN

SPECIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS ANNOUNCED

Taking Back Sunday — John Nolan (lead guitar, piano, vocals), Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass), and Mark O'Connell (drums) — have shared "Amphetamine Smiles," the third preview track from their forthcoming new album 152, due October 27 via Fantasy.  The new track, a passionate call for reconnection that's as much about the band themselves as it is the world at-large, exemplifies the stirring reassurance that make Taking Back Sunday so special.

Listen to "Amphetamine Smiles" below.

This morning, fans can tune-in HERE for special livestream Q&A with Taking Back Sunday at 8:45AM PT/11:45AM ET, 15-minutes prior to the worldwide premiere of the "Amphetamine Smiles" official video at 9:00AM PT/12PM/Noon ET. 

"You could document the writing, arranging, and recording of 'Amphetamine Smiles,' but there's no way to explain how it came together," said Nolan. "It's the product of some kind of magic."

To celebrate the release of 152, the band's first album in seven years, Taking Back Sunday announced a series of special, intimate album release shows: November 6 at Lodge Room in Los Angeles; November 9 at Eastside Bowl in Nashville; and November 13 at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. On-sale begins Friday, September 29 at 10:00AM local time.

For more information, visit here.

In addition, the band also announced the ninth Annual Taking Back Sunday Holiday Spectacular at Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh, NY on December 13 and 14, and Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on December 15 and 16. Tickets are on sale now. 

Produced by Tushar Apte (whom the band met through a mutual collaboration with noted DJ Steve Aoki) and mixed by Neal Avron (Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers), 152, the long-awaited LP features, 10 intensely vulnerable and absorbing new tracks all delivered with fresh ambition and newfound purpose. Inspired by the long layoff and the cloud of uncertainty that blanketed the world (and music industry) these past few years, 152 stands among the most genuinely reflective and emotionally pure efforts of Taking Back Sunday's illustrious career. Pre-order 152 HERE.

From the album's intricate riffs and anthemic vocals to its elegantly warm synths and economical string arrangements, the quartet work-shopped these new tracks like never before. Previously released single "S'old," struggles with the obligations of adult responsibility and acceptance, while "The One," (also previously released) is a far-reaching anthem of love and brotherhood. "Keep Going" tracks the self-defeating darkness of betrayal, while "Quit Trying," is wrapped with "can't run from who you are" self-awareness. All through 152, the consistent thread is one of generosity, gratitude and ultimately, hope.

PHOTO CREDIT: Djay Brawner

TAKING BACK SUNDAY ON TOUR:
9/29 — Cocoa, FL — Cocoa Riverfront Park
9/30 — Jupiter, FL — Dastoberfest
11/6 — Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room (Album Release Show)
11/9 — Nashville, TN – Eastside Bowl (Album Release Show)
11/13 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (Album Release Show)
12/1 — Melbourne, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
12/2 — Sydney, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
12/3 — Brisbane, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
12/13 – Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall (Holiday Spectacular)
12/14 – Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall (Holiday Spectacular)
12/15 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (Holiday Spectacular)
12/16 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (Holiday Spectacular)

BEYOND THE GATES 2024 Announces Behemoth, Satyricon, Watain, Venom, Trelldom (First Ever Concert!) + More!

Welcoming Behemoth, Satyricon, Watain, Venom, Trelldom (first concert ever!) + more to the lineup!

Taking place in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31-August 3, 2024!

“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” - Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

"The curation at this festival is bonkers, and plays out like a who’s who of Scandinavian icons. Watching the bands that started this crazy scene, in a city where much of its origin story takes place, is a pilgrimage any fan should absolutely take in their lifetime."

- Metal Injection

BEYOND THE GATES 2024 PASSES

Beyond the Gates Festival is now revealing the first wave of bands who will grace the 2024 lineup! The lineup consists of a mixture of legendary artists and purveyors of the true cult underground, which can be found below! The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31 - August 3, 2024!

Current Beyond the Gates 2024 lineup:

Behemoth

Satyricon

Watain

Venom

Trelldom (First concert ever)

Vreid (Celebrating 30 years!)

Djevel

Cult of Fire

Dødheimsgard

Darkspace

Manbryne

Grab your limited Gold Passes now HERE. These includes all live concerts, including the Day and Night Shift concerts.

Beyond the Gates comments,

"We are incredibly proud to announce the first batch of bands for Beyond the Gates 2024. We say this every time, but we do promise that next year is going to be something you’ve never experienced before. On the back of that statement, please welcome the juggernaut that is Behemoth. The band hasn’t played in Bergen since 2012, so their return is much welcomed. We’re also very excited to be able to present Satyricon, who is releasing a new album next spring, and will return to the live scene for the first time in five years!

"Founders and innovators Venom and Watain will also grace Beyond the Gates with a visit next year with their spectacular and energetic live shows.

"Moving on, Trelldom, featuring the iconic singer Gaahl, who will do their first live appearance ever since their formation in the early 90s. Vreid will celebrate 30 years of Sognametal, while Norwegian black metalers Djevel and Dødheimsgard will grant us with exclusive sets.  

"Completing the first round of names are the Czech’s Cult of Fire with their massive live show, the mysterious Darkspace from Switzerland and Polish Manbryne, who will do their first concert outside of their home country.

"As always, the festival will be stacked with numerus activities you can experience in addition to the live concerts: Guided tours, fairs, market and so forth."

Back in August, thousands of metalheads descended on the black metal mecca and witnessed legendary metal performances across several venues, including the legendary Grieghallen, where many seminal Norwegian black metal albums were recorded in the 90s. Highlights included a blistering performance of Eld in its entirety by Enslaved, demolishing sets from Norwegian heavy-weights such as Taake and Gorgoroth, a rare and devatstaing performance from Nidrosian black metal enigma Mare, and of course, a rare and special 30th anniversary set by Dimmu Borgir, who broke out songs that haven't been played in decades!

In addition to the mind-blowing performances, attendees were also treated to a wealth of once-in-a-lifetime events including wine tasting with Gaahl, a special photo exhibition from iconic black metal photographer Peter Beste, a tour of Grieghallen with legendary producer Pytten (where he recorded seminal albums such as Enslaved’s Vikingligr Veldi, Frost and Eld, the first two Emperor albums, In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Gorgoroth’s Pentagram and Antichrist, Mayhem’s De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, and Immortal’s Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism, Battles in the North), guided tours of black metal landmarks with Tore Bratseth (Old Funeral, The Batallion, Bömbers), a Dimmu Borgir exhibition hosted by Finn Håkon Rødland, a live taping of Alan Averill's 'Agitator's Anonymous' podcast, artist talks, and so much more!

Don't let the FOMO get you down and get your tickets now to experience Beyond the Gates 2024!

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does - the Norwegian metal scene.

In addition, there will be exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more...

Links:

Official Beyond the Gates Website

Facebook

Instagram

Tickets

BLACKBRAID + GAEREA Kick Off North American Tour

GET TICKETS HERE

STREAM // DOWNLOAD // SHOP BLACKBRAID HERE

STREAM // DOWNLOAD // SHOP GAEREA HERE

Indigenous black metal project Blackbraid and cathartic black metal outfit Gaerea have joined forces for a full North American tour in support of Wolves in the Throne Room. The trek will kick off today, September 29 in St. Louis, MO and will then conclude on October 24 in Denver, CO. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE

Blackbraid will be supporting its brand new album, 'Blackbraid II,' which was released independently on July 7, 2023 and met with critical acclaim from The New York Times, Metal Injection, Metal Sucks, Distorted Sound Magazine, Ghost Cult Magazine, and many more! The record is available to stream, download, or order HERE.

Meanwhile, Gaerea returns to support its incendiary 2022 release, 'Mirage,' debuting a brand new live aesthetic! 'Mirage' was ranked among the best records of last year by Decibel Magazine, A&P Reacts, Ghost Cult Magazine, Sick Drummer, and more! The album is available HERE.

BLACKBRAID + GAEREA (Supporting Wolves in the Throne Room)

Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge North American Tour

09/29: St Louis, MO @ Red Flag [TICKETS]

09/30: Chicago, IL @ Metro [TICKETS]

10/01: St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall [TICKETS]

10/03: Detroit, MI @ El Club [TICKETS]

10/04: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace [TICKETS]

10/05: Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount [TICKETS]

10/06: Boston, MA @ Big Night Live [TICKETS]

10/07: Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom [TICKETS]

10/08: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch [TICKETS]

10/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS]

10/11: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]

10/12: Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club [TICKETS]

10/13: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 [TICKETS]

10/14: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft [TICKETS]

10/15: Tampa, FL @ Orpheum [TICKETS]

10/17: Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall [TICKETS]

10/18: Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live [TICKETS]

10/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister [TICKETS]

10/21: Tucson, AZ @ Encore [TICKETS]

10/23: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall

10/24: Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater [TICKETS]

Blackbraid is a solo indigenous black metal project from from the depths of the Adirondack wilderness creating music as raw and powerful as the mountains from whence it came… 

Blackbraid is an independent artist and is not contracted to or owned by any music label. 

Creator of Blackbraid: Sgah’gahsowáh

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Instagram

Official Merch Store 

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

The beauty of Gaerea lies in the directness and simplicity found within their florid tapestry of extremity and aggression. Whether it is in the less-polished aural dynamite of their self-titled EP, or in the lustrous textures of 'Mirage,' Gaerea is building a mighty edifice of underground metal. With talons dipped in the inky blood of black metal and scraped across the flesh of human suffering, Gaerea is leading a charge into the future of darkness, and all those who find beauty and power in the dark side of existence would do well to take heed.

Follow // Listen:

Bandcamp

Official Website

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Twitter

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Spotify

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GAEREA Unveils Unnerving Torture Art Experiment for "Dormant," On Tour in North America Tomorrow

waterboarding

/ˈwôdərˌbôrdiNG/

noun

a form of torture, typically used as an interrogation technique, in which a person is strapped head-down on a sloping board with the mouth and nose covered while water is poured over their face, causing them to experience a sensation similar to that of drowning.

BUY // STREAM // DOWNLOAD GAEREA

Would you submit yourself to human torture to go beyond your limits to expressing art? Voluntary suffering for the greater goal in pursuit of artistic excellence is what one of the members of cathartic black metal band GAEREA (PT) went through for the visualization of "Dormant."

The video (recorded by the great Claudio Marino, distinguished for working with giants like BEHEMOTH, WATAIN, SHINING) simply can’t be classified as a music video. It’s an eight- minute excruciating compilation of being waterboarded, trapped in a cycle of unending pain, with each passing moment feeling like an eternity, time becomes the cruelest enemy.

GAEREA comments: “Complementing the song's aural journey, the video art installation accompanying 'Dormant' delves into the anguish and struggle for survival. The visuals depict the main character, trapped and enclosed in a tormenting world, as water relentlessly pours over his body, simulating drowning and suffocation. This immersive and visceral experience offers a harrowing glimpse into the protagonist's fight for life, evoking a range of emotions and challenging viewers to confront their own mortality.”

"Dormant" had previously only been available to fans who purchased the bonus-edition of 'Mirage.' Now, the enigmatic horde is sharing the track digitally along with this masterful and real work of torture art. There are no actors, no gimmicks, and no special effects. The disturbing video can been seen below.

In addition, Gaerea will be unveiling a secret screening event to kick start their imminent tour in North America! The clandestine event will take place tonight, September 28, at the original Kuma's Corner in Chicago, IL! The event is free to attend and starts promptly at 7:30 P.M. and band will be present for a meet and greet with fans who dare to enter the vortex. Plus, fans can enter a raffle in which one lucky winner will be given a pair of tickets to see the band's performance at Metro on September 30.

Gaerea previously commented, "This is the death of 'Mirage' and the moment we start to let go of our world just so another one can be born. This unique event will showcase everything Gaerea has ever stood for. Get ready to witness something truly special, crafted specially to each and everyone of you who wishes to join us for an evening we shall never forget." 

Following the event, Gaerea will be kicking off its North American tour with Wolves in the Throne Room, Blackbraid, and Hoaxed on September 29 in St. Louis, MO, which will then conclude on October 24 in Denver, CO. Tickets are now available and can be found HERE while the full itinerary can be found below!

Gaerea will be supporting its incendiary 2022 release, 'Mirage,' debuting a new live aesthetic! 'Mirage' was ranked among the best records of last year by Decibel Magazine, A&P Reacts, Ghost Cult Magazine, Sick Drummer, and more! The album is available HERE.

In celebration of the event, Kuma's has collaborated with Gaerea for a signature burger, which is inspired by the Francesinha sandwich, a comforting dish that is native to the band's hometown of Porto (PT). The Gaerea burger is modeled after Kuma's famous Slayer burger with a Portuguese twist. The sandwich has a bed of fresh house-cut fries, texas toast, an angus beef patty, sausage, uncured ham, shredded monterrey jack cheese, and a fried egg, all smothered in a decadent Francesinha sauce.

TICKETS TO NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

GAEREA (w/ Wolves in the Throne Room, Blackbraid, Hoaxed)

Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge North American Tour

09/29: St Louis, MO @ Red Flag [TICKETS]

09/30: Chicago, IL @ Metro [TICKETS]

10/01: St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall [TICKETS]

10/03: Detroit, MI @ El Club [TICKETS]

10/04: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace [TICKETS]

10/05: Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount [TICKETS]

10/06: Boston, MA @ Big Night Live [TICKETS]

10/07: Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom [TICKETS]

10/08: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch [TICKETS]

10/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS]

10/11: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]

10/12: Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club [TICKETS]

10/13: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 [TICKETS]

10/14: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft [TICKETS]

10/15: Tampa, FL @ Orpheum [TICKETS]

10/17: Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall [TICKETS]

10/18: Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live [TICKETS]

10/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister [TICKETS]

10/21: Tucson, AZ @ Encore [TICKETS]

10/23: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall

10/24: Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater [TICKETS]

Behind black shrouds of obscurity and desolation, the men of GAEREA deliver their odes in cascading maelstroms of aggression and beauty. Emerging from the age of pandemic to whatever awaits humanity next, the Portuguese horde remains on the frontlines of the next generation of extreme metal. With an EP and two albums to their name, GAEREA has rapidly distinguished themselves from the thousands of bands toiling away in the underground. Brewing their cauldron of sound from a recipe of pounding black-metal blast mixed with a touch of harrowed, reflective longing, many devotees of the darkened arts have flocked to their banner. With the emergence of third full-length album Mirage, those numbers are sure to grow. 

Underground metal itself is a strange and cyclical beast. Trends come and trends go. But at no point in the genre’s history have we borne witness to what happened to the world in 2020. GAEREA met this challenge by releasing their second album, the aptly titled Limbo, to excellent world reception. In the meantime, they found the total suspension of interactive life as it was previously known to be the perfect breeding ground for further creation and making. As the troupe’s main songwriter elaborates, “I lost two precious years of my life, years that I would rather have spent touring and growing as an artist. But they were crucial for us, these years, because not too many bands stayed relevant and productive. The pandemic gave us the time to make the best release we could. All the promo-shoots, interviews, videos, we all had time to prepare for everything. Mirage was the product of a sudden inspiration. The basic parts were written over about two weeks.”

Such a stunning admission goes to show that art is fickle, and the artist is merely a vessel through which the sweet sorcery we call music may flow. It can mute itself to frustrating silence – or it can explode into being regardless of all consideration. For this band on the rise, it is most certainly the latter. Sizzling with ambition from day one, GAEREA may present one unique face to their audience, masked and enshrouded, but the truth is they have not remained changeless. “We are not the same band who recorded Limbo,” he insists. “We are more eager to take on the world. If the pandemic taught us anything it is that nothing is certain.”

This lack of certainty plays heavily into newest creation Mirage. As its name suggests, the inability to trust what our senses are telling us could be construed as one of the album’s central themes. Rather than constrict their art to mythological references or anti-religious tropes, GAEREA instead plumb the depths of the human experiences of isolation and suffering. “The concept, the subject, of each song is everyone, you, me . . . if people were alone together in Limbo, in Mirage they are truly alone. Nobody is truly real until they are alone.” 

If existential dread could be turned into sound, GAEREA have carved their own philosophical path through its stygian tunnels. It isn’t Satan, demons, death, or even suicide that is waiting for us there. “What if people finally reached their goal,” he posits, “to end their suffering, and instead of dying they find themselves in a new reality, lost in a big city they were once a part of – they don’t know if anyone else is still alive. They are alone inside their own world.” This theme of being alone in a world full of familiar scenes, unable to end things and unable to reach anyone else, might well terrify the listener more effectively than any glimpse into the imagined hellscapes of our nightmares. Being isolated in your own world is the real nightmare, and GAEREA strum the chords of this horror with nuance and a miserable grace. 

Boasting a superior production that threads the needle between clarity and causticness, GAEREA unwaveringly admit their loyalty to countryman and producer Miguel Tereso of Demigod Recordings. “Miguel is fantastic,” enthuses the band’s primary composer. “He comes from a brutal death metal background. I thought if this guy can pull off a punchy, modern, but still authentic production with a slam / death metal band, I wonder what he can do with a band like GAEREA. He has a vision for a sound, and that is what I really like. He is not a black metal fan, but it’s this very external set of ears and eyes from a guy who really knows his craft, and he brings all of that to our sound.” The fruits of this union are quite evident, as the turbulent moods of the title track are so wonderfully tossed between tension-building moments, and the explosive payoffs which set GAEREA apart from so many who try but come up short. 

Tormented leads and building riffs sit atop some seriously explosive drumming, waxing and waning, on “Arson,” a tempest of moods and one of the album’s centrepieces. Emotion, at times sounding triumphant in brilliantly wrought guitar leads, is skewered by vocals that bustle with shattering despair. The dichotomy is magnificent to behold. GAEREA’s composer makes no mistake. “I want to hear the throat on the album, and if we are a vocals-driven band, I don’t want to over-process them during the recording. Striking that balance is one of the beauties for me in this record.”

In a world that increasingly elevates the shallow and the narcissistic, GAEREA pursues an artistic struggle of inward isolation, honest self-examination, and a dogged refusal to bow to the void that awaits. Thus, the persistence of their shadowed visages, draped in the masks which codify their anonymity while also creating a reliable extreme metal brand that fans can appreciate, especially in the live setting. “GAEREA are truly ourselves when we put these masks on, and we transcend into something different, and primitive,” he asserts. “It still makes total sense, and this band would not be a band anymore if we ever dropped the masks.”

As GAEREA prepares the release of Mirage, the world has resumed functioning, and as it lurches onward into its bleak future, one could stipulate that the pressure may be on to continue its rise amid the clamor of this renewal of activity. Does this challenge intimidate GAEREA? “We want to do better, but I don’t feel any pressure because we are in very good hands with the people we work with. We are building a strong team that really cares for us, stage-wise, promotional-wise, website and sales-wise. We are building a very structured confident teams that aims for the same goals we do. What I truly care about is continuing our ever-growing concept of the band GAEREA, and not becoming sterile, and I would not want people to be unaffected by our music. In the end we’re trying to express something within ourselves, and I don’t want it to be too complicated.”

The beauty of GAEREA lies in the directness and simplicity found within their florid tapestry of extremity and aggression. Whether it is in the less-polished aural dynamite of their self-titled EP, or in the lustrous textures of Mirage, GAEREA is building a mighty edifice of underground metal. With talons dipped in the inky blood of black metal and scraped across the flesh of human suffering, GAEREA is leading a charge into the future of darkness, and all those who find beauty and power in the dark side of existence would do well to take heed. 

WE ARE GAEREA.

Style: Cathartic Black Metal

Recording Studio: Demigod Recordings

Producer/Sound engineer: Miguel Tereso

Mix/Master: Miguel Tereso (Demigod Recordings)

Cover artwork: Saros Collective

Bio: Nic Franco

Photos: Sonja Chantik

Follow // Listen:

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Official Website

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Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music