GRAMMY NOMINATED ARTIST JELLY ROLL ANNOUNCES BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN TOUR

February 22, 2024

Multi-genre hitmaking entertainer Jelly Roll today revealed details of his Beautifully Broken Tour 2024 run. Produced by Live Nation, the arena tour marks the Nashville native’s biggest headlining tour to date and kicks off on Tuesday, August 27th at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The tour will make stops across major markets in the U.S. including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New Orleans, and more before wrapping up in Charlotte, NC at Spectrum Center on Sunday, October 27th. Full routing is available below. Tour openers include Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with various presales beginning on Monday, February 26. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, March 1 at 10 AM local time on jellyroll615.com.

PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Beautifully Broken Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Monday, 2/26 at 10am local time until Thursday, 2/29 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

VIP: Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium seats, backstage tour and group photo, VIP lounge, limited edition tour poster, merchandise & more. For additional information, visit vipnation.com.

JELLY ROLL BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN 2024 TOUR DATES:

Tue Aug 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center

Wed Aug 28 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center

Fri Aug 30 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena

Sat Aug 31 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Sun Sep 1 – Portland, OR – Moda Center

Tue Sep 3 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center

Wed Sep 4 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center

Fri Sep 6 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena

Sat Sep 7 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center

Mon Sep 9 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center

Wed Sep 11 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center

Fri Sep 13 – Lafayette, LA – CAJUNDOME

Sat Sep 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center

Tue Sep 17 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center

Thu Sep 19 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum

Fri Sep 20 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena

Sat Sep 21 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

Tue Sep 24 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena

Thu Sep 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Fri Sep 27 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Sat Sep 28 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena

Sun Sep 29 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

Tue Oct 1 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center

Wed Oct 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Sat Oct 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

Sun Oct 6 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center

Wed Oct 9 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

Fri Oct 11 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Sat Oct 12 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center

Tue Oct 15 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena

Fri Oct 18 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center

Sun Oct 20 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena

Tue Oct 22 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena

Wed Oct 23 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center

Fri Oct 25 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

Sat Oct 26 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Sun Oct 27 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

About Jelly Roll

Award-winning, Grammy nominated Nashville native singer/songwriter Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 All Genre Chart and #2 on the Top Country Album charts with his debut Country Album, Whitsitt Chapel (released June 2nd, 2023) - earning the biggest Country debut album in Billboard Consumption Chart history. Following his sweep at the 2023 CMT Music Awards where he earned 3 awards to become the most awarded artist of the night, the Billboard Country Power List Cover star and “country’s ‘most authentic’ new artist” (The New Yorker) received Billboard’s 2023 Breakthrough Award and the People’s Choice Award for Male Country Artist of the Year. Nominated for Best New Artist and Best Duo/Group Performance for “Save Me (with Lainey Wilson)” at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, along with eight genre-spanning nominations at the 2024 iHeartRadio Radios, Jelly Roll is one of three artists alongside Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs to have scored three Country Airplay #1s in 2023 and the first to do it with his first three singles. “One of Nashville’s fastest rising stars” (The New York Times), Jelly was a 4X winner at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards and was the most nominated male at the 2023 CMA Awards, with five total nominations capturing his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. His #1 hit single “Save Me” — a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt— set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights including a Platinum certification from the RIAA on the heels of his 28-week reign at No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. “Save Me” became his third consecutive #1 single in 2023 following his multi-week #1 hits on Country and Rock radio, “Need A Favor” and “Son of A Sinner.” His current single “Halfway To Hell” is currently at Country radio now.

Not just an artist but a humanitarian, Jelly Roll continues to resonate with fans on a global scale while racking up numerous milestones - from playing his sold-out hometown show for 18,000 fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to donating a recording studio at the juvenile detention center he served in as a teen, to the release of his record-breaking documentary by ABC News, “Save Me” -the most watched music documentary on the platform- to his visits with rehab centers and those incarcerated across the US. Featured by Nightline, GMA, GMA3, The New York Times, LA Times, The Tennessean, Billboard, Variety, American Songwriter, CMT and more, his self-built, unconventional industry rise and unique fan connection has garnered praise from numerous outlets, with Variety noting, “for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen,” and American Songwriter echoing, “with a string of accolades and an extremely dedicated following, Jelly Roll has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.”

KEEP UP WITH JELLY ROLL

ABOUT WARREN ZEIDERS

Warren Zeiders was just 22 years old when he signed his first recording contract with Warner Records’ Los Angeles office. At that point, fresh out of school, the second song he’d ever written called “Ride The Lightning” had seemingly exploded overnight into the social consciousness of young country music fans. After a series of live covers, the track caught fire and ignited a community of true believers before he’d ever toured or played outside his hometown of Hershey, PA. Zeiders’ distinctive, high energy country music is powered by a steady supply of youthful grit, honesty, muscle, and then, there’s that voice; a world-weary, lived-in, honeyed growl that belie his young years. Hailing from central Pennsylvania—now relocated to Nashville—the 24-year-old singer/songwriter delivers outlaw sermons in his unmistakable authenticity. His music is suited more to the vast wilderness of his home state than the bright lights of the big city injecting a healthy dose of Heartland ethos into his stories of real life and the pitfalls of temptation. He walks a fine line, but it’s that space he lives in—between lonesome outsider and magnetic performer—that helps him relate to listeners from all walks of life through songs fueled by unshakeable soul-searching. After the now-Platinum “Ride The Lightning” became an instant hit with fans, Zeiders released a string of rockin’ but heartfelt tracks on his own 717 Tapes platform and the raucous “One Hell of an Angel” that led People Magazine to surmise “Warren Zeiders is a wild horse who sings about the truth.” That momentum continues with his debut album, Pretty Little Poison. Delivered on the heels of his 717 Tapes releases and compilation album — a collection of stripped-back singles and EP songs that introduced his powerhouse voice and sharp songwriting — Pretty Little Poison repositions him as Nashville's newest headliner at just 24 years of age. The album’s Gold certified title track has taken Zeiders to new heights, reaching the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Top 5 at Country Radio, and climbing. To date, Warren Zeiders has amassed over 1.8 billion global audio streams, is consistently selling out venues across the country, and is working on new music for his ever-growing legion of fans.

ABOUT ALEXANDRA KAY

Alexandra Kay kindles a profound connection with listeners through her heartfelt melodies, evocative storytelling, and beautifully captivating voice. Born and raised in Waterloo, Illinois, Alexandra found her voice as a teen, using songwriting as a vessel for self-expression and self-discovery.

After two failed major record deals, and a starring role in a Netflix Original series, Alexandra took it upon herself to build the music career she envisioned. Since then, she's been cementing her status as an independent force in the industry by sharing her music and life online, amassing over 6+ million followers on social media which has led to over 170+ million streams between Apple and Spotify alone AK (as her fans call her) has graced the stage and collaborated with industry titans like Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Jo Dee Messina, Jelly Roll, Randy Travis, Gary LeVox and more.

In October of 2023 Alexandra dropped her debut album “All Ive Ever Known”. The independently released project spent multiple weeks in the number one spot on the iTunes country charts, debuted at number one on iTunes All Genre and in the top ten on multiple Billboard Charts. The heart wrenching ballad “Everleave” from her debut project has gained tens of millions of views on social media and is currently in rotation on Sirius XM The Highway. With what has been described as a “Taylor Swift-esque” fan base, AK sold over 50,000 tickets to her headline shows in 2023 alone. 2024 is gearing up to be her biggest year yet with multiple main stage performances at the largest festivals in country music, multiple headline runs and the inception of her sophomore album.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Extortionist Announce New Album 'Devoid of Love & Light' Out May 17 (via Unique Leader Records)

February 22, 2024

It's a great day for Extortionist fans! The band has today announced their new album 'Devoid of Love & Light' set for release on Friday, May 17, and dropped the official music video for the album's titular title track (via Unique Leader Records). Before today, Extortionist released their 'Devoid' EP (the precursor to the forthcoming full-length) which included tracks "Out of Touch", "A Grim Disconnect" and most recently released, "Drained of Life". Speaking on today's news, the band commented:

"We are proud to announce that we will be releasing our 3rd full-length record 'Devoid of Love & Light' via Unique Leader Records on 5/17/24.

Featuring tracks from our EP, ‘Devoid,’ this album coalesces themes of betrayal, mistrust, tragedy, dissociation, & identity crisis all into one cohesive expression."

Furthermore, Extortionist will also be hitting the stage across North America alongside Born of Osiris, Attila, Traitors, and Not Enough Space on The Angels & Villains Tour 2024 starting in April (ticket info here). Pre-save 'Devoid of Love & Light'here, watch the "Devoid of Love & Light" music video below, and keep 'em peeled for more Extortionistnews coming very soon.

The Angels & Villains Tour USA 2024:

4/12 - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom

4/13 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s Entertainment Center

4/14 - Columbus, OH @ King of Clubs

4/15 - Buffalo, NY @ Iron Works

4/16 - New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground

4/18 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs)

4/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Brooklyn Monarch

4/20 - Reading, PA @ Reverb

4/21 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

4/23 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

4/24 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

4/25 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl

4/26 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

4/27 - Tampa, FL @ The Ritz

4/29 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theater

5/01 - Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock

5/03 - Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St. Collective

5/04 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

5/05 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

5/07 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater

5/08 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater

5/09 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

5/10 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

5/11 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

5/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom

5/14 - Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

5/15 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

5/17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

5/18 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre

5/20 - St. Lous, MO @ Red Flag

5/21 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre

5/22 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

5/23 - Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theater

5/24 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II

5/25 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

5/26 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom

Band names go a long way in helping paint a figurative picture in the listener's mind of what to expect before one ever hits “play.” When it comes to Extortionist, you think crime—you think gritty, raw, merciless and unsavory and maybe, just maybe, a little sprinkling of suaveness. When it comes to the Pacific Northwest’s resident moshslingers, those premonitions from their name are exactly what you get. As a band who have proven themselves exemplary at styles of heavy music ranging from downtempo deathcore to grunge-tinted metal, Extortionist are more than just a jack-of-all-trades; they’re masters. Utilizing bold, roaring guitars overtop crushing, steamrolling percussion and vocals that run the gamut from guttural to grating, pitched singing and topped off with—you guessed it—a now-infamous dodgeball-smack snare, Extortionist have proven that not only are they incredible at what they do, they’re a band that the heavy scene just can’t go without.

Emerging from the relatively understated pastures and prairies of Coeur d’Alene in early 2013, to say Extortionist have been on a journey since their inception would be an understatement. With "The Black Sheep" instantly earning them notoriety with its combination of feral grooves and eviscerating breakdowns, Extortionist proved themselves early on as prodigal masters of all things punishingly heavy. As the band grew and gained more experience on the road in light of the success of their debut EP, their style and dynamic grew as well. After nearly four years of touring and writing, Extortionist would unleash 'The Decline' in 2017, a band that saw their breed of brutalizing deathcore hybridized with riff-heavy metalcore and more introspective lyrics that tackled suicidal ideation and substance abuse. 'The Decline' was met with immense critical praise and continued to open up larger opportunities for the Northwestern act, ultimately earning them multiple co-headlining tours from coast to coast, and a spot on Stay Sick Records, alongside other up-and-coming heavyweights like SPITE and Bodysnatcher. Barely a year and a half after their signing, the band announced their sophomore full-length release, 'Sever the Cord', which saw them experimenting with the inclusion of grunge and alternative influences, adding even more depth and grit to their dynamic. Their sophomore album earned them not only critical acclaim, but nationwide tours alongside The Browning, Betraying the Martyrs, Lorna Shore and First Blood. 'Sever the Cord' was followed shortly thereafter by an eponymous EP which saw them diving deeper into a more exploratory realm of metalcore, colliding ferocious riffs into moments of warm, nostalgic melody. While their self-titled release was widely heralded as the band’s strongest work to date, was declared their Swan Song, as in the weeks that followed towards the back-end of Summer 2019, Extortionist announced their dissolution.

That isn’t the end of Extortionist’s story, however. As 2019 gave way into 2020 and the chaotic months that followed, the heavy music community felt the band’s absence all too strongly. In the early months of 2021, Extortionist announced their return with a series of shows in Spokane, Washington alongside AVOID and Seconds Ago as well as a new single, “Once More in Torment”. Once more highlighting the seamless blend of raunchy aggression and groove-heavy catchiness that only Extortionist can provide, the band’s comeback track is a strong reminder of just how missed they were throughout their nearly two-year absence. Frontman and founding member Benjamin Hoagland states “This is the best place we’ve ever been in as a band...Extortionist lives, and we’re here to stay.” Indeed, with a full-length record in the works and a ferocious return to live performance already underway, it would seem that Exortionist’s relative break was only a brief moment with which to collect themselves before reasserting their dominance over the contemporary metalcore scene. - Connor Welsh

JUDAS PRIEST SHARE NEW SONG “THE SERPENT AND THE KING” FROM NEW ALBUM INVINCIBLE SHIELD OUT MARCH 8

February 22, 2024

Today Judas Priest share new song “The Serpent and the King,” the latest offering from their upcoming new studio album Invincible Shield. The song sees Judas Priest at their heavy metal best, with what is without doubt the most fist pumping track on the album. The single launches today on Apple Music’s The Zane Lowe Show alongside an exclusive interview with Rob Halford and Zane Lowe. The band have been teasing snippets of the song on socials for over a month, whipping fans into a frenzy for its release. Stream the song HERE.

Invincible Shield will be released on March 8, 2024, via Epic Records. Pre-order it HERE. The album’s previous singles “Panic Attack, “Trial By Fire” and “Crown Of Horns” have been streamed over 15 million times since their release.

Judas Priest will embark on a world tour this year, the European leg kicks off in Glasgow on March 11th before taking on North America in April and May. See below for full North American tour routing and head to judaspriestinvincibleshield.com for tickets.

Over the past 50 years Judas Priest have sold over 50 million albums worldwide and headlined the world’s biggest stages. With their evolving music and live performances also came a powerful unique identity, a look which has both defined the group and influenced future generations of metal bands the world over. With each year the Judas Priest legend continues to grow; 2022 saw them inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and complete a sold-out rescheduled world tour in support of their 50th Anniversary. As we roll into 2024 Judas Priest continue to retain their crown as one of the biggest and best British bands in the world.

JUDAS PRIEST: INVINCIBLE SHIELD TOUR DATES:
Thu Apr 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Fri Apr 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Sun Apr 21 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
Wed Apr 24 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center
Thu Apr 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sat Apr 27 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Center*
Sun Apr 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River
Wed May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
Thu May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Sat May 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - Wings Event Center*
Sun May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park
Tue May 07 - Huntsville, AL - VBC Propst Arena*
Thu May 09 - Daytona, FL - Welcome to Rockville^
Sat May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sun May 12 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center Arena*
Tue May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Thu, May 16 - Columbus OH - Historic Crew Stadium ^
Fri May 17 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center*
Sun May 19 – Washington, DC –The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Tue May 21 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena
Wed May 22 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
*Not a Live Nation Date
^Festival Performance

Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

ERRA unleash "Blue Reverie"

February 22, 2024

UK artist James Clarke Five presents 'Ghost', previewing new album 'Zoom and The Gadflies'

February 22, 2024

"With fantastic diversity, wrapped in a tight layer of suave musical mastery, James Clarke Five's brand of music melds the best of rock and Brit pop, imbued with spirits past and present" ~ Amplify Music Mag

"The sound of the 60’s if 80’s sophisti-pop had been invented, all smooth rounded notes, beautiful production and huge globules of earnest maturity" ~ Jangle Pop Hub

"A pleasure to listen to... a sort of Ben Folds does Sunshine Pop" ~ I Don't Hear a Single

"Best slices of gentle indie pop I’ve heard... with teeth wrapped in velvet, just as the lounge style was for The Specials" ~ Pop in the Real World

"Some kinda locked-in-his-bedroom genius... very listenable pop" ~ Dagger Zine

UK indie rock artist James Clarke Five presents the new single 'Ghost', previewing the album 'Zoom and The Gadflies', slated for release on March 15 via Favourite Recordings. With bittersweet reflections on childhood and the passing of time, this melodious, atmospheric, harpsichord-driven sound is reminiscent of film music by the likes of John Barry, Burt Bacharach, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys.

Much like Cocteau Twins was not actually a duo, James Clarke Five is the solo project of James Hughes. He is perhaps best known as keyboardist and vocalist for Liverpool 80's new wave band The Cherry Boys, contemporaries of Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes, whose members also played with The LA’s, Cast, The Icicle Works and Lightning Seeds. With a slight resemblance to The Fall's Mark E. Smith, Hughes now lives in London.

With sometimes story-driven or politically-edged lyrics, James Clarke Five mixes classic baroque pop with strong melodies and distinctive chord changes, but with a more raw, guitar driven sound with overtones of glam rock and psychedelia. The new album also includes some clear nods to XTCk, Adam and the Ants and Joe Meek.

James explains, "This is a more 'reflective' song inspired by film soundtracks from the likes of John Barry, and also 'vintage' TV themes for which I have a great affection. For me the song adds an extra dimension to what is an otherwise 'upbeat' album".

'Ghost' follows the singles 'Gadfly Groove', celebrating the personal transformation of a quiet, tentative introvert to an outgoing, gadfly-like persona, and '(Who's Been On The) Big Rock Candy', which tells the story of a couple who pursue increasingly daring deeds from roller coaster rides and cliff edges to runaway trains, all to a pounding, feedback-driven backdrop.

Album order https://jamesclarkefive.bandcamp.com/album/zoom-and-the-gadflies
Album pre-save https://found.ee/ZATG-1
'Ghost' single https://found.ee/PUhIv7
Bandcamp https://jamesclarkefive.bandcamp.com/track/ghost

At the age of 12, James picked up a guitar, which he has scarcely put down since. Following The Cherry Boys, Hughes was a founder member of Exhibit B, who released the cult classic album 'Playing Dead' and several singles.

Upon moving to London in the early 2000s, Hughes launched James Clarke Five with the barnstorming single 'Get Out Of Bed' and later found success with his song 'Sexbombe Uber Alles', the main theme of the film 'Last Shop Standing'. Their most recent albums 'Underneath The Lemon Tree' (2021) and 'ParlourSounds' (2018), released by iconic Canadian label The Beautiful Music, garnered rave reviews. His music has also appeared in the film 'Soundtrack to Sixteen' and has amassed over 1.25 million Spotify streams to date.

Recorded in his home studio in London, James produced and mastered this album. He performed all instruments and vocals with the exception of Mack The Sax, who plays saxophone on 'Gadfly Groove' and Karen Bates, who provides backing vocals on 'It's Been So Long'.

As of February 23, 'Ghost' is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple and Bandcamp. The full 'Zoom and The Gadflies' album will be released on March 15 and is already available for pre-order.

THE ARSON CHOIR RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE, 'RAVENOUS'

February 22, 2024

Southern Californian mathcore quintet THE ARSON CHOIR has unleashed the official music video for 'Ravenous' via War Against Records. Inspired by the 1999 Guy Pierce film of the same name, Phil Penegar wanted to capture the frantic and crazy energy that is embodied in both the film and the single as well as the themes seen in the Japanese anime Attack On Titan which he was binging at the time. Listeners are taken for a rollercoaster ride with pummeling chords and upbeat drums that are sure to feed the cannibalistic urges.

Founder and guitarist Marc Motley comments on the music, "'Ravenous' is the first release post-pandemic and following a massive line-up change. The departure of the band's longtime drummer brought on new obstacles which can be felt by the anxious yet chaotic chords and structure featured on the single. This song forced me to rely on my own writing ability to devise a melody that encompassed what I was feeling at this moment and influenced the direction of the band."

Speaking on the lyrical content, Phil Penegar adds, "The song has more of a punk flair and Arson Choir wants to bring some spice to the Mathcore game. These violent delights have violent ends."

Watch the music video for "Ravenous' directed by Mel Torres of Third Rule Creative, below.

Stream 'Ravenous' on all platforms now at: lnk.to/ravenous

'Ravenous' was recorded by Michael Eichstedts at Summit Studios while mixing and mastering was handled by Jeff Dunne (MAKE THEM SUFFER, ICE NINE KILLS, and KNOCKED LOOSE). The cover artwork was created by Rai Ciego.

THE ARSON CHOIR is a 4. piece experimental hardcore band from Southern California that blends nostalgic and modern riffs to create their raw and organic sound. An intense live show filled with dissonant chords and creative melodies showcases a new style of fast and loud.

Catch THE ARSON CHOIR live on the following dates:
02/25/2024 Oakland, CA - 9 Lives
03/16/2024 Oceanside, CA - The Pourhouse
03/24/2024 Phoenix, AZ - Yucca Tap Room
09/13-15/2024 Portland, OR - Bridge City Fest

The Gentlemen of THE ARSON CHOIR are:
Phillip Penegar | Vocals
Marc Motley | Rhythm Guitar
Eric Carrizales | Lead Guitar
Eric Whitt | Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals

More information:
Website: www.thearsonchoir.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheArsonChoir
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thearsonchoir
Bandcamp: www.thearsonchoir.bandcamp.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2ir53QtigznLj1maMuVeNH

Order Invisible Monsters in the format your choice here: https://www.waragainstrecords.com/store

TheCityIsOurs Share New Video "In The Dark"

February 22, 2024

Continuing their exploration of deep and evocative themes, TheCityIsOurs have released their follow-up single "In the Dark," further delving into the complexities of personal and societal challenges.

This new track builds upon the emotional narrative established in "Shame," offering a compelling blend of powerful melodies and introspective lyrics that highlight the ongoing journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.

Watch the video below.

Stream the song here.

With "In the Dark," TheCityIsOurs reaffirm their commitment to shedding light on the struggles many face in silence, providing a source of comfort and solidarity through their music.

"This song is about building up a wall to keep yourself safe by creating a fake image of yourself to make your family happy, growing up being told by society that I'd always be a disappointment because of my sexuality, something I can't control. So I'd try to hide it and do anything to not cause any sort of disappointment in anything that I can control," says singer Oli Duncanson.

He continues, "The pressure of upholding that image builds up to a point where it feels you can't go back and completely shatter your own family's perception of you. No matter how much I'd planned it out and got to a point where I was going to tell them, nothing would ever come out. [You] feel guilty because your life is a lie to people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. And no matter how irrational I knew the fear of telling them was and how frustrated with myself I'd get for not being able to tell them, I could never get the words out."

He finishes, "Your friends and potentially people who barely know you still know you more than family, which isn't fair. It feels like you can't progress as a person as you condition yourself to keep your walls built up, unable to let anyone in."

ABOUT THECITYISOURS:
THECITYISOURS is a five-piece pop/metal band from London who has quickly garnered attention and growing support for peers, industry, and fans alike, with their high-octane live show and the success of their sophomore album. COMA (2021) smashed into the Top 5 iTunes metal charts with several singles appearing in editorial playlists on Amazon, Deezer, and Spotify — including two covers on New Core and Metal UK.

THECITYISOURS have become a upcoming staple on UK and EU festival lineups alike, with appearances at Camden Rocks, Macmillan Fest, Burn It Down, Holloween, a fly-in appearance at High 5 Festival in Sweden, a headline set in the Doghouse Tent at the revered Download Festival to a 4000+ audience of festival-goers. After a sold-out album release show at The Underworld in London.

THECITYISOURS ARE:
Oli Duncanson — Vocals
Mikey Page — Vocals + Guitar
Jamie Deeks — Bass
Stuart Mercer — Guitar
Louis Giannamore — Drums

RELIQA - Sign To Nuclear Blast Records + Release Video For New Single 'Terminal'

February 22, 2024

Progressive metalcore outfit RELIQA have announced their signing to Nuclear Blast Records for all territories outside of Australia, where the band have signed to Greyscale Records. To coincide with the announcement of their new label, the Sydney, Australia-based fourpiece have also revealed the video for their new single 'Terminal'.

Vocalist Monique Pym comments:

"Terminal feels like the perfect re-introduction of Reliqa to the world. It's vibrant, high-shine, and optimistic, yet with a moody, introspective cloud hanging over it that foreshadows all that's still to come. We're beyond thrilled to be back, especially now with the support of our new families at Nuclear Blast and Greyscale."

Nuclear Blast Records A&R Manager Jaap Wagemaker comments:

"We’re very excited to welcome RELIQA to our Nuclear Blast family.

The band caught our attention after the release of their last EP, I Don't Know What I Am, with their signature sound that blends elements of alternative, prog, djent, and metalcore. The diversity of their sound paired with Monique's stunning vocals means they appeal to a very wide audience.

RELIQA are on a mission, and their first release for Nuclear Blast, the exhilarating new single ‘Terminal’, is a bold statement that sees them step up to being a truly global band!

The future belongs to RELIQA, and working with Josh and Chris from their management team has been a great pleasure. We are looking forward to building this band up outside of Australia and beyond!"

Watch the video for 'Terminal' below.

Stream 'Terminal' on all platforms now at: https://reliqa.bfan.link/terminal.ema

This March RELIQA will open for HALESTORM at two shows in their native Australia. Ticket info can be found below.

Tickets are available from https://destroyalllines.com/

FOLTERKAMMER Debuts Music Video for Cheeky New Single, "Leck Mich!

February 22, 2024

PRE-ORDER

Operatic black metal rising stars FOLTERKAMMER are now debuting a fun and empowering music video for their cheeky new single, "Leck Mich!" The video is 18th century class against 21st century crass; a bloody journey into the Rococo underground and its lustful ringleader, vocalist and frontwoman Andromeda Anarchia. The clip was once again directed by FOLTERKAMMER drummer Brendan McGowan and produced by Vile Luxe Studios and can be found below.

The song is taken from the band's sophomore full-length, 'Weibermacht,' which is due on April 19, 2024 via Century Media Records!

Anarchia explains, "The expression 'Leck mich!' has several meanings in German. The literal (Lick me!) and the more abstract, vulgar version, short for 'Leck mich am (Arsch)!' (lick my a$$!), which is vulgar for: 'Leave me alone!' or 'Fvck off!'

"The title of our upcoming album is 'Weibermacht' and this is the thematic leitmotif that runs through all the songs, including 'Leck mich!'

"The term 'Weibermacht' refers to an art and cultural-historical motif and describes the triumph of women (and their erotic power) and love over men. In poetry, particularly powerful, wise, strong, and beautiful men allow themselves to be seduced by the folly of love and lose their self-control, virtue, dominance or even their lives.

"In the song 'Leck mich!' the commanding tone is set; men are once again playfully commanded into the submissive and obedient role. 'Who sets the tone here?' there is a clear answer: 'The goddess, the mistress, the dominatrix.'"

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

In addition, FOLTERKAMMER has recently announced their first ever U.S. tour! The rising powerhouse will be embarking on an East Coast headliner with support from WITCHING, which kicks off on March 22 in Baltimore and will circle back to the band's hometown of Brooklyn, NY on March 30. The full itinerary can be found below!

GET TICKETS HERE

FOLTERKAMMER U.S. TOUR DATES (w/ WITCHING):

03/22: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

03/23: Richmond, VA @ Another Round

03/24: Columbus, OH @ The Summit

03/25: Chattanooga, TN @ Dark Roast

03/26: Nashville, TN @ The End

03/27: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle

03/28: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge

03/29: Cleveland, OH @ No Class

03/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland

Founded in New York around 2018/2019, Folterkammer, or “Torture Chamber,” is the operatic black metal outfit that is redefining modern music. This ingenious band seamlessly fuses beauty with brutality. A combination of raw passion and technique contributes to the epic nature of Folterkammer’s dark art. Their work is both nostalgic and remarkably fresh. Yes, Folterkammer fuses various musical traditions and genres to craft an unparalleled experience.

Folterkammer is composed of Andromeda Anarchia on vocals, Zachary Ezrin on guitars, Darren Hanson on guitars, Laurent David on bass, and Brendan McGowan on drums. Both Anarchia, who hails from Switzerland, and David, who was born in Paris, divide their time between Europe and Brooklyn. Thus, even though the group can be described as international, Anarchia states: “It took New York to create Folterkammer.” Her project Andromeda Anarchia’s DARKMATTERS acted as the catalyst that brought her to the Big Apple, where she met Ezrin. Many metalheads already know that Anarchia has appeared as a guest on the three most recent albums by Ezrin’s brainchild Imperial Triumphant — a leading avant-garde band that marries extreme metal, jazz, classical components, etc. McGowan has also provided guest vocals for Imperial Triumphant, and Hanson lent his songwriting excellence to their 2012 instrumental track “Scaphism.”

Ezrin, McGowan, and Hanson have a wealth of shared history. These friends attended college together in California, where Hanson and Ezrin studied classical composition. Thus, much of Folterkammer’s orchestration is classically based. Hanson harbors a special love of Baroque music and knows precisely how to expertly wed it with his passion for black metal. Folterkammer was actually conceived when Ezrin proposed that Anarchia collaborate with him on some of Hanson’s material. Ezrin writes killer riffs and more for the band. McGowan was invited to join Folterkammer on Hanson’s wise suggestion. His drums are perhaps the heaviest element keeping one of Folterkammer’s limbs firmly anchored in traditional black metal. McGowan mines inspiration from different generations of acts: He names 1349 and old-school heroes like Blasphemy and Marduk. That said, black metal fans will also be pleased to hear the spirit of the second wave in the aggression of Folterkammer’s tremolo picking, for example.

The exceptionally skilled David, Folterkammer’s newest weapon, truly perfects the group with his golden touch on bass. Whereas the bass is not always as prominent as it could be in the content of many black metal groups, Folterkammer purposely allows David’s bass to shine through. Like his bandmates, David is an avid consumer of several forms of music, and thus creates delightfully eclectic art. He has received both classical and jazz training. This major talent has toured worldwide alongside musicians and bands such as Ibrahim Maalouf, Guillaume Perret & The Electric Epic, Yael Naim, and Shijin. David has done so both as a side man and as a band leader/producer. Anarchia and Ezrin already knew David before asking him to join Folterkammer. After all, David founded the “avant metal-jazz trio” Kilter of which Imperial Triumphant’s Kenny Grohowski is an essential part.

Like the rest of the team, Anarchia contributes to the songwriting process: “I write all of the vocal melodies because I wrote the lyrics. The German language itself always has a certain logic when it comes to melodies, intonation, rhythms, and how to highlight different things.” Yes, in Folterkammer, Anarchia chooses to sing in her philosophically rich native tongue, which is clearly the language of a large portion of the best operas. Anarchia confirms: “In general, as a singer and songwriter, I always try to step across the borders of styles of traditions. I try to reach out for new horizons. I love art songs. I love arias. I love complex compositions, big drama, big theatrical things, though not in a traditional way...” Anarchia compares her voice to a laboratory. She is always testing new possibilities within Folterkammer.

The visionary songstress emphasizes that she and her collaborators treat opera and the greater context of classical music, on the one hand, and black metal, on the other, with equal seriousness: “It requires a lot of work to understand the aesthetics of each world and how to combine them. Everybody is so dedicated to all of the details, and I think that makes it special. We want to build a bridge between these two very different worlds in a completely organic way.” Anarchia continues: “I’m very dedicated to the technical things. I like good solid work. I want to do the metal screams with the same dedication that I did for bel canto.”

Yes, Anarchia is a classically trained dramatic coloratura soprano with an impressive range of four octaves. She has likewise received classical piano and guitar training since the age of five. Her first performance was actually on a church organ when she was ten years old. As a vocalist, Anarchia has worked with various types of music: jazz; different styles of metal, of course; rock; soul; R&B; experimental; and free improvised music. She has even branched out into hip-hop. Folterkammer, however, has become Anarchia’s main vehicle to explore her full register and create the roles she has always wanted to play: “Folterkammer really combines everything I love about music and singing.” Listeners quickly hear that Anarchia’s voice is loud and strong yet agile. Her instrument is as lethally monstrous as it is gorgeous. Anarchia brings all of her grace, charm, savagery, and artful cunning to Folterkammer. This ruthless femme fatale resolutely delivers ethereal clean vocals, harsh vocal attacks, and spoken lines to accomplish her wicked aims.

Given Anarchia’s masterful performances, it seems hard to believe that her collaborations with Imperial Triumphant, which we mentioned above, and her current position at the helm of Folterkammer completely redirected her musical path. Anarchia reflects: “I didn’t expect that I would ever sing in an operatic style again because I tried to leave that world behind me and focused on progressive rock and cabaret instead... All of a sudden, in New York, I was pulled away from the prog rock world into this crazy world of metal jazz, avant-garde extreme metal, and the combination of so many singing styles.” Anarchia shares: “Now, I’m more intrigued by opera than ever.”

Because of their top-notch artistry, Folterkammer has won over many fans, even from within the opera community. For instance, William Berger — an author, lecturer, producer, radio broadcaster, and commentator for the Metropolitan Opera — would become a supporter of the band. He told Woman Around Town: “Andromeda can go between both classical and growling, and dialogue. She’s amazing.” As a result of the progress that Anarchia has made in New York, exciting developments are now underway. After Anarchia expressed the idea that an opera should be composed for metal scream vocalists during a conversation with Laurent David, Kilter wrote La Suspendida. This brave new opera challenges Anarchia to blend different vocal styles as a soloist. La Suspendida focuses on a self-confident female protagonist and is based on a true and very dramatic story about necrophilia. It will premiere in Paris on November 16. Thanks to Anarchia’s recommendation, Berger wrote the libretto for La Suspendida.

Folterkammer’s debut, Die Lederpredigt, or “The Leather Sermon,” unleashed its glorious wrath in 2020. This intoxicating album was influenced by composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner. Due to the challenges imposed by Covid-19, Folterkammer’s members recorded their contributions separately. Nevertheless, this December offering quickly earned much critical acclaim from the extreme music world. For example, Matt Bacon of Metal Injectionnamed Die Lederpredigt one of his top albums of 2020. Bacon penned: “This is maybe the most technically impressive black metal album of the year.”

Die Lederpredigt stands as a monumental act of rebellion against religion, institutions of authority, blind faith, and so forth. The blasphemous components of this scorcher are heightened by chants implemented in the service of the collective’s overall irreligious purposes. Anarchia decided to narrate Die Lederpredigt from the point of view of a malevolent goddess, who strives to inflict an enormous amount of pain and suffering. In doing so, Anarchia sought to combat the concept of women as nurturers and expose their true fangs, talons, and bloodlust. Anarchia elaborates:

“The album portrays a vicious goddess, a very evil, bad dom. She’s like a devil, but she’s a female power goddess… I didn’t want to write about typical Satanist themes. We don’t have to talk about demons and Satan all the time. These topics have already been covered in a great way many times. Sadly, there are enough real creatures in the world that are really bad. We often portray women as the good and protective ones, but there are also women who are not like this at all. I didn’t want to write about a Maria figure, the holy prototype, good mother kind of person. I wanted to write about a very abusive mother-type goddess.”

This is in keeping with Anarchia’s constant quest to portray strong, often complex, and challenging female characters and empower her audience:

“First and foremost, I always want to create a powerful, crafting, and cunning female character, whether it’s a goddess, a witch, or whatever. Because, for me, as a woman in this world, creating music is also always a feminist statement. I always try to find allies among women and men who are committed to women having (at least) equal rights (or even more)... With the songs of Folterkammer, I would like to encourage all people who identify as women to celebrate our feminine side. I want to use my voice to portray and support women being strong and also to embrace everything that being a woman means — not just the pretty woman with the cute voice and the nice dress, but everything you can imagine. A woman can be everything. I also see that from a singing perspective. I think that a singer can sing everything. In addition, I also want to celebrate men who give themselves to a woman devotedly, submissively, and in trust.”

Folterkammer is currently preparing to unveil their victorious second full-length record, the formidable Weibermacht, which Anarchia translates as “Bitch Power.” Weibermacht is Laurent David’s first effort with Folterkammer. With David’s arrival, Darren Hanson switched from the Bass VI to guitars. On the opening track, “Anno Domina,” Imperial Triumphant’s Steve Blanco lent his expertise on harpsichord as a special guest. Weibermacht is sophisticated; criminally pleasurable; and, despite the chaos it births, beautifully balanced. This groundbreaking gem immediately astonishes listeners with its toxic confidence and superb instrumentation. Brendan McGowan, for example, tells us: “I tried to incorporate war-march effects. I wanted the drums to sound really violent in contrast to the really sweeping classical melodies because Andromeda’s lyrics are so violent. So, I wanted the drums to kind of reflect that.” Meanwhile, Zachary Ezrin and Hanson found muses in the likes of the Baroque composer Henry Purcell.

With her enthusiasm for opera reignited, as noted, Anarchia delved back into her studies of this art form during the pandemic. Thus, Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Strauss inspired her vocal lines for Weibermacht. Anarchia was likewise influenced by Joan Sutherland, the eccentric Nina Hagen, and even the Judas Priest legend Rob Halford. On Weibermacht, Anarchia’s vocal gymnastics remain as sublime as ever. Yet again, her soaring highs, inhuman shrieks, barbarous growls, and so forth induce vertigo. Anarchia hits all of her targets with a sniper’s precision.

Folterkammer’s ambitions here seem quite lofty. All the same, Folterkammer commands audiences to get down on their knees and indulge in the ritual of foot worship in all of its symbolic meaning. Indeed, this brilliant feminist triumph threatens to crush victims under the weight of its pointed stilettos. Folterkammer’s refined poetic lyrics provide much intellectual stimulation while awakening S&M fantasies. The group certainly makes good on their promise: “Wir geben Dir Schmerz!” / “We give you pain.” The grandiose ode to Schadenfreude that is Weibermacht treats willing participants to swordplay and poetry of the whip. In fact, on “Anno Domina,” we hear the cracking of a whip. Yes, throughout this titillating record, Anarchia perfectly plays “Die Göttin, die Mistress, die Domina” / “the goddess, the mistress, the dominatrix.”

The irresistible “Die Unterwerfung,” or “The Submission,” draws from the cautionary tale of the seductress Phyllis and Aristotle. For this track, Anarchia modified the first line from the German song “Frauen sind keine Engel.” She also paraphrased part of the old nursery rhyme “Hoppe Hoppe, Reiter.” In “Algolagnia,” you can hear Anarchia adapt small portions of text from Richard Strauss’ Elektra and Franz von Suppé’s Die schöne Galathee. “Herrin der Schwerter,” or “Mistress of Swords,” serves as a homage to the fabled opera singer and personality Julie d’Aubigny, who was immortalized by the likes of writer Théophile Gautier. One of Anarchia’s singing students, Vincent Van Inferno, actually came up with an expression that she uses in this song. Anarchia chose to end Weibermacht with an English-language number, a bewitching cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs,” a nod to the great Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.

As we already explained, Anarchia morphed into an evil goddess on Die Lederpredigt. One might think that she would have done the same on Weibermacht. However, in order to conquer new territories, Anarchia invented a thrilling new role for herself:

“I still wanted to portray a strong female character, but this time I wanted her to be a good dom, not abusive but responsible. I wanted her to be someone who enjoys, celebrates, and really takes pleasure in men being submissive. She lives for that. She expresses that. She is a playful character, but who knows what she is and what she wants?! I wanted to have a more positive or constructive kind of woman portrayed this time. But, of course, she’s still a dominatrix, you know?! It’s all about pain and kinky things and being in a dominant position as a woman, but the character is a different one. It’s a new story. Yes, I used the time during Covid to come up with that idea. I trained with a pro dominatrix, who is based in London, to really embody the persona and to understand it more before I started writing lyrics. I read tons of books and articles and interviews and watched a lot of material with dominatrixes. I delved into mythology to see where strong women, and even dominatrix kind of women, have been portrayed in oral tradition, literature, paintings, music... I researched stories from the 10th and 12th centuries, ancient Greek mythology, etc. There were so many different stories already. We always think that BDSM is a modern phenomenon, but it traces back much longer.”

Despite Folterkammer’s crushing intensity, it is also of crucial importance to Anarchia to preserve an element of fun, as one can assume from the quote above. She confesses: “I love when something has comedy, when it’s naughty and sassy and witty. That’s also a part of Folterkammer — it takes a lot of humor to combine opera with black metal because they are very much on the opposite ends of the spectrum.”

Thankfully, Weibermacht’s flawless production ensures that listeners will be able to experience all of the nuances of Folterkammer’s complicated work. Zachary Ezrin is credited as Weibermacht’s producer. Much of Weibermacht was recorded in New Jersey at Backroom Studios, which is owned by Kevin Antreassian, a former member of The Dillinger Escape Plan. Additional recording was carried out by Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix. Krallice and Gorgut’s esteemed Colin Marston — a prolific musician, producer, and staple of the New York music scene — mixed Weibermacht. Fred Kevorkian, who has collaborated with the likes of Dream Theater, handled mastering.

The famed Eliran Kantor is responsible for Weibermacht’s cover art. Kantor has been enlisted by everyone from My Dying Bride to Sigh. Along similar lines, Folterkammer's videos are all directed by Brendan McGowan and produced by Vile Luxe Entertainment. As a filmmaker, the highly accomplished McGowan has joined forces with powerhouses, such as Ghost, Mastodon, Mayhem, Cannibal Corpse, Frozen Soul, Imperial Triumphant, and many others. Thus, he brings incredible professionalism and clarity of vision to Folterkammer in this regard as a bonus.

McGowan particularly enjoys incorporating Folterkammer’s juxtaposition of modern and classical components into his videos. He looks forward to continuing to translate the magnificent imagery present in Anarchia’s lyrics into visual art. Indeed, in addition to its theatricality, Folterkammer has a splendid cinematic quality. Fortunately, McGowan and the rest of the Folterkammer team already have new surprises planned.

Lineup:

Andromeda Anarchia - Vocals

Zachary Ezrin - Guitars

Brendan McGowan - Drums

Darren Hanson - Guitars

Laurent David - Bass

Guest Harpsichord: Steve Blanco on "Anno Domina"

Album Credits:

Producer: Zachary Ezrin

Recording: Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in NJ

Additional Recording: Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix

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

Mastering: Fred Kevorkian

Cover Art: Eliran Kantor

Album Layout: Brendan McGowan

Photography: Alex Krauss

Logo Design: Mister Kams

Bio: Jillian Drachman

Photos: Alex Krauss

Follow:

Instagram

Facebook

Ace Frehley Releases Video for "Cherry Medicine"

February 22, 2024

"'10,000 Volts,' in its own time, in its own way, is similarly staggering – quite simply, OVERWHELMING. 10,000/10
-- Ghost Cult Magazine

RRHOF-inductee and guitar legend Ace Frehley releases a new video for "Cherry Medicine ," featured on his new album, "10,000 Volts."

His highly-anticipated album will be released tomorrow. Produced and co-written by Ace and Steve Brown, the uncontainable energy on the 11-tracks showcases some of Ace's best works since his '78 solo album.

On "Cherry Medicine," a mean palm-muted chug underlines his pensive vocals where he confesses, “I knew I had to change my ways for sure to keep you by my side.” The track showcases another side of Frehley with its saccharine and sweet, soaring hook as he promises, “I love you, cherry medicine. You heal my every need and some.” He seals the sentiment with another powerhouse solo.

Ace previously released the title track, "10,000 Volts" and single "Walkin' on the Moon."

Rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal simply wouldn’t sound, look, or feel the same without Ace Frehley. Among hundreds of accolades, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® inducted him in 2014 as a Co-founder and the original lead guitarist of Kiss. Guitar World named him in the Top 15 of its “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time” and plugged the lead from “Shock Me” on the “50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time.” Magnifying the imprint of his catalog as a solo artist, Foo Fighters cut a fan-favorite cover of “Ozone,” and he even jammed out “New York Groove” alongside The Roots on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The late Dimebag Darrell of Pantera proudly sported a tattoo of Frehley on his chest, while Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine celebrated him on X/Twitter as “My first guitar hero.”

10,000 Volts upholds an incredible legacy for Frehley, spanning 50-plus years in the limelight. Back in 1978, he delivered his solo debut, Ace Frehley. It reached platinum status and exploded as “the highest-selling of the four Kiss solo albums in the Soundscan era.” Pitchfork even retrospectively rated it a rare “8.5” score. In 1987, he dropped Frehley’s Comet. Following Anomaly in 2009, he went on to make history once again. His 2014 Space Invader LP captured #9 on the Billboard 200 and emerged as “The only solo album by a past or current Kiss member to reach the Top 10 on the chart.” 2016’s Origins Vol. 1, bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart and in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart. He notably maintained his momentum with Spaceman [2018].

Preorder the album here:

Connect with Ace:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok

Gramercy Arms announces new album, shares lead track 'After The After Party'

February 21, 2024

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

NYC-based Gramercy Arms presents 'After the After Party', a wistful, happy-sad power pop gem about chances missed and taken. Following up their 2023 album 'Deleted Scenes', this is the first taste of their fourth album 'The Making Of the Making Of', to be released via Magic Door Record Label.

Gramercy Arms is a revolving collective of musicians and artists, masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole) and producer Ray Ketchem (Elk City, Guided By Voices, Luna).

This single features longtime collaborators Kevin March (Guided by Voices, Shudder to Think, The Dambuilders), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy, the Monsieurs),Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman, Dead Air) and Mike Errico.

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

The video for 'After The After Party', created by Max Skaff, features members Jessie Kilguss, Renée LoBue, Richard Alwyn Fisher, Ray Ketchem, Dave Derby, Sean Eden, Gary Burton, Claudia Chopek, Lysa Opfer, and Phoebe Summersquash set against the backdrop of late-night footage of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

"I had the tune and general structure of the song lying around for a long time. For a long time I had the opening line ‘Do you suppose the door was already closed?” and the general vibe of the song but not much else. The song title and lyrical concept came for me while sitting at a bar in Brooklyn and overhearing a group of people talk about what they were going to do after an afterparty they were attending that night. I thought that that was a great title and general concept to anchor the song around. The song is about two people who’ve been chasing after each other for years but the stars never align until this one fated night where they are chasing after some magic that has been eluding them," says Dave Derby.

"The “somewhere out on along the seven” line in the middle eight came from another overheard comment I wrote in a notebook somewhere. “Where does she live?” “Somewhere out on the 7 … in Queens". I played the guitar solo, thinking it was a placeholder but Ray Ketchem, Kevin March and I fell in love with it and kept it."

Inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70s and ‘80s-era New York City, Gramercy Arms makes addictive indie pop - exquisite hook-laden melodies filled with lyrics that will have you floating back in time and remembering your favorite mistake.

As of February 21, 'After The After Party' will be available across online platforms, such as Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp and elsewhere. 'The Making Of the Making Of' album will be released on April 26 and is now available for pre-order.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Derby (Passive Aggressive Music BMI)
Kevin March - drums
Stephen Hurley - bass
Mike Errico - guitars
Dave Derby - main vocals, guitars
Hilken Mancini - backing vocals
Recorded at the Magic Door Studio, Montclair, NJ
Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Ray Ketchem
Mastered by Greg Calibi and Ray Ketchem
'After The After Party' video by Max Skaff
Dave Derby photos by Debora Francis

NEW MUSIC: Mastiff drop 'Void' single

February 21, 2024

Mastiff drop 'Void,' is the second single from 'Deprecipice,' an intense hybrid of hardcore, punk & metal, the soundtrack to Neurosis, Converge & Cursed battling in a Roman Coliseum.

Guitarist / vocalist James Lee Ross: “Void might not fall in the literal middle of ‘Deprecipice’, but in many ways it acts as a thematic centrepiece, both musically and lyrically. There’s a strong Converge influence in the guitars for sure, and we wanted it to have a ragged, almost punk sound that gradually evolves into this monstrous, lurching breakdown. Dan and Joe (Clayton, producer) then worked on washing the song over with some nasty, unsettling electronic noise that gives it this really queasy vibe.
FIND OUT MORE HERE
SHOP ALL MASTIFF MUSIC + MERCH

FEATURING MEMBERS OF EVANESCENCE, ALICE COOPER AND GRANNY 4 BARREL, KILLINGTON PIT ANNOUNCE NEW COVER SONG 'RIDING ON THE WIND’ OUT NOW

February 21, 2024

As Killington Pit prepare to release their first original material later in 2024 and play their first live shows, the band recently released another of their hugely popular cover songs. On Friday, February 16th the band released a stunning cover of the Judas Priest classic “Riding On the Wind”. The track comes from Priest’s seminal 1982 “Screaming For Vengeance” album and is another perfect showcase for the sound and chemistry of newcomers Killington Pit.

The track features a stunning performance video from the band seen below.

The new cover version follows the bands initial two single releases. Their cover of Accept’s “Balls To The Wall” & Rainbow’s “Kill the King” now have over one and a half million streams on Spotify and hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube.

The members of Killington Pit connected during the pandemic lockdown and began recording together. As time progressed friendships grew and a core band formed with Terry LeRoi, Will Hunt, Troy McLawhorn and Chuck Garric. “Kill The King” also featured veteran guitarist Stef Burns (Alice Cooper/Huey Lewis & The News) and vocalist guitarist Jeff Blando (Slaughter/Lynchmob/Vince Neil).

Will Hunt says, “‘Riding on the Wind’ was always my favorite Priest tune, before Scott Travis, of course. I definitely tried to approach it in a way I thought Scott would play it to give it some modern energy. The fellas and I had a lotta fun with this one!”

Troy McLawhorn comments,“Glenn and KK were my teachers when I was learning to play the guitar. Not literally, but I listened to Priest constantly when I was a kid and spent a lot of hours trying to figure out how to play their songs on the guitar. Judas Priest is one of my all-time favorite bands! It was a lot of fun and a challenge to try to recreate the guitar parts for our rendition of 'Riding on the Wind'. Again, I stuck pretty closely to the original because I respect and honor what they wrote and recorded, and I wanted to do it justice. I’m not trying to re-invent the song. I just wanted to feel the joy of playing it!!!”

Chuck Garric adds, “Ian Hill of Judas Priest is a Bass icon! Thats what you get from a Metal God.”

Terry LeRoi says, “Screaming For Vengeance is one of my all time favorite records. It’s been a huge inspiration for me over the years. 'Riding On The Wind' is the stand out track for me. Rob Halford’s voice is nothing short of amazing on this song and his midrange tones are ear shattering. His singing style and his willingness to pushing vocal limits is unparalleled and has always been my reference point. When Killington Pit started exploring possible songs to cover…this one was at the top of our list. It’s been such an honor to play with Will, Chuck and Troy and a privilege and great joy to pay tribute to Judas Priest!”

LeRoi adds, “Over the coming months we will be releasing our full length covers album with accompanying videos. 2024 will see us playing select shows worldwide and releasing original Killington Pit music. We’re looking forward to sharing this with all of the fans!”

Killington Pit is:
Vocals - Terry LeRoi
Drums - Will Hunt
Guitar - Troy McLawhorn
Bass - Chuck Garric

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
https://killingtonpit.com/

Swedish post-punk trio Then Comes Silence to release ‘Ride or Die’ single. Catch a sneak preview

February 21, 2024

"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

Swedish post-punk outfit Then Comes Silence, has announced they will release their new single, ‘Ride or Die’ on March 1. Ahead of that, they share the teaser for this video, presenting the first taste of their seventh album ‘Trickery’.

The band recently signed to Metropolis Records for the release of this record, which celebrates friendship, unity and belonging to a group - your tribe. The first single, ‘Ride or Die’, which has already reached #3 in Germany's authoritative DAC Charts, will be released on March 1.

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.

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.

As of March 1, 'Ride or Die' will be unleashed digitally everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full 'Trickery' album will be released on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally, on April 5. Kicking off in late April and May, Then Comes Silence will be touring North America extensively with Vision Video.

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
Tour tickets https://linktr.ee/tcsontour

NECROPHOBIC Shares Interview with Cover Artist Jens Rydén, New Song "Grace of the Past" Out Now

February 21, 2024

Swedish blackened death metal masters NECROPHOBIC are now sharing an in-depth chat between the band and photographer/graphic designer Jens Rydén (Thyrfing, ex-

Naglfar, etc.) about the creation of the artwork for 'In the Twilight Grey.' The clip can be found at THIS LOCATION.

This interview also celebrates the recent debut of NECROPHOBIC's latest single, "Grace of the Past," which is heard in the background of the clip and is also now available on all streaming services HERE and can be heard below.

That's not all! NECROPHOBIC is further offering another special treat for fans with a stellar guitar-playthrough of the song "Stormcrow" from axman Sebastian Ramstedt. The play-through can be found HERE.

'In the Twilight Grey' is NECROPHOBIC's upcoming tenth studio album, which is due on March 15, 2023 via Century Media Records!

'In the Twilight Grey' is now available for pre-orders HERE and can be found in the following formats:

Ltd. Deluxe Gatefold combat green 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster incl. 2 bonus tracks (1.000x)

Gatefold black LP

Gatefold dark green LP (300x)

Ltd. CD Mediabook (comes with a special, extended booklet and 2 bonus tracks)

Standard CD Jewelcase

Digital album

Enigmatically titled 'In the Twilight Grey,' NECROPHOBIC’s tenth studio album immediately asserts its separation from everything that has gone before. Colder and more biting than recent efforts, the album is full of brutish metal songs, hewn from unnamed obsidian horrors.

NECROPHOBIC has always been a dynamic and daring band. 'In the Twilight Grey' hammers the Swedish blackened death metal masters' boldness home via some of the most hard-hitting and direct songs they have ever recorded. Equally, the new album is home to several songs that push NECROPHOBIC’s music down strange, new avenues. Fueled by the dark side, lead guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt understands the importance of retaining the essence of the band’s early days, even as the means of expression continues to evolve.

Yet again 'In the Twilight Grey' was produced, mixed and mastered by Fredrik Folkare (of death metal icons Unleashed) at Chrome Studios, Stockholm and engineered in close collaboration by Folkare and the band themselves. For the artwork they teamed up with Jens Rydén, another likeminded and highly regarded institution from the Swedish metal scene.

With over thirty years of active, nefarious service under their spikes and bulletbelts, NECROPHOBIC are undisputed legends of the death and black metal scene. Formed in 1989 by drummer Joakim Sterner, the Stockholm blackhearts propagated a singular and fearless vision from the very start.

Eschewing the self-conscious amateurism and primitive sonics that many of their peers held dear, NECROPHOBIC established a bold and vivid identity of their own, conjuring a densely melodic, but endlessly wicked take on macabre extreme metal that countless lesser bands have since emulated.

You can take a deep dive into their history via the rereleases of their entire back catalogue that Century Media Records made available in 2022 HERE.

Line-Up:

Johan Bergebäck - Rhythm guitar

Joakim Sterner - Drums

Sebastian Ramstedt - Lead guitar

Anders Strokirk - Vocals

Tobias Cristiansson - Bass

Cover Artist + Photos: Jens Rydén

Production, Mixing, Mastering: Fredrik Folkare @ Chrome Studios

Engineering: Fredrik Folkare + Necrophobic

Links:

Dead American Drop "Into Oblivion" Visualizer

February 21, 2024

NEW STUDIO ALBUM COMING 2024

Dead American, a four-piece rock group out of Southern California, have shared the latest single "Into Oblivion."

Watch the visualizer below.

"'Into Oblivion' is a song about the pain of having to restart," says vocalist Cove Reber. "Sometimes life feels like a video game and this song, to me, is like your big brother being a punk and hitting the reset button, then realizing that it was all meaningless to begin with. I hope that this song can connect with people in a way that makes them excited about life's challenges. We all grow a little more with each nightmare."

Last fall, the band shared "ADD." Watch the video here. Stream the track here.

Stay tuned for even more new material from Dead American in 2024.

After two years of touring with acts like The Used, Beartooth, Pierce The Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and others to support their debut album New Nostalgia, Dead American are prepping their sophomore album, produced by Joey Bradford of The Used. The release will double-down on the "new nostalgia" theme with the band pulling from a time even farther back and fundamental to the member's approach to songwriting. "ADD," which is the abbreviation for "attention deficit disorder," serves as the first taste of new music in advance of the band's forthcoming studio album. The new album, the details of which will be revealed in the months ahead, is slated for release in the first half of 2024.

Fresh off two recent North American tours serving as support for The Used, Dead American will be releasing more new music and additional information about their new album in the coming months, as well as a preparing to keep up a rigorous touring schedule throughout 2024.

Dead American debuted in 2018 with the desire to tap into the nostalgic sound of 2000s post-hardcore with their EP The Shape of Punk Is Dumb, a sound they expanded on with their first LP New Nostalgia, which is arrived via Velocity Records in 2022.

BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER Drop Electrifying New Single; "PROOF OF LIFE"

February 21, 2024

New Zealand's most rocking exports, Black Smoke Trigger have today announced the release of their explosive new single "Proof of Life", accompanied by a high-octane music video that captures the band's raw performance energy. Stream the new track HERE and watch the official music video below.

Speaking on the the inspiration behind "Proof of Life", guitarist and band leader, Charlie Wallace shares “This track came together really fast, I was playing around with an alternate tuning I had never written in before and the main riff just arrived in my hands almost instantly. I took it into the jam room with the guys and very soon we had the first demo done. In the studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz, we played around with lots of guitars to find the right tone, and I think we nailed it. Proof Of Life is about how we often hold ourselves ransom in our own mind, and the inner battles a lot of us face on a daily basis without realizing we are in control the whole time. It’s about pushing through and breaking yourself free from things that are holding you back, whatever they may be,"

The music video for "Proof of Life" strips back the frills to showcase what Black Smoke Trigger does best — deliver a fervent and energetic rock performance. "For the music video, we wanted it to be a raw and energetic performance of the song, it was a lot of fun to film as all we did was get in the weird room we created to set the vibe and go hard,” Wallace continues, emphasizing the pure adrenaline rush the video conveys.

As Black Smoke Trigger prepares to hit the road with Filter and Bruce Dickinson, "Proof of Life" sets the perfect tone for what fans can expect from their live shows — an unbridled celebration of rock that's both cathartic and liberating.

Black Smoke Trigger continues to ride the high of their dynamic rock, anchored by the distinctive guitar work of Wallace and the commanding vocals of Baldrick combined with their pummelling rhythm section courtesy of bassist Dan Fulton, and drummer Josh Te Maro. Fast becoming known for not only churning out certified 10/10, arena ready rock bangers, Black Smoke Trigger are also quickly garnering a reputation for creating incendiary and often death defying music videos.

“Proof of Life” follows the release of their previous singles, "Perfect Torture" and “The Way Down”, the video for which saw the band perform atop the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere whilst Wallace jumped off the edge, shredding a guitar solo whilst plummeting 630ft and has clocked up over 1.3 million views on YouTube. Prior to that, the band put out track “Caught In The Undertow”, the video for which was also a feat of extreme conditions. Filmed at Muriwai beach in Auckland, New Zealand and at a helicopter crash testing facility in a 3.6M deep pool, the whole band performed much of the song underwater creating a stunning visual that has clocked up 3.2 million Youtube views and highlighting the band’s dedication to creating unforgettable visual accompaniments for their hard-hitting rock anthems.

Black Smoke Trigger will be supporting Filter on the Australia and New Zealand leg of their Algorithm World Tour this April and will be hitting the road to support Bruce Dickinson in the UK this May. For full dates and tickets head to www.blacksmoketrigger.com

With their debut, full length album set for release this May, the horizon shines bright for these Kiwi rock trailblazers. Stay tuned for much more to come.

ABOUT BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER

Black Smoke Trigger are led by Wallace (creator of the hugely successful Guitar Mastery Method) whose insane talent provides everything from delicate melodic motifs to face-melting shred solos and stadium-conquering riffs. They are fronted by incendiary vocalist Baldrick, whose impressive vocal abilities provide that indefinable, timeless rock n roll soul to the Black Smoke Trigger sound. Bassist Dan Fulton, and drummer Josh Te Maro round out the line-up, joining forces to create a powerhouse rhythmic backbone and one of the most bombastic and inventive rhythm sections of recent years.

With a rapidly growing fanbase, millions of streams, a reputation for raucous live shows and irrepressibly fearless approach to their craft, Black Smoke Trigger are poised to be the biggest and most thrilling entity to come from New Zealand since the Lord of The Rings movies. Just with more rock n roll and less hobbits.

DOSE OF ADOLESCENCE Announce Signing To XOVR Records, Seminal Album 'Memories Attack' Available on Streaming Platforms For The First Time

February 21, 2024

Los Angeles, CA – XOVR Records is proud to announce the reissue of the acclaimed 2009 album 'Memories Attack' by their latest signing, Dose of Adolescence. The album, out of print since 2010 and never before available on streaming platforms, is set to reconnect fans with the band's vibrant legacy. The reissue is highlighted by the release of the focus track "I'm Rad, You're Rad, It's Been Fun", a song that earned a nomination for Best Rock/Hard Rock Song at the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards in 2010. Stream the album HERE and watch the accompanying visualizer below.

Speaking on their exciting new partnership, Dose of Adolescence vocalist Jimmy Brown shares "Signing to XOVR records for us has been such a huge blessing. When we stopped touring a few years ago, we thought music was over for us. To get this opportunity again is truly amazing. We are beyond excited about the new album and really feel like this is the best music we have ever created. It's also been awesome to work with XOVR on some of our back catalog including our album Memories Attack. So much of our early music was never on streaming platforms and was just lost to the dustbins of history. Breathing life back into these releases is really incredible."

Brian 'Head' Welch, co-founder of XOVR Records, sat down to interview Dose of Adolescence, discussing their journey and the anticipation for their forthcoming music. Watch the full interview HERE. Speaking on his latest signing, he shares "Announcing Dose of Adolescence as the second release on XOVR Records gets me fired up and feels like the right move for the label. DOA is very different from Spoken, the first band we signed, but similarly, they are excellent at what they do and have a great story. As we re-release much of the band's back catalog this year, it’s such a rare opportunity to share a band's history while setting up a new album — and THIS new music is what really got me wanting to work with DOA! It’s a great blend of genres that I found unique and compelling. I wanted to give it a vehicle for more people to hear and I believe that as people discover or reconnect with the band's music, they will also get excited to hear what’s next for DOA! I am glad XOVR gets to be a part of that process."

Dose of Adolescence's 'Memories Attack' and the single "I'm Rad, You're Rad, It's Been Fun" are available now for streaming. Fans can look forward to the re-release of the band's back catalog over the coming months, leading up to a brand new album in the fall.

VLTIMAS Bow to No One on New Single

February 21, 2024

No one can challenge VLTIMAS. The unholy trinity of David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), Rune Eriksen (ex-Mayhem) and Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy) have ruled the underground with a metallic fist for more than 30 years.

Their new album ascends to truly epic heights. On the album's third single, VLTIMAS issue a thunderous proclamation that they'll never bow down to anyone.

Listen to "Invictus" below.

EPIC comes out March 15, 2024.

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/VLTIMASEPIC

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

"Invictus" is nothing short of a grand coronation. Flo comes pounding out of the gate before a string of blast beats unfurls with the impressive ease of a king's scroll.

"Once in a blue moon comes a man of great conviction / Making his presence boisterously known".

David issues that edict with a familiar snarl, but his time blessing the sick has only sharpened his delivery. On EPIC, he's brandishing a new style of death metal vocals. Heck, you can actually understand what he's saying, which only proves how VLTIMAS thrive on pushing the boundaries of extreme metal.

Sure, Rune's tremolo picking is cleaner, faster and more cold-blooded than ever. But "Invictus" shows off the truly blasphemous extent of his axe-wielding powers. Led by a headstrong riff, the song furiously charges to the finish line, only to end with pangs of eerie, melodic dissonance.

On EPIC's third single, VLTIMAS leave everybody in their wake.

Praise for VLTIMAS

"VLTIMAS do not disappoint. Listeners should glean hours of entertainment from the massive talent on hand" - Angry Metal Guy

"Vital and unapologetic...subverts expectations in the best possible way" - Decibel

"A masterclass in showcasing what the more extreme end of death metal can offer" - New Noise

"Brutal, intense and inarguably authentic death metal" - Blabbermouth

"A rare, artistic symbiosis and a potent, imperious vision" - Metal Hammer

To properly coronate the arrival of EPIC, VLTIMAS are touring Europe this March.

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

Upgrade to VIP and get a copy of the new album, a custom patch and your photo taken with the band!
VIP: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/vltimas-vip

Extreme metal powerhouse VLTIMAS (pronounced 'uhl-tuh-mas') assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, EPIC, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, RUÏM), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, VLTIMAS fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles "Miserere," "Scorcher," and "Invictus" showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness.

"We wrote every bit of EPIC together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas," offers Vincent. "The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I'd say to the guys, 'I need to capture this.' So, the magic [of VLTIMAS] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we're doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie."

While the members of VLTIMAS are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they're together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he's got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it's the moody, angular attack of "Miserere," the wicked groove of "Mephisto Manifesto," or the dark fury of "Nature's Fangs," the chemistry and enterprise of VLTIMAS is undeniable.

"The main goal [of VLTIMAS] is to be real," Eriksen reveals. "To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don't believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For EPIC, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and 'playful' flair."

VLTIMAS was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian's fingers still itched with infernal fury. VLTIMAS was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, VLTIMAS had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, EPICspears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent's brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.

"Everything we're doing and messaging is about strength and honor," says Vincent. "These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they'll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn't say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I'm not a short attention span guy, and I don't appreciate it. EPIC is holistic and meant to be experienced that way."

EPIC was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. VLTIMAS tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—EPICwas captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer "Spoils of War," EPIC is an absolute beast.

"Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode," Eriksen says of the sessions. "We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there's always another idea popping up."

VLTIMAS brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize EPIC. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the "impossible triangle," projects effortlessly. In EPIC, the group will dominate. There's no escape from "Miserere," "Mephisto Manifesto," "Scorcher," and "Invictus." Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, VLTIMAS into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.

"[EPIC is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal," offers Eriksen. "All combined into one album."

"I want to be as emotional and honest [with VLTIMAS]," Vincent adds. "I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. EPIC is strength."

Lineup
David Vincent - Vocals
Rune Blasphemer Eriksen - Guitars
Flo Mounier - Drums
Ype TVS - Bass
João Duarte - Guitars

Recording studio
ARDA Recorders

Producer
Jamie Gomez Arellano

Sound engineer
Jonathan Mazzeo

Mixing and mastering engineer
Jaime Gomez Arellano

Mixing and mastering studio
Arda Recorders, Orgone Studio

Cover art
Daniele Valeriani

Additional artwork and layout
Adrien Bousson

Biography
Chris Dick

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

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/VLTIMASEPIC

Links:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vltimas/1445457453
Bandcamp: https://vltimas.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vltimas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vltimas/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kz64zyv2xtkdhboztpdwa
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vltimas?lang=en

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Skull Gold
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Dracula
12" Picture Vinyl

Young Guns Publishing Signs Josh Jenkins

February 20, 2024

Young Guns Publishing has signed a world-wide exclusive publishing deal with SESAC Songwriter of the Year and CMA Song of the Year award winner Josh Jenkins.

A Nashville based singer/songwriter, Jenkins co-wrote the viral, RIAA 6x Platinum certified smash hit “Fancy Like,” recorded by Walker Hayes, which spent more than 10 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, reached Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and ruled every Country sales and streaming chart for several weeks. It has been used in a national Applebee’s campaign, featuring the TikTok dance that helped it reach viral status.

He is also a co-writer on the 2022 CMA Song of the Year “Buy Dirt” performed by Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan and is a co-writer on Davis’ current single “Tucson Too Late.” His songs have been recorded by additional artists, such as Jake Owen, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser and more. These successes contributed to Jenkins being named the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songwriter for multiple weeks straight.

Jenkins is the lead singer of the band Green River Ordinance with several records topping the Billboard Heatseekers chart throughout his 15-year tenure in GRO, along with many songs placed in TV/film.

“We are beyond grateful to welcome Josh Jenkins to Young Guns Publishing,” shares Laura Alexander, Young Guns Publishing SVP, Creative. “Josh is a songwriter I have admired since meeting him nearly 10 years ago. Josh is respected and admired for being a family man, a champion of fellow writers and a true friend to so many in our community. In a lot of ways, it’s his quality relationships that lend to him writing such meaningful, relatable songs. Will, myself and the entire Young Guns family cannot wait to hear the music to come, and we’re thankful we get to watch Josh continue to build on the incredible successes he’s already achieved.”

“I’m grateful to get to join Laura, Will and the entire crew at Young Guns Publishing,” shares Jenkins. “I love the songs coming out of this place and can’t wait to continue my songwriting journey with them.”

Founded in 2011, Young Guns Publishing has been active in the music scene for over 13 years and has established their footprint within the Country music space and continue to grow with staff songwriters including GRAMMY Country Song of the Year winner Ben Stennis, chart-topping writer Jared Mullins and SESAC Songwriter of the Year Michael Tyler, in partnership with CTM Outlander.

For more information, visit YoungGunsPublishing.com or follow on Instagram @YoungGunsPub.