OPETH Announces Postponement of New Album, 'The Last Will and Testament,' Due on November 22, 2024

Swedish prog legends OPETH announce that the release of their 14th studio album, 'The Last Will & Testament,' has been postponed to November 22, 2024 due to unforeseen delays in the manufacturing process.

OPETH’s frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt comments: 

"We strive to deliver the highest quality product possible, and to achieve that, we need a bit more time to ensure the final release meets our standards. We understand this may come as a disappointment, but we sincerely appreciate your patience and continued support. We can't wait to share this new music with you, and we are confident it will be worth the wait.

Following the critical acclaim of their first single "§1", the band just released second single "§3" - Listen Below.

Pre-Order ‘The Last Will & Testament’: HERE

Opeth's fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). ‘The Last Will & Testament’ was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on ‘The Last Will & Testament’ were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4", and "§7". Joining Anderson, Europe's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2”, while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".

‘The Last Will & Testament ‘is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth's finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story—this time with growls.

In addition, OPETH will be celebrating the release of 'The Last Will and Testament' with headlining tours in North America, the UK, and Europe! The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are now on sale HERE.

GET TICKETS HERE

OPETH North American Tour Dates (w/ TRIBULATION):

10/11: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club

10/12: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater & Ballroom

10/14: Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

10/15: Montréal, QC @ L’Olympia

10/16: Worcester, MA @ Palladium

10/18: Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre

10/19: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

10/20: Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre

10/22: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

10/23: New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans

10/24: Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin

10/25: Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre

10/27: Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom

10/29: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

10/30: Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater

10/31: San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

Lineup:

Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars

Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals

Martin Mendez – Bass guitar

Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion

Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals

Special Guests:

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) // flute (tracks 4, 7)

Joey Tempest (Europe) - backing vocals (track 2)

Mirjam Åkerfeldt - spoken word (track 1)

All Music and Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt

Lyrical concept by Mikael Åkerfeldt, dramatic consultation by Klara Rönnqvist Fors

Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt

Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman

Engineered by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth

Mixing by Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden

Mastering and vinyl lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studios, London, UK

Strings conducted by Dave Stewart at Angel Studios, London, UK

Strings arrangement by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart

Drum technicalities by Kit Cunningham

Artwork by Travis Smith with directions from Mikael Åkerfeldt

Biography by Dom Lawson

About Reigning Phoenix Music

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. But most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success!

More on RPM:

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VOLA Release New Track "Cannibal" featuring Anders Fridén of In Flames (via Mascot Records)

Today, VOLA revealed their pulverizing new single, "Cannibal," which features In Flames’ Anders Fridén on vocals. The song is taken from their upcoming album, 'Friend Of A Phantom,' which will be released on November 1 via Mascot Records. You can watch the official video below, which also features Anders Fridén.

Talking about the song, the band says, "VOLA's music is heavily shaped by melodic death metal, so having Anders Fridén from the legendary In Flames featured on 'Cannibal' is a dream come true for us. We feel truly fortunate and are enormously proud of the result."

Anders Fridén explains how he got involved with the song, saying, "I have been a fan of VOLA since their first album. They are constantly evolving and, to me, are one of the most interesting bands out right now." He continues, "During the recording of our last album, I had the opportunity to meet the band and witness an incredible show at The Troubadour in LA. Cut to a few months later, I was approached if I would be interested in being on a song for their next album. It was a yes without hesitation. It's an honor to be part of this monster of a song. Bang your head if you know what's good for you!"

VOLA elaborated on how the collaboration and song came about: "When we toured North America in the fall of 2023, Anders and Björnfrom In Flames attended our concert at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. They came backstage before the show to chat with us, and it turned out they were big fans of the band. Quite a surreal experience, given that In Flames have played a huge part in forming our musical DNA. When we came home from the tour, we dug deep into recording 'Friend Of A Phantom', and during that process, we began discussing whether "Cannibal" would benefit from having guest vocals. We all agreed that having some really powerful screams in there would elevate the song, and having just created a bond with Anders meant that it was the easiest decision in the world to ask him if he wanted to be a part of the track. Anders quickly said yes to participate, and eventually, he both recorded vocals and came to Denmark to shoot the video with us. We were thrilled, to say the least!"

The song marries the euphoric and epic but complex and crushing sound that has become distinctively VOLA with a visually stunning video to accompany the song. "Working with Vertigo and Riivata Visuals on the music video was incredible,” they add. “We filmed the video in a gigantic hall in Denmark, with plenty of big lights and lasers, including a large triangle light at the back of the hall. To top it all off, Anders came to Denmark to join us and be part of the video. It was a fantastic experience, and the footage captured the heavy side of VOLA in its essence."

They have already released three singles from the album. "Paper Wolf" sees an old-school metal atmosphere creep into their blend of sounds. "Break My Lying Tongue" offers a deep dive into themes of misalignment and emotional vulnerability, whereas the most recent single, “I Don't Know How We Got Here”, interweaves stories about tragic events in society with a story about a relationship slowly dying out. "It seeks to portray the feeling of disbelief that follows when something valuable vanishes right in front of us," explains Asger Mygind.

It has been three years since the release of VOLA's defining album, 'Witness.' They've since wrapped up two tours of the US with several venues upgraded due to overwhelming demand, as well as sold-out shows in New York, L.A., and Chicago. Their first tour of Canada resulted in sold-out shows in Toronto and Montreal, and they rounded off the continent with triumphant South American shows in Mexico, Brazil, and a sold-out show in Chile. The Danish-Swedish quartet - Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass), and Adam Janzi (drums) - are now to set free their fourth studio album. Their strength has always been combining a multitude of ideas within a single song, packing it in with a grandiose power that can be as ferocious as it can be delicate.

Adam Ezra Group- RAMBLE RAISES OVER 150K FOR VETERANS!!!

It’s an incredible number, and one that will have a significant impact that will be felt throughout the Northeast.  It could not have happened without an entire community coming together, giving selflessly, working tirelessly, and above all, believing in the power of grassroots communities to shape the world around us.

Thank you, Ramblers.  Because of you, through The New England Center and Home for Veterans, we will be helping 151 veterans off the streets and into safe and dignified housing!

Want to get involved in next year’s Ramble 16? 

Click here to email us to become a volunteer

Want to make sure you have a spot on The Mountain reserved for next year? 

Visit our donate-what-you-can ticket page

Want to contribute to our efforts as we begin the work to grow The Ramble in 2025? 

Donate Here

Adam Ezra Group Tour:

Lots to announce in the coming weeks, so get ready! 

OCTOBER IN THE NORTHEAST!

We will be hitting the studio pretty hard this fall, starting at the end of September, but still sneaking away for a handful of shows.  Come visit us!

Oct 4: Shirley, MA – The Bull Run

Oct 5: East Greenwich, RI – Greenwich Odeum

Oct 13: Goshen, CT – Black Bear Festival

Oct 18: Concord, NH – Concord Sound & Color: Music & Arts Festival
 

THE NOVEMBER MIDWEST TOUR STARTING IN VERMONT!

Come out and join us on the road!!

Nov 8: Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

Nov 9: Syracuse, NY – Funk n’ Waffles

Nov 13: Columbus, OH – Natalie's Grandview

Nov 14: Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 16: Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 17: Indianapolis, IN – Butler Arts & Events Center with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 19: Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 20: Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 21: Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue & 7th Street Entry with Special Guest Josh Joplin

Nov 22: Cedar Rapids, IA – CSPS Hall with Special Guest Josh Joplin

SOME FUN STUFF COMING UP IN DECEMBER!!

Dec 8: Fairport, NY – Iron Smoke Distillery – Double Header!

We will be hosting our own little double-header holiday party at one of our favorite spots, Iron Smoke, with our friends Mike Powell, as well as David Miller & The Other Sinners!  We’ll also be supporting our friends at The Fairport Music Festival, helping them to raise a little money for the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.  

Tickets On Sale Now!
 

Dec 20: Waldoboro, ME – The Waldo Theatre

Dec 21: Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center

Dec 26-31: THE DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY HOLIDAY GATHERING TOUR with Sirsy!!

Get ready to hit the road with us again, as we bring in the new year with some serious dysfunction at some of our favorite venues across the Northeast…we are officially announcing soon, so be ready to jump on tickets!

More shows popping up all the time, so check in with us on our tour page!

Visit Our Tour Page

EXTREME Share "Save Me" Video

"Save Me" is the impressive ninth video from EXTREME's album SIX, released in June of 2023 on earMUSIC. If first single and video "Rise" was a reminder of EXTREME's power and precision and the latest "Beautiful Girls" a relaxed summer jam, "Save Me" reveals yet another facet of the band's depth and the album's diversity.

SIX finds the band on a creative roll and having produced an astounding nine videos from the album, there's no sign of them slowing down.

Watch the video below.

Directed by SIMPLEXITY PICTURES who have done all the SIX music videos this far ... the dynamic duo, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and Rene Rigal.

"This video was shot with a very claustrophobic feel to show the raw emotion of the heavy subject matter of the song," says Bettencourt.

"It was important to shoot like this to create a lack of oxygen in black void as if 'we' are the voices in your heads... in our own heads, to visually put across the psychological battle of whispers and screams we have all dealt with in coping with life's challenges"

Gary Cherone's schizophrenic vocal in the verses is the dark narrator in our heads taunting and pushing us to a dangerous edge: "Save me from myself / save me from this hell..." is our voice that is screaming in our heads but often painfully silent on the outside.

Nuno further explains, "The viewer sometimes can't tell where one face ends and the other begins. Like we are small pieces of a human jigsaw puzzle... with one rule... that we will never see the full finished puzzle." Of our full selves.

Reaching a crescendo with Nuno's stinging solo, the video ultimately ends in a dark place, but as Nuno and Gary intended...it is a song of hope...in a dark reality.

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There is always someone to call when all seems hopeless."

STREAM SIX HERE.

Elle King Takes the "High Road" with New Song, Out Friday

On Friday Sept. 20, multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Elle King will release her new song, “High Road,” exploring life's contradictions, choices and the hazy journey to self-realization. Pre-save/pre-add the song here.
 
‘“High Road’ is a nod to the classic country that I've loved,” said King. “When I come out on the stage of life, I want to be my truest and utmost self, and I want to release music that makes me happy, that I love to sing and music that acknowledges the things that have inspired me, like Willie Nelson and Highwaymen. I wrote this song last year and it's funny how the lyrics have played out over this year.”
 
Known for her candid lyricism and genre-blending style, King, who wrote the song with her longtime bassist and bandleader Paul Dominck DeVincenzo, has always found a way to turn personal experiences into universally relatable songs. 
 
With smash hits like “Drunk (and I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert, “America’s Sweetheart,” and Ex’s & Oh’s,” King has amassed a loyal following of fans who appreciate music that cuts to the core of the human experience while still managing to keep things light.
 
Look for King to perform the song live on her Baby Daddy’s Weekend Tour, which kicked off last month in Biloxi, Mississippi, and will wrap Nov. 17 in Evansville, Indiana. This weekend, she has shows in Newkirk, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 20; at Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth on Saturday, Sept. 21; and Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday, Sept. 22. Elle is joined on tour with rising Warner Music Nashville duo, The Band Loula.

Baby Daddy’s Weekend Tour Dates:
Sept. 20     Newkirk, OH              
Sept. 21     Ft. Worth, TX
Sept. 22     Tulsa, OK                   
Sept. 27     Rochester, NY            
Sept. 28     Pittsburgh, PA             
Sept. 29     St. Louis, MO*%
Sept. 3      Atlanta, GA                
Oct. 4       New Haven, KY         
Oct. 5       Cincinnati, OH            
Oct. 10     Huntington, NY+
Oct. 11     Silver Spring, MD+
Oct. 12     Sayerville, NJ+
Oct. 18     Sacramento, CA*%
Oct. 19     Indio, CA*&
Oct. 24     Orlando, FL
Oct. 25     Tampa, FL                  
Oct. 26     Immokalee, FL           
Nov. 7      Detroit, MI                  
Nov. 8      Cleveland, OH                        
Nov. 9      Hammond, IN             
Nov. 15    Grand Rapids, MI       
Nov. 16    Bowler, WI  
Nov. 17    Evansville, IN              
 
The Band Loula supports all dates unless denoted
+          Kendell Marvell supports
%         Festival date, no support or VIP
&         No support

About Elle King:
Multi-genre singer-songwriter Elle King is the first female artist in history to have scored radio No. 1 singles on four different formats, including Adult Pop Songs, Adult Alternative Songs, Alternative Songs, and Country Airplay charts. Her debut, 4x platinum-certified single “Ex’s & Oh’s,” earned her two GRAMMY nominations, and her award-winning “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert has nearly 300 million worldwide streams.

THE SPEED OF SOUND unveils 'Apocalypse Acropolis' from 'Victory' album. 'A Cornucopia' trilogy marks the band's 35-year anniversary

"Buzzing fuzz guitar lines emerge from a delicate acoustic introduction to intersect with the crashing chords and the ‘bulbous pulsing’ rhythm section" ~ Record Collector Magazine

"it’s clear that the sonic kaleidoscope presented on The Speed of Sound’s new album is worth the wait - a musical compass in a direction we should all explore" ~ The Spill Magazine

“Unmistakeable sound a winning formula” ~ The Big Takeover

“A triumph of industry, imagination and talent, coolly novel and damned addictive” ~ Louder Than War

‘Unique and other worldly” ~ Vive Le Rock

“A form of Art-Pop that is wry, incisive, yet a deeply listenable examination of post industrial culture” ~ Rock At Night

"A riotous maelstrom of musical mayhem” ~ The Manc Review

Manchester indie rock / power pop outfit The Speed Of Sound present their new single 'Apocalypse Acropolis', a thoughtful chapter of the album 'A Cornucopia: Victory'. Released via Big Stir Records, 'Victory' is the second of the three-album set 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty'. They also recently shared several tasters, including 'Underground' and 'The Same River'.  

Grounded yet trippy, this song brings a sobering view of the future. A 12-string picking pattern gives way to elevated vocals and overdrive, all while surveying a dead civilisation of industrial ruins and artefacts overtaken by nature, reclaiming the crumbling walls and empty windows of once self-important commercial buildings. All the workplace stress and crushing pressure of deadlines amounted to nothing. Industrial decay merges, becoming inseparable from the ruins of war which drives so much of that trade.

Full of ambition, energy and melodic brilliance, this three-album deluxe edition is available on vinyl and CD. Accompanying the earlier-released 'Minerva' album, The Speed of Sound shared videos for the hauntingly spacious 'Trickledown', the stratospherically vast 'The Great Acceleration', the uplifting 'Mind Palace' and 'West Wind', where a recklessly fast rhythm merges with a Wagnerian horn section.

Formed in 1989 with a pre-history dating back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987, the band is now made up of father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums). 

Their music has always been idiosyncratic and counter-intuitive, in search of something new. Creating music with lyrical bite, expanding their foundation of 1960s, punk and new wave influences, their dynamic and stylistic variation crossing borders and pushing boundaries at every opportunity. 

Following 2021's critically acclaimed album 'Museum Of Tomorrow', the band returns triumphant, defiant and redemptive with this trilogy, marking their 35th anniversary. Most music is never even recorded, and most recorded music remains unheard. 'Victory' is a celebration of this unheard underground music and the counterculture itself - music made for the pleasure of making it. 

'Victory' includes 14 wide-ranging pieces of unheard and highly contagious fresh and unexpectedly shape-shifting grooves. From the supremely danceable 'Underground'through the unabashed sensuality of 'Monsoon' to the gothic lounge jazz of 'Permafrost' and the strangely linked pairing of 'Apocalypse Acropolis' and 'Apocalypse Metropolis', they offer something special here.

From the hypnotic orange-and-sandalwood scented wisps of masala rock in 'Rock Paper Scissors', acoustic powered spaceflight 'in From The Cradle To The Stars' and the reckless garage punk punch of 'Go For It', it becomes clear. There is the data scraping warning of 'X-Y Axis', the post-nostalgia of 'The Same River',and swaggering rock with a pinch of Brazilian sway in 'A Walk By The Sea', while 'E to F' displays glam rock tendencies and a pinball metaphor before the soaring harmonies of 'Empathic Reaction' and ending with the triumphant shimmering elegance of 'Tranquility Falls'.

As of September 20, the 'Victory' album' is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where 'Minerva' and the full trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' can also be obtained on CD or vinyl. The third album - 'Bounty' - shall be released at a later date. 

CREDITS
All songs written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Bob Dinn - trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Guest - harmonium, vibraphone, organ, shakers, tambourine
Alex Armstrong - typewriter on 'Yet Another Tuesday'
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Vibratone Sound Studio in Manchester by Chris Guest, Adam Crossley and The Speed of Sound
Main sleeve image: Purple Spaceman © Lina Landers 2022
Artist photographs by Shay Rowan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with The Speed Of Sound
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Mastadon | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Big Stir Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | YouTube

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

Smartpunk Records Drops Roses Are Red "Conversations" 20th Anniversary Vinyl Re-Issue

Roses Are Red's iconic emo/melodic rock album Conversations was first released on September 21, 2004. Two decades later, the band is celebrating the milestone with three vinyl variants re-released via Smartpunk Records.

It is available on vinyl for the first time via Smartpunk Records here.

During the era of its original release, the band took the emo scene by storm on the Vans Warped Tour in 2004 and 2005, the Take Action Tour in 2006, on tours with My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, and Hawthorne Heights, and in features with Alternative Press, Revolver, Outburn, and more. 

This pressing includes the band’s cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "Cherub Rock" and a demo version of "Time Signals Progress." The band will also be performing a special "20 Years of Conversations" show on September 21, 2024 in Rochester, NY. The band’s second album What Became of Me has also been pressed to vinyl for the first time, and will be available September 21.

Roses Are Red is actively releasing new music in 2024 with their first release in 18 years, with "Memento" embodying the modern nostalgia of the elder emos.

Listen to "Memento" below.

When asked about the anniversary release, vocalist Vincent Minervino says,"Revisiting Conversations and the scene around it feels like reconnecting with an old flame. We all have those butterflies in our stomach, just like seeing a DM request from your first love. The entire experience means so much to us, and we couldn't have been more thrilled when Smartpunk approached us about a vinyl pressing to celebrate the 20th anniversary. We can't wait to play the songs again on stage with our old friends, and we are super excited for this new chapter of the band."

ABOUT ROSES ARE RED:
Blurring the line between aggressive melodic rock and hook-driven emo, Roses Are Red came together in late 2002 in Rochester, NY. Claiming influences ranging from Jimmy Eat World to Def Leppard, the quintet debuted in 2003 with the ten-song Handshakes and Heartbreaks on Enterprise Records. Touring behind Handshakes, the band caught the attention of Trustkill Records, signed in early 2004 and entered the studio that summer with Chris Badami (The Starting Line, The Early November). A stint on the summer's Warped Tour preceded the arrival of their label debut, Conversations, that September. Roses Are Red stayed on the road, hitting Europe with Underoath and Silverstein, and returning to the U.S. for 2005's Warped. Sharing stages over time with bands like My Chemical Romance, Story of the Year, and Bullet For My Valentine helped their fan base grow even further. Working with Brian McTernan (Thrice, Circa Survive), the band's next effort, What Became of Me was released in June 2006 as one of Alternative Press's "Most Anticipated" that year. The band participated in the Take Action Tour 2006 alongside Matchbook Romance, The Early November, and Chiodos. In 2024, the band reformed after a 17-year hiatus to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Conversations and released brand new track "Memento."

ABOUT SMARTPUNK RECORDS:
Smartpunk has been a recognizable name in the scene for a long time (Remember that sponsored Warped Tour stage?!). After exchanging several hands and countless ideas of what it could and should be, they decided to start a record label in 2016 with the main idea of focusing solely on reissuing records that have been out of print or never on vinyl. After all, they're a label of vinyl dorks themselves! After releasing Set Your Goals' Mutiny and Gameface's Good, they started to venture into signing newer bands. They actively balance in between many worlds — putting out amazing music from friends and bands that rock, reissuing older titles, and partnering with other incredible labels in our scene and doing exclusive color variants of their releases.

"Since forming the record label, Smartpunk Records has released timeless albums such as Less Than Jake's Anthem, Nominee's Lowlife, RIVALS' Sad Looks Pretty on Me, Virginity's POPMORTEM, and melodic skate punkers The Swellers' My Everest.

A little something for ALL of your senses... The Young Fables

We want to SPOIL your SENSES!

Al
"All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

LAUREL:
We want to spoil your senses this month with OUR truth.

FIRST YOUR EARS: This Friday, we'll be releasing our newest single "Good At Hurtin'". This song is a special one to Wes and I. We believe it will be quite relatable to anyone who has ever had to struggle with anything in their life. We'd love for you to PRESAVE it, so you can be the first to hear it!

PRESAVE "Good At Hurtin"

WES:
NEXT UP IS YOUR EYES: Laurel and I will be performing the most elaborate show we have ever played on October 20th, at The Basement East in Nashville, TN. We'll be performing with a FULL BAND, complete with backup singers, special guests, and surprises. There will even be some interactive moments that will take care of your TASTE, TOUCH and... well....we hope we will SMELL good, too. We are BOTH planning on taking a shower before this one.

Please join us for this important show.

TICKETS

Just in case you wanted to come see us at another show to warm yourself up for the Record Release, here is our remaining Tour Schedule for the Fall of 2024.

MORE INFO

Pop Evil announce U.S. tour with Bad Wolves

Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL return with the new single "What Remains."

It's the dawn of a new era for Pop Evil, which the band promises will be its most sonically heavy.

You've been warned, because the track, with its thunderous riffs and rhythmic thrust, fulfills that promise.

 Watch the lyric video for the song, which was produced by Wage War's Cody Quistad Below.

Kakaty continues, "We are also proud to officially announce the newest member of the Pop Evil lineup — Blake Allison." Allison is replacing departed member Hayley Cramer on drums, joining Kakaty and fellow bandmates, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, and bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser.  

Pop Evil has recently announced its Fall 2024 tour plans. The band will embark on "The Animal Instinct Tour," which is a co-headline run with Bad Wolves. Sierra Pilot and Oni will serve as support. The trek kicks off October 30 in Jacksonville, North Carolina and runs through November 30 in Lexington, Kentucky.

SELL ALL POP EVIL TOUR DATES HERE

SWOLLEN TEETH Unleash Emotionally Charged New Single "Family"

Emerging metal force Swollen Teeth have returned with their brand new single, "Family," (out now via Blowed Out Records) marking a bold new chapter following their explosive 2021 debut, their self-titled EP. Once again produced by Slipknot's Sid Wilson and legendary producer Ross Robinson, "Family" continues the band's trajectory of pushing boundaries within the heavy music landscape. Listen to "Family" here and watch the official music video below.

"New flowers bloom only once the wilted return to soil. This is our way of saying WELCOME to the world. FAMILY," Swollen Teeth shares, encapsulating the essence of their new release—a powerful anthem of unity, rebirth, and the strength found in embracing one's chosen family. The single carries forward the intensity of their debut, offering a cathartic experience for listeners and reinforcing the band's message of creating a space for those who feel cast aside.

Sid Wilson, who has been a guiding force in the band's sound adds, "Swollen Teeth, horns down movement. A safe space created to express and shed your feelings, and become a new, better version of yourself for your Family."

With Ross Robinson, expressing his admiration for the band, stating, “‘Family’ showcases the incredible empathy these guys possess. Their main concern is to be a place of safety and home for the ones who are or just feel thrown away. ST is a killer band with an amazing reason for ripping sick jams, I love that so much!”

Swollen Teeth burst onto the scene in 2021 with their self-titled EP, a visceral blend of brutality and raw emotion that garnered praise from heavy music outlets and fans alike. Singles "EMPTY", "LETHAL" "CAR CRASH" and "SWOLLENTEETH" showcased their unpredictable, frenetic energy, which Revolver Magazine described as "brutal as hell." with Metal Hammer enthusing that "there’s an air of grotesque nu metal nastiness that feels like a re-vamped take on the misanthropic nihilism of Iowa’s finest." and Kerrang! musing "What's really heavy, masked, mysterious, sounds like it was made by complete lunatics, and involves Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson and producer Ross Robinson?." "Family" builds on the foundations laid by their 2021 EP, bringing forth a sound that is both more refined and more intense. The track captures Swollen Teeth's unique blend of aggressive riffs, gut-wrenching vocals, and atmospheric elements, creating a soundscape that is as haunting as it is empowering. With "Family," Swollen Teeth invite listeners to join their journey, offering a sanctuary where raw emotion and collective strength thrive.

Swollen Teeth will take the stage at Knotfest Iowa this weekend, bringing the ferocity of "Family" to life in a performance that promises to be as unforgettable as their studio work. Fans can expect a high-octane show that captures the band's ethos of unity and raw power. Information and tickets are available HERE.

ABOUT SWOLLEN TEETH

The sound, the look, the atmosphere, the lore. Swollen Teeth are as much a ritual as a performance, summoning primal ferocity in clouds of intrigue with a thundering rumble. Each musical outburst arrives shrouded in mystery, enveloped by a sense of dread, with passion and purpose. Heavy percussion, riffs, punk gang chants, dive bombs, turntables, breakdowns, shrieks, guttural screams, and powerfully unashamed anthemic melodies coalesce in Swollen Teeth. The collective absorbs the raw intensity of the most potent subculture and spits it back with a determined uniqueness. They’ve spent countless hours in the lab, lobbing out occasional missives online like Molotov cocktails. Each of the scattered, chopped up, and explosive clips unleashed to the world, culled from a handful of shadowy live appearances, built anticipation for the group’s inevitable ascension. They travel in our dimension but are not of it. This is otherworldly chaos without apology. /W\

ABOUT BLOWED OUT RECORDS

Ross Robinson (Korn, The Cure, Slipknot, Glassjaw, At The Drive In and countless others..) artist Ghostemane and Bill Armstrong(SideOneDummy) have joined forces to create a new record label called Blowed Out Records. As veterans of the music industry, they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table and have set out to discover and promote new talent together. The label's first release, "Swollen Teeth," is a hardcore album produced by Sid Wilson of Slipknot and mixed by Mike Balboa with Ross Robinson. It's a collaboration between established and new artists that promises to be a heavy hitting release. Blowed Out Records is dedicated to providing a platform for underground and lesser known bands to showcase their music and gain a wider audience.

Swollen Teeth is managed by Evan Kandilakis for Seek Management.

Swollen Teeth Are

Megaa - Vocals / Sampler / Turntable

Sun - Vocals / Bass

Skutch - Drums

HOG - Guitar

Reuniting after 30+ years, NYC-based CRASH HARMONY shares 'Orange Background' from immutable debut album

"A blast of youthful exuberance, raw energy, and unbridled optimism... both nostalgic and fresh. There’s the Replacements’ raw, garage-rock spirit, the Northern Pikes’ innocence and purity, and hooks like a cross between Husker Du and The Go-Betweens, blended into a harmonious concoction that is undeniably their own" ~ The Spill Magazine 


NYC indie rock outfit Crash Harmony presents 'Orange Background', the second taste of the band's debut record 'No One Asked For This'. Slated for release via Magic Door Record Label after a 30+ year hiatus, the quartet are back with a full-length album of 10 songs, for which they worked with celebrated producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna) at Magic Door Recording in Montclair, NJ.  Earlier, the band released the lead track  'Velour Goddess'.

Crash Harmony is made up of Dave Derby (vocals, guitars), Mike Potenza (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Jon Nighswander (bass, vocals), and Nils Nadeau (drums, percussion, vocals). Formed in 1986 at Yale University in New Haven, CT, the band played its last gig in May 1988 and hadn’t played together again until beginning to record this album in 2022.  

"This is one of our earliest songs.  I always thought it had a kind of feeling that is reminiscent and wistful; we tried to evoke that feeling with ebow guitar parts," says Mike Potenza.

Nils Nadeau elaborates, "'Orange Background' is a letter from our college selves to our grown selves and also, in a way, from Generation X to what we have now in the world. It’s also the only one, played back, that might have made me wet-eyed for a minute".

Yale rock - an oxymoron too good to be dismissed, meeting as undergraduates swept up in the current of something more exciting than college – a New Haven music scene that was real. While college was for figuring out what you wanted to be, college rock was for figuring out what you wanted to sound like. Crash Harmony was absorbing everything, and trying it all on for size at house parties, frat houses, and clubs throughout New England.

Dave went on to The Dambuilders (and then Gramercy Arms), Mike served on The Anderson Council, Jon left for Europe, and Nils wandered north. But no matter where they went, Crash Harmony still kind of mattered. Eventually, they had to come back. They had to return to that place so, decades later, Crash Harmony reformed to make a new record of old songs - a rock-and-roll reenactment of the New Haven scene that changed them forever.

Like their name, the record is an orchestrated pileup of long-ago influences that collided in the chambers of their broken young hearts and have again wriggled free from their throats and amps, pop gems humming like cicadas and dancing for the pure joy of being alive again.

"Dave and I initially bonded over anglophilia, including a shared love of The Jam, cockney slang and alcohol. I came out of the New Hampshire punk scene and was a founding member of Five Balls of Power (other members went on to join such bands as Dropkick Murphys, Scissorfight and the Radicts). Dave and Nils both were willing to play around with different styles and a level of musicianship that was a notch above the average college band," says Jon Nighswander.

Dave Derby adds, "Nils and I had been in a successful indie pop band. I wanted to create something that was both heavier and more psychedelic in that 80s college radio Paisley Underground sort of way, but then we recalibrated towards more of a 70s vibe. We tried really early on to align ourselves with the New Haven scene and not just the Yale one."

If you were fortunate enough to ever be part of a vibrant music scene, then you know how intoxicating, how important, how finally cool you felt to live on this newly discovered planet. It was pulsing with energy and possibility, teeming with talent and artists and then, the jaw drop of realizing your planet was actually part of an entire galaxy of scenes vibrating around the country. A truth revealed that rock legends were not just the leather-pantsed strutters on the national stage but dishwashing oddballs strumming in your neighbor's backyard - heroes you could actually meet, try to impress, emulate and maybe one day open for, if dreams could come true. And, for Crash Harmony, they did for a while.

For these musical dreamers, it’s all so clear now – how lucky they were to have been part of a scene and to have met and grown up in ideal conditions to make music that would somehow find a way to live forever... Everybody, kiss your ghost.

As of September 18, 'Orange Background' will be available exclusively via Bandcamp and officially released everywhere else, including Apple Music and Spotify on September 24. The full album 'No One Asked for This' (out October 18 on vinyl or digitally) can already be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Dave Derby - vocals, guitars
Mike Potenza - guitars, keyboards, vocals
Jon Nighswander - bass, vocals
Nils Nadeau - drums, percussion, vocals
Guests:
Mike Schreiber - organ
Peter Hess - saxophone
Ray Ketchem - percussion
Produced by Ray Ketchem and Crash Harmony
Recorded by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Studios in Montclair, NJ
and Dave Derby at Missile Shells Sound Studios in NYC
Mixed & mastered by Ray Ketchem
All songs written by Crash Harmony
except 'Dancing With Joan' written by Dave Derby and Eric Masunaga
All songs ASCAP / BMI
Artist photos and single cover artwork by Jon Drake
Released by Magic Door Record Label
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video directed & filmed by Dan Karlok at Magic Door Recording


Keep up with Crash Harmony
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Magic Door Record Label
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram  | Soundcloud | YouTube | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR

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Defiled Premiere 'Horror Beyond Horror'

For the past three decades, Defiled have kept their blade sharp. Ever since Tokyo's underground lost their minds over the band's grotesque arsenal of finishing moves, Yusuke Sumita and his death metal samurai set off on a war path that's left nothing but inevitable ruin in their raw wake. They've ransacked Milwaukee Metal Festival and joined forces with their fellow legends in Mayhem, Incantation, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse.   

Having now churned out three albums in almost as many years, metalheads can be forgiven for believing that Defiled had already reached the highest level. But the Japanese legends have topped themselves again on their eighth album. Horror Beyond Horror comes out this Friday, September 20, but you can hear all 14 slicing and dicing songs today by listening to the full album stream on Season of Mist's YouTube channel. 

Listen to Horror Beyond Horror below.

Pre-order & Stream

https://orcd.co/defiledhorrorbeyondhorror

After they first took to the stage in 1995, Defiled needed nearly a decade before finally erupting with wrath on their debut album. But ever since the band’s lineup solidified around original member Yusuke Sumita, they haven’t stopped to look back and admire all the ugliness they've revealed. Horror Beyond Horror comes hot on the heels of the album they released just last year, which Metal Injection listed as one of the can’t-miss releases of 2023.

Like a poisonous dart, Defiled come shooting out of the shadows on Horror Beyond Horror. Blast beats pummel at unforeseen angles amidst "Smoke and Mirrors". “Every lie has been revealed”, fearless frontman Shinichiro Hamada shouts, taking aim at perpetual frauds and tyrannical technocrats. The band charges into the pit behind bassist Takachika Nakajima's greasy groove, which is snapping plenty of necks on their current Japanese tour. 

"We wanted this album to be natural and realistic", Sumita told New Noise. "We did not use any editing or artificial techniques in the recording process". 

With 30 years and eight albums under their belt, Defiled know where to stick the blade on Horror Beyond Horror. The album's title track shreds through the corrupted torment of mind control with riffs that are honed from the jagged influence of ’80s thrash and hardcore. “The time has come”, the band spit at their captors with utter disgust. “Death strikes you with derision”. 

Defiled aren't afraid to crack open people's skulls, either. Horror Beyond Horror descends deeper and deeper into the psychological shadows the further you go down the track list. "Syndicate" conspires around a greasy, pit-dwelling breakdown but drummer Keisuke Hamada never stops chopping up the tempo. “The path to your elimination”, Shinichiro Hamada cries, digging in amidst a flurry of blast beats during the album's final boss "To See Behind the Wall". Whether they’re slicing, dicing or leaping into a furiously fast solo, the band's riffs take no prisoners.

"We still love death metal and are very proud to be recognized as a death metal band", Sumita tells Antichrist Magazine. "At the same time, it's clear from our songs that we do not follow trends. Who would be interested in a Japanese bands that follows Western trends? We have our own perspective, and we have been going our own way for many years now, and we are convinced that we are on the right path".   

On Horror Beyond Horror, Defiled unleash the kind of old-school ass-kicking that only true masters can deliver.

With a sound as raw as exposed nerve endings and as unrefined as a mass grave, Defiled stands defiantly apart from the polished poseurs and shameless sellouts. They don’t peddle in cheap gimmickry or nostalgia; they deal in the currency of pure, unfiltered destruction. As they look out upon the charred landscape of the genre they’ve helped to define, Defiled is not content to rest on their laurels. Horror Beyond Horror sees them, once again, ascending to the blood-soaked throne of death metal sovereignty.


Line-up
Shinichiro Hamada - Vocals, Guitar
Yusuke Sumita - Guitar
Takachika Nakajima - Bass
Keisuke Hamada - Drums

Recording Studio
Studio Zot, Tokyo, Japan

Production Credits
Sound Engineers - Shinichiro Hamada & Keisuke Hamada
Produced by Yusuke Sumita
Mixed & Mastered by Kenji Kikuchi at Studio Nest, Chiba, Japan

Biography
Defiled, with edits by Sébastien Gamez

Cover Art
Wes Benscoter

Photographer
Shigenori Ishikawa

Booking Contact:
Yusuke Sumita - info@defiled.info

Stream & Order: https://orcd.co/defiledhorrorbeyondhorror

Available formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Colored (Crystal Clear & Transparent Green)

Follow Defiled
Website : http://www.defiled.info/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/defiled
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/defiledjapan
Bandcamp : https://defiledjapan.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/defiled
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@defiled
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KDc0SB4ero6zAgrafjVrt
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/defiled/72867298
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B001GJ407S/defiled

Plain White T's Share Remix of Billion-Streaming Smash Hit "Hey There Delilah"

PLAIN WHITE T'S — Tom Higgenson [vocals], Tim Lopez [lead guitar, vocals],Mike Retondo [bass], and De'Mar Hamilton [drums] — have shared the RJ Pasin remix of their billion-streaming, platinum smash hit "Hey There Delilah." Watch + listen below. 

The song was originally released back in 2006 and it remains a beloved song among fans and beyond.

Many remixes can be subtle. Not so with the RJ Pasin remix if the platinum hit "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White Ts. The remix adds a little twang, as well as some beats and blips, giving the billion streaming, heartfelt song an unexpected refresh for 2024. Things escalate and get unexpectedly noisier and louder towards the latter half of the song. It's a testament to the songwriting, since the song lends itself to this reworking, which call out all of the many beautiful moments of the song. 

"I love RJ Pasin's reimagining of 'Hey There Delilah,'" says Higgenson. "So much energy, and a totally different spin on the song. It's so cool."

Pasin concurs, "My remix of 'Hey There Delilah' was a fun way to incorporate modern production and guitar composition into such a timeless classic."

The band's latest release, their self-titled album, is out now via Fearless Records. Get it here. 

Plain White T's are on the road this fall. They are supporting The Used through September and October. All upcoming PWTs dates are below.

PLAIN WHITE T'S ON TOUR:
WITH THE USED:
9/21 — Little Rock AR — The Hall
9/23 — Kansas City, MO — Midland Theatre
9/25 — Fort Wayne, IN — The Clyde Theatre
9/26 — Birmingham, AL — Iron City
9/28 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore
9/29 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
10/1 — Atlanta, GA — The Eastern
10/2 — Tampa, FL — Hard Rock Event Center
10/4 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Revolution
10/5 — St. Augustine, FL — Saint Augustine Amp
10/7 — New Orleans, LA — House Of Blues

ABOUT PLAIN WHITE T'S:
Since emerging in 1997, Chicago quartet Plain White T's have remained visible and viable. They have consistently delivered unforgettable pop rock anthems that take up real estate in your brain for months at a time. They have amassed over 2.7 billion total global streams, earned two Grammy nominations, and collected several Platinum-plus and Gold certifications across their impressive catalog. Their signature single "Hey There Delilah" went quadruple-platinum, topped the Billboard Hot 100, and earned the pair of aforementioned GRAMMY® nominations in 2008 — for "Song of the Year" and "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal." They have made their pop culture mark by appearing on highly visible shows such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Sesame Street, iCarly, 90210, Beavis & Butthead, and Frankenweenie, all the while nabbing press accolades from TIME, Billboard, ESPN, Rolling Stone, AV Club, MTV, MSNBC, and more. Plain White T's have proven to be a reliable musical force, as well as a career band that shows no signs of stopping or slowing down. Their self-titled album arrived in late 2023.

10TH CAREER #1: DUSTIN LYNCH REIGNS WITH JELLY ROLL COLLABORATION “CHEVROLET”

MULTI-PLATINUM star Dustin Lynch marks a career milestone by achieving his 10th #1 with current single “Chevrolet” via Broken Bow Records. Featuring his BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville labelmate Jelly Roll, “Chevrolet” reigns the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart in the U.S. this week, in addition to reaching #1 at Canadian Country Radio. It also hit #1 on Australia’s Countrytown Hot 50 Country Airplay chart powered by Radio Monitor at the end of July (week 30). The chart-ruler has racked up over 110 MILLION on-demand streams to date.

“Reaching my 10th #1 is a milestone we are so proud of and grateful for. I feel extra blessed to be able to share this one with my buddy Jelly,” shares Lynch. “This is a true testament to the overwhelming support from my fans who have become family over the past 12 years. Also, to my Broken Bow Records fam and Country radio friends, alongside my team, band, crew, and collaborators – I couldn’t have done any of this without y’all. You are the best of the best. Here’s to the next 10!”

Turning the ignition on a forever-young kind of freedom, “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll)” – written by Chase McGill, Jessi Alexander, Hunter Phelps, and Mentor Williams – is proof of Country music’s unique ability to summon a picture, a mood, and especially a memory with the instantly recognizable throwback melody of the 1973 Dobie Gray hit “Drift Away.” Further providing a timeless soundtrack to an underdog love story, watch the Mason Dixon-directed music video here. Delivered on Lynch’s statement-making sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy, “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll)” was co-produced by Zach Crowell and Ben Phillips. 

As one of the most successful, recognizable, and dependable faces in Country music since releasing his breakout debut album in 2012, Lynch has previously ruled the #1 spot with his history-making 2X PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter),” in addition to “Stars Like Confetti,” PLATINUM, two-week #1 “Ridin’ Roads,” PLATINUM “Good Girl,” 3X PLATINUM, four-week #1 “Small Town Boy,” GOLD “Seein’ Red,” GOLD “Mind Reader,” GOLD “Hell of a Night,” and PLATINUM “Where It’s At.”

Adding to his list of landmark achievements, Lynch has an upcoming bucket list billing headlining DUSTIN LYNCH – LIVE AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE in Morrison, CO, on November 6. Presented by Coors Banquet, a percentage of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF). Since 2014, Coors Banquet has donated more than $2 MILLION to the WFF. Playing to over 4 MILLION fans spanning five headline runs, the Grand Ole Opry member has hosted his own see-and-be-seen pool parties in Mexico, Las Vegas, NV, Nashville, TN, and Lake Ozark, MO, and toured with Country’s biggest names like Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Kane Brown. Full ticketing details for DUSTIN LYNCH – LIVE AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE can be found here.

ABOUT DUSTIN LYNCH:
Dustin Lynch has "built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music” (Billboard), achieving 10 #1s; four Top 5 albums; 10 GOLD, PLATINUM, and MULTI-PLATINUM certified singles; and tallying over 4.4 BILLION cumulative global streams. His sixth studio album Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), featuring #1 “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll),” is currently making a statement. The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making 2X PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” – the most-played song at Country radio in 2022 landing at #1 on the Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts – also featured hit singles: #1 “Stars Like Confetti” and “Party Mode.” Lynch has headlined packed venues to sold-out crowds like his latest KILLED THE COWBOY TOUR, in addition to touring with Country’s biggest names including Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Blake Shelton. Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.

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

Ashton Nyte shares The Awakening's new single 'Mirror Midnight' (from 12th album) ahead of EU-UK tour

Gothic Rock / Darkwave act The Awakening shares their new single 'Mirror Midnight', which underscores historical tendency towards self-obsession and the media's recurring manipulation of self-perception. This is the first taste of their self-titled album (their 12th to date), which will be released on October 18 via Intervention Arts.

Now based in the USA, The Awakening is a dark musical project formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the late ’90s as the creative expression of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte, who was anointed as "Johannesburg's Bowie" for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performances. Having morphed over the years, The Awakening's sound incorporates numerous genres, including gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir, new wave and more.

Also an author, actor and Renaissance man of sorts, Ashton Nyte created the 'Mirror Midnight' video, shot in his preferred black-and-white format, with a gothic noir film treatment.

"Mirror Midnight is about the obsession of the self, as guided and fed and manipulated by mass media, social media and the endless flood of information and disinformation we all deal with constantly. It's the juxtaposition of succumbing to insidious and divisive marketing while the world goes up in flames. And how that cycle feeds itself. It's a story almost as old as time, like the fairy tale it alludes to," says Ashton Nyte.

'The Awakening' album follows Nyte's second book and eighth solo album 'Autumn's Children', which was selected as one of American Songwriter's Top 17 Albums of 2023. This new album is a celebration of the band's roots and influences. "Essentially, I fell in love all over again with the bands and albums that made me want to create this sort of art in the first place. It was a true joy to create this work," says Ashton Nyte.

"The last two Awakening albums were departures for me. 'This Alchemy' (2021) explored the more electronic side of my musical personality, and 'The Passage Remains' (2022) effectively cleared out the vaults of unreleased heavier material. It feels like it's time to come home."

A core contributor to LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos, having been involved with every album released to date, Nyte has collaborated with members of The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, All About Eve, as well as Peter Murphy's band. 2024 also saw Nyte involved in the latest Beauty In Chaos album 'Dancing With Angels'.

Having toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people, Nyte has also written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his “Rock Against Rape” concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance.

With a catalogue of over 300 released original songs, Ashton Nyte and The Awakening have enjoyed airplay and chart success on radio stations worldwide, with songs also featured in popular television shows, such as 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' and 'The Purge'. Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for the movie 'Don't Let Go' (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and for the movie 'Pale Horse', directed by the late Pearry Teo.

As of September 4, 'Mirror Midnight' can be downloaded from fine music platforms. 'The Awakening' album, now available for pre-order, will be released on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats.

From the end of September, EU and UK fans can hear the new material live in a career-spanning solo acoustic tour later this year. This will be Nyte's first post-Covid tour, following a 36-date EU tour with The Mission's Wayne Hussey in 2019. Tickets are available via The Awakening's official site.

SINGLE CREDITS
All music and lyrics by Ashton Nyte
Published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2024)
Recorded, mixed & produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
Cover artwork & artist photos by Ashton Nyte
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video created by Ashton Nyte

Keep up with The Awakening
Website | Store | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Apple Music | Tidal | Spotify | Press contact

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

Singer/Songwriter Julie Williams Releases "reckless road"; 'Tennessee Moon' EP Set for 10/17

CMT Next Women of Country artist Julie Williams, known for her soulful lyrics and authentic storytelling, is continuing to draw in listeners with her deep connection to nature and emotion. Her latest release, “reckless road,” perfectly timed with today’s Full Corn Moon, follows recent release ‘just friends?”, which dropped on the rare Sturgeon Blue Moon last month. Both songs align with the full moon phases, as outlined by the Farmers' Almanac. Fitting as she continues to build momentum to the release of her new EP, Tennessee Moon, available Oct. 17, 2024 on the Hunter's Moon.  
 
Produced by Jonathan Smalt and written by Williams with Melody Walker, the uptempo “reckless road” is the second release from her upcoming EP. Listen to “reckless road” Below and pre-save Tennessee Moon HERE.  
 
“I wrote this song about falling for someone who was always looking over their shoulder. Someone who could never stay still for too long and always had their mind on the highway. I wanted to join them on their journey, but they could never quite let me in,” shares Williams. “The more I tried, the farther they ran. Inspired by the 90s country songs I grew up listening to, I wanted a song that I could blast out the window driving down a two-lane mountain highway with my friends and scream so loud that I'd forget that ex who did me wrong.”
 
The 90s-country inspired tune finds Williams reflecting on a lover who is constantly running and chasing something they will never find. A dancing banjo, acoustic guitar, pedal steel and classic-country style drums combine for a song that could be found on either country, Americana, or indie folk playlists. 

Williams is also set to return to AmericanaFest this week with an Official AmericanaFest Showcase on Sept. 21, as well as participating in A Tribute to the Songs of 1974 on Sept. 20. For more information visit americanamusic.org. Her Tennessee Moon Tour in support of the upcoming indie folk project will trek across the Midwest and East Coast with stops in New York, Columbus, Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville, and more. Tickets for the tour are available now at thisisjuliewilliams.com. 
 
No stranger to the road, Williams has built her career there playing over 120 shows in 26 states in the past two years and captivated audiences at festivals such as Newport Folk Festival, CMA Fest, Tortuga Music Fest, High Water Festival, Cayamo, and AmericanaFest. She has also shared the stage with acts across genres, including Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Mt. Joy, Devon Gilfillian, Brittney Spencer and Will Hoge.
 
Williams carries her mixed-race heritage and queerness as proudly as she carries her music. Raised in Florida, the singer/songwriter has been turning heads in Nashville’s country and Americana music scenes with her compelling mix of storytelling, soft-yet-powerful vocals, and indie folk production. That creative path is on full display with “just friends?” available now.  The song, a blend of both classic country storytelling and queer reflection, was the first taste of new music from her new EP. The video for the track, which just made its world premiere in Times Square last week via CMT, is a nostalgic, queer story that captures both the sadness and innocence of what romantic feelings for an old friend might have looked like. Watch the video for “just friends?” HERE, listen to “just friends?” HERE. 
 
Music has always been a part of Williams’ life - honing her singing talent in church and beach bars and belting national anthems before packed stadiums. She grew up listening to everyone and everything from The Chicks and James Taylor to Gladys Knight and Michael Jackson. Even though she was drawn to the storytelling of country music, she never quite found the sound that spoke to everything she was: Black, white, Southern, a woman, hopeful, truthful. So naturally, it was up to Williams to make this sound. “My music is mixed like me,” is how she describes it, “I want to tell the stories that need to be told.”

Tennessee Moon Tour Dates
Oct. 5         Durham, NC                 Music on Main
Oct. 10       Oxford, MS                  SarahFest
Oct. 11       Alpharetta, GA             Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival 
Nov. 7        Nashville, TN               Blue Room
Nov. 8        Columbus, OH             Natalie’s Grandview 
Nov. 9        Chicago, IL                  Judson & Moore 
Nov. 10      Cincinnati, OH             Live on Orchard Lane
Nov. 16      New York, NY             Cafe Wha?
Nov. 21      Vienna, VA                  Jammin Java
Nov. 22      Charlottesville, VA      Front Porch
Nov. 23      Easton, MD                  Stoltz Listening Room
Nov. 24      Philadelphia, PA           Milkboy 
 
For the latest news and tour dates, visit thisisjuliewilliams.com and follow along on social media @juliewilliamsmusic on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and @j_w_music on X.

For Tennessee Moon Williams was inspired by some of her favorite singer/songwriters like Boy Genius, Kacey Musgraves, Allison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Taylor Swift to create a story-driven sonic journey that was both dreamy and moody while seamlessly blending country, 90s folk and indie production elements.
 
“Tennessee Moon was inspired by a picture that I took of one of my exes as they kayaked at Percy Priest Lake under a stunning Tennessee sunset,” shares Williams. “I watched this person - and our relationship - float farther and farther away from me, just as the sky was fading from orange and red to blue and gray. With that picture, and with this EP, I wanted to capture that wistful feeling - of trying to hold onto a beautiful, golden moment that you know in your heart is not going to last. This EP is an ode to my mid-20s - all the golden days, the dark nights, the flowers, and the dirt.”
 
The Florida native started sharing those stories, and people listened. A student at Duke University, she was signed to Small Town Records whose alumni include Mike Posner and Delta Rae and sang as a vocalist for the Duke Jazz Ensemble. After graduating with a public policy degree in 2019, she moved to Nashville and found her musical home in the Black country and Americana scene. She was named in Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country Class of 2021 and she was featured in a “PBS NewsHour” special on Black women in country music. In 2022, Julie joined the Black Opry, a collective of Black artists in country, blues, folk, and Americana music. Julie was named a CMT Equal Access artist in 2023, joining the mTheory backed program to support marginalized voices in country music.
 
“People want to hear black voices, black stories,” Williams says. “I was nervous about how my songs would be received by Nashville - but people want honesty. They want honest songs about real life, and for the artists they follow to take a stand.”
 
Tennessee Moon follows her self-titled EP, Julie Williams, with American Songwriter praising her “success through the power of her own voice” and the Tennessean noting she “discovers joy, maturation” on the project. 
 
An activist at heart, Williams launched Green Room Conversations in March 2023, a series of performances and speaking on college campuses to raise awareness of sexual harassment in the music industry and her own experience with sexual violence. Williams hopes to empower the next generation of artists and industry changemakers and has already visited MTSU, University of Texas-Austin, and Duke with more campus visits planned for later this year.
 
“I’m writing my songs for the girl who cries in the shower as she tries to detangle her hair and is afraid to look in the mirror because she hates what she sees; for the 17-year-old who is just now learning to love herself; for the 20-or 30-something who is just trying to figure it out," shares Williams. "That’s who my songs are for.”

Brantley Gilbert Etches His Legacy with World's Largest Album Release Party for 'Tattoos'

In conjunction with the Friday release of his seventh studio album Tattoos, Brantley Gilbert brought together 118,000 people in downtown Nashville for Brantley Gilbert’s World’s Largest Album Release Party. Closing down Music City’s famous Broadway, fans stood shoulder to shoulder from 5th to 3rd Avenue enjoying electrifying night of music. Listen to Tattoos HERE.
 
Gilbert performed a mix of hits, fan favorites and new tracks from Tattoos, which GRAMMY.com says “inks another portrait of small-town country life.” Launching the night with his headlining tour’s namesake, “Off The Rails” and sending the massive Broadway crowd into a pyrotechnic-fueled frenzy, Gilbert also had a host of surprise guests including Colt Ford (marking his first performance since suffering from a life-threatening heart attack earlier this year), his “Over When We’re Sober” duet partner Ashley Cooke, Gary LeVox and his frequent collaborators and tourmates Demun Jones and Struggle Jennings.
 
Taking a moment to thank his team behind the scenes, the multi-Platinum Gilbert also addressed the fans: “We wouldn’t be here doing this without y’all, so thank you for being here. It means the world to us.”

Brantley Gilbert’s World’s Largest Album Release Party, which served as the finale to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s Freedom Friday celebrations, offered a host of also welcomed a host of supporting acts including Brian Kelley, Mae Estes, Chase McDaniel, Noah Hicks, Mackenzie Carpenter and Shaylen. With vendors and activations lining the streets including airbrush tattoos (of course) fans were kept entertained well into the night.
 
His Off The Rails Tour continues this Thursday, Sept. 19 in Huntington, WV, with dates through mid-October featuring special guests Struggle Jennings and Adam Calhoun. For additional dates and tickets, visit BrantleyGilbert.com.
 
What the critics are saying about Tattoos:
 

“a one-of-a-kind for the Country genre” – Men’s Journal
 
“a collection of carefully crafted songs reflecting different chapters of his life” – Forbes
 
“one of Gilbert’s most personal projects yet” – Country Rebel
 
“Gilbert continues riding the momentum wave” – Today’s Country Magazine
 
“a project that is as personal as it is powerful, revealing the intricate tales behind the ink that adorns his skin” – All Country News

Brantley Gilbert brought together 118,000 people in downtown Nashville for Brantley Gilbert’s World’s Largest Album Release Party | Photo Credit: Corey Roberson

Off The Rails Tour Dates

Sept. 19           Mountain Health Network Arena // Huntington, WV
Sept. 20           Santander Arena // Reading, PA
Sept. 21           DCU Center // Worcester, MA
Sept. 26           LJVM Coliseum // Winston-Salem, NC
Sept. 27           The Corbin Arena // Corbin, KY
Sept. 28           Florence Center // Florence, SC
Oct. 3              Knoxville Civic Coliseum // Knoxville, TN
Oct. 4              First National Bank Arena // Jonesboro, AR
Oct. 5              Ozarks Amphitheater // Camdenton, MO
Oct. 10            Raising Cane’s River Center Arena // Baton Rouge, LA
Oct. 11            Cadence Bank Arena // Tupelo, MS
Oct. 12            The Sounds Amphitheater // Gautier, MS
Oct. 17            Enmarket Arena // Savannah, GA
Oct. 18            McKenzie Arena // Chattanooga, TN
Oct. 19            Atrium Health Amphitheater // Macon, GA
 
About Brantley Gilbert
As one of the godfathers of country’s modern rock-and-rap edge, multi-Platinum The Valory Music Co. trailblazer Brantley Gilbert knows life has a way of leaving a mark. With his seventh studio album, Tattoos, available now, the Georgia native chooses to embrace it – inspired by the idea that his tattoos tell a story, just like his songs. And just like his songs, he’ll never hide the truth they reveal. An era-defining artist forever bonded to his fans, Gilbert’s been mining the timeless values of hard-working dedication, high-octane thrills and humble faith since his 2009 debut, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, creating a chart-topping grit-and-grace fusion which helped set the stage for today’s genre-blending format. With his dedicated BG Nation behind him, the fiery performer-songwriter has racked up more than 8.3 BILLION career streams, boasting back-to-back Platinum albums and seven No. 1 hits including the RIAA 7x Platinum “Bottoms Up;” 2x Platinum “Country Must Be Country Wide;” 2x Platinum “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do;” 2x Platinum “One Hell of An Amen;” and the Platinum-certified “What Happens In A Small Town” with Lindsay Ell. His world-class pen helped create a watershed hit with Jason Aldean’s 4x Platinum country-rap game changer, “Dirt Road Anthem.” And possessing a can’t-fake-it quality of fierce independence, the ACM, CMA and AMA award winner has toured alongside everyone from Willie Nelson and Toby Keith to Kenny Chesney, Nickelback and more. Tattoos further cements his legacy – 10 cowritten, co-produced tracks with an electrifying mix of in-your-face aggression and roughneck reflection, as Gilbert’s diesel-powered smoke-and-soul vocal delivers another full-spectrum soundtrack to modern country life. Tracks like full-throttle “Off the Rails” and intoxicating chart-climbing single “Over When We’re Sober” with Ashley Cooke lead a set packed with guest appearances from Gary LeVox, Justin Moore and Off The Rails tour mates Struggle Jennings and Demun Jones, as the superstar headlines across the U.S. through October 2024. For more information, visit BrantleyGilbert.com or follow on Instagram, TikTok and X @BrantleyGilbert and Facebook.com/BrantleyGilbertMusic.

No Wondering Why: Red Clay Strays' Team Toasts to Platinum Amid 3 Sold Out Ryman Shows

CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominees The Red Clay Strays recently sold out three consecutive headlining shows with more than 7,200 fans in attendance at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Celebrating their success after the show with Certified RIAA Platinum plaques for their single “Wondering Why” are WME agents Alex Collignon and Kanan Vitolo with Red Clay Stray’s manager, Conway Entertainment’s Cody Payne.

This Saturday night in Brooklyn with Agapē !

Hey NYC, Get Ready for Johannes Schuster and Impulsive Behavior This Saturday!

SECURE YOUR TICKET HERE

Closing out an epic summer season with highly anticipated debuts is our thing: @unrealgermany resident @johannesschuster_official and London based talent @impulsivebehaviour_ are set to grace us with their energy on Saturday, September 21st for a night of debauchery in a secret warehouse in Brooklynooklyn location.e the text.

📍 Brooklyn secrett warehouse 

🚪 Doors  10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
🎫 TICKETS AVAILABLE  ON SHOTGUN.LIVE

Trivium + Bullet For My Valentine Announce Co-Headlining 2025 North America Tour

Performing Their 20th Anniversary Iconic Albums In Their Entirety — Ascendancy by Trivium + The Poison by BFMV

Featuring Special Guests August Burns Red Across All Dates, Sylosis and Bleed From Within on Select Dates

Tickets Available Starting Tuesday September 17 with Artist Presales

General Onsale Begins Friday, September 20 at 10AM Local Time on LiveNation.com 

Today, heavy metal pioneers Bullet for My Valentine and Trivium announced their 2025 co-headlining "The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour," featuring special guests August Burns Red across all dates, Sylosis, and Bleed From Within on select dates — see routing below.

The tour is in celebration of both bands prolific albums — Bullet for My Valentine's The Poison and Trivium's Ascendancy, which turn 20 years old in 2025. Each will be performed in their entirety on this tour. 

"We are super excited to announce we are coming back to the USA in 2025 with our friends Trivium, to bring you the 'Poisoned Ascendancy Tour,'" says Bullet For My Valentine. "We're going to be celebrating 20 years of our debut album The Poison and Trivium's Ascendancy. It's the metal tour of 2025, so don't miss out."

Limited VIP packages are available from both artists including a meet + greet. For more info on VIP packages please visit here.

THE POISONED ASCENDANCY 2025 TOUR DATES: 
3/30 — Vancouver, BC — PNE Forum#&
4/1 — Seattle, WA — Paramount Theatre#& 
4/3 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic#& 
4/4 - Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento — Hard Rock Live#&
4/5 — Reno, NV — Grand Sierra Resort*#&
4/8 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium#& 
4/10 — Las Vegas, NV — Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort#&
4/11 — Inglewood, CA — YouTube Theatre# 
4/12 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre#& 
4/15 — Dallas, TX - Gilley’s — South Side Ballroom#&
4/16 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port#&
4/17 — Houston, TX —  Bayou Music Center#&
4/19 — St. Louis, MO — The Factory#^ 
4/20 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha#^ 
4/22 — Ashwaubenon, WI — EPIC Event Center*#^
4/23 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe#^ 
4/25 — Prior Lake, MN — Mystic Lake Casino Hotel- Showroom*#
4/26 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom#^ 
4/27 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit#^ 
4/29 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE*#^
4/30 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia#^ 
5/2 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway#^ 
5/3 — Laval, QC — Place Bell#^
5/4 — Toronto, ON — Great Canadian Resort Theatre#^
5/6 — Washington, D.C. — The Anthem#^ 
5/7 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17#^ 
5/9 — Bethlehem, PA — Wind Creek Bethlehem — Wind Creek Event Center#^
5/11 — Nashville, TN — The Pinnacle*#^
5/13 — Corbin, KY — Corbin Arena*#^
5/14 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre#^ 
5/17 — Charlotte, NC — Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre#^ 
5/18 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater#^ 

*Not A Live Nation Date
# August Burns Red
& Sylosis
^ Bleed From Within

ABOUT TRIVIUM:
Trivium's critically acclaimed tenth album In The Court Of The Dragon arrived in 2021. The band and album were praised by and featured in mainstream outlets like The New York Times, NPR, Forbes, Billboard, TechCrunch, and Kotaku, as well as Guitar World, Revolver, Alternative Press, and more. They released the now-canonical album Ascendancy in 2005. It was recognized as KERRANG!'s "Album of the Year," achieved a gold certification in the UK, and eclipsed sales of 500,000 worldwide. Metal Hammer placed it in the Top 15 of "The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the 21st Century." It ignited a string of six consecutive Top 25 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 and five straight Top 3 debuts on the Top Hard Rock Albums Chart, culminating on 2017's benchmark The Sin And The Sentence. That album elevated the group's total stream tally past a quarter-of-a-billion. Additionally, "Betrayer" received a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of "Best Metal Performance." Unanimous acclaim followed from Decibel, Loudwire, Ultimate Guitar, MetalSucks, and Metal Hammer, who dubbed them, "quite simply one of the best bands in modern metal." 2020 brought What The Dead Men Say. The album was produced by Trivium and Josh Wilbur and debuted at #35 on the Billboard Top 200; at #2 on the Top Current Albums Chart, and at  #3 on both the Hard Rock Albums Chart and Top Rock Albums Chart. They have performed alongside Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and many others and graced the main stages of Download, Bloodstock, KNOTFEST, and beyond.

ABOUT BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE:
Bullet For My Valentine has been a mainstay, not just in the metal community, but within British music as a whole since their inception. From experiencing early success with Fever and Scream Aim Fire to continuing to encapsulate audiences with Gravity & 2021's self-titled album, the band has consistently gone from strength to strength, amassing over 3.5 million album sales to  date whilst playing sold-out shows across the globe. It’s the band’s first album, however; 2005's The Poison, that propelled them to unimaginable heights. That year saw the Welsh metallers graduate from supporting Funeral For A Friend on their UK run in the summer, to  ending the year headlining the very same venues just months later. Dropping in October 2005,  The Poison hit number 21 in the UK album charts, becoming a late contender in end of year  polls, placing at number seven on KERRANG!'s "Albums Of The Year" list, and since achieving  gold status. Therefore in 2025, Bullet will be celebrating 20 years of The Poison by partnering with fellow heavy metal contemporaries Trivium and bringing The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour to life, where both acts will perform their iconic debut albums, playing them in full for the last time to audiences worldwide.