Ryman Auditorium Announces Mother's Day Weekend w/ Amy Grant, May 10-11, 2024

Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium has announced a two-night special event featuring six-time GRAMMY winner Amy Grant to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend. Grant's Ryman shows in May will mark her first solo performance at the Ryman in 25 years, and her first solo performances in Nashville in more than 15 years. The two-night event takes place May 10 and 11, 2024, and will feature different set lists each night. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. CT. In celebration of Mother’s Day weekend and women everywhere, a portion of every ticket will go to Thistle Farms. Visit ryman.com for more details.   

Preceding her spring shows, Grant and husband Vince Gill will kick off their “Christmas at the Ryman” residency on Dec. 13, one of Music City’s most treasured traditions. The 12-concert run is scheduled for December 13-14, 16-17, 19-20 and 22-23 and will once again feature matinee performances of the beloved show.
 
“Who doesn’t love the Ryman Auditorium? It’s the best place in the world to hear music and to perform,” says Grant. “Every year I look forward to Vince’s and my Christmas residency there, and this year is no exception. For so many artists and musicians, playing that stage is returning to the Mother Church of music and sharing a night with family.
 
“I’m thrilled to be headed back to the Ryman for the first time in 25 years to play two nights of the non-holiday music I’ve been making for the past 45 years,” Grant continues. “Over the two nights, I’ll cover as much of the old music as I can, and introduce a couple of new songs.”
 
This past weekend, Grant and her long-time friend and collaborator Michael W. Smith embarked on their 2023 Christmas Tour. Joined by special guest Michael Tait of the Newsboys, Grant and Smith will co-headline nine holiday shows, including their first appearance together on New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall stage (Dec. 5). 

About Amy Grant:
Amy Grant's career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, philanthropist and has become as some have dubbed her, ‘The Queen Of Christmas’ with her millions of Christmas albums sold over the years. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million and over 1 billion global streams. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past four decades is assured.  Amy has established herself as an iconic ‘Christmas’ artist as well with not only millions of Christmas albums sold, but also her annual Christmas Tours with the likes of Michael W. Smith, Marc Martel, Jordan Sparks and many others.  Additionally, for the past 19 years, Amy and her husband Vince Gill, perform an annual two-week residency at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with their ‘Christmas At The Ryman’ shows.  In 2022, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included Grant as one of their five distinguished Honorees to receive the 45th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. In 2020, the T.J. Martell Foundation – the music industry’s leading nonprofit to fund innovative medical research focused on treatments and cures for cancer – honored Grant with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award at their annual Honors Gala. In 2023, Grant will be on the road performing in 70 cities across the country and recently released her first new music in a decade, starting with the single "Trees We'll Never See,” (March) and most recently in April "What You Heard."  Grant released her latest project, “Lead Me On Live 1989” on 10/6/23 which is a full-concert documentation from the 1988-1989 Lead Me On Tour.  Grant will finish the year with two Christmas Tours including dates with Michael W. Smith as well as the annual ‘Christmas At The Ryman’ residency with Vince Gill.  
 
About Ryman Auditorium
A National Historic Landmark, Ryman Auditorium was built by Captain Thomas G. Ryman in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. A 14-time winner of the prestigious Pollstar Theatre of the Year award, the historic venue is well-known as the Mother Church of Country Music and is the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry (1943-1974). The Ryman has been featured in numerous film and television projects including Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Johnny Cash Show, American Idol, Nashville and more. While offering a diverse lineup and thriving concert schedule (with over 200 shows per year), the venue is also open for daytime tours year-round. A coveted underplay for many, her iconic stage has seen the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Lizzo, Mumford and Sons, Garth Brooks, Foo Fighters, Wu Tang Clan, Coldplay, Michelle Obama and Little Big Town in recent years. Ryman Auditorium is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP), a Nashville-based REIT that also owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, 650 AM WSM and Ole Red. For more information, visit 
ryman.com.

JASON ALDEAN EXTENDS HIS HIGHWAY DESPERADO TOUR INTO 2024 WITH ADDITIONAL HEADLINING DATES

Featuring Special Guests
Hailey Whitters and Lauren Alaina In Select Cities

Chase Matthew, Austin Snell, and Dee Jay Silver Across All Dates, With Tickets On Sale Starting Friday, December 1 at 10am Local Time

Aldean’s Next Single, “Let Your Boys Be Country,” Officially Available Now At Country Radio

Award-winning entertainer Jason Aldean today announced that after 40+ sold out headlining shows in 2023, he’ll be hitting the road again in 2024, extending his Highway Desperado Tour starting May 18th at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, OK. Produced by Live Nation, the 24-city tour extension will be making stops across the U.S. in Savannah, Philadelphia, Greenville and more before wrapping in his original hometown of Macon, GA at the new Macon Amphitheater on October 5th.

The tour features special guests Hailey Whitters and Lauren Alaina in select cities as well as ChaseMatthew, Austin Snell, and Dee Jay Silver across all dates. As previously announced,  Aldean will also headline several festivals and co-headline the 2024 Rock the Country festival tour in addition to the newly added 2024 Highway Desperado Tour dates. 

Tickets will be available starting Friday, December 1 at 10am local time at JasonAldean.com, with select markets on sale at a later date. For a full list of timing and dates, see below and visit JasonAldean.comfor more information.

 

The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, invitation to the Jason Aldean VIP Lounge, pre-show acoustic performance and Q&A session with Jason Aldean, VIP gift item & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com!

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Aldean’s 11th studio album release earlier this month. Featured by CBS Mornings, Associated Press, Billboard, The Tennessean, LA Times, American Songwriter, Fox and Friends and more, Aldean released his album-inspired by the same name, HIGHWAY DESPERADO-on November 3rd. The album includes fourteen total tracks, including Aldean’s breakthrough Hot 100 chart-topping single “Try That In A Small Town,” which recently became his 28th career #1 single at Country radio, as well as three tracks co-written by Aldean-a first since his 2009 Wide Open album-as well as his new radio single, “Let Your Boys Be Country.” The 3X ACM Entertainer of the Year winner first introduced new music from the album in May with the release of the fan-appreciation anthem, “Tough Crowd,” at this year’s ACM Awards, where Aldean-a 3X winner in the category- was an Entertainer of the Year nominee. He also earned two nominations-both for “Top Song Sales Artist” and “Top Selling Song” for “Try That In A Small Town”- at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.

Aldean recently released the music video for his next single, “Let Your Boys Be Country,” with special guest appearances by his young son and daughter. Written by Allison Veltz Cruz, Jaron Boyer, and Micah Wilshire, “Let Your Boys Be Country” off of the new album highlights the simplicity and innocence of childhood and rural life, with American Songwriter noting “lines like ‘Let everything inside these county lines be his whole world. You want him to grow up to be someone he’s damn proud to be. Mamas, let your boys be country’ nail the mindset of the song.” HIGHWAY DESPERADO follows Aldean’s double album MACON, GEORGIA, which earned Aldean his #1 single, "Trouble With A Heartbreak,” as well as a Billboard Music Award nomination for “Top Country Song” and awards from ACM, CMT, iHeart, and a GRAMMY nomination for “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood. Since making his chart debut in 2005, the Georgia native has earned the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - more than any other artist - his “songs of small-town living, love and loss have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard) and have “vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). 

HIGHWAY DESPERADO 2024 TOUR DATES:

5/18/24 – Thackerville, OK – WinStar World Casino and Resort*

7/11/24 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview&

7/12/24 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater& –ON SALE FRI, DEC 15

7/13/24 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center – ON SALE FRI, DEC 15

7/25/24 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena^

7/26/24 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach^

8/1/24 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater^

8/2/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion^ –ON SALE FRI, DEC 15 

8/3/24 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain^

8/8/24 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center^

8/10/24 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake^

8/16/24 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort* 

8/17/24 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre

8/24/24 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion&

8/25/24 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion&

8/29/24 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum

8/30/24 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live&

9/5/24 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater&

9/6/24 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater&

9/7/24 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre&

9/12/24 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino Resort*

9/20/24 – Sparks, NV – Nugget Event Center*

9/21/24 – Laughlin, NV – Laughlin Event Center*

10/5/24 – Macon, GA – Macon Amphitheater&

*Not A Live Nation Date

& with Hailey Whitters

^ with Lauren Alaina

About Jason Aldean:

With 28 number one singles, 18 billion streams, and more than 20 million albums sold, Grammy-nominated, Multi-Platinum entertainer Jason Aldean is the current reigning ACM Artist of the Decade. Since his 2005 chart debut, the 3X ACM Entertainer of the Year winner has the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart–more than any other artist–with “songs of small-town living, love and loss have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard) that have “vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). He has released 11 studio albums, most recently HIGHWAY DESPERADO, which features Aldean’s breakthrough Hot 100 chart-topping single “Try That In A Small Town,” his 28th career #1 single at Country Radio. HIGHWAY DESPERADO follows the success of Aldean’s sold out, 40+ city headlining tour of the same name, which was recently extended into 2024 with 24 cities added to the schedule. For more information, visit www.JasonAldean.com.

PARMALEE RELEASES POWERFUL VIDEO FOR “GONNA LOVE YOU”

Multi-platinum group Parmalee follows the release of their new single “Gonna Love You” with the powerful and autobiographical music video that recreates the night they were victims of an attempted robbery which left their drummer with a 5% chance of living.

 

Following a show in SC, brothers Matt and Scott Thomas were in their RV when two robbers entered the vehicle demanding cash. Soon after, a gunfight broke out, and though Scott fended off both intruders, he was shot three times. He was airlifted to a hospital where he spent 40 days, 10 in a coma, recovering from his injuries.

 

“We felt like this was the right song and the right time to tell this story,” said Scott. “It was emotional and surreal for all of us to relive that experience, but we knew it was time.” 

 

Miraculously, just 4 months after the incident, the band took the stage for the first time since the shooting occurred. That night, they secured a record deal they had been working on for years. “We couldn’t believe how many people came together to help us. We would’ve never made it through had it not been for our fans, families, friends, and all the bands and musicians who came together to help us out! We didn’t even ask, they just did it!”

“Gonna Love You,” follows their most recent #1 single, “Girl In Mine.” With four 4 # 1 radio singles and three consecutive in as many years, Stoney Creek Records' Parmalee has now scored more #1’s than any other band or group in country music during that time. 

 

“Girl In Mine,” was the follow-up to their #1 record-setting, “Take My Name,” which was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022, and the #1 Platinum hit, “Just The Way” with Blanco Brown. The band first topped the charts with a song inspired by their home state, “Carolina.”

 

The band closes out the year with a handful of shows in December and will soon turn their attention to 2024’s “In The Air” Tour with Kane Brown.

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

About Parmalee:
Parmalee is one of Country music's most successful acts with four #1 singles, multiple platinum records, and more than 1 Billion on-demand streams. Comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), Cousin Barry Knox (bass), and life-long friend Josh McSwain (guitar/keyboard), the North Carolina natives first topped the charts with “Carolina,” followed by their PLATINUM-certified No. 1 single with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way.” They followed with “Take My Name,” which was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022. They recently scored their third consecutive #1 single with “Girl In Mine.” Those three #1’s and 15 other tracks are available on their new album 
For You 2. For more information, visit: www.parmaleemusic.com


KEEP UP WITH PARMALEE
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | X

Defocus Share "Crooked Mind" Video

DEFOCUS follow up on their previous two singles "biased" and "let the bond be my grave" with another blistering new track, which follows their debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same.

With "crooked mind," DEFOCUS shot sharp and hit straight into the listeners' brains. Once there, the song immediately unfolds its heaviness, guided by the mental chaos of the lyrics. When plagued by a crooked mind, people often feel as though they are not alone in their thoughts. Voices, speaking in unfamiliar ways, manipulate and distort their internal perception of self, creating a sense of disconnection and confusion.

Watch the video
below.

Stream the song 
here.

Founded by Simon Müller, Jeffrey Uhlmann, Jonas Mahler, and Marcel "Bambam" Heberling, the Aalen-based quartet spent time making music together before coming to light in early 2019, instantly proving their worth in the scene with their energetic live shows and their debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same.

"mastery of the essentials 7/10" — Metal Hammer

"Modern Metalcore, which qualitatively ranks directly at the top. At the latest, when an ARCHITECTS commemorative "Blegh" is hurled at you in the first song, it's clear that DEFOCUS are taking their lead from the grandees" —  FUZE

DEFOCUS ARE:
Simon Müller — Vocals
Jeffrey Uhlmann — Guitar
Marcel "Bambam" Heberling — Bass
Jonas Mahler — Drums

PHOTO: Deadape Films

Half Me Share "Concrete Ceiling" Video

Half Me made a striking entry into the heavy music world with their debut album SOMA — which blended metal, hardcore, and experimental styles. The powerful riffs and reflective lyrics turned heads and caught ears.

Now they are back and more heated than ever with a new video.

"
Concrete Ceiling" targets inequality on a worldwide scale. No moralizing, no bullshit, no holding back. It paves the way for a new directive — visceral and raw in words and sound.

Watch the video
below.

Stream the song
here.
 

Stream, order SOMA now as CD, limited colored vinyl and exclusive merch options at the Arising Empire Shop.

PHOTO: Jana Boese

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Julius Jansen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Alpha Wolf Share Video For "Bring Back The Noise"

A cacophony of turbulent bounce and bludgeoning beats, the brand new single "Bring Back The Noise" from Aussie metalcore behemoths Alpha Wolf profusely lives up to its name.

Fusing industrial grinds, caustic riffs and some nu metal-esque scratching alongside vocalist Lochie Keogh's biting prowl, "Bring Back The Noise" is an undeniable party-starter on steroids demanding to be cranked to 11.

Watch the music video for "Bring Back The Noise" below.

Of their brand new single, Alpha Wolf share, "In the early stages of writing 'Bring Back The Noise,' we felt we had a party starter on our hands. Refining this song together in the woods of our writing retreat in the Australian winter resulted in a tw- minute barrage of catchy riffs with fun and fierce lyrics, which perfectly encapsulates what Alpha Wolf is about. We've found a way to be okay with delivering in-your-face style vocal hooks that will get any crowd jumping and singing along; 'Bring Back The Noise' delivers just that. Whether you like yelling along, head-banging, or moshing we invite everyone to turn it up loud until their speakers blow."

The band continues, "On our recent tour across North America, we got the chance to debut this song live, to which we received amazing feedback amongst new faces and we're excited to finally be able to showcase the song in its true from for your listening pleasure. 'Bring Back The Noise' and turn it up."

The road has been far from easy for Alpha Wolf but they refuse to let anything stand in their way. Throughout the chaotic and turbulent times of the pandemic, the band released their sophomore album A Quiet Place To Die in 2020 to critical acclaim, including a #6 spot on the ARIA charts and a nomination for Best Heavy Album at the ARIA awards, and multiple sold-out shows around Australia, Europe, UK, USA & Asia.

In 2022, Alpha Wolf released a split EP, The Lost & The Longing, with Welsh rockers Holding Absence, and also launched CVLTFEST, their very own curated festival aimed to showcase the best Aussie talent in the heavy scene alongside some exciting international acts. And furthering their global reach to new heights in 2023, Alpha Wolf recently embarked on their biggest North American run to date with Motionless in White, and also tore up multiple stages at home earlier this year as part of the inaugural Knotfest Australia with Slipknot, Parkway Drive and Megadeth.

With an impending European and UK tour supporting The Amity Affliction starting next month and extending into early 2024, Alpha Wolf will also appear at Download Festival in the UK next year, and have confirmed the return of their own festival CVLTFEST next February, alongside Emmure, Crossfaith, Ocean Grove, and more.

Alpha Wolf know how far they have come, but it’s what lays ahead of them that’s keeping the band hungry.

SUICIDAL ANGELS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM PROFANE PRAYER

The wait is over! Today greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS announce their new album Profane Prayer for the 1st March 2024. The album features nine brand new tracks and will be released via Nuclear Blast Records. In addition to the great news about the new album, the band is also releasing their first Single 'When the Lions Die'.

Singer Nick comments about the new album Profane Prayer: "The time has come! Finally, almost after 4 years, the 8th studio album of Suicidal Angels is true and ready to unleash itself in to the market, bringing you some new tunes to satisfy the needs and the appetites of the toughest audience! March the 1st of 2024, this beast will be out, in digital and physical form in all of Nuclear Blast’s channels. We have returned and it will be killer!!!”

He adds about the first single 'When the Lions Die': "Out of severe internal quest, thousands of reading pages to manage and conquer the multiple demons and beasts inside, several worlds collide, here’s is our first single, When The Lions Die!” 

Pre-order the new album Profane Prayer here:
 
https://suicidalangels.bfan.link/profane-prayer.ema

Watch the video for 'When the Lions Die' below.

Stream 'When the Lions Die' here: 
https://suicidalangels.bfan.link/when-the-lions-die.ema

About SUICIDAL ANGELS:

A new generation of thrash metal youngsters has risen from the ashes of a club of titans like SLAYER, EXODUS, KREATOR and many more. Greek ambassadors supreme SUICIDAL ANGELS are one of the most jaw-dropping representatives of the injection of new blood. At the dawning of Spring, this four-piece of these energetic thrashers will release their eight studio album Profane Prayer four years after their previous attack Years Of Aggression. It marks their return to the Nuclear Blast family. ‘It feels like homecoming’ confirms composer Nick Melissourgos (vocals, guitars) who started the band in 2001 when he was 16 years old.

SUICIDAL ANGELS went through a step by step development since their humble start in 2001. Not earlier than in 2007, they entered the studio to record their striking debut album Eternal Domination which caused a stir in the Hellenic scene. They were invited by Sakis Tolis of ROTTING CHRIST to do their first EU tour. This was only the beginning of a long era of growing popularity. Another milestone was supporting KREATOR, resulting in a long time friendship with Mille Petrozza. In 2010 SUICIDAL ANGELS even opened up for the Big thrash 4 in Athens at Sonisphere and at the beginning of 2014 they finally did their first independent headline tour through Europe. Every two years new albums were coming out to support on the road. In the meantime they conquered Asia, South America and Europe and there is more to come.

SUICIDAL ANGELS are:
Nick Melissourgos | vocals, rhythm guitars
Gus Drax | guitars (lead)
Angelos Lelikakis | bass
Orfeas Tzortzopoulos | drums

Imminence Share "Death By A Thousand Cuts" Video — WATCH // Band Touring North American NOW!

Swedish alternative metalcore outfit Imminence have established their own highly unique sound and have pushed their style. 

With the distinct use of classical string arrangements blended with the influence of ferocious Scandinavian metal, the sound and visual universe of the quintet stands out as an  innovative and exciting act. Fronted by vocalist and violinist Eddie Berg, guitarists Harald Barrett and Alex Arnoldsson, drummer Peter Hanström, and bassist Christian Höijer, Imminence have opened a new release cycle with three singles out since June 2023. The new tracks "Come Hell or High Water," "Desolation," and "Heaven Shall Burn" have quickly achieved millions of streams and achieved a rapid growth in social media following, furthermore given the band great attention during this year's festival season, where Imminence performed at Wacken, Summerbreeze, Tuska Open Air, Reload, shared stage with genre pioneers Architects, and much more.

Imminence recently announced their very first tour in North America.

As always, the group never ceases to do the unexpected, and decided to embark on the tour as a headliner. Within 48 hours, the entire tour was sold out and some venues are now upgraded for the second time. To really honor the live premiere in North America, Imminence are taking the opportunity to release the brand new single "Death By A Thousand Cuts."

Watch the video below.

The cycle of the previous album Heaven In Hiding closed with an exclusive Deluxe Edition release, including the single track "Jaded" (2023), shortly thereafter Imminence continued to gain viral attention on all social media platforms, partially due to the remarkable "Live In Studio" recordings, and experienced an impressive growth of +100 000 followers and millions of streams over the course of just a few months this year.

With four full length studio albums, over 220,000,000 streams, and over 570,000 combined online followers and closing in on 800,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Imminence monumental touring history continues this winter. After selling out headline shows all over the European continent and supporting metal legends In Flames in late 2022, the announcement of the band's first-ever tour in North America has been an astounding success and Imminence are ready to take on the role as an established live act in the U.S. and Canada market from here on.

PHOTO CREDIT: Oscar Dziedziela

IMMINENCE ON TOUR:
11/28 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
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 Downstairs
12/3 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
*Sold Out

EQUILIBRIUM - Release New Single 'Cerulean Skies'

One of the most exciting years for the German modern metal institution is coming to an end - though EQUILIBRIUM are far from taking it slow: Ahead of their upcoming tour with DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER at the end of December, the band releases their new single 'Cerulean Skies' that is available on all streaming platforms now.

Founding member René Berthiaume states:
"When people tell us what they associate with the music of Equilibrium we often hear that they are being taken on a small journey with the songs. That's what we tried again with the music and also the video of 'Cerulean Skies'. We are very excited to release this next element of Equilibrium."

You can watch the video for 'Cerulean Skies' here:

About EQUILIBRIUM:
By blending a furious modern metal sound with elements of traditional folk, Germany’s EQUILIBRIUM have created a distinctive sound that is enthralling and spiritually up-lifting. Since its foundation in 2001, they have proven to be one of the most innovative and durable groups in their genre, touring the world several times over and adding to their legacy with every performance. Now, as they enter their third decade together, EQUILIBRIUM is as creative as ever, creating some of the most inspired music of their career.

EQUILIBRIUM’s longevity can be largely attributed to their willingness to grow and evolve, consistently exploring new sonic territories and revealing different sides of their artistry with each release. But the core of their appeal has remained consistent: harsh metal presented with vast cinematic soundscapes that speak to the entire human experience.

In spite of its often dark tonality, EQUILIBRIUM’s music is meant to evoke feelings of hope and confidence. They incorporate aspects of many different musical cultures, focusing on the things that unite us as people, rather than the things that mark us as different.  
---
EQUILIBRIUM is:
René| Guitar
Fabi | Vocals
Skar | Clear Vocals
Dom Crey | Guitar
Hati | Drums

More info:
https://equilibrium-metal.net/band/
www.nuclearblast.de/equilibrium
https://www.instagram.com/equilibrium_official/
https://de-de.facebook.com/equilibrium

ZETRA - Sign To Nuclear Blast Records And Release Video For New Single 'Sacrifice'

Today sees the shadowy emissaries known as ZETRA sign to Nuclear Blast Records. To celebrate this unholy union, ZETRA have released a visual manifestation of their newest sonic offering 'Sacrifice'.

An envoy from the void bestows the following message on behalf of the enigmatic duo:

"The Portal has opened
The Darkness is calling.
Absolution can only come through loss. A sacrifice must be made.
Zetra asks the question.
Do you believe enough?"

Watch the video for 'Sacrifice' below.

Stream 'Sacrifice' on all platforms now at: 
https://zetra.bfan.link/sacrifice.ema

Alluvial Share NSFW "Death Is But a Door" Video

ALLUVIAL — Kevin Muller [vocals], Wes Hauch [guitar, vocals], Tim Walker [bass], and Zach Dean [drums] — will release their new EP, Death Is But a Door on January 12 via Nuclear Blast.

They have just shared the video for
the title track. It was directed by Juan Carlos Escobar Salazar. 

The plot-driven video traces the mental and emotional descent of a man against an apocalyptic urban backdrop. Trigger warning: The video does include scenes of gun violence. 

Watch it below.

"The best of us carry a dormant horror," the band says about the track. "The very worst of us still have a heart."

The director also chimed in, saying, "Ever since I heard Alluvial's Sarcoma,they quickly became one of my absolute favorite bands. As a musician myself, I was blown away by their technicality, brutality, and their devastating wall of sound in their songs. So when my friend Mada Fleming introduced me to Kevin Muller literally a couple months ago, he mentioned the possibility of collaborating on a music video for a song in their upcoming EP. I was more than thrilled! Through a phone call, Wes Hauch and Kevin gave me the premise of what they had in mind for the video. After knowing what their vision was, I reached out to the incredibly talented actor, writer, producer, and director Nickolas Jacobs and through a lot of work and ingenuity, we delivered a piece that encapsulates the vision of the band and the atmosphere of the song. As a cinematographer, I had a lot of fun creating this; as a musician and a huge fan, it was an honor being part of this project with Alluvial and Nuclear Blast Records."

Alluvial just wrapped a successful U.S. tour supporting TesseracT and will hit the road again this winter with Veil of Maya and Angelmaker. All dates are below.

Expect more from the band in 2024.

ALLUVIAL ON TOUR:
WITH VEIL OF MAYA + ANGELMAKER:

1/19 — Green Bay, WI  — Epic Events Center
1/20 — Madison, WI — Majestic Theatre
1/21— Indianapolis, IN — Hi-Fi
1/23 — St. Louis, MO — Red Flag
1/24 —Columbia, MO — Blue Note
1/26 —Denver, CO — Gothic
1/27 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
1/29 — Los Angeles, CA — El Rey
1/30— Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater
2/1 — Houston, TX — Scout Bar
2/2 —Austin, TX — Empire Garage
2/3 —New Orleans, LA — Southport Hall
2/4 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade (Heaven)
2/6 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
2/8— Baltimore, MD — Soundstage
2/9 —Hartford, CT — Webster Underground
2/10 —Harrisburg, PA — HMAC
2/13 —New York, NY — Gramercy Theater*
2/14 —Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving Underground
2/15— Cincinnati, OH — Bogart's
2/16— Joliet, IL — The Forge

Darkness and despair are a breeding ground for creativity in the right hands. Since their inception in 2017, Atlanta-based band Alluvial have embraced the grim and gloom that the world has to offer through an intricately balanced blend of rapid-fire polyrhythms, haunting, sludgy atmospheres and tightly wound grooves. The band takes a stab at creating an even more sinister sound than their previous album, Sarcoma, Death Is But a Door. 

"We wrote about 13 or 14 songs this summer, but we wanted to do this EP between Sarcoma and our next full-length. These songs align with the vibe we want to go for. We will always find a way to be darker from record to record in the same way that South of Heaven was heavier than Reign In Blood and Seasons In The Abyss was heavier than South Of Heaven," says Hauch. "It was that concept of chasing the dragon to find a way to top the message and vibe on the last record while finding a way to do it that made us excited." 

After releasing their instrumental debut full-length, The Deep Longing for Annihilation, the band hit the road. Although the album has racked up millions of streams, there was always an intent to add a vocalist to their following releases. Hauch had begun writing what would become Sarcoma in 2018 and recruited Muller, knowing his vocal prowess from the vocalist's time in Suffocation.  

Bringing Muller into the fold immediately elevated the band’s sound, but Death Is But a Door shows the synergy that the band has developed from working as a cohesive unit over the last few years.  

Although the band's mission is to drive into bleaker and heavier territory with each new release, they manage to bring balance to their sound. While they remain grounded in death metal, the band's approach finds them exploring all of their influences. From traditional thrash like Pantera or Metallica to darker grunge like Alice in Chains or Soundgarden and everything in between, Alluvial aim to keep listeners on their toes by pushing beyond the realms of death metal. 

"I wanted to have a band where we can write meaningful yet action-packed songs. Something that is terrifying but breaks your heart at the same time. I think we'll always chase that, but we want to find new ways to be heavy," says Hauch.  

With the band’s members being as ingrained in the death metal scene as they are — with members previously playing in The Faceless, Suffocation and more — listeners can rest assured they’ll be met with plenty of brutality throughout their music. The twists and turns into clean passages, atmospheric ambience, or any of the other musical avenues explored throughout Alluvial's music take them over the edge and invite listeners to return and find something previously undiscovered.   

Trashcan Sinatras' John Douglas shares 'I'm Not The Fella' from eponymous debut solo album, announces final live dates for 2023

One of Scotland’s finest songwriters - John Douglas of Trashcan Sinatras fame - presents 'I'm Not The Fella', an endearing open-heart narration of an interaction from the past. Featured on his debut solo album, recently released via Scotland's Reveal Records, the accompanying video was filmed at the An Taibhdhearc - National Irish language theatre in Galway City. He also recently released a video for the album's opening track 'Lost'.

Hailing from Irvine on Scotland’s west coast, John has a rich history, making music with Trashcan Sinatras for over thirty years. Apart from his role as a songwriter (and guitarist) there, John has been playing live gigs across the UK and Ireland as part of his partner
Eddi Reader’s band.

John Douglas shares, "I was on tour with Galway singer/songwriter Ultan Conlon when this was filmed. I had just added a few verses at the end and you can catch me taking an occasional glance at the lyric sheet on the floor.  Hope you like this song and video, filmed by Black Gate Productions."

The  
'John Douglas' album presents an intimate snapshot of the talent, charisma and depth of this celebrated Scottish indie songsmith - the start of a new chapter in Douglas' creative life as he looks back at a lifetime of musical adventures and accolades while moving forwards. This record features original material, along with new recordings of some of John's favourite Trashcan Sinatras material and his own rendition of the Prefab Sprout classic ‘We Let The Stars Go’.

The eleven songs on this record were performed solo, recorded live at Kyoti Studio in Glasgow (with no overdubs) by producer Mark Freegard (New Model Army, Lush, The Breeders, Del Amitri, Marillion), who also mixed and mastered the album.

“I’ve often been encouraged by friends over the years to make a solo album, but the timing or inclination didn’t flow. Last year - out of nowhere - everything suddenly felt right and the process was quick and natural. Mark just set the mics up and I played my songs. No other musicians or overdubs. Me and my guitar. That way, I became the songs and they became me. The finished record, though varied in song styles, has a mood to it… it’s warm, thoughtful and quiet.. as I generally aspire to be," says John Douglas.

Lately, John Douglas has been performing solo sets at shows with musical friends, such as Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Jill Jackson and James Grant (Love & Money). Whilst visiting Irvine recently, John was invited to guest with Martin McAloon (Prefab Sprout), the two artists having first met in 1990 when the Trashcan Sinatras' were touring with Prefab Sprout in support of their album ‘Jordan - The Comeback'.

The 'John Douglas' album is out now, available on CD and digitally from
a wide selection of fine music outlets, including Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written by John Douglas (1, 2, 4, 6, 11), Trashcan Sinatras (3, 5, 7, 8), Trashcan Sinatras / Dine (9) and Paddy McAloon (10)
All songs published by MCPS/PPL, except Track 10 (published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)
Recorded, mixed & mastered in Glasgow by Mark Freegard
Photographs taken on the Old Largs Road by Susie Lowe
Cover photo by Janette Ayachi at The Strand Club, Glasgow
Design by Martin Rowsell Simply Marvellous: Music
Thanks to Edna, Charlie, Sam and all my family, all the Trashcan Sinatras, Tom Rose, Boo Hewerdine and Jill Jackson
CD - REVEAL195CDX  - 7427137071599
Digital Album - REVEAL195DDX - 7427137071605
Publicity by
Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with John Douglas 
Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Reveal Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud  

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

After 24-year wait, THE VELDT opens time-capsule with the release of their Robin Guthrie-produced 'Illuminated 1989' album

"This album is not only a historical sonic document, but it’s a shimmering, charming, sensual and cinematic body of remarkable psychedelic rock that resembles nothing currently in the music sphere" ~ Spill Magazine


US alternative rock / postpunk outfit 
The Veldt release their 'Illuminated 1989' album on November 24 via Portland-based Little Cloud Records and North Carolina’s 5BC Records. This is the original 1989 full-length record produced by Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, previewed by the latest offering 'Angel Heart', the lead track 'The Everlasting Gobstopper', and the single 'Aurora Borealis' (with Elizabeth Fraser making a cameo appearance on backing vocals), plus a B-side remix, created by The Veldt. 

Guthrie
also remastered the album for vinyl earlier this year. While originally 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'.

One of the most notable first-wave shoegaze bands, formed in North Carolina in the 1980s, The Veldt revolves around 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.

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 Heights before 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.

On November 24, the 'Illuminated 1989' album will be released digitally via Portland-based
Little Cloud Records and 5BC Records, and available from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp.  The Veldt is currently touring the USA and will be joined by TREMOURS throughout December, culminating in a performance at Seattle's KEXP. The album will be released on vinyl on December 15.

CREDITS
‘Illuminated 1989’ released via Little Cloud Records and 5BC 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
Publicity by
Shameless Promotion PR 

TOUR DATES
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
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email

Adam Ezra Group Holiday Tour, and Thanksgiving Shopping

The Dysfunctional Family Gathering Holiday Tour:

The family and I will be up in Maine for the next couple of weeks, but soon enough it will be time to play music again.  The bandies and I are so excited to play together and see you in person again!

There are just three shows between now and Christmas, and right after the holiday, we plan to circumnavigate the Northeast on a mini-tour we’re calling the "Dysfunctional Family Gathering Holiday Tour.”  Our friends, the band Sirsy will be opening for us, and I’m sure each night will be filled with collaborations, surprises, and a whole lot of dysfunctional love… :)

Check out the dates below.  We’d love to see you out as much as possible as we bring in 2024!

Dec 2:  South Berwick, ME – Get Folked House Concert Series (Adam Solo)  
Sold Out!  Email our team to be added to the wait list:
management@adamezra.com

Dec 15:  Charlotte, VT – Get Folked House Concert Series (Adam Solo)

Dec 16:  Waldoboro, ME – The Waldo Theatre 
OUR FIRST FULL BAND SHOW BACK ON THE ROAD

Dec 27: Boston, MA – City Winery

Dec 28: Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts

Dec 29: Beacon, NY – Towne Crier Cafe

Dec 30: Hartford, CT – Infinity Music Hall

Dec 31: Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall 
OUR ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION CONCERT!

Holiday Treaters:

Well it’s that time of the year again…Time to figure out how to best say “I love you” by doing something special for family and friends.  Lots to do, and if you’re anything like us here in Camp AEG, it can all feel a little daunting.  We’ve decided to make it a little easier for those of you who have Adam Ezra Group fans in your life, so all day Black Friday, November 24, we’ll be offering 20% off everything in our store, including our brand new AEG Navy Blue Hoodies!  (Excludes Well Told Design and Bare Naked Leather product lines).

Head to our store page!  When checking out, enter in code: AEGTREATERSALE20 to redeem your discount.

In addition, for those of you planning to come out to the “Dysfuntional Family Gathering Holiday Tour,” we are giving you the option to have Adam personally hand deliver your treater order and take a pic with you at our merch table after the show.  When making your purchase at our online store, in the “notes” section, let us know that you'd like to have Adam deliver your merch and which show you will be attending (valid at our shows on Dec 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31).  We’ll have your treaters there waiting for you!

Trips!

There are still some rooms left for our annual, four day Winter Gathering trip to Fairlee, VT this January, as well as our first ever AEG cruise this June, Operation: Cozumel!  Check out links below to learn more:

Winter Gathering 2024 – Jan 5-8

PRINE ON PRINE, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale + the Rock Hall 12/7

PRINE ON PRINE: Interviews & Encounters
“Buddy & Jim Radio” Thanksgiving Weekend on SiriusXM Outlaw Country
Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10 pm EST/9 pm CST; Sunday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. EST/9 am CST
 
National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards 9x Nominee
follows Awards w/ Dec. 7 PRINE ON PRINE Panel
with Lyle Lovett & Fiona Whelan Prine at Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame


“Curated by a critic who knew him across five decades,
Prine on Prine distills the essence of an iconic American writer.”
-- Book Reporter
 

“...moving and insightful.”                                           “a master class in music writing.”
--Los Angeles Times                                         -- Garden & Gun

 
“Whimsical, romantic, literary, simple, retrospective, forward-looking,
all absolutely John Prine.” -- PASTE

L to R: Jim Lauderdale, Holly Gleason and Buddy Miller 
Photo Courtesy of Prine on Prine

Following the Miami Book Fair, PRINE ON PRINE; Interviews & Encounters keeps rolling along. Having met an unprecedented critical reception from The Chicago Tribune to Variety, No Depression to CBS News and beyond, the collection tracks the storied American songwriter’s career from young working class kid in Chicago through his ascendance as one of the most iconic voices in Americana, folk, country and rock music of the last half century continues selling out print runs, anchoring conversations among its contributors and expanding the understanding Prine’s life and evolution.
 
Following the Thanksgiving feast, fans of the songwriter, Grammy and Austin City Limits Hall of Fame 2023 inductee can enjoy a special two-hour episode of “Buddy and Jim Radio” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Channel 62. Debuting Saturday night, November 25 at 10 pm EST/9 pm CST, then again Sunday morning, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. EST/9 a.m. CST, the program featuring rare performances from Prine and others will re-air Monday, Nov. 27 at 2 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28 at midnight, then Wednesday, Nov. 29-Friday, Dec. 1 at 10 pm (all times EST).
 
“Buddy and Jim were there when John, along with Dan Einstein and Al Bunetta, were building Oh Boy Records,” Gleason offers of the extended conversation. “They knew us as people who were creating a new way of doing business, back when they were part of the vibrant Palomino scene; they were around when Howie Epstein was making the Grammy-winning Missing Years and Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings before Oh Boy moved to Nashville. Not only were they fans, they were people who were around – and it was wonderful and strangely emotional going back through time and space with them.
 
“When you get to remember with people who are part of the fabric of a journey, it’s special. And knowing how much Buddy and Jim loved John – and what they were creating – made for an incredible visit.”
 
Editor and contributor Gleason has been full-tilt at bringing this book to those who loved Prine. Having won the Southern California Journalism Award for Entertainer Journalist, Music Criticism and Entertainment Feature (News) this spring, she heads to Los Angeles for the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards on Dec. 3 where she is nominated for nine awards, including Print Journalist, Music Critic and Online Columnist, as well as Diversity in the Entertainment Industry, Celebrity Profile, Music & Other Arts Personality Profile, Celebrity Feature, Obituary/In Appreciation, Music/Other Arts Personalities and Book, Non-Fiction.
 
From there, she travels directly to Cleveland, Ohio for a conversation with Grammy-winning songwriter, artist and producer Lyle Lovett and Fiona Whelan Prine, Prine’s beloved wife, manager and founder of the Prine family’s Hello In There Foundation. Tickets for the Dec. 7 event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Foster Theater are available here:
https://bit.ly/46syy3h.
 
“To have Lyle and Fiona taking time from their busy schedules to celebrate the legacy and impact of someone we all love so very much is a precious thing,” Gleason says. “John had such respect for Lyle and his writing from the moment that first self-titled album was released; John was pleased to introduce Lyle on ‘The Sessions,’ when it was taped in Dublin so many years ago. And it was on that trip where a tour of U2’s Windmill Lane Recording brought Fiona Whelan into John’s life. Talk about a magical intersection of people to discuss this book, the legacy and humanity? I can think of no finer place to do this, nor better people to share a discussion about one of the smartest, kindest hearted people to have ever lived.”
 
The collection of newspaper and magazine features, tv appearances, award presentations, film scripts, recipes, an award presentation from John Mellencamp and even Prine’s evening at the Library of Congress has struck a chord with the myriad fans Prine collected over the years. Whether fans who bought John Prine when it was first released in 1971, young Americana songwriters and artists raised on his music through friends, siblings or parents, folks who discovered him through covers by Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Joan Baez, Natalie Merchant and Michael Stipe, Swamp Dogg, Bettye LaVette, Miranda Lambert, Roger Waters among many or his exquisite final album The Tree of Forgiveness, which earned three Grammy nominations for Americana Album and a pair of Americana Song nods.
 
Chicago Tribune legend Rick Kogan raved, “In this book you get the man, in all his charming, introspective, self-deprecating and inspiring facets. It can serve as a biography, with the details of signposts and bumps on Prine’s road to fame.” HITSDailyDouble.com headlined, “Gleason’s Prine Tome Digs Deep,” entertainment bible VARIETY declared, “to love and know Prine is to spend a lot of hours in his presence via Gleason’s essential compendium, which finds his observational candor, fierce, intelligence and genial warmth to be unwavering,” and No Depression offered “PRINE ON PRINE brings John Prine to life in ways no single biography could ever do.” Even the international Globe & Mail raved, “the closest thing we will ever get to an autobiography of a genius wordsmith” in a wrap up of 12 Music Books This Fall that included Barbra Streisand and Britney Spears.
 

https://amzn.to/3qXd9QI

Early Praise for PRINE ON PRINE: Interviews & Encounters
As close to an autobiography as we’re going to get from John Prine, Prine On Prine captures the inimitable, whimsical voice of one of our greatest songwriters, from the beginning of his career to his final days, evolving from the shy, self-effacing, uncertain youngster film critic Roger Ebert discovered to the wise, cunning veteran who left a body of work probably second only to Dylan. Nashville legend Holly Gleason knew the man and assembled this brilliant collection with a knowing eye and loving heart.
            -- Joel Selvin, Here Comes The Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm + Blues; Fare The Well: The Final Chapter of the Grateful Dead’s Long Strange Trip
 
I’m so grateful that Holly has put together this fantastic collection of the best interviews and articles about our beloved John Prine, spanning the whole six decades of his extraordinary career. For all of us who loves and miss him so, this book is truly a treasured gift.
                        -- Bonnie Raitt

Holly has created a beautiful collage by using John’s words to bring us into the center of his world where family music imagination and love reside with his struggle to remain that kid from Maywood whose curiosity birthed the beautiful songs and music he gifted to the world.
                        -- Fiona Prine

So much insight and so many great personal stories behind this legendary, super talent. If you’re a John Prine fan, you’re going to love this book. If you’re not, please read it and listen to his music. You will then no doubt be one.
                        -- George Strait

Listening to John Prine instantly jolts me to a higher vibration and feels like I’m walking on holy ground, free, fearless and naked as the eyes of a clown. He shakes me, wakes me, conjuring up emotions I didn’t know I had, reminding me that tenderness is a virtue. His words make me want to be a better person, to recognize myself in everyone’s eyes, to hold all humanity in high esteem - because we’re all in it together.  
Praise be to Holly Gleason for this oh so important, exquisitely curated collection. John Prine improved the world by being alive. Let’s do our best keep that big, beautiful ball rolling.
                        -- Pamela Des Barres, I’m With The Band and Lets Spend The Night Together
 
The brilliant genius of John Prine was not only the magic he had in writing  about everyday life for everyday people; but just as important was that his lyrics provoked you into thinking about everyday things that you may never have given much thought to and after he woke up those feelings, you realized you couldn’t have said it any better. The respect, admiration and love for Prine and his songs that Holly Gleason has is obvious not only in her eloquent introduction, but in the interviews she selected to pay proper homage to him.
                        -- Linda Moran, President & CEO, Songwriters Hall Of Fame
 
Nobody wrote songs like John Prine, filled with humor, humanity, and perfectly cock-eyed detail. But what this elegantly curated collection—culled from interviews, TV and radio appearances, and even recipes—reveals is that...well, that’s just who the guy was. Whether he’s at the Library of Congress or in the pages of Hot Rod magazine, Prine’s wit and fierce independence constantly shine through.
            —Alan Light, The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of “Hallelujah”
 
I’ve loved John Prine since I was a little girl. PRINE ON PRINE makes me feel like he’s been talking to me since he was a young man, and seeing him go through the phases of  his career is a real gift. Holly Gleason knew John, so she understood how to take these interviews, movie scripts, tv shows and recipes and create a sense of who he was when he got done writing or performing. Now even more than a legend, he feels like a favorite uncle. 
                                    -- Miranda Lambert
 
With a deep understanding and knowledge of John Prine – the man and his music – Holly Gleason has searched every nook and cranny to curate a thoughtful biography of one of our greatest singer-songwriters. Her insightful text sets the scene as we experience Prine, the unfiltered raconteur, via five decades of media coverage, from major magazines to niche publications, television scripts to a recipe book, talk show appearances, movie roles and his PEN Award presentation. Prine on Prine is both revelatory and entertaining.
                        -–  Holly George-Warren, Janis: Her Life & Music and A Man Called Destruction: The Life & Music of Alex Chilton
 
Reality can involve a lot of imagination, and no one was better at imagining and painting real pictures about people you felt you knew.  I enjoyed getting to know John more through Holly’s curation and writing.  A true master.
                        --- Eric Church
 
This book is a stunner! Only the glorious Holly Gleason could assemble such a magnificent collection to celebrate the life and world-changing artistry of her friend John Prine. Perhaps the most joyful history book you’ll ever read. His music explodes from the pages.
                        -- Tom DeSavia, Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of LA Punk and More Fun In The New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of LA Punk

WORMHOLE Announce US Tour with Gorod

Wormhole emerged from the underground this year with Almost Human, their first album for Season of Mist.

"Straight up, 'Almost Human' is a contender for Album of the Year for me", wrote Michael Centrone for
New Noise.

The Baltimore space invaders are taking their signature tech-slam combo out on the road next year with Gorod, the French gods of tech-death. They'll be writhing their way down the East Coast, with an early pit stop in their hometown nesting chamber, before sliming all across the American Southwest. Joining the party are New Jersey's blackened death metal progressives Hath, as well as the all-seeing Exist, who will be playing their first shows since 2020.   

"We are humbled and excited to be joining Gorod on tour this January", says Wormhole. "Their influence on us and death metal is profound and we cannot wait to play with and watch them every night".

Get tickets:
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Wrmhle-tix

2024 US Tour Dates
January 12 - Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
[TICKETS]
January 13 - Baltimore, MD @ The Crown
[TICKETS]
January 14 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone
[TICKETS]
January 15 - Knoxville, TN @ Brickyard
January 16 - Nashville, TN @ The End
[TICKETS]
January 18 - Dallas, TX @ Haltom Theater
[TICKETS]
January 20 - Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock Live
[TICKETS]
January 21 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
[TICKETS]
January 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
[TICKETS]
January 23 - Las Vegas, LV @ The Usual Place
[TICKETS]
January 25 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
[TICKETS]
January 26 - El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse
[TICKETS]
January 27 - San Antonio, TX @ Vibe's Underground
[TICKETS]
January 28 - Houston, TX @ White Oak
[TICKETS]

When they're not dusting kids at Nintendo or throwing on the odd Saturday morning cartoon, Wormhole are out honing their signature combo of brutal, technical death metal. Or, as they call it, tech slam. Since 2016, the band have been oozing up from Baltimore's underground. Now, with Almost Human, they've broken through to the next level.    

Lead single "
System Erase" zips the whole tech-slam experience into one tightly clenched polygon fist as drummer Matt Tillett and bassist Basil Chiasson rip through two or three different time shifts before the breakdown comes and swallows you up with the slow, crushing force of a black hole.  Brothers Sanil and Sanjay Kumar shoot off pixelated pangs of dissonance on "Elysiism". Meanwhile, Julian Kersey's death growl is so fierce and rotten on "Spine Shatter High-Velocity Impact" , you can practically smell the stench wafting through your speakers.  

"Wormhole delivered a record that holds the power to redefine how brutal tech death and slam-oriented artists write future materials", declared
Angry Metal Guy. "Only time will tell if those artists actually listen, but you definitely should". 

Order:
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AlmostHuman
Stream:
https://orcd.co/almosthumanpresave

When you invent your own genre, you can make the rules, and in space, no one can correct your math. If Wormhole’s excellent The Weakest Among Us was 50% tech death and 50% slamming brutal death metal, their Season of Mist debut is a veritable leveling up of the Baltimore-based act’s trademark “tech slam.” It’s the kind of record that can scramble your brain and give your neck a nice chiropractic workout; Almost Human feels like the future of extreme metal, dropped down from either outer space or delivered by Nintendo cartridge (more on that later).  

So, what the hell exactly is “tech slam?” Well, the gleefully amorphous and unholy term comes from an ethos that guitarists Sanil “Noni” Kumar and Sanjay Kumar discovered and perfected over (probably) thousands of hours of Metroid and Doom games, as well as, you know, actual musical mastery. Almost Human, out September 22, 2023, is more powerful, more agile, and more confounding for pie-chart-enthusiasts than anything else that came before it. The sequel is always bigger, darker, and in this case, covered in much more pixelated space horror viscera. My Wormholio calculator puts their sound at 91% tech and 89% slam, with an increase in awesome stats somewhere in the 420% range. There’s also a clear emphasis on amplifying their dissonant death influence, the kind of eerie melodies that feel like being stomped on by Samus.
 
There’s a clear balance to everything on Almost Human: the songs are more adventurous while also being instantly memorable. No two songs sound alike, and that diversity in songcraft (level design?) sees Wormhole pushing and pulling along their tech and slam dials to figure out what’s best for the song; spoiler, it’s always riffs. What also becomes evident after repeated listens is how carefully the Kumar brothers understand a sense of place, humor, and a consistent vibe. This is still the same band that’s known for throwing on Saturday morning cartoons, and Almost Human continues to hammer home that Wormhole the musical entity is deadly serious, but the guys that make tech slam are not stoic creatures. There’s a warmth and sense of joy when chatting with them that only gets brighter when you ask their favorite Metroid game (that’s a question for a live show). So, what is this vibe they are chasing? Sanjay shares:
 
“The tech slam imagery is based on Metroid lore, Doom lore, and we haven't written a song about it yet, but Alien as well. Those three things are brutal sci-fi universes, so we're trying to embody that sound. The slam riffs, you can connect the brutal killing of stuff with the brutal chunky riffs; that's been a match that's existed since the nineties. So that's the slam part, and then the tech part was harder to fit that vibe, so we kind of do it differently. I lean into very dissonance-vibe stuff, like Artificial Brain and Dysrhythmia. I think disso-death and heavy, they aren't usually paired together, even though they should be.” 

“And then as far as chasing the vibe,” Noni adds, “I kind of go about it two ways. With the Metroid soundtrack or universe, that vibe, there's some dark and gloomy atmosphere, but there's a lot of pretty imagery as well. We wanted to find a way to match that very pretty, kind of out-there sound cohesively in songs with a very aggressive and guttural approach.”
 
Like another famous sci-fi horror masterpiece of a different media, Wormhole’s shifting, amorphous style is perfectly suited to blend in and amaze just about any fan of heavy music. That’s The Thing: they can pull off whatever they want, but it’s always boiled down to that tech slam vibe. Do you like tech, melody, breakdowns, atmosphere, or dissonance? Tech slam can fill whatever void you seek.
 
If previous albums were early generation, lower-resolution visions of tech slam, Almost Human is the 4K reboot, where you can see every pixel of terror and awe. Wormhole are absolutely ready for their closeup. Prepare your worms and your holes, tech slam is here to stay. 

Line-up
Julian Kersey: vocals
Sanil Kumar: guitar
Sanjay Kumar: guitar
Bass: Basil Chiasson
Drums: Matt Tillett

Recording studio: Guitars and vocals were recorded at Wormhole HQ. Drums were recorded at AJ Viana Productions.

Producer & engineering: 'Almost Human' was produced and engineered by Wormhole and AJ Viana. Bass parts were produced and engineered by Alex Weber.

Mixing: AJ Viana at AJ Viana Productions

Mastering: Alan Douches

Artwork: Adam Burke at Nightjar Illustration

Photos: Eric DeCarlo

Biography: Nick Senior

Pre-orderhttps://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AlmostHuman
Pre-save:https://orcd.co/almosthumanpresave

Available formats
CD Digipack
Digital Download
Vinyl (Black)
Vinyl (Grey)
Vinyl (Orange)
Vinyl (Green)
 
Links
https://wormholemetal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wormholemetal/
https://www.instagram.com/wormholetechslam/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2foAanYCza7knczRDB8DFt?si=hxz_IV21RzuSeLcibU2tkQ&nd=1

THE HALO EFFECT - release video for brand-new single ´The Defiant One´

THE HALO EFFECT’s debut album Days Of The Lost hit the charts all over Europe - #1 in Sweden, #3 in UK, #6 in Germany, Austria and Finland, and #8 in Switzerland.
An extensive European tour with MACHINE HEAD and AMON AMARTH followed, as well as numerous festivals and headline shows.
While fans are eagerly waiting for the follow up to their mind blowing debut album Days Of The Lost, the band offer up a video for a track that has already become a staple in their live setlist for quite some time, ´The Defiant One´.
 

Mikael Stanne comments:” ´The Defiant One´ was recorded during the Days of the Lost sessions and has been one of the songs we have played live last year. So in order to hold you over before we present you with what we have written and recorded for the next album here is ´The Defiant One´. The video was shot at Pustervik, Gothenburg during our sold out tour of Sweden and it captures us in our hometown among some of our closest friends. Enjoy!”

Watch the video here below.

Listen to the song on all platforms:
https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/tdosg

THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/thehaloeffectse
https://www.instagram.com/thehaloeffectse/
https://twitter.com/thehaloeffectse

photo credit: Markus Esselmark

Necrowretch Announce New Album w/ Cutting-Edge Single

There's black metal. There's death metal. And then, there's NECROWRETCH.

The French band combine the best of both worlds into music made straight from the depths of hell. After setting a merciless pace with Satanic Slavery and The Ones From Hell, Necrowretch are back and ready to rip open a fresh and bloody chapter of fiery blasts and twisted riffs. 

Today, Necrowretch are announcing their fifth and fieriest offering yet. Swords of Dajjal cuts closer to black metal but continues the band's exploration into Satanism and other anti-theist iconography. Heck, these songs are so dark and devilish, that Necrowretch sound like the musical manifestation of the Anti-Christ. 

Swords of Dajjal comes out February 2, 2024. 

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

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/necrowretch-swords-of-dajjal

Lead single "Numidian Knowledge" is a vile concoction of metal both blackened and deadly. N. Destroyer pounds out frantic double-bass kicks. W. Cadaver's riff are hot and sharp enough to peel skin, while Vlad's screams and shrieks baptize you in the fires of hell.   

"Wisdom lies below the great Imedjasen", says Necrowretch. "It is told that one who breaks the seal shall be blessed with infinite fortune... But his self will be condemned to endless suffering".

Watch the wretched video for "Numidian Knowledge" below.

Now entering their fifteenth year as a band, France’s NECROWRETCH are about to open the most ambitious chapter of their career with Swords Of Dajjal, their three-years-in-the-making fifth album.

Initially the sole work of multi-instrument and vision leader Vlad, the band was originally for better and for worse lumped in the ‘old school death metal revival’ of the early 10’s. Yet while their debut Putrid Death Sorcery did bear indeed all the usual suspects of said genre, it nevertheless already had that extra, raw-as-fuck and just plain vicious element that really set them apart from the rest of the pack. Conforming to the norm was never in question and instead of selling out or trying to slow things down, as true misfits as they are, the went the exact opposite direction, first with 2015’s With Serpents Scourge, only to be vigorously confirmed by its furious follow-up, and first for Season Of Mist, 2017’s Satanic Slavery. To the point where once the touring cycle was over for the latter, Vlad himself felt he had explored this direction as far as he could have and that changes were on the horizon.

“On Satanic Slavery we on purpose took things as far as we could as our goal was to deliver the most bestial album possible. But once we achieved that goal, I knew we had to take a slightly different if still as uncompromised direction.” Incidentally, that’s when Wenceslas Carrieu from CADAVERIC FUMES entered the picture, first as a momentary live session on bass. But when second stringer Kev Desecrator vowed to amicably part way with the band to focus on DESTRÖYER 666, he switched to six-strings and proved to be the valuable songwriting partner Vlad had been looking for since the departure of the band original bass player Amphycion in 2015. “Heimmediately came up with lots of ideas and thanks to him, we now have a whole new dynamic: a bit like Sepultura had back in the days in between Max Cavalera and Andreas Kisser, with me focusing now on my vocals and playing rhythm guitars while Wenceslas takes care of all the solos, the starting riffs and the off-the-map bits.

With their fourth album, and first with Wencelas, The Ones From Hell was only one month old, Necrowretch was about to tour Europe with both KAMPFAR and TAAKE for three weeks. A tour bus was booked, the set was well-rehearsed, everything was ready and then... disaster struck. “Six days before we were due to play our first show, the whole thing was cancelled. Then COVID hit us and the world was basically shut down. We were numb for a couple of days but soon realized that the best way to bounce back was to move forward so we instantly started working on new songs.” The result is Swords Of Dajjal by far, their biggest, boldest and most ambitiousproduction ever.

“We spent no less than three years working on the songs, demoeing them and finetuning the details and rehearsing them as a three-piece and six weeks in the studio with Francis Caste (HANGMAN’S CHAIR, REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER, SVART CROWN etc.). Prior to that, we used to be a pure product of the underground, with albums done in just a couple of days whom were never 100% satisfied with in the end as we had to rush everything. We’re still very underground, mind you. But this time around, we knew we had to give it all, no matter what. So we started by changing our gear, our sound and our tuning. And once we entered the studio, we for instance spent a whole day just testing different amps just to get the right sound and crunch we were looking for. I even took some singing lessons to gain more depth and power. In a way, it almost feels like a whole new band.”

The whole record was written on purpose mostly on acoustic twelve-string guitars (“the idea was that if it sounds good and catchy that way, it’d be even better with distortion”) and as a three-piece, “something we hadn’t done in a long time” with their new drummer Nicolas Ferrero, not exactly a newcomer as he’s been playing on and off live with them since 2018. The result is, according to Vlad, “our most black metal record, with splashes of death metal here and there. Whereas on the previous album all tempos were pushed to the extreme, there’s far more variety here to be found. Italso gave us free reins to reach a more mystical, Biblical if you will vibe” fed by his experience living in Turkey in the late 10’s. “We choose to focus on the Dajjal character, basically the antichrist in the Muslim religion. The Coran says that he’ll appear as a false prophet only to bring doom to this world, with an army of demons coming from the east.” Represented on the cover of the album with his double edged sword and bathed in the same kind of reddish and orangey mesmerizing lights one can experience when the sun sets on wind-beaten deserts, all eight songs on the album are prophecies, past and future, where Dajjal plays the leading role.

Now completed on bass by R. Cadaver (former CADAVERIC FUMES vocalist) who officially joined once the recording was done after playing as a live session member for the last two years, and armed with their biggest, most complex and intense album of their career, Necrowretch are about to yield their sword of destruction and exterminate everything in sight.

Lineup
Vlad - Vocals, Guitars
W. Cadaver - Lead Guitars
R. Cadaver (Live) - Bass
N. Destroyer - Drums

Recording Studio       
Studio Sainte Marthe, Paris

Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
Francis Caste

Cover Art
Stefan Thanneur / Manifeste

Photography
Léonor Ananké

Biography
​​​​​Olivier Zoltar Badin

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

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/necrowretch-swords-of-dajjal

Links:
Official Website:
https://necrowretch.net/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Necrowretch
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/necrowretch
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/0cIx910hgtpgvicBJv3ybq
Bandcamp:
https://necrowretch.bandcamp.com/

Booking Contact:
Roman:
roman@district-19.com

Available Formats:
CD Digipak
CD Digipak + Exclusive Woven Patch w/ Red Merrow Border
Digital Download
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Yellow
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear, Yellow & Black Marbled

Photo by Léonor Ananké

London's SABATTA present rock of ages on new 'How To Get Even' album, plus high octane video for 'Get Over Yourself'

"An unholy amalgamation of sounds... Refusing to obey genre lines, they eventually realised that their misfit sound was what defined them – and they didn't want to fit in anyway" ~ Clash Magazine

"Charismatic and wild, frontman Yinka Oyewole leads the band through psychedelia, grunge punk and funk with some great shredding and even falsetto heights.... Sabatta drives a blaze of fiery, magnetic vocals, funked-out bass and thrashing guitar" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Exhibiting a style that can be closely linked to punk legends Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys... uncompromising modern punk rock music" ~ Fortitude Magazine

"The grit and the glory of ‘Get Over Yourself’ is a powerful calling card for the album... You can hear the London concrete embedded in their sound and it is brutalist and compelling"  ~ Joyzine


London-based alternative-psychedelic rock artist
Sabatta presents the new album 'How To Get Even’ via Blackfriars Entertainment), arriving after the trail blazed by two memorable funkadelic groove-laden singles - 'Get Over Yourself', an ode to the obliviously self-important, and ''Get Your Shit Together', a wakeup call to the masses. Here, listeners can experience multiple shades of a very particular hue.
 
From the opening drum rolls of the album’s first track 'Something' to the lilting final notes of album closer 'Small VIctories', 'How To Get Even' is a bit like sitting in a South London dive bar with singer/guitarist , setting the world to rights until the sun comes up.  The chorus of the opener defiantly announces ‘I can’t be something you want that I know I’m not!’, a sentiment that runs throughout the album, explored against the backdrop of a raw, spiky guitar sound and inimitable voice.

Revolving around guitarist and songwriter Yinka Oyewole, who was raised in Essex and is of Nigerian lineage, Sabatta crafts a raw and individual sound with spiky guitar and an inimitable voice, like a mix of Hendrix, QOTSA and early Red Hot Chili Peppers, strained through the sieve of South London. It's no wonder with musical influences ranging from Curtis Mayfield, Prince, Tupac and Hendrix to Bad Brains, Thin Lizzy, Parliament / Funkadelic and Black Sabbath.

Produced and mixed by Oyewole, this album was recorded by Alex Franklinos at
Shrunken Heads Studio (King Krule, Ghostpoet, Songdog, Domino Records)and mastered at London's EC Mastering (Sony, Universal, BBC).

"‘My voice I was born with, but when it comes to guitar I wanted my own tone. I can’t expose the recipe BUT when I play you definitely know it’s me," says Yinka Oyewole.

"While songs like 'To Love Me Is To Know Me', 'Not Today' and the title track 'How To Get Even' show a defiant and indomitable spirit, 'Plugged In' and 'Here I Go Again' respectively celebrate the importance of living in the moment and finding new love. Back-to-back tracks 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' and 'Get Over Yourself' are almost like a yin and yang to each other, the former acknowledging struggle and the latter warning not to take it all too personal. 'Get Your Shit Together' is a mantra we all need to hear sometimes, while 'One Chance’ is a deeper, darker tale of survival. 'Take You There' is an extraterrestrial blues riff fest, a 2-minute instrumental cosmic slop with furious guitar antics".

Yinka Oyewole began making noise with Sabatta's debut album 
'Middle Of the Night' in 2015, their sound compared to Hendrix and QOTSA, but with an edge like Bad Brains and The Clash, the album’s lead single 'Politician' garnered national play on BBC 6 Music, setting the band off touring nationally.

As of November 17, the ‘How To Get Even' album is available from all fine digital music platforms, including
Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, with a CD release anticipated later this winter.

CREDITS
Music & lyrics by Yinka Oyewole
Recorded by Alex Franklinos at Shrunken Heads Studio, London
Produced & mixed by Yinka Oyewole for Blackfriars Entertainment
Mastered by Aaron McIntosh at EC Mastering, London
Yinka Oyewole - guitar, vocals, bass
Adam Frederick Jacques - drums
Cover artwork by Tilt Designs
Artist photography by Marisa Knight
'Get Over Yourself' video shot & directed by Rodney Victor Williams
Co-directed by Yinka Oyewole
Edited by Alan Schaaf for Otter Studios  
Filmed on location in Borough, South-East London
Aaron Scars - bass (video)
Sebastian Fernandez - drums (video)
Location manager - Art Terry