MNRK Heavy has signed Cleveland, OH-based alternative metal band A Killer's Confession, led by former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis, to a worldwide deal.
The first single, "Greed," will be released on March 15th, with a full-length studio album slated for the fall. Fans can pre-save the track here.
Scott Givens, MNRK's SVP of Rock & Metal, says, “I watched Waylon build AKC from the ground up, and when the opportunity for MNRK Heavy to become involved presented itself, we jumped at the chance. We are all looking forward to unleashing the new record this fall.”
Reavis says, "I am super excited to be joining the MNRK Heavy family! I would like to thank Scott Givens and everyone else on the MNRK team for believing in the AKC (A Killers’s Confession) project. I truly feel like this is the right home for AKC. A special thank you to Andrew Goodfriend for his guidance and focus. He has helped me achieve so much over the last year. Lastly, I could not have done this without my team, consisting of Dusty Boles and Evan McKeever, as they helped me create our new album, 'Victim 1.' I’m very excited to see the growth of AKC under the MNRK banner.”
AKC has previously released three studio albums and has worked with Brian "Head" Welch (Korn) and Chad Gray (Mudvayne, HELLYEAH).
BRODEQUIN Release Torturous New Single
After 20 years of relative silence, last month, Brodequin returned with the announcement of their long-awaited fourth album. Today, the Brothers Bailey and their punishing new drummer are releasing the second torturous single off Harbinger of Woe.
Listen to "Suffocation in Ash" below.
Harbinger of Woe comes out March 22, 2024.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/harbingerofwoepresave
There's a reason why metalheads from every underground fiefdom recognize Brodequin as the most brutal band in all of death metal. After all, they did take their name from the most wicked torture device that any peasant has had the misfortune of receiving.
Brodequin's whole discography is culled from the bloody annals of medieval history, but the source of inspiration behind their new single dates all the way back to ancient Persian history. "Basically, the victim, who's held in a tower that's specifically designed for this sort of thing, is immersed in ash", explains Jamie Bailey, who honed his morbid curiosity for the Middle Ages as a college history student.
But don't just take his word for it. "Suffocation in Ash" treats unsuspecting spectators to an unflinching account of this real life torture chamber. Mike Bailey churns the riff like a giant wooden wheel, condemning even the sorriest of sinners to a hail of ash. Fellow executioner Brennan Shackelford continues to reign down a merciless torrent of blast beats and pinging cymbals long after their prisoner has been brought begging to one shredded knee.
"Silence. Liar", Jamie gurgles, as if echoing the guilty conscience inside their poor beaten skull.
"I sought to shed light on an execution method rooted in antiquity", Jamie says about the concept behind "Suffocation in Ash". "This specific technique often escapes the attention of those intrigued by these kinds of historical practices. Lyrically, my aim was to transport the listener into the vivid depiction of the scene I attempt to portray".
"Among the myriad methods employed, a prominent example was the affixing of an individual to a pillar, or, more commonly, a tree trunk through the use of long iron nails".
That's Jamie Bailey, talking in true Brodequin fashion about the very first single from Harbinger of Woe.
"Of Pillars and Trees" is classic Brodequin. Mike's riffs churn like severed limbs through a meat grinder. Brennan pings his cymbals with all the murderous intent of a spiked mace. Heck, the death growls are nasty enough to make you think that Jamie is sucking the blood of his enemies through a straw.
Watch the medieval video for "Of Pillars and Trees", which was created by Matti Way of From the North Films: https://youtu.be/yh7awqeuZJQ
Photo by Jacob Smith
After signing with Season of Mist in 2022, Brodequin re-issued their entire discography on LP and CD.
"Relentless, barbaric intensity" - John Gallagher (Dying Fetus), who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal albums ever.
"Kicks in like a sledgehammer" - Metal Rage raved over Methods of Execution
"A merciless massacre" - Power Metal praised Festival of Death.
Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BrodequinReisssues
Stream:
https://orcd.co/brodequin-methods
https://orcd.co/brodequin-festival
https://orcd.co/brodequin-torture
The Middle Ages might’ve brought the world out of The Dark Ages. But for every compass or printing press, those enlightened thinkers were also responsible for inventing the most torturous devices in human history. None were more brutal than the brodequin. Not only did the French use this instrument to cripple their victims, but to squeeze their legs to the point where bone marrow would spill out of their wounds.
You could say the same about Brodequin. The band come with their own long and sordid history. Brothers Jamie and Mike Bailey have been playing brutal death metal since 1998. Putting his history degree to good use, Jamie’s lyrics are inspired by real historical events, staying true to death metal’s core thematic pillars of dismemberment, torture, abuse and murder. But their artwork broke from genre’s generic splatter illustrations by digging into intricate period woodcuts and beautifully grotesque oil paintings.
“There simply was no point in history that was more brutal than the medieval period,” says Jamie. “At the same time that such barbarity was deployed, there was also an explosion in fine art, architecture and music. It all comes to feed our identity as a band”.
Brodequin’s first album catapulted them far beyond their kingdom of Knoxville. “This band has stuck out in the underground with relentless, barbaric intensity”, says Dying Fetus’ vocalist and guitarist John Gallagher, who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal death metal albums ever. Festival of Death put another flesh-tearing arrow in their quiver (“Some of the fastest, most brutalizing death metal ever recorded” - Sputnik Music). But after sieging festival stages across Europe with Methods of Execution, the band had to be put on ice.
“We had a series of deaths in our family”, Jamie explains. “Mike and I knew we had to step away until we had the time and were at a place mentally to give Brodequin the attention it deserved.”
Now, after 20 years of peaceful silence, Brodequin have returned with fresh instruments of torture. The Brothers Bailey are back with a new drummer, a new label and their long-awaited fourth album.
“Brodequin had been away for so long that I was stunned by the level of interest from fans and record labels”, Jamie says. "Before playing Hellfest, the band was approached backstage by a metalhead rocking a Brodequin t-shirt who happened to work for Season of Mist. Soon enough, they were hitting it off with Michael Berberian. The rest, as they say, is history.
“We all hung out for hours”, recalls Jamie. “The extraordinary level of enthusiasm shown toward our music made Season of Mist the obvious choice”.
As has been the case with this band for their entire career, Harbinger of Woe lives up to its name. Lead single “Of Pillars and Trees” is classic Brodequin. Mike’s distorted guitar chords churn like limbs through a meat grinder. The way Brennan Shackelford pings, blasts and flays his snare through “Suffocation in Ash” with the all encompassing speed of a sandstorm. Jamie’s growls are so phlegmy, so rotted, that to drag them out from whatever dark bowel movement spawned them would make an executioner sick to their stomach. And yet — somewhere deep inside all that carnage hides a terrifying beauty. The title track leaves you deaf, dumb and blind, begging on your knees in the face of a punishing, almighty riff.
“This album is a journey into this lost period of history where brutality and beauty coexist. Beauty, in the arts the were created, but also the beautiful brutality that was needed to engineer deadly devices like the brodequin”.
With Harbinger of Woe, Brodequin reclaim their throne as the most brutal band in all of death metal.
Line up:
Jamie Bailey: Bass/Vocals
Mike Bailey: Guitar
Brennan Shackelford: Drums
Recording
Drums recorded at Brennan's Drum Room in Dallas, Texas.
Guitar, bass and vocals recorded at Navarre 24 in Harriman, Tennessee
Producer and sound engineer
Mike Bailey
Mastering studio and engineer
Brad Boatwright
Mixing studio and engineer
Josh Welshman
Artwork
Original artwork done by Jose de Brito.
Additional elements by Jamie Bailey.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/harbingerofwoepresave
Links:
www.brodequinofficial.com
www.facebook.com/brodequinTN
www.brodequin.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/brodequintn
Portland-based Sun Atoms present 'Ceiling Tiles' 7" single and haunting monochrome video
"Sun Atoms is a tripped-out opus packed with droning electronics, shimmering guitars, dayglo melodies and a deep, whispered delivery" ~ Brooklyn Vegan
"Ebbing and flowing like Love and Rockets under a Spiritualized raga; the spirit of Bowie’s classic Moonage Daydream echoes through the band’s astral fabric” ~ First Look
"Thoroughly enjoyable. We appreciate their artistic leap into an enthralling intersection of post-punk, indie rock and new wave. Worthy of your “put on repeat” playlist, this music opens a gateway for your consciousness to coast into fascinating sonic realms" ~ Spill Magazine
“Sun Atoms give first rate performances that bend and blend song to song through luminary influences Leonard Cohen, The Cure, Moon Duo, and Nick Cave in a resulting amalgamation that combines psychedelic, dark wave, and post-modern pop” ~ The Big Takeover
"Sun Atoms fuses styles and sounds like a long lost Basquiat painting found in deep space among comets and stars” ~ Maximum Volume
Portland alternative pop / postmodern rock outfit Sun Atoms present their new single 'Ceiling Tiles', released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7" vinyl. The video follows ghosts on a velvety caper through an endless maze, arriving at a house of cards on the verge of metaphysical collapse. The B-side complements chills with thrills with a unique rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic, here dubbed 'Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)'.
Written around a compelling baseline by Peter G. Holmström (The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport), who also produced this single, the single was mixed by the iconic Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage). This is the first taste of the band's sophomore album, to be released in late spring.
Vocalist Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine) is joined by Holmström on bass, multi-instrumentalist June Kang, Mars de Ponte (LoveBomb Go-Go), L.A. drummer Eric Rubalcava and Boise native Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez (Hi Hazel). 2021 brought the band's debut album 'Let There Be Light', also produced by Holmström and mixed by the iconic Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries), involving performances by the likes of The Vandelles' Jasno Swarez, The Black Angels’ Alex Maas and Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper).
"When I was a child, I saw a being made of light climb through my bedroom window, they stood at the foot of my bed and reached out to touch my foot," explains Jsun Atoms. "Mesmerizing and haunting, much like the new Sun Atoms single 'Ceiling Tiles', which reveals a story of characters living under a faux sky being manipulated to make it appear that the stars are aligning, when in fact, above this tiled Truman Show, the stars are doing just that. The characters in the song go about their day-to-day dance while the globe they are spinning on becomes an eye."
Filmed by Brady Tuazon, this video follows several characters, who come to life from of a deck of tarot cards. An amalgamation of new colors in psychedelic, dark wave, and post-modern pop, 'Ceiling Tiles' explores a dreamy netherworld peeling away under the heartbeat like a synthesized glove. A cautionary tale of a dystopian future, some of which is already materializing before our eyes now, we follow the characters into a mirror, where they live outside of the lines under a faux sky, only to find that the planet itself is an eye, crying rain. Do they make it through the maze of plastic plants and security guards and get the message out in order to light up the world?
As Sun Atoms kicked off 2024 by playing three sold-out shows at Portland’s historic Revolution Hall, opening for Dinosaur Jr., this presented the perfect chance to shoot this video. With its long stairways and iconic brick facade as the ideal backdrop for this monochromatic video, here unfolds a mysterious tale of characters living between worlds and connected by Jean Cocteau’s famously mirrored portal.
As Sun Atoms roams this 113,000+ square foot state-of-the-art concert venue, Brady reveals two worlds, weaving through each other’s transparent personas and disappearances like white light on black attire. The band members appear like rare birds in the roles of madcap non-conformist odd fellows living outside of the lines.
“I wanted to conjure the same feelings I had the first time I saw Sun Atoms perform this song. Jsun and I were in lockstep as we discussed the vision for the video. We pulled in inspiration from Jean Cocteau and other noir films like “The Killing” by Kubrick," explains the video's director, Brady Tuazon.
"Working within the boundaries of black and white let us emphasize the theme of two worlds in a psychedelic noir manner. Portraying each member as their normal selves and as a ghost version adds another layer to the duality. It makes us ask the questions, “If our own ghosts saw us today, would they be kind and encouraging to us? Or would they be spirits signaling their existence as a cautionary tale? Filming the video was a true testament of the grit and creative solidarity at the core of Portland creatives. We had limited time and resources to pull this off”.
Apart from Dinosaur Jr., Sun Atoms has played shows with Modest Mouse, Fishbone, Besnard Lakes, The Veldt and New Candys, in addition to performing at Seattle’s Freakout Fest and Portland’s Lose Yr Mind Fest with Allah Las, Broncho and Night Beats. The band will be touring this spring, starting at Treefort Festival, along with Ty Segall, A Place To Bury Strangers, Neko Case and Built To Spill.
As of February 23, the 'Ceiling Tiles' is available on beautiful 7" vinyl and from fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Sun Atoms will be releasing a new album in late spring.
CREDITS
'Ceiling Tiles' written by Peter G. Holmström, Jsun Atoms, June Kang, Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez, Mars de Ponte, Eric Rubalcava
Produced and Engineered by Peter G. Holmström at Air Traffic Control
Recording (additional drums) by Gregg Williams at The Trench Studio
Recording (add. vox) by Tommy Dietrick / Joshua Tree Recording Studio
Initial tracking by Eric Crespo at Red Lantern Studios
Mixed by Jagz Kooner at Stone Circle Studios
Mastered by Keith Tenniswood at Curve Pusher
Peter G. Holmström - bass, guitar, sequencers, keys
June Kang - MPC, synths, percussion
Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez - guitar, vocals
Mars de Ponte - guitar, keys, vocals
Eric Rubalcava - drums, percussion
Jsun Atoms - vocals, guitar
Cover artwork by James Coffman. Layout by Sean Gothman
Video directed and Edited by Brady Tuazon
'Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)' written by Leonard Cohen
Released by Little Cloud Records 2024
'Ceiling Tiles' video directed by Brady Tuazon with support from Nigel Coutinho, Ryan Gamo, Erik Meharry and Hannah Glavor
Artist photos by Erik Meharry
TOUR DATES
March 23 BOISE, ID - Treefort Festival, In-store at Record Exchange
March 24 BOISE, ID - Treefort Festival, Shrine Social Club
March 25 SACRAMENTO, CA - Old Ironsides
March 27 LAS VEGAS, NV - The Usual Place
March 28 LOS ANGELES, CA - The Moroccan Lounge
March 29 PIONEERTOWN, CA - Red Dog Saloon
March 30 SAN FRANSCISCO, CA - Kilowatt
April 5 PORTLAND, Oregon - Star Theater
April 6 SEATTLE, WA - Seagaze Festival, Tractor Tavern Seattle
Keep up with Sun Atoms
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | BandsInTown | SongKick | Booking contact | Press contact
Keep up with Little Cloud Records
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Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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Whiskey Myers Victory Lane Awaits Each High Limit Racing Night for 2024 Sprint Car Season
Multi-Platinum chart-toppers Whiskey Myers have joined the soundtrack of the 2024 High Limit Racing season, with the genre-bending band signing on as the sponsor of Whiskey Myers Victory Lane.
With the lyrics “Put me back in the saddle out on the road; The way I make a livin’ is the only way I know” epitomizing the spirit behind High Limit Racing, Whiskey Myers’ high-energy song “The Wolf” will be the official victory song played as the victor rolls into Whiskey Myers Victory Lane each race night. Check out the full version of the song on High Limit Racing’s Spotify Playlist (a “clean” version will be used in all FloRacing broadcasts and at-track).
“We loved getting to know Rico Abreu with our partnership last season – seeing our name on his sprint car was something we never imagined when we started a band,” shared Whiskey Myers drummer Jeff Hogg. “With Rico joining High Limit Racing full time in 2024, we knew we wanted to follow his lead.”
In addition to the at-track and in-stream partnership, the Whiskey Myers Minute, a one-minute compilation of that week’s High Limit Racing highlights, will be posted to High Limit’s Instagram account following each race week with various Whiskey Myers songs being featured.
“Not only does Whiskey Myers produce great music that fits the grassroots racing brand, the members of the band are also genuine race fans,” said Kendra Jacobs, Chief Marketing and Events Officer at High Limit Racing. “From support of our series to their partnership with Rico (Abreu), Whiskey Myers invests in sprint car racing and truly sees the value of the sports’ fan base and its growth potential.”
Whiskey Myers Victory Lane and “The Wolf” will be featured starting with the High Limit Racing season opener at East Bay Raceway Park on February 12 and 13. The 59-race nationwide season will conclude with a two-day finale at The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway on October 11 and 12. Tickets for select events, including the season-opening “Battle at the Bay” are now available here.
Like High Limit Racing, Whiskey Myers will tour the country this year playing dozens of concerts from coast-to-coast. The current tour schedule can be seen here, with more dates being added. To learn more about Whiskey Myers, visit www.whiskeymyers.com, follow @whiskeymyers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Make sure to follow @HighLimitRacing on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with series information including news, event updates, ticketing information, and more.
For fans unable to attend the track, every High Limit Racing event will be streamed live on FloRacing, the series’ exclusive streaming partner. If you’re not a FloRacing subscriber, you can sign up today here.
About Whiskey Myers
Genre-bending band Whiskey Myers have played more than 2,500 live shows to ever-increasing crowd sizes since their emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Download and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show in 2019. Their latest self-produced album, Tornillo, available everywhere now via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, features the No. 17 most-played Americana song of 2022, “John Wayne,” and follows their fifth studio album, Whiskey Myers, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts, at No. 2 on the Rock chart and No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart (No. 3 among new releases). In total, Whiskey Myers have sold more than 2 million albums and amassed over 2.8 billion streams while earning six RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications as an independent band. Known for their high-energy live show and unique sound, the band praised by Esquire as “the real damn deal” has also earned sync success with features (and an on-screen appearance) in Paramount’s hit show “Yellowstone” as well as Netflix series “What/If,” Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and CBS series “SEAL Team,” among several others. USA Today describes their sound as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country that has earned comparisons to the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin,” with Rolling Stone noting “it’s the seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot.”
Photo Credit: Khris Poage
Messina Touring Group Ups Three to VP: Lauren Caire, Keena Cheatham & LeeAnn Rotondo
Messina Touring Group is synonymous with the biggest names in music including: Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Eric Church, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift and The Lumineers. Today, the preeminent group announces the elevation of three key team members to vice president roles as Lauren Cairerises from Director of Finance to VP of Finance, Keena Cheatham rises from Promoter Rep to VP of Touring and LeeAnn Rotondo rises from Director of Ticketing to VP of Ticketing.
“It thrills me to see our MTG team grow – these individuals are just another example of the incredible MTG team,” shares CEO Louis Messina. “Watching them grow and achieve makes me so happy; the success of our team is my biggest accomplishment.”
Caire first joined MTG in 2015 as a Senior Accountant and has since managed finances for the company and all of its tours, including a marquee year in 2023 anchored by Taylor Swift’s headline-dominating Eras Tour, Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics World Tour which broke attendance record in over half of the 21 NFL stadiums he played, George Strait’s record-breaking stadium run and more. Additionally, Caire managed the design and opening of MTG’s first office outside of its Austin homebase in 2019, expanding the promoter’s presence into Nashville with a permanent footprint in her native city, and she is currently overseeing MTG Nashville’s upcoming move to Nashville Yards.
Cheatham, a 2023 Music Row Magazine Next Big Thing honoree who joined MTG in 2013 as a Promoter Rep on Swift’s Red Tour, has had a role in over half of the MTG roster in both the pop and country music sectors. Cheatham leads the charge for some of the promoter’s biggest clients, including serving as the point person for Sheeran since 2014 and playing an instrumental part in Eric Church’s The Gather Again Tour which reported over 860,000 in ticket sales, grossed over $100 million and took home the award for Top Country Tour at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
Rotondo joined MTG in 2015 as a Ticket Manager, primarily to assist with ticketing for Swift’s 1989 Tour. Nine years later, she spearheads all ticketing for Swift’s tours, as well as many other MTG clients including Church, Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton. Under her direction, ticketing at MTG has evolved from an isolated process led by each touring team into an innovative model with a centralized department that leads all tours at the forefront of the quickly-evolving ticketing industry.
Congratulate Caire via lauren@messinatouring.com, Cheatham via keena@messinatouring.com and Rotondo via leeann@messinatouring.com.
L to R: Lauren Caire, Keena Cheatham, LeeAnn Rotondo
Blackbird Presents Announces 'Mavis Staples 85th: All Star Birthday Concert'
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, CA
Via Ticketmaster.com, More Info at http://Mavisstaples85.com
Blackbird Presents and Live Nation are thrilled to announce a very special concert celebration honoring a generational icon, Mavis Staples. Mavis Staples 85th: All-Star Birthday Concert will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the YouTube Theater, featuring once-in-a-lifetime performances with Mavis Staples and an incredible lineup of superstar artists, including Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Grace Potter, Hozier, Jackson Browne, Jeff Tweedy, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, The War And Treaty, plus more to be announced.
Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at 10 AM PT at http://ticketmaster.com. For complete show details, visit http://mavisstaples85.com.
Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a three-time GRAMMY Award winner (and a GRAMMY lifetime achievement award); a chart-topping soul, gospel, and R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; named to Rolling Stone’s Top 200 Singers of All Time at No. 46; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. Over the past few decades alone, she’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan, to Arcade Fire and Bon Iver, blown away countless festivalgoers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury, to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and graced the airwaves on Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland and the Grammys.
“At the end of last year, I was talking about retiring,” says Mavis Staples. “But after sitting with it for a while, I stopped myself and thought, 'Well, what would I do?' I asked the Lord, 'Why am I still here? What do you want of me? Have you kept me around for a reason?' And the only reason I could see is to sing my songs. That's why I'm still here, and I'm looking forward to this show with my friends singing my songs, too!”
“Producing this show is the honor of my life, as we all come together to celebrate a woman whom has given so much to so many over the years through her actions, her music, and her magic,” says Blackbird Presents CEO and Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman.
For complete show details, please visit http://mavisstaples85.com #mavisstaples85
EKOH Drops "Mayday"
Emerging artist EKOH has dropped his latest. banger in the form of "MAYDAY." Listen here.
"'Mayday' is a song about having difficulty opening up to the ones closest to you," the artist explains. "It's about my tendency to avoid any kind of vulnerability until my entire world is crashing down around me and I'm finally willing to speak up. By that time, it feels more like an emergency call than anything else, so 'MAYDAY!'"
Additionally, he is performing tonight, Friday, February 9 at The Roxy in Denver. Beloved lifestyle + sneaker brand Vans will be on site. Fans can get in free if wearing a pair of Vans. If not, a simple $10 donation to MusiCares is all that is required for entry. MusiCares provides a safety net of financial and critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas: Mental Health + Addiction Recovery; Health Services; and Human Services.
If you've not yet heard of Ekoh, well, consider this your intro.
Get to know him now, because the stratosphere is in his future, thanks to his deft rap x rock hybrid style.
Ekoh' breakout track "Hole In Your Head" was released in November 2023 and stays in steady rotation on SiriusXM Octane and was a crowd favorite during his first rock tour where he supported From Ashes to New on the Blackout Tour. Additionally, the single "Hurt Myself" continues to roar, still consistently streaming over 25,000 times per day.
Tzarina Release New Single "Borrowed Time" via TLG/Virgin Music Group
Tzarina, the dynamic post-hardcore ensemble, unveiled their latest single, "Borrowed Time," today, February 9th via TLG/Virgin Music Group. Immerse yourself in the powerful soundscape as Tzarina pushes musical boundaries with their compelling release. The band will be holding their album release show at the iconic Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY on March 20, 2024.
"'Borrowed Time' is more than a song; it's our origin story, and a statement about fighting for a glass half-full,” says the band's vocalist, Craig William.
For songwriter Craig William, the crux of the musical endeavor powered by the band Tzarina has always been to explore the more ethereal themes evident in the mixture of metal, post-rock and post-hardcore genres expressed in their music. This is evident in Tzarina's trail of singles, which have been seeing their release since October of 2020.
It has been almost two years since the full LP was recorded, so they are slated to release their first complete work later this year. This has been a long-awaited moment for the band, who have been hard at work perfecting their sound and experimenting with various elements of their live performance.
Tzarina is composed of Craig William on vocals and guitar, Mark Ayesh on guitar and backup vocals, Robert Scott Abrams on drums, and Michael Forsyth on bass. With the constraints resulting from the COVID pandemic, the band was forced to have a bit more of a DIY ethic, with William handling the brunt of the songwriting, and recording, while in isolation. This did not stop the rest of the members from contributing where they could and the result is nothing short of a sound that is distinctly their own.
This is a group that takes great pride in its artistry, and it shows in the level of care put into every aspect of its music. It is this dedication that has allowed them to continue to evolve and grow as artists.
They are known for their aggressive live shows juxtaposed with beautifully textured music and thought-provoking lyrics that explore the human experience. With heavy, driving riffs and powerful vocals, Tzarina is poised to become one of the most exciting acts coming up in the Brooklyn area.
Tzarina is a band that is constantly striving to push themselves creatively, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. With a new album on the horizon and an ever-growing live show, there is much to be seen and heard from this talented group of musicians. Whether you're a post-hardcore fan or just appreciate great music in general, Tzarina is definitely a band to keep your eye on.
OCEANS - Release New Single 'Slaves To The Feed'!
OCEANS are back with their first new music of 2024! The German nu-metal band proudly presents their latest single 'Slaves To The Feed', which provides another strong message towards the importance of mental health and raising awareness on this topic. The new song sees OCEANS collaborate with Australian keyboardist MISSTIQ as well as Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER.
To coincide with the release of 'Slaves To The Feed', OCEANS are unleashing a second new single! 'Breed Consume Die' sees the Germans once again prove their musical versatility as they let their heavier side come to the fore. Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER is also featured on this song, which serves as a social wake-up call.
As if the release of two new singles wasn't enough, OCEANS have also delivered a brand new music video for their single 'Slaves To The Feed', which you can watch below.
Timo Rotten comments:
"Social media makes us sick. It makes me sick, I'm fucking addicted to my smartphone. Even though it has made my life miserable to a certain extent, I still keep scrolling. And why is that? Because people tell me it's part of the business. We as a band are both part of the solution and part of the problem."
Stream the new singles here: https://oceans.bfan.link/slavesttfeed
Get your copy of OCEANS' last album Hell Is Where The Heart Is here:
https://oceans.bfan.link/hell-is-where-the-heart-is
Watch the previously released visualizer video for 'Chop Suey' here:
https://youtu.be/hfv9crPEPS0
TOUR DATES
Just in time for the release of the two new singles, OCEANS are going on tour. As support for OUR MIRAGE, the nu-metallers will be playing several shows across Germany in February and March. In addition, OCEANS will play two more shows in April as special guests for ANCHORS AND HEARTS.
Make sure to grab your tickets now: https://bnds.us/0ibwu7
About:
Ever since their inception, up and coming German outfit OCEANS have dropped jaws everywhere they went. With a unique sound that sits somewhere between nu-metal, progressive, post and death metal and putting mental health at the top of their agenda, the four piece quickly became a known constant in today’s metal landscape. OCEANS have become known for their inclination towards innovation and experimentation within their genre; covering songs by the likes of Alessia Cara and collaborating with prominent musicians such as MACHINE HEAD’s Robb Flynn and CALIBAN’s Andy Dörner amongst others. Having released two EPs in 2019, their debut album in 2020 and another EP in 2021, the band featuring visionary mastermind Timo Rotten can easily be described as one of Europe’s hardest and fastest working bands in the genre. Enter 2022 and OCEANS have already proved that they’re set to continue on their upwards trajectory with the release of their trilogy Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part I: Love, it’s follow-up Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part II: Longing and Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part III: Clarity, which together form their second album Hell Is Where The Heart Is.
OCEANS is:
Timo Rotten | vocals, guitar
Patrick Zarske | guitar
Thomas Winkelmann | bass
J.F. Grill | drums
More info:
www.oceansofficial.com
www.facebook.com/oceansofficialde
www.twitter.com/ocnsofficial
www.youtube.com/oceansofficial
www.nuclearblast.de/oceans
Listen to Royal Tusk's new song 'Hated'
Alberta rock trio Royal Tusk have released a new song 'Hated,' from their third full-length album, 'Altruistic,' due February 23, 2024.
Spending nearly a year writing throughout the pandemic, the trio eventually hunkered down in Alberta’s Audio Department recording studio where they self-produced Altruistic. In the midst of the process, Carriere wound up in the throes of a year-long battle to get healthy after suffering from a blood clot in his lung. He lost over 20lbs and could barely speak...
Rick Monroe & The Hitmen Release New Single "Worth The Hurt" via TLG/Virgin Music Group
Rick Monroe & The Hitmen released their new single "Worth the Hurt" today, via TLG/Virgin Music Group. Co-written by Monroe, Jared Weeks and Scott Wilson of Saving Abel, and multi-Grammy and multi-Dove award-winning producer and composer, Skidd Mills (Skillet, Third Day, Saliva, Katie Arminger), "Worth The Hurt" is an antithetical Valentine's Day song that highlights the addictive qualities and unhealthy co-dependence of a love gone wrong. The single impacts radio on February 13th.
The single serves as a tantalizing preview of the exceptional content that awaits fans in the group's highly anticipated full-length vinyl project, SIX GUN SOUL, scheduled for release on April 12. This album features previously acclaimed singles such as "World's Gone Crazy" and "God’s Ear." The latter has garnered praise from discerning critics like Robert K. Oermann (Music Row) and respected musicians, including Shawn Drover (formerly of Megadeth).
Stream / download "Worth The Hurt" at https://ffm.to/worththehurt
World-class entertainers Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have no desire to trace the trail of every trend. Instead, they serve up a “poly-jam-orous” recipe they call “Blue Jean Rock”--artistically organic, and spiced with heavy blend of their musical influences to reflect country sensibilities with a rock and roll beat.
Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have built a solid legion of fans across the globe and recently surpassed over 4.3 MILLION logged views on YouTube and over 1 MILLION captured streams without the benefit of ever appearing on a core editorial playlist.
Monroe is no stranger to the stage: he’s performed in 17 countries – and every U.S. state including Washington DC & Puerto Rico. The seven-time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador has toured with Queensrӱche, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Lee Bice, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Pat Green, and Randy Houser, as well as has opened for Country Music Legends like Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless and more. He has entertained the USO, AFE, U.S. troops in Vietnam, and former Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev. His brother called him “Elvis Gump” because of all the amazing people and places his career has led him.
For those who aren’t familiar with his music, Rick advises them to come to the show for a good time and to be ready for “just about anything.” “I love to play,” the singer notes. “And I want everyone to play along. I like to think of my shows as an interactive sport"--one that he will now play with the help of his permanent bandmates, Bobby Perkins (guitar), Alan Beeler (bass), and Jason Bohl (drums), also known as The Hitmen because "they kill it every single night!"
Rick enjoys sponsorships and/or endorsements with NOS/Full Throttle energy drink, Number Juan Tequila, Tony Chachare Cajun Seasonings, GHS Strings, SE electronics, Roper Western Wear, Shubb Capos, Speakeasy Original, Westone Audio & Fishman Audio.
Necrofier Hosting Reddit AMA
The four horsemen of Necrofier are saddling up for this year's Decibel Magazine Tour. The Houston black metal band will be riding high from Roseville, California all the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for 20+ nights of hell-raising with their tourmates Hulder, Devil Master and Worm.
Hear what life is like out on the left-hand path when Necrofier front man Christian "Bakka" Larson joins the black metal subreddit this Thursday, February 15 at 11 am Central Time. You can ask him anything: what are his favorite amps and pedals, how he got into organizing Hell's Heroes, why it is, in fact, okay to toss a severed pig's head around in the pit.
"2024 is starting off crazy with the Decibel Tour and Hell's Heroes", says Bakka. "Ask me questions on Thursday before all the madness begins".
Join the AMA: https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackMetal/
Get tickets for Decibel Magazine Tour: https://www.decibelmagazine.com/events/tour/
Decibel Magazine 2024 Tour Dates
February 21- Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post [TICKETS]
February 22 - Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club [TICKETS]
February 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex [TICKETS]
February 24 - San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick [TICKETS]
February 25 - Mesa, AZ @ The Nile [TICKETS]
February 27 - Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room [TICKETS]
February 28 - Dallas, TX @ Trees [TICKETS]
March 1 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade [TICKETS]
March 2 - Orlando, FL @ The Abbey [TICKETS]
March 3 - Miami, FL @ Gramps [TICKETS]
March 5 - Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 [TICKETS]
March 6 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage [TICKETS]
March 8 - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS]
March 9 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch [TICKETS]
March 10 - Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East [TICKETS]
March 12 - New Kinsington, PA @ Preserving Underground [TICKETS]
March 13 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop [TICKETS]
March 14 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick [TICKETS]
March 15 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies [TICKETS]
March 16 - St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag [TICKETS]
March 17 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck [TICKETS]
March 18 - Denver, CO @ HQ [TICKETS]
Necrofier will be performing songs off their latest album, Burning Shadows in the Southern Night, which is out now on Season of Mist.
Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/NecrofierBSitSN
Stream: http://httsp//orcd.co/necrofierbsitsn
The Decibel tour winds down in March, but Necrofier will be keeping the black flame burning. They'll light up Milwaukee Metal Fest on Friday, May 17, alongside labelmates and fellow American black metal conspirators Profanatica.
Get tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1040289/milwaukee-metal-fest-2024-milwaukee-the-rave-eagles-club
Decibel premiered Necrofier's sinister video for "Destroying Angels".
While it's awfully hard to pick just one, "Destroying Angels" might be the most satantic track on Burning Shadows in the Southern Night. Dobber Beverly is so cold and merciless behind the drum kit that his fills could flay flesh. "Sacrifice my life in blood", Bakka screams. His bloodlust sounds so murderous, it's like he's being burned at the stake by those searing guitar riffs.
"'Destroying Angels is about transforming yourself into something new after learning things you believed to be true were not. The song was also written while on mushrooms and lyrically is inspired by Selim from The Devil's Blood. RIP'
Watch what happens when a harem of witches catch an innocent princess wandering through their enchanted forest.
https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2023/09/12/video-premiere-necrofier-destroying-angels/
Praise for Burning Shadows in the Southern Night
“It’s great-sounding black metal that almost feels more like a live record than a studio album” – A&P Reacts
“Incorporates classic heavy metal, hard rock and some subtle folk elements, resulting in an eclectic sound that keeps the listener interested” – Distorted Sound
“One huge, tar-coated bastard of an album” – Sentinel Daily
"You can hear the legacy of Europe's most prominent metal bands alive and well in Texas" - Scream Blast Repeat
"The Texas-based black metal band impress with their fire, hunger and ability to blend savagery and dark melody with precision and deftness" - Man of Much Metal
"Atmosphere and melody is absolutely the name of the game...Necrofier have a talent for drawing together a true heavy metal sensibility" - Ave Noctum
Deep within the scorching cauldron of Texas, the alchemists of Necrofier have brewed another potent dose of American black metal with their sophomore full-length, ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night.’ The Houston four-piece honors the time-tested virtues of traditional black and heavy metal, even taking an organic sonic approach, tapping seven-time Grammy-nominated producer and engineer Joel Hamilton (Unsane, Tom Waits, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, etc.) to lend his magic touch for a natural sound.
“The goal going into the new record was to start setting ourselves apart from our contemporaries,” explains Necrofier drummer Dobber Beverly. “One of those ways was changing what the record sounded like. Moving away from the clinical and sterile nature that most productions suffer from and back into a real room with real instruments and performances. Our friend and esteemed producer/engineer Joel Hamilton had expressed interest in venturing back into the metal world and offered to make the record with us at his facility, Studio G Brooklyn. The results will speak for themselves hopefully, as this record breathes and spits fire wherever it’s played.”
“Dobber and Joel have become good friends since they recorded the last Oceans of Slumber album with him, adds Necrofier guitarist and vocalist Bakka. "After that, Joel wanted to record something heavy, so we made the trip to New York City to record in his legendary studio. It was an amazing experience in a great studio; besides having all the gear, he also created an environment where we challenged ourselves and brought everything up to the next level.”
‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ doesn’t just simply pick off where Necrofier’s debut album left off, but displays a conscientious effort to double down on the elements that made ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ successful. The solos are more plentiful and intricate, the hooks are more anthemic, and the overall musicianship is bolder and more daring. Speaking of the band’s evolution, Bakka explains, “I think this collection of songs represents us very well. We have grown together as a band and it shows in the new songs. Also, for this record we flew to NYC and recorded all day long for 10 days straight. I love recording this way because it captures a certain magic. The whole band is immersed in the process and it's all we would think, do, live and breathe during the process.”
Another core facet of Necrofier’s allure is being a black metal band from Texas. “Where you live always helps shape someone,” says Bakka. “It helps shape our style and tone in ways, it’s hot most of the year, so as we burn, it gives us warmer tones and more of a heavy metal influence than when compared to our brothers from the North."
To that avail, Necrofier isn’t your typical black metal band, and so this isn’t your typical black metal record as there’s a healthy amount of traditional metal influences, particularly within the guitar work. While conceptually, the band doesn’t heavily rely on Satanic themes, exploring deeper human philosophies and the occult like burning for your dreams or spiraling out on a psychedelic trip and exploring the beyond. “While there isn’t overt satanic worship in the lyrics, I would still say that he is a friend of ours,” Bakka cheekily says. “There are Occult themes on this record, but at the same time, it does take a philosophical approach.”
Further illustrating the influence of their environment, Necrofier also heavily explores one of Southern America’s most fabled myths. “The new record touches on selling your soul at the crossroads,” adds Bakka. “I like to take a different approach and touch on the elements of the esoteric world and dive into the forbidden or hidden that surrounds us in our lives every day.”
As the Texan black metal outlaws saddle up for record two, they are leading the charge as one of the contemporary purveyors of black metal revivalism. ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ is certain to elicit a sense of nostalgia for those who dare to lay ears on this vicious new offering.
Lineup:
Bakka – Vocals, Guitar
Semir Ozerkan – Guitars
Dobber Beverly – Drums
Mat Valentine - Bass
Guest Musicians:
Cammie Beverly (Oceans of Slumber) – Vocals on “The All Seeing Shadows” and “The Fall From Heaven”
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Necrofier
https://twitter.com/necrofier
https://www.instagram.com/necrofier/
https://necrofier.bandcamp.com
Producer/Sound Engineer/Mixing: Joel Hamilton at Studio G, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Mastering: Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering
Cover Art: Burney
Stream: https://orcd.co/necrofierbsitsn
Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/NecrofierBSitSN
Avatar Announce Spring 2024 Headline Tour
TREK INCLUDES KEY FESTIVAL APPEARANCES
The heavy metal 'n' roll, dark, madcap visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — will return to the U.S. for a headline tour this May. The trek kicks off on May 8 in Indianapolis and includes appearances at key festivals such as Sonic Temple.
Oxymorrons and Conquer Divide will serve as support. All dates are below. Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 16. Get tickets here.
2024 will be quite a year for Avatar! With headline tours in Europe and Latin America announced, and festival dates in the U.S., the band is set to have a monumental start to their year. Europe already has nine sold-out shows, with many others on their way to selling out. Avatar's first headline tour in Latin America is a milestone in and of itself. The band will headline a Sonic Temple stage this May — their first headline set at a DWP Festival.
The band's latest album Dance Devil Dance is out now.
AVATAR ON TOUR:
WITH OXYMORRONS + CONQUER DIVIDE:
5/8 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room
5/9 — Huntsville, AL — VBC Mars Music Hall
5/10 — Greensboro, NC — Piedmont Music Hall
5/11 — Norfolk, VA — The Norva
5/12 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
5/14 — Portland, ME — State Theater
5/15 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome
5/16 — Reading, PA — Reverb
5/17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple*
5/18 — St. Louis, MO — Pointfest*
5/19 — Milwaukee, WI — Milwaukee Metal Fest *
*Festivals
New Model Army Share "Language" Lyric Video — WATCH
NEW MODEL ARMY and earMUSIC are celebrating the worldwide chart success the band’s recent studio album Unbroken by releasing the lyric video for the song "Language."
Watch it Below.
With their U.K. and European "Unbroken Tour" about to start, their most recent studio album reached top positions in the official album charts all around the world. Produced by Tchad Blake (Arctic Monkeys, Pearl Jam, The Black Keys, U2), it's a very New Model Army album, full of guitars but with the emphasis on the rhythmic power of bass and drums which characterizes all the band's work. With Unbroken, the band continues to push the boundaries of its signature sound, while staying true to its heart.
"Not much hits me as genuine these days, but New Model Army hits it for me. Wonderfully recorded and produced by themselves, mixing this album felt like a gift. Here's hoping lots of people feel the same way about listening to it," says Blake.
GET UNBROKEN HERE.
FORMATS:
CD Hardcover Mediabook /Black LP Gatefold / Ltd. Red LP Gatefold / Digital
Swedish alt-rockers Then Comes Silence sign to Metropolis Records & announce new 'Trickery' album
"Then Comes Silence are everything a band should be - good tunes, good playing and singing, and good looking. Their songs are ear-worms, once heard difficult to forget, as catchy as gonorrhea but far better for your health" ~ Wayne Hussey
”I can see them being huge” ~ Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth)
"Truly love it" ~ She Past Away
"Hellacopters of Gothic Rock" ~ Jyrki 69 (The 69 Eyes)
"The only band that have been voted in as album of the month three times!" ( 'Blood' in 2017 / 'Machine' in 2020 / 'Hunger' in 2022) ~ Sonic Seducer Magazine
Iconic US-based label Metropolis Records is excited to announce the signing of beguiling Swedish post-punk outfit Then Comes Silence for the release of their seventh album, titled ‘Trickery’. This record celebrates friendship, unity and belonging to a group - your tribe. The first single - ‘Ride or Die’, which has already emerged in Germany's authoritative DAC Charts, will be released on March 1.
"Metropolis Records is thrilled to announce the return of Then Comes Silence. The new album “Trickery” will be the band’s first worldwide release with us. It’s a fantastic album and we are excited to get to share it with you. It’s a refinement of the band’s signature sound, a focused distillation of everything TCS has released to date. Metropolis will be releasing the first single from the record, ‘Ride or Die’ on March 1st," says Jim Smith of Metropolis Records.
Hailing from Stockholm, Then Comes Silence was founded by Alex Svenson in 2012, originally inspired by frequent touring with A Place To Bury Strangers and an attraction to horror and the occult. Today he is joined by drummer Jonas Franssonand Hugo Zombie (Los Carniceros del Norte) on guitar.
'Trickery' follows their 2022 album 'Hunger', released via Nexilis Records / Schubert Music (Europe) and Metropolis Records (North America). After dual record deals for the past few albums, Then Comes Silence has signed exclusively with Metropolis Records for this album.
"For this forthcoming album 'Trickery', we had a change of deal and went full member of the Metropolis Records family. We are ready to embrace the crowd again with our heart and can't wait to get the album out," says frontman Alex Svenson
'Ride or Die' single pre-save https://ingrv.es/ride-or-die-qgn-r
'Trickery' album pre-order https://thencomessilence.bandcamp.com/album/trickery
Album pre-save https://ingrv.es/trickery-fqf-x
Recorded by Jörgen Wall (Jay-Jay Johanson, The Hellacopters) over three days at Stockholm's Kapsylen Studio and mixed by Tom van Heesch (Rammstein, Apocalyptica, Backyard Babies), this album was mastered by Svante Forsbäck / Chartmakers (Rammstein, Amaranthe, Ville Valo, The Rasmus, Apocalyptica).
These sessions capture the heart and essence of rock. With electronic elements being essential to the new recordings, 'Trickery' is also a salute to punk music, to which Then Comes Silence traces their roots.
After debuting with their eponymous album in 2012, Then Comes Silence put out two more albums before releasing 'Blood' via Nuclear Blast in 2016. Their subsequent 'Machine' album was jointly released via Oblivion/SPV and Metropolis Records in 2020.
Then Comes Silence unexpectedly became a three-piece just ahead of their 2022 US tour, then setting out to answer the question "could they continue with only three members"? Proving to work well, the band transformed into a trio, their metamorphosis leading to a different way of creating music and performing live.
Then Comes Silence has toured and played live with The Fields of the Nephilim, The Chameleons, A Place To Bury Strangers and most recently with The Bellwether Syndicate and Vision Video. With many festivals to their name, highlights include M'era Luna, Wave Gotik Treffen, Amphi Festival, Castle Party and W-Festival.
The 'Ride or Die' single will be unleashed digitally everywhere on March 1. The full 'Trickery' album will be released on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally, on April 5. In March and April, Then Comes Silence will be touring North America extensively with Vision Video.
Keep up with Then Comes Silence
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Apple Music | Spotify | BandsInTown | Press contact
Keep up with Metropolis Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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The Last Ten Seconds Of Life 'No Name Graves' Album Out Now + Release "Letalia Infernalis" Lyric Video (via Unique Leader Records)
The Last Ten Seconds Of Life have released their new album 'No Name Graves' (via Unique Leader Records). In celebration of their latest full-length, the band has shared the lyric video for "Letalia Infernalis". Leading up to release day, the band have shared "Of All Humanity, the Sum" and "Broken Glass Incantation". Stream 'No Name Graves' in its entirety here and watch the lyric video for "Letalia Infernalis" below.
The Last Ten Seconds Of Life Are:
Wyatt McLaughlin
Tyler Beam
Andrew Petway
Dylan Potts
Photo Credit - Jordan Price
Esoteric Announce North American Tour
Esoteric move at their own punishing pace. The band climbed out of the post-industrial wreckage of metropolitan England back in the early '90s, when the underground was hell-bent on death-defying speed. That these Birmingham Britons bucked that trend by hitting the brakes ran circles around some slower-witted metalheads. But while ahead of the curve, they're now rightfully regarded as one of the heaviest -- and headiest -- hitters in funeral doom.
Today, Esoteric are announcing their first North American tour in more than 10 years. This marks just the second time that they've toured North America. The band will creep through the Midwest before trudging across Canada. They'll then seep down the East Coast before heaving the full bore of their cosmic weight onstage at Maryland Death Fest.
Vacant Eyes will join for the first leg of this tour, followed by Chthe'ilist for the second. Spectral Voice will also appear on select dates, including MDF.
"We are really looking forward to crushing stages across North America with these three incredible bands", says Esoteric's long-time vocalist and guitarist Greg Chandler.
Get tickets: https://www.esotericuk.net/live
Esoteric 2024 North American Tour
May 10 Minneapolis, MN @ White Rock Lounge+
May 11 Chicago, IL @ Reggies#+
May 12 Toronto, ON @ Garrison+
May 13 Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Theater+
May 14 Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar+
May 15 Quebec City, QC @ L'Anti Bar+
May 16 Portland, ME @ Space+
May 17 Worcester, MA @ Ralph's Rock Diner*
May 18 Providence, RI @ Fete Lounge*
May 19 NYC, NY @ TV Eye*#
May 20 Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground*
May 21 Richmond, VA @ The Camel*
May 22 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie*#
May 23 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Death Fest#
* with CHTHE'ILIST
# with SPECTRAL VOICE
+ with VACANT EYES
These North American dates will come on the heels of Esoteric's performance at The Dome in London with Bell Witch and Knoll.
Esoteric's will vary their setlist throughout this tour, pulling from across their vast, 30-year discography, including songs off their latest album, A Pyrrhic Existence.
Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/EsotericShop
Stream: https://www.esotericuk.net/media/audio
Praise for Esoteric and A Pyrrhic Existence
"Once again, Esoteric has raised a bar and set a standard that other acts should strive for" - Metal Injection, 10/10
"Masters of the long-form technique; now, more than ever, they represent the creative potential of a genre so mired in impatient perception" - Angry Metal Guy, 4/5
"A slow trudge through the apocalypse...I want the kind of sonic despair a band like Esoteric are capable of delivering" - No Clean Singing
For nearly thirty years Esoteric have been pushing the limits of sonic intensity. From the mind-bending darkness of their 90’s double albums Epistemological Despondency (1997) and The Pernicious Enigma (1997), to the expansive epics found on their recent opuses The Maniacal Vale (2008) and Paragon of Dissonance (2011), they have never compromised their initial aim – to unleash aural mayhem on unsuspecting listeners. Late 2019 sees the release of their most accomplished work to date, A Pyrrhic Existence.
Begun in the post-industrial decay of Birmingham in 1992, the band initially took influence from personal excursions into inner space, contemporary death metal, and their own warped take on 70’s progressive and psychedelic music. The early years saw them perform live infrequently, often to perplexed (and sometimes hostile) audiences.
The prevailing ethos in the underground, and indeed heavy music in general in the early 90’s was one of speed. Along with a few of their contemporaries scattered across the globe, Esoteric eschewed this in favor of slow building intensity, extended and multi-layered compositions, and free form noise breaks. A foreboding and pervasive sense of unease permeated the early recordings - this was truly dark music.
Throughout the 90’s the band remained very much in the underground, perfecting their craft, unmoved by trends or the expectations of the fickle masses. Albums such as The Pernicious Enigma (1997) and Metamorphogenesis (1999) saw them develop and refine their sound, evolving naturally, never appearing contrived. Problems finding dedicated members meant decreased activity in the late 90’s – finding a suitable drummer proved particularly difficult.
2003 saw the band rejuvenated. With the line-up complete for the first time in years and signing to Season of Mist for the release of their fourth album Subconscious Dissolution into to Continuum(2004), they performed their first live shows since 1997.
The growing interest in the style of music Esoteric had been peddling without compromise since 1992 meant more opportunities to perform on stage, something the band has relished. Esoteric has developed into a formidable and respected live act, playing tours and festivals throughout Europe and beyond, sharing stages with bands and artists including Ahab, Alcest and Draconian and festivals appearances at Brutal Assault, SWR Barroselas, Damnation Festival, Madrid is The Dark and more.
Released in 2008, ‘The Maniacal Vale’ proved to be the bands most ambitious and successful album to date, simultaneously honoring the chaos of the earlier releases whilst expanding into territory that at first glance may seem at odds with the bands ethos, yet has always lurked within their compositions - namely, a sense a melody and grandeur. Having been hinted at on previous albums, this side of the band was fully realized. This was followed in 2011 by ‘Paragon of Dissonance’, an album equal to its predecessor in compositional scope and ambition.
2019 will see the release of the bands seventh opus, A Pyrrhic Existence, 98 minutes of new material that once again expands on the band’s sound, yet retains elements of all their preceding works. It is a culmination of 27 years of uncompromising dedication to their craft - detailed and layered compositions and a high level of musicianship, foreboding production, and equal measures of utter darkness and melodic diversity.
Line-up
Greg Chandler: Vocals, Guitars
Mark Bodossian: Bass, synths
Joe Fletcher: Drums
Jim Nolan: Guitars
Gordon Bicknell: Guitars
Cover art: Lisa Schubert
Graphics and layout: Mauro Berchi
Production, mixing, mastering: Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios
Follow Esoteric
http://www.facebook.com/esotericukofficial
http://www.instagram.com/esoteric_uk
http://www.esotericuk.net/
http://www.esotericuk.bandcamp.com/
EXHORDER RELEASES 2ND SINGLE, 'FOREVER AND BEYOND DESPAIR,' FROM UPCOMING RECORD
NOLA thrash and groove trailblazers EXHORDER will release their much anticipated 4th full-length record, Defectum Omnium, on March 8th with Nuclear Blast Records. Today, the band has revealed the record’s 2nd single, ‘Forever and Beyond Despair’; a ripping and gripping pit thrasher with massive riffs and blistering solos. You know, what EXHORDER are known for!
Commenting on the new song, vocalist/guitarist Kyle Thomas says:
“Our second single ‘Forever and Beyond Despair’ embraces many of the punk rock ingredients that we grew up on. Exhorder got its start on the punk rock scene of New Orleans, so it only made sense to dig back into this part of our roots. With aggressive angst and sarcastic themes, this song is absolutely a middle finger to the hypocrisies of the establishment.”
‘Forever and Beyond Despair’ Music Video
EXHORDER’s latest and greatest features 12 crushing tracks and ominous cover artwork by Travis Smith (Katatonia, Opeth), the album follows the band’s critically revered 2019 release Mourn The Southern Skies. The new single follows the band’s recent release of their metal anthem “Year of the Goat.”
Pre-order/Pre-save Defectum Omnium: https://exhorder.bfan.link/defectum-omnium
Stream ‘Forever and Beyond Despair’: https://exhorder.bfan.link/forever-and-beyond-despair
Following the release of Defectum Omnium in April, EXHORDER will kick off a US tour with Bay Area thrash legends VIO-LENCE, Virginian extreme metalheads DECEASED and LA death metal band MORTAL WOUND. The brutality starts April 5th in Cambridge, MA and will culminate April 13th in Chicago, IL.
Tickets are on sale now at the links below.
EXHORDER US Tour Dates:
April 5 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East (Tickets)
April 6 - Brooklyn, NY - Monarch (Tickets)
April 7 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts (Tickets)
April 8 - Baltimore, MD - The Ottobar (Tickets)
April 10 - Cleveland, OH - The Winchester (Tickets)
April 11 - Cincinnati, OH - Legends (Tickets)
April 12 - Detroit, MI - Sanctuary (Tickets)
April 13 - Chicago, IL - Reggies (Tickets)
About EXHORDER:
Formed in 1986, EXHORDER’s journey has proven exciting, yet tumultuous. After a twenty-seven-year absence following their final Roadrunner Records release in 1992, EXHORDER re-entered the game with an album considered by many to be a contender for the "Best Comeback Album" category. The band released Mourn the Southern Skies in October of 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records. Fraught with euphoric peaks and crippling valleys throughout its existence, lineup changes, and the 2020-2021 pandemic, EXHORDER has since clawed back through the muck to prepare yet another album to add to the discography. In the spring of 2024, EXHORDER presents yet again via Nuclear Blast their fourth full-length recording, Defectum Omnium, the Latin phrase for "The Failure of All". Singer Kyle Thomas wryly explains that the album title is representative of the current state of affairs that the world is in. "The world is a dumpster fire, and we are all complicit.", he explains. "People have been talking about, ‘...viruses killing us off, blah-blah, blah...', when in actuality WE are the virus to the Earth. Mother Nature is simply trying to shake off the fleas, and her ‘viruses’ are the antibodies combating US. Earth will survive, and we will join the dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers soon enough in her history."
Produced by EXHORDER and mixed by Jens Bogren, Defectum Omnium puts a foot back into the roots of the band's inception. The scales have tipped favorably towards the presence of punk and thrash more so than on Mourn the Southern Skies. Tracks like ‘Wrath of Prophecies’, ‘Forever and Beyond Despair’, and ‘Sedition’ are what EXHORDER comes by most honestly when referring to their beginnings. There is also a strong presence of doom influence, as always. ‘The Tale of Unsound Minds’ and the haunting ‘Defectum Omnium/Stolen Hope’ will raise utter despair from the depths of your soul. The thick New Orleans grooves EXHORDER has been known for beating out since day one are still undeniable, and they stand out in tracks like ‘Year of the Goat’, ‘Under the Gaslight’, and ‘Three Stages of Truth/Lacing the Well’.
One trait about Defectum Omnium that deserves to be pointed out is that it is more of a journey and experience than just a regurgitated selection of songs on autopilot. With peaks and valleys much like a roller coaster ride, one listener described the album as having "...a little something for everyone.". As EXHORDER has always been hard to classify by one genre, the album is loaded with heaviness, aggression, speed, and venom. It also has an equal presence of mystery, melody, and harmony, and vacillates between darkness and light. Themes that dart back and forth between surviving oppression, despair, revolution, and brittle hope take you through the band's madness by way of the musical path that they have forged. With touring plans underway in support of Defectum Omnium, EXHORDER finds itself poised to finally achieve the brass ring potential that has always seemed to be just out of their reach.
Follow EXHORDER:
https://www.facebook.com/exhorderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/exhorderofficial/
Get Escuela Grind's new EP right now!
ESCUELA GRIND GET REVOLVER MAGAZINE
FAN POLL PICK FOR 5 BANDS MOST LIKELY TO BREAK OUT IN 2024"While it's unlikely that any grindcore band could scale to Sleep Tokenor Turnstile heights, Escuela Grind would be the ones to pull it off," says Revolver.
Recorded with Will Killingsworth, mixed by the GRAMMY-winning Kurt Ballou (High on Fire), and mastered by Nick Townsend (Cheap Trick, Dr. Dre), the EP houses four new songs including the lead cut, "Ball and Chain", and "Meat Magnet", featuring a guest appearance by Napalm Death vocalist Barney Greenway.
Fresh off U.S. spotlight tour dates with Baroness, and the extreme metal legends, Napalm Death, who took the young U.S. band under its proverbial wing in 2023, Escuela Grind is inarguably one of the hungriest young groups in music today. Escuela Grind has engaged in a seemingly unending live gauntlet since the September 2022 release of its LP, 'Memory Theater', relentlessly trekking the globe to bring its eye-opening energy and sound to welcoming music fans the world over.
In sync with the release of 'DDEEAATHHMMEETTAALL', Escuela Grind has kicked off a massive U.S. headlining tour, which launched on January 10. The five-week, 39-city winter trek will criss-cross the country, running through February 17. Support on the Escuela Grind tour is provided by Take Offense, Come Meirda, Slow Pulse, Bonginator, Frog Mallet, and Brat.
616 Releases Cover of HIM's "For You" Feat. Bam Margera via Cleopatra Records!
In the dynamic world of 616, Matthew Lidwin stands as a Singer/Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. Originating from the heart of beer city, Milwaukee, Lidwin has been crafting his own original music for over a decade, showcasing his prowess in drums, guitar, bass, keys, vocals, and lyrics. A true artisan of his creations, Lidwin has recently joined forces with the legendary Cleopatra Records, marking a significant milestone in his musical journey.
Throughout his career, Lidwin has collaborated with notable figures in the industry, including Bam Margera, Gas Lipstick of the Love Metal goth rock band HIM, and producers like John Fryer (NIN, HIM, Depeche Mode) and Eric LaBrosse at Cherry Pit Studios. Despite experiencing multiple lineup changes, Lidwin has persevered, reaching a new pinnacle after a decade of dedication.
From the age of 14, Lidwin has been writing and recording his original music, and now, at 32, he is more dedicated than ever. His hit singles, such as "Baby Blue,""Cinderella Valentine," "Dead And Beloved," and "One Way to Love," have soared to the top of the charts, securing the #1 position. A shining star emerging from Milwaukee, Lidwin is determined to conquer every facet of being a musician while simultaneously contributing to the industry's growth.
In a testament to Lidwin's journey, Bam Margera shared his admiration for the artist. Recalling their early encounters, Margera expressed pride in Lidwin's growth, from dropping out of school to record his first album to achieving recognition on the charts. Margera particularly highlighted Lidwin's singles "Cinderella Valentine" and "Baby Blue" as personal favorites.
Currently, Lidwin has been recording music at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Sun Studio is known worldwide as “The Birthplace of Rock’N’Roll”. Lidwin is highly influenced by Elvis Presley and is recording a cover of "We Can Make the Morning" there.
STREAM "For You" feat. Bam Margera
To experience the electrifying sound of 616 and stay updated on upcoming releases, connect with Matthew Lidwin on social media and streaming platforms.
About Cleopatra Records:
Cleopatra Records is a renowned independent record label that has been a stalwart supporter of diverse musical genres, fostering the growth of emerging and established artists across the globe. With a rich history spanning decades, Cleopatra Records continues to be a driving force in the music industry.
About Matthew Lidwin:
Matthew Lidwin, known by his stage name 616, is a Rock N Roll artist and Singer/Songwriter from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With a passion for crafting original music and a versatile skill set in various instruments, Lidwin has made a significant mark in the music scene. Now signed to Cleopatra Records, he continues to captivate audiences with his unique sound and unwavering dedication to his craft.
