August Burns Red Drop "Backfire" Video — WATCH

NEW ALBUM DEATH BELOW OUT MARCH 24 VIA SHARPTONE RECORDS

20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR KICKS OFF NEXT MONTH

Grammy-nominated Lancaster five-piece AUGUST BURNS RED — JB Brubaker [lead guitar], Brent Rambler [rhythm guitar], Matt Greiner [drums], Jake Luhrs [vocals], and Dustin Davidson [bass] — have a big year in front of them.

The band will drop its new album Death Below on March 24 via SharpTone Records. Pre-order it here.

Today, they have dropped the video for the new single "Backfire." Watch it below.

"'Backfire' is song that musically is a punch in the face, and we wrote the lyrics to follow suit," says ABR. "The song is about choosing who you follow wisely, and not allowing people you've never met to influence the decisions you make in life. 'Backfire' ticks all the boxes when it comes to an ABR song."

The album features guest spots from guitarist Jason Richardson, as well as Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage, JT Cavey of ERRA, and Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.

ABR will also embark on the 20 Year Anniversary Tour, during which they will play material off all nine of their albums as they hit North America.

The first leg of the tour kicks off on February 15 in Silver Spring, MD and runs through March 14 in Charlotte, NC. The second leg launches on April 13 in Philadelphia, PA and wraps on May 12 in Quebec in Canada. The tour marks the first time the band has played Canada since 2019.
 
The support acts are The Devil Wears Prada, and Scottish band Bleed From Within, who are touring the U.S. for the first time. The bands will appear on both legs of the tour.

VIP packages are on sale right now at this location and include an exclusive, 200+ page photo book that spans each year of ABR's entire career. 

AUGUST BURNS RED ON TOUR:
WITH THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA + BLEED FROM WITHIN:

2/15 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring
2/16 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
2/17 — Atlanta, GA — Heaven at The Masquerade
2/18 — Orlando, FL — Heart Support Festival*
2/20 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Revolution Live
2/21 — Pensacola, FL — Vinyl Music Hall
2/23 — Houston, TX — House of Blues
2/24 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
2/25 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center
2/27 — Tempe, AZ — The Marquee
2/28 — San Diego, CA — Soma
3/1 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
3/2 — Sacramento, CA — Ace Of Spades
3/4 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
3/5 — Seattle, WA — Showbox Sodo
3/7 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
3/8 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
3/10 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
3/12 — Little Rock, AR — The Hall
3/13 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
3/14 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore Charlotte
4/13 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia
4/14 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
4/15 — Albany, NY — Empire Live
4/16 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
4/18 — Niagara Falls, NY — Rapids Theater
4/19 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
4/21 — Grand Rapids, MI — The Intersection
4/22 — St. Louis, MO  — Red Flag
4/23 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
4/24 — Wichita — Wave Outdoors
4/25 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
4/26 — Omaha, NE — Slowdown
4/28 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore Minneapolis
4/29 — Chicago, IL — Concord Music Hall
4/30 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogarts
5/2 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
5/3 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE
5/5 — North Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
5/6 — Richmond, VA — The National
5/7 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
5/9 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall
5/10 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall
5/11 — Montreal, QC — MTelus
5/12 — Quebec, QC — Theatre Capitole
5/13 — Montreal — MTelus
*Festival Date

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

Power trio ON presents 'Break You' from eponymous album, announces West Coast tour

"Sitting pretty at the heavier end of the College Rock sound, the band has managed to pull off a clever blend of pop melody with raw rock abrasiveness in quite a potent sonic sucker punch. Their very tight weave of classic and alt rock coated grunge works fabulously" ~ The Spill Magazine

"A cool album. A smart album. A deftly crafted album. A rock album? Yes…but much more. So much more" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Its DNA intwértwined with sounds once pounded out by the likes of the Pumpkins, Hole and L7...  one of the most exciting outfits to emerge post-pandemic" ~ Global Texan Chronicles


College rock / power trio ON present 'Break You', a potent prism of the 90s-flavoured indie rock vibes offered on their latest eponymous 'ON' album, recently released via Toronto-based indie imprint Indiestructable Records.

ON is a power trio made up of Lucy Di Santo (vocals, bass), Dan Cornelius(drums) and Steve Fall (guitars) - carrying on the legacy of their former 90's band - the Sire Records-signed Acid Test - with members also having been in other popular Toronto bands Danko Jones and Deliuss.

Always pushing forward with their trademark sound while also paying homage to their post-punk, grunge, old-school funk and 90s college rock roots, they dish out infectious guitar riffs with a dash of p-funk groove to create positive heavy music recalling the golden days of American college radio.

Lucy Di Santo says, "The song 'Break You' soars like a goodbye love letter to a toxic person, place or substance; it’s a decree of emancipation - and breaking away from what dictates and captures the human soul. It is an outcry, a battle cry, and finally a freedom cry of intention - all wrapped up in a hardcore punk-metal riff that end with Sabbath-esque overtones."

Earlier, ON released the singles 'Blackmail' with video directed and edited by Michael Gucciardi and 'Underdog' with lively video filmed by Lindi Gordon and edited by Gucciardi. With these singles and focus track 'Hereafter', the band has charted in the Radio Indie Alliance charts consecutively over the past half year.

Written in Toronto and New York, ON guitarist Steve Fall says the 'ON' album is "a document of friendship navigating explores in pain, and hope. Looking at the world with a collaborative effort to document what we see, witness and feel through songwriting and chemistry as a band." Following pre-production recording with Drew Howard at Star Sound Studios in Cape Coral, the band worked with sound engineer Darius Szczepaniak (Sum 41, Black Crowes, Big Sugar, Bare Naked Ladies, Jann Arden) out of Phase One Studios.

No stranger to touring North America, the band are once again gearing up for a West Coast tour that will bring them to dozens of U.S. cities after a successful Ontario tour in 2022. This string of shows is scheduled to kick off in San Diego on February 14.

The full 'ON' album is out now and available everywhere online, including SpotifyApple Music and Bandcamp. It can also be ordered at https://indiestructablerecords.com.

ALBUM CREDITS
Written, arranged by ON (Di Santo, Fall, Cornelius)
Lucy Di Santo - vocals, bass
Dan Cornelius - drums
Steve Fall - guitars
Produced by ON and Darius Szczepaniak
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Darius Szczepaniak at Phase One Studios, Toronto
Preproduction & original engineering by Drew Howard at The Star Sound Studios, Cape Coral, FL
Additional drum programming (FLA) by Jay Aitch / The Star Sound Studios
‘Break You’ single cover by Michael Gucciardi
Single cover photography by Gord Hawkins


Keep up with ON
Website | LinkTree | Bandcamp | ON Store | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | SongKick | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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THE OTHER LA Release New Single "I’m Not Broken" + Live Performance Video

"I’m Not Broken" by The Other LA – Premiers on SirusXM Octane Test to Rave Reviews from fans and Other Octane Bands

"I’m Not Broken" is an over-the-top expression of triumph despite being born different. It’s about not accepting labels that society including teacher, friends, enemies, family or anyone would put on you. "I’m Not Broken" is the break-out song of Aria (lead singer of The Other LA) coming into her own accepting her Asperger’s and not just accepting but embracing it as a gift. The opening chorus is a gang style vocal of the many voices that compete in Aria’s head. The song sways back and forth from verses quietly rebuking the outside haters to the choruses slamming rejection of societies labels.

“I’m not Broken” epitomizing the attitude of sometimes "life just sucks" and you can either sink or swim above the sharks. The Other LA decided on the latter.

The Other LA is the freshest band to break onto the scene. From packing out venues in their hometown of Nashville, TN, and supporting acts like Halestorm, Lacey Sturm, and Lacuna Coil, TOLA delivers a heavy-hitting, headline­ worthy show. What makes The Other LA stand out is their seemingly effortless ability to connect emotionally with any audience. Aria (Lead singer/ songwriter) shares her journey of balancing Aspergers and overcoming adversity through her intimate lyrics and raw vocal performances.

TOLA are:
ARIA — Vocals / Piano
Mac Lee — Bass / Backing Vocals
Gerardo Prudhomme— Guitar / Backing Vocals
Joel Ericson - Guitar
Zack Chapman—Drums

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

NE OBLIVISCARIS Unveils Music Video for Emotional New Song, "Graal"

Progressive metal outfit NE OBLIVISCARIS is now revealing another emotionally charged single and music video! "Graal" is taken from the band's long-awaited full-length, 'Exul,' which is due on March 24 via Season of Mist! The song and stunning video can be found below.

Exploring the result of oppression and mistreatment, Ne Obliviscaris' new song  "Graal" is about the inner journey and struggle to understand our individual worth. In lieu of a comment, violinist/clean vocalist Tim Charles offers this thought-provoking poem inspired by the song 'Graal' and its intensely charged video:

Lost, he lies… 
His failing body beaten down by the totality of existence, 
The strength to rise, To persevere, To overcome,
Gone.
 
His inner world torments him with the weight of every moment passed by, but not yet forgotten.
 
And yet
He is found
He is lifted
 
And as the essence of his line is fed forth
He breathes
He moves
He rises

The band recently released the new single, "Equus," along with a music video, which commemorates the lives lost in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires. The clip can be found at THIS LOCATION.

Pre-orders for 'Exul' can be found HERE while the album can be pre-saved on streaming services HERE.

NE OBLIVISCARIS + BEYOND CREATION (w/ PERSEFONE):

10/05: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage [TICKETS]

10/06: Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS]

10/07: Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry [TICKETS]

10/08: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade [TICKETS]

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

10/11: Orlando, FL @ The Haven [TICKETS]

10/13: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live [TICKETS]

10/14: Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge [TICKETS]

10/15: San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center [TICKETS]

10/17: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater [TICKETS]

10/18: Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater [TICKETS]

10/20: San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues [TICKETS]

10/21: Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco Theater [TICKETS]

10/22: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge [TICKETS]

10/24: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall [TICKETS]

10/25: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory [TICKETS]

10/26: Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse [TICKETS]

10/27: Portland, OR @ BossaNova Ballroom [TICKETS]

10/28: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon [TICKETS]

10/29: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater [TICKETS]

10/31: Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room [TICKETS]

11/01: Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theatre [TICKETS]

11/03: Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre [TICKETS]

11/04: Lincoln, NE @ Royal Grove [TICKETS]

11/05: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line [TICKETS]

11/07: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge [TICKETS]
11/08: Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom [TICKETS] **NEWLY ADDED**

11/09: Toronto, ON @ Opera House [TICKETS]

11/10: Montreal, QC @ Club Soda [TICKETS]

11/11: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall [TICKETS]

11/13: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater [TICKETS]
Drum tracking for Exul, the fourth long-player from Australian extreme progressive metallers NE OBLIVISCARIS, started in March 2020. There is an ominous tone to that date: March 2020. The pandemic demarcation line. That month, Daniel Presland laid down his drums in Nashville, Tennessee, with American producer Mark Lewis. As flight cancellations increased and borders shuttered, Presland made it home literally hours before Australia closed theirs. Lewis, guitarist Benjamin Baret and bassist Martino Garattoni weren’t as lucky. They were due to land in Australia in the days that followed to continue tracking, but were forced to remain overeseas indefinitely. With recording studios shuttered throughout Melbourne, a slow, tedious, life-altering two-year grind to complete Exul ensued for NE OBLIVISCARIS

What should have been the continued upward swing after 2017’s critically acclaimed Urn turned into the most fraught moment of NE OBLIVISCARIS’s career. Clean vocalist and violinist Tim Charles says the period “came close to breaking us completely.” It was a time filled with death, relationships breaking down, despair and financial loss. Presland, NE OBLIVISCARIS’s drummer since 2005, amicably parted ways in early 2022, throwing yet another wrench into the band’s plans. 

There are, however, happy accidents scattered throughout the creation of Exul. The extra, unexpected downtime allowed the band to fine-tune and even re-write parts previously set in stone before the pandemic. Charles’s violin solo at the end of “Graal” is a prime example: His original idea wasn’t fully realized until he revisited the song in early 2021 and promptly came up with a new part. It was a classic “a-ha” moment that improved the song. 

“Getting an opportunity to have a song mostly done for a year or so and then go back to it, find what you loved about it the first time and maybe even improve it in some ways was a nice silver lining from all the delays,” says Charles. “I think because we had so many delays that were out of our control, we were even more determined to take our time to make sure when the time came to record and to mix, that we ensured it was the absolute best it could be in every way.” 

Seven additional studios and three more countries later, Exul was finally mixed and mastered in July 2022.

The album personifies NE OBLIVISCARIS’s distinctive, boundary-pushing ethos. The band’s trademark blend of emotion and beauty is as towering as ever, if not even more compelling, particularly how Charles’s violin lines carefully weave their way around Baret and fellow guitarist Matt Klavins’ riffing. The duality of Charles’s clean vocals and Xenoyr’s growls remains the narrative anchor, elevating songs that emanate sophistication and are a masterclass in composition. 

“Our approach is always the same,” says Charles, “which is essentially to just write and see what comes out. Exul definitely had its challenges during the songwriting process. Part of the beauty of how our music comes together is that we are quite different individuals bringing an array of ideas together. From there, we work out how to combine them into something that is seamless and beautiful to us. We were determined to make this our best and most complete album yet, which definitely resulted in it taking longer. But we are so proud of this album and it’s exciting to finally share it with the world.” 
 
The album’s centerpiece is the two-part “Misericorde I – As the Flesh Fails” and “Misericorde – Anatomy of Quiescence.” (A NE OBLIVISCARIS album is not complete without a multi-part epic!) According to Charles, Part II began by taking a song they thought was finished (Pt I) and asking, “What if after that…?” The band then wrote a section that took the piece in a new direction and what was a 7 minute song, became an almost 17 minute 2 part epic. 

“The bulk of Part I was written more so by Benji and Martino,” notes Charles. “You can hear the very guitar-driven approach present throughout that track. Part II, by contrast, was written more so by myself in collaboration with others and the emphasis changes more towards expansive solos and slow-developing sections that build towards the epic finale. These two tracks are a great example of how it’s the combination of our different strengths as songwriters spread across an album that results in the sound that is 'NE OBLIVISCARIS'.”

Charles’s violin parts, whether on “Misericorde II,” “Equus” or “Suspyre,” exude confidence. The instrument has always been central to the band’s sound. On Exul, Charles’s violin playing is taken to another level. “I think that over the years, in regards to how my violin interacts within NeO’s music, I’ve simply continued to add more strings to my bow, so to speak,” he says. “With ‘Exul,’ I definitely explored even further the use of layers of violin and viola parts to create a more textured feel compared to other albums. ‘Mesericorde II’ was definitely a bit of a breakthrough song for me, where I felt I could utilize the strings in a way that hadn’t been done in NeO’s music before. In the end, whatever serves the song best is always the aim and having more ways of creating music makes it easier to serve the song.”

The Exul album title came to Xen when he was summing up the album’s feeling musically and lyrically. Coincidentally, it matched the experience of most people during the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I think everyone at some point has felt at odds with the world around them, felt alone, cast out, or misunderstood,” says Xen. “Exul felt right to use in a broader sense and as a lone word, for we each have our own history and a story of exile.

“Overall, there’s a darker core to this album, perhaps more ominous than previous releases,” he continues. “However abstract the lyrics are, they involve some form of unwanted departure — all journeys into torment, passion, longing and even despair. They touch on the process of physical and psychological destruction that comes from that sense or reality of being exiled, whether forced from one’s land, ostracised from a community, shunned by a religion, or even simply being treated differently for being who they are.” 

Touring will factor heavily into NE OBLIVISCARIS’s 2023 plans. The band will embark on headlining tours worldwide that will hit new territories. As luck would have it, the return to live show activity will coincide with the release of Exul and the band’s 20th anniversary. As one of Australia’s leading extreme metal exports, there is a distinct sense of gratitude from Charles and his bandmates. They’re looking forward to sharing it with fans when they resume touring. 

“Simply getting the opportunity to perform music that we’ve written on stages around the world to people that genuinely love and connect with it,” finishes Charles when talking about NE OBLIVISCARIS’s 20-year journey. “There is something incredibly special about the energy that exists between an artist and audience at a concert and it’s an honor to get the opportunity to spend 2023 connecting with people in that way once more.”

Style: Progressive Extreme Metal

Recording Info:
•    Exul was produced, mixed & mastered by Mark Lewis, Nashville, USA
•    Co-produced by Ne Obliviscaris
•    Drums Performed by Dan Presland & Engineered by Mark Lewis at Addiction Studios, Nashville, USA
•    Additional Drum Engineering by John Douglass
•    Bass recorded at Domination Studio, Italy by Simone Bertozzi and Simone Mularoni
•    Acoustic Guitars recorded at Bud Studios, Merignac, France by Mathieu Pascal
•    Harsh Vocals recorded at Audio Ninja Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Troy McCosker
•    Violin and Viola on all tracks and Clean Vocals on tracks 5 & 6 recorded and engineered by Troy McCosker at Pony Music, Melbourne.
•    Clean Vocals on Tracks 1, 2, 3 & 4 recorded at Studio TC, Melbourne, Australia
•    Additional Clean vocal engineering by Anthony Iorio
•    Benjamin & Matt’s rhythm guitars were recorded in their home studios in France and Australia and re-amped by Mark Lewis in Nashville.

Recording line-up:
Xen- Harsh Vocals
Tim Charles – Clean Vocals, Violin, Viola & Keyboards
Benjamin Baret- Lead Guitars
Matthew Klavins- Guitar
Martino Garattoni - Bass
Dan Presland- Drums

Current line-up:
Xen- Harsh Vocals
Tim Charles – Clean Vocals, Violin, Viola & Keyboard
Benjamin Baret- Lead & Acoustic Guitar
Matthew Klavins- Guitar
Martino Garattoni – Bass

Guest musicians:
Additional Violin on tracks 1, 2 & 3 performed by Emma Charles
Additional vocals on Track 1 performed by Alana K Vocal
Cello on Tracks 1 & 4 performed by Dalai Theofilopoulou
Cover artwork: Xen

Links:
www.facebook.com/NeObliviscarisBand
www.instagram.com/neobliviscarisofficial
www.twitter.com/neobliviscaris3
www.youtube.com/NeObliviscaris
www.neobliviscarissom.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/neobliviscaris
https://www.neobliviscaris.com.au/

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/NeO-exul
Download/Stream: https://orcd.co/neoexul

Formats:
Digital
Digipak
Digibox
Vinyl in various colours
Cassette

Silent Civilian (Feat. Jonny Santos of Spineshank) Share New Single "De La Muerte"

After the December launch of the ferocious new single "My Addiction," SILENT CIVILIAN have dropped another new single. Watch the lyric video for "De La Muerte" below.

"'De La Muerte' is pretty self-explanatory in my opinion," says Santos. "It's a good ol' fashioned revenge anthem. It was written about an unprovoked betrayal of trust and friendship, and the feelings that manifest after being robbed of that trust. It is essentially a song about what most people experience at some point in life, and the natural human reaction to want to seek vengeance out of hurt and, more importantly, anger. Something everyone can relate to. So yeah, it's a revenge anthem with no apologies plain and simple."

The band features Spineshank singer Jonny Santos, bassist Robbie Young, guitarist/vocalist Matt Bredemeier, and drummer Alex Morgan.

The band is working on its long-await third album The Reckoning, which is tentatively set for a Spring 2023. The album will boast 16 songs and it was  produced, mixed, and mastered by Santos and Kiel Bishoprick in Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR over the last year. It's also the first album from Santos and Kiel's Black Horse Entertainment production company.

Santos recently appeared on the Life Is Peachy Mixtape Sessions podcast. Listen here.

Ihsahn Announces New "Fascination Street Sessions" EP + Shares "Contorted Monuments"

Norwegian progressive metal pioneer Ihsahn returns with his latest release, the Fascination Street Sessions EP, on March 24 via Candlelight Records.

Ahead of the new EP, Ihsahn has also released the first single "Contorted Monuments." Listen below.

Known as a constantly evolving artist who loves to transcend boundaries, Ihsahn's musical journey has been relentlessly fascinating and frequently revelatory. With his penchant for collaborative projects and fascination with production, this new three-track EP, featuring two new original songs and one cover version, is the direct result of Ihsahn joining forces with URM Academy'sonline educational program for music production, and producer/engineer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Powerwolf) of Fascination Street Studios

Comments Ihsahn, "I've been working with Jens and his team for mixing and mastering for over a decade, but this course spans from pre-production to final master, so I wrote some demos and had Jens be involved from the very start."

Joining Ihsahn on this project was his long-time drummer Tobias Ørnes Andersen and keyboardist Øystein Aadland, who spent 10 intense days at Fascination Street Studios recording the songs. Øystein Aadland also adds warm and gentle lead vocals for the track "The Observer," while Jonas Renske of Katatonia recorded guest vocals to the song "Dom Andra," a cover of a track by Swedish band KENT.

Throughout the whole experience, the URM Academy team captured everything on video, with Jens Bogren adding commentary to the production techniques used, with detail on mic placements, preamps, drumhead tunings, sharing his methodology and drilling down into what goes into a recording such as this.

Ihsahn adds, "The idea was to capture high-end recordings of real instruments in great rooms, and we had an amazing setup for drums, guitars, bass, and even a vintage Hammond organ with Leslie, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, etc., recorded through Fender combos and analogue pedals etc."

He continues, "This was an amazing experience, and very educational, as I love everything related to music production. Both the Fascination Street and URM teams were incredible, and I believe everyone involved had a great time, in spite of 14–16 hour workdays. I'm very happy with how everything came together and for those interested in the technical aspects of how it was made, there will be a thorough course coming soon at URM Academy."

ABOUT IHSAHN:
Since 1991, IHSAHN has defied expectations and pushed boundaries. Launching his solo career in 2006 with The Adversary, he has sought to maintain the black metal blueprint that he helped devise with the world-shattering EMPEROR, while mischievously exploring progressive dreamscapes, avant-garde jazz, electronica, darkwave, ear-crushing tech-metal and ambient meditations. Each full-length album has had an element of surprise and delight, where the architect plays out his creative vision by building on an unwavering zeal for the shock and awe that keeps his listeners on their toes.

Project 86 Share Video for New Single "0 > 1" — WATCH // New Album "OMNI Part 1" Out 3/24

PROJECT 86 are back and in a big way. The band will release the double album OMNI in two parts. OMNI Part 1 arrives on March 24. Pre-order it here. OMNI Part 2 will arrive in the fall of this year.

Today, Project 86 have shared the video for "0 > 1." Watch it below.

"'0 > 1' is a nasty, rabid, percussive swath of unsettling alternative metal rhythms, riffage, and growls, one that is sure to be a highlight on the new album," says frontman Andrew Schwab. "The song channels the disturbing rants of a 'fictitious' character named Alexander Ophis, who is the founder of a tech company called OMNI (which is also the name of the forthcoming double album). I imagine Ophis as an amalgam of many of the major elite players in global politics and power at the present; He is one part Elon Musk, one part Klaus Schwab, one part Bill Gates, and yet more sadistic, twisted and corrupted than all of them combined. Nineteen years into the future, in this song, Ophis reveals how his company conquered the world on the back of plague and famine, using technology to silence and manipulate the masses (as well as world governments, the media, and big medicine) into submission."

ABOUT OMNI: 
OMNI is an immersive Sci-fi/horror media experience, one part double album, one part film, one part novel. Though it is a work of fiction, it is rooted in current events, circa 2023. Sonically, it is a wholly unique merger of genres…death metal, gore, rock, electronic, and doom metal.

Part one of the double album serves as the score and basis for the film/novel. Part two serves as a backstory to the emergence of OMNI, specifically its two antagonists/founders.

            The year is 2041. The human species has finally reached the moment where technology is poised to eradicate man’s most ancient adversary: death itself. One big-tech power-an entity called THE OMNI-has emerged to lay claim to dominion over all civilization via three life-altering innovations: 1. THE PULSE: An mRNA genetic implant which has the power to regulate human emotion through algorithms. 2. THE OPTIC: an ocular/neural interface which replaces smart phones. This allows users to see virtual artifacts in their natural field of vision, introducing augmented and virtual reality into the physical world. 3. ORGANIC FISSION: a 100% sustainable energy source of spurious detail, which harvests powerful energy from “organic sources” (which are later revealed to be living humans who are disintegrated at the atomic level). 

The whole of the narrative focuses on the launch event for THE AUGMENT, which is the technology which finally allows man to merge with AI and become immortal. The event takes place at OMNI City (former Ankara, Turkey) at the OMNI Tower, a massive, 3km spire which is humanity’s greatest architectural achievement. The tower “floats” 200 meters above the ground, and is a luxury resort/event venue. It is also lined with LED screen-projectors on every surface of its interior, making it a completely customizable virtual/physical environment.

            OMNI has engineered the singularity, unbeknownst to the public, with the help of "voices" from the other side (Extra-terrestrial entities which are the sources of the tech innovations). OMNI's trust in these entities proves to be disastrous…

            After the announcement of THE AUGMENT, the response at the event is euphoric. But, as the event proceeds, things take a dark turn. Without the fear of the ultimate consequence (death), the true, dark nature of man becomes evident. Violence and anarchy begin to spread like yeast through dough. At the launch party in the OMNI Tower, the massive festival event turns into a violent, murderous riot of disturbing proportions. 

The story culminates with the narrator inviting a malicious "AI" (spirit) into his body, setting off a chain-reaction of unimaginable horror on a massive scale. Ultimately, the tower, and its inhabitants, are doomed, as the singularity does not go as planned, destroying all involved, serving as a warning to humanity for what lies ahead. 
 
"Fiery the angels fell, deep thunder rolled around their shores, burning with the fires of Orc" — Roy Batty/Willam Blake

CODEFENDANTS Drop NSFW Music Video For New Track, "Bad Business" Feat. N8NOFACE

Los Angeles CA - Fat Mike, Sam King and Ceschi Ramos aka the Codefendants, have released the third installment of their cinematic pentalogy today in the shape of the official music video for standalone single "Bad Business" featuring N8NOFACE. The NSFW video directed by Indecline comes with a viewer discretion advisory as the video features some scenes of graphic violence. It might be too real for you. Check out the video below and find the track on streaming platforms HERE.

Speaking on the latest release and the storyline developing across the three music videos to date, Fat Mike comments

"It's like American Me meets The Three Amigos.”

Guest star of both the track and the music video, rising Los Angeles star, N8NOFACE adds

“When Fat Mike reached out for me to collaborate with his new band, Codefendants, it was a no brainer. Really had a blast making this”

Today's release of "Bad Business" comes in the aftermath of the earlier release of the group's first two tracks, "Abscessed” and “Suicide By Pigs”. Watch both videos and get the backstory for “Bad Business” by clicking HERE or clicking on the image below and you’ll be waiting to see what happens next. Since their official release in November 2022, the two videos have clocked up 131,000 YouTube Views and 75,000 Spotify streams. The band has also announced their first tour date in Austin, TX as part of the NOFX Final Tour on April 22 at Carson Creek Ranch.

ABOUT CODEFENDANTS

Sam King from Get Dead’s graffiti crew were giving tattoos and making flash art to raise money to help rapper Ceschi Ramoswhen he was in prison. Months later they met at the Gilman Street Project in Berkeley, California. They bonded, talking about their love of hip-hop and punk rock, over a bottle of Jameson. They didn’t know it yet, but they had just started Codefendants.

They began recording songs two years later in Los Angeles with Fat Mike from NOFX as producer. Soon after Fatty joined the band, they decided to make an album that sounded like nothing else - a completely genre-fluid album - a cross between hip hop, new-wave, flamenco, and the Beatles. And thus a whole new genre - Crime Wave was born. That album will be released via Fat Wreck imprint, Bottles To The Ground, this year (more news on that to come soon).

The group filmed a five- song video series that will probably not be seen on YouTube due to the subject matter, but will be available at thisiscrimewave.com. The short movie, written by Fat Mike and made up of the five music videos, features the legendary rapper DOC, N8NOFACE, 2Mex, and Stacey Dee from Bad Cop / Bad Cop.

 

All that Fat Mike has to say about the new Codefendants album is,

 ”Get ready for the best aural sex of your life.”

Follow Codefendants Online 

www.thisiscrimewave.com

DON'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS Release Official Music Video for Single "Always Right"

Alternative rock band Don't Believe in Ghosts released their latest single "Always Right" on Friday January 20th. The new song combines state-of-the-art indie-pop production with a modem alternative rock sound, all surrounded by lyrics about the internal battles and self doubts we all face. Today, the music video for the song released featuring the band performing while everything goes wrong.

Currently, the band is featured on the soundtrack of the new Apple TV+ show WeCrashed starring Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto. Don't Believe in Ghosts is also featured performing on the show's third episode.

Don’t Believe in Ghosts are an alternative indie pop band formed and based in New York City. Led by singer, songwriter, and producer Steven Nathan, the group features Dan DelVecchio on guitar, Alex Goumas on bass, and Ken Yang on drums.

The band signed with Imagen Records/Warner ADA, some achievements include singles at alternative radio stations across the country, 2+ million plays on Retail Radio, charting at #2 on All Access, and song features on many other TV shows, including “Ink Master” and “The U.S. Open”. The band has been featured in American Songwriter, Kings of A&R, and Alternative Press Magazine, who included them in their “40 Artists You Need to Hear” list. They’ve also been on multiple tours, played alongside COIN in the MidWest, and were invited to perform at “The Gathering” Radio Convention in Cleveland in 2021. In 2022 the band scored the soundtrack to the TV show ‘The Heart Of Saint Francis’ which was also directed and edited by lead singer Steven Nathan.

The band will be celebrating the release of their single at the Chelsea Music Hall in NYC on Jan 20th with a special live release party and will be taking the road this spring playing.

“Don’t give energy to the ghosts of your past," says Steven Nathan when describing the meaning behind the bands' name. “Worrying about what other people may think can be draining and debilitating.” Don’t Believe In Ghosts amplifies this theme throughout their music, which is honest, inventive, and meaningful. The result is a catalog of songs that are ambitious, yet relatable.

Vocals, Guitar / Steve Nathan
Guitar / Dan DelVecchio
Bass, Keys / Alex Goumas
Drums / Ken Yang

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube

Gideon Share NSFW "MORE POWER. MORE PAIN." Video — WATCH

ALBUM ARRIVES MARCH 17 VIA EQUAL VISION

Alabama metalcore warriors GIDEON — drummer Jake Smelley, vocalist Daniel McWhorter, guitarist/vocalist Tyler Riley, and bassist Caleb DeRusha — previously announced their new album MORE POWER. MORE PAIN. The album arrives on March 17 via Equal Vision. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band has shared the video for the title track — a crunchy, epic anthem build around a plate-shifting breakdown. Watch it below.

"Becoming accustomed to pain will leave you asking for more, once you see the growth it can bring," the band states. "If you can't turn your pain into power, then you will live your life at the bottom, dwelling in self-pity, depression, and continuing to revisit old versions of yourself. Being self-aware of your pain is a big first step to growing from the past and unlocking your true potential. Pain will always be a part of life. Embrace it, see it for what it truly is, and use it as fuel to build your strength and create the life you were meant to live: Give me more power."

ABOUT GIDEON:
Since forming in 2008 in Tuscaloosa, AL, Gideon had been making a name for themselves by defying convention, creating their own distinct sound and never settling for anything that was just run of the mill or ordinary. Rather, the band kept stretching the boundaries of their sound to great acclaim and to increasing commercial success. 2011's debut album, Costs, established them as powerhouse of the metalcore scene, but that's something the band simultaneously pushed away from it, incorporating elements of melodic hardcore and hardcore punk into the fold of their songs, but always with an underlying sense of positivity and defiance. Impressively prolific, the band released their next two full-lengths, Milestone and Calloused, on Facedown Records in 2012 and 2014 respectively, before signing to Equal Vision Records. 

Their first album for EVR was 2017's Cold, followed by Out Of Control in 2019, a record that deservedly saw the band's profile rising steadily. And then, of course, the pandemic hit. And all that hard work and dedication, and the progress they'd made vanished in an instant. In fact, Gideon were mid-tour on that album cycle when touring came grinding to a halt and forced the band to return home to Alabama, frustrated and disillusioned with a situation that—like most touring bands—thought might mean the end of what they do. Thankfully, it didn't, which brings us to Gideon's sixth full-length studio album. 

Recorded/mixed/mastered by Randy Lebouef at Graphic Nature Audio, MORE POWER. MORE PAIN. is a brutally intense burst of violent noise that both nods to the band's past, musically and thematically, but also establishes itself in its own context.

"We had to walk through fire and break down walls to get to this chapter," says Smelley. "We're done explaining why we are the way we are. This album is for the misunderstood, the dreamers, the broken, the damned, the ones that refuse to fall in line. When everything and everyone tells you to give up, your mind can take you to dark places. We came to realize that there was strength in that. Instead of letting it consume us, we fought like hell."

The band will also embark on tour in Winter 2023. The tour kicks off February 9 in Tampa and runs through March 18 in their Birmingham hometown. For the Fallen Dreams, Orthodox, and Guerrilla Warfare will also appear. Get tickets here.

GIDEON ON TOUR:
WITH FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS, ORTHODOX, + GUERILLA WARFARE:

2/9 — Tampa, FL — Orpheum
2/10 — Orlando, FL — Henao Center
2/11 — Atlanta, GA — Masquerade - Purgatory
2/12 — Greensboro, NC — Hanger 1819
2/14 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club
2/15 — Baltimore, MD — Soundstage
2/15 — Brooklyn, NY — Meadows
2/17 — Frenchtown, NJ — Artie's
2/18 — Long Island, NY— Amityville Music Hall
2/19 — Hartford, CT— Webster Underground
2/21 — Pittsburgh, PA — Crafthouse
2/22 — Pontiac, MI — Pike Room @ Crofoot
2/23 — Indianapolis, IN — Emerson Theater
2/24 — Chicago, IL — WC Social Club
2/25 — Iowa City, IA — Wildwood
2/26 — Lincoln, NE — 1867 Bar
2/28 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theater
3/1 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
3/3 — Tacoma, WA — Real Art
3/4 — Portland, OR — Bossanova Ballroom
3/5 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post Downtown
3/7 — Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone Berkeley
3/9 — Anaheim, CA — Chain Reaction
3/10 — Los Angeles, CA — The Echo
3/11 — Phoenix, AZ — Nile Underground
3/12 — Albuqurque, NM — Launchpad
3/14 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Underground
3/15 — Fort Worth, TX — Ridglea Room
3/17 — Nashville, TN — Exit/In
3/18 — Birmingham, AL — Zydeco

HORIZON IGNITED Release new single "Carry Me"

Finnish newcomers HORIZON IGNITED wrapped up an incredible 6-week European tour last autumn, where they supported HYPOCRISY alongside SEPTICFLESH and THE AGONIST, picking up new fans in droves along the way. 

Today, the band are pleased to release a new single "Carry Me", which has only previously been included on the vinyl version of their latest album Towards The Dying Lands (released in July 2022).

Listen to ´Carry Me´ on all platforms:  https://horizonignited.bfan.link/carryme.ema 

Listen to Towards The Dying Lands on all platforms: https://bfan.link/HorizonIgnitedTTDLSingle.ema

The band comments on the song:
"When we released our second album Towards The Dying Lands, there was one song that was included only as a vinyl exclusive. It's a brilliant track with a huge bridge and we decided to play it live during our first-ever European tour with Hypocrisy. We quickly noticed that it works in a live setting as well and since then we have all fallen deeply in love with the track, so it brings me much joy to announce the digital release of 'Carry Me'
We hope that this track pleases our fans as much as it pleases us and we can't wait to play it live again."

HORIZON IGNITED is:
Okko Solanterä | Vocals
Johannes Mäkinen | Guitar
Vili Vottonen | Guitar
Miska Ek | Keyboards
Jukka Haarala | Bass
Jiri Vanhatalo | Drums

TWILIGHT FORCE - New Album 'At The Heart Of Wintervale' Is Out Now!

Today Swedish symphonic power metallers TWILIGHT FORCE have released their fourth long player, At the Heart of Wintervale. Landing over three years after the band's previous studio album, their latest opus recounts brand-new and exciting stories from the Twilight Kingdoms! Along with the album release, the Swedes have also unveiled a new music video for the album title track "At the Heart of Wintervale", which can be witnessed below.

TWILIGHT FORCE comments:
"Rejoice! The eternal wait is over! At the Heart of Wintervale is finally unleashed upon the mortal plane, and all is well again! This creation is the culmination of our immense efforts to bring you along on a journey through the vast realms of the Twilight Kingdoms, and to explore its rich history of myths and magic through a swift and sparkling musical adventure. So come, and join us once again on a quest to remember - for today is a day of celebration! 
May the Power of the Dragon forever guide you!"


Purchase At the Heart of Wintervale on various formats and stream the album now here:
https://twilightforce.bfan.link/at-the-heart-of-wintervale.a01

At the Heart of Wintervale will consist of 8 captivating tales from far and wide, and will have a running time of approximately 45 minutes. The songs are all stories and legends from the Twilight Kingdoms, gathered over years of meticulous research, and will further explore and delve into the vast and magical world of its realms. 
  
At the Heart of Wintervale will be released on CD, Digibook, and Vinyl. The limited Digibook edition will also include three bonus tracks. The first one is a song that many of TWILIGHT FORCE's loyal knights may somewhat recognize; it is an acoustic blend of some of the older works, featuring an entrancing vocal performance and guitar work by TWILIGHT FORCE's very own wood elf Aerendir. The second and third bonus tracks are orchestral versions of two songs from the album, where fans will have the opportunity to experience a different soundscape, and perhaps discover new exciting elements and intricacies never discerned before.

About:
TWILIGHT FORCE is a Swedish symphonic power metal band known for their highly fantastical lyrics and LARP-style outfits which the band performs onstage in. The band's main lyrical themes are based on the lore of a fictional world known as The Twilight Kingdoms, created by keyboardist Blackwald. The band has released three albums to date. Their latest, Dawn of the Dragonstar was released in 2019. During the past few years, Twilight Force have been busy forging their newest opus, At the Heart of Wintervalewhich will be released by Nuclear Blast Records on January 20th, 2023. 

TWILIGHT FORCE is:
Allyon | lead and backing vocals
Lynd | lead and rhythm guitars
Born | bass
Blackwald | keyboards and narration
De'Azsh | drums
Aerendir | rhythm and acoustic guitars

BRUJERIA - Announce Their "Matando Güeros – 30 Aniversário Tour"!

BRUJERIA are proud to announce their "Matando Güeros – 30 Aniversário Tour". The 19-date Southwest trek will kick off on February 24th in Yuma, Arizona and will make their way across the southwest coast with performances in Houston, Albuquerque, and Bakersfield before concluding in San Diego on March 19th. Joining the band for select dates are TOTAL CHAOS (2/24-3/12) and DWARVES (3/15-3/19) while ART OF SHOCK will be opening the show through the whole tour. Come celebrate the release of their first studio album this spring.

Brujo Comments, "'Matando Gueros... Aun Vive! 1993-2023".

Tickets for the tour are now on sale at: https://www.brujeria.com/tour

Confirmed dates for BRUJERIA's "Matando Güeros – 30 Aniversário Tour" with TOTAL CHAOSDWARVES, and ART OF SHOCK are:
Feb 24 - Fri - Red Moon Ale House - Yuma, AZ ~
Feb 25 - Sat - The Rock - Tucson, AZ ~
Feb 26 - Sun - Rockhouse - El Paso, TX ~
Feb 28 - Tue - Cold Brew - Laredo, TX ~
Mar 1 - Wed - Warehouse Live Studio - Houston, TX ~
Mar 2 - Thu - The Rock Box - San Antonio, TX ~
Mar 3 - Fri - Tulips - Fort Worth, TX ~
Mar 4 - Sat - Black Cock Brewing - Roswell, NM ~
Mar 5 - Sun - Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM ~
Mar 8 - Wed - Inspired Moments - Farmington, NM ~
Mar 9 - Thu - Yucca North - Flagstaff, AZ ~
Mar 10 - Fri - Backstage Bar - Las Vegas, NV ~
Mar 11 - Sat - Temblor Brewing Company - Bakersfield, CA ~
Mar 12 - Sun - Den Of Sin - Sacramento, CA ~
Mar 15 - Wed - The Ritz - San Jose, CA ^
Mar 16 - Thu - Strummer's - Fresno, CA ^
Mar 17 - Fri - Glass House - Pomona, CA ^
Mar 18 - Sat - Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA ^
Mar 19 - Sun - Music Box - San Diego, CA ^
~ - TOTAL CHAOS (2/24-3/12)
^ - DWARVES (3/15-3/19)

The band released their COVID-666 digital single via Nuclear Blast Records. Watch the quarantine-themed music video for their title track "COVID-666" which was directed by Juan Brujo,here: https://youtu.be/F3am_oJPqo0 The production and mixing for the single, including the artwork was handled by Juan Brujo.

Download and Stream COVID-666 digital single here: label.nuclearblast.com/brujeria-covid-666

BRUJERIA's most recent studio album, Pocho Aztlan, is the band's first release since Brujerizmo was released in 2000 via Roadrunner. It was recorded over the course of many years and at several studios around the globe. The end result was mixed by Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, THE EXPLOITED).

BRUJERIA's legend has proliferated for nearly three decades. When the band first emerged from the sunbaked hellscape of Los Angeles in 1989, the city was on the brink of chaos. Daryl Gates ruled the LAPD with an iron fist, overseeing a legion of blue-suited stormtroopers who cracked brown and black skulls at every opportunity. Rodney King, the ’92 riots, and CA governor Pete “Pito” Wilson’s anti-immigrant Prop 187 were all on the bleak horizon. The Mexican-American agitators of BRUJERIA captured the mood of the city’s minorities with the band’s infamous and widely banned 1993 debut, Matando Güeros(“Killing White People”), quickly becoming the Spanish-language counterparts to early grindcore masters TERRORIZER and NAPALM DEATH. Led by lyricist and mastermind Juan Brujo, BRUJERIA were alternately rumored to be satanic drug lords and members of well-established metal bands. The truth, as always, lay somewhere in between.
 
Fast forward to right about now: Pocho Aztlan is BRUJERIA’s first new album in 16 years. The title translates to “Wasted Promised Land,” a combination of Aztlán, the fabled ancestral home of the Aztecs, and the term pocho, which native Mexicans use to refer—not always kindly—to their counterparts born in the States. Brujo himself is pocho, a man caught between two worlds. Many pochos are not exactly accepted with open arms in Mexico. Meanwhile, they’re too often regarded as second-class citizens in their adopted US home. Brujo has transcended both scenarios through the power of BRUJERIA’s uncompromising grindcore and death metal. His all-Spanish lyrics are as vivid as they are effective: Bona fide tales from the frontlines of the drug war, the racial divide, and the battle for the border. “A lot of BRUJERIA songs are true stories,” Brujo says. “And if they haven’t happened yet, they will happen.”

More on BRUJERIA:
"Plota O Plomo" music video https://youtu.be/mWDZayTVScU
"No Aceptan Imitaciones" lyric video https://youtu.be/J1oUCeg67IQ
"Bruja-" track video https://youtu.be/zf0NoHg1ueI
"Viva Presidente Trump!" visualizer https://youtu.be/dliVvMbWB4o

Caitlyn Smith’s New Album, HIGH & LOW, Due April 14

Last year, Monument Records’ powerhouse vocalist Caitlyn Smith released High, the first half of a record that the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter self-produced. Today, Smith announces the completion of that project, adding six new songs to make her full record, High & Low, due April 14.
 
For Smith, the making of High & Low represented a metamorphosis. Looking back, the award-winning songwriter realized she, as many do in the era of social media, had celebrated the “highs” of life publicly – while navigating the “lows” in private. Instead of showing vulnerability, it was easier to pretend everything was fine. But over the course of writing and producing High & Low, Smith learned to peel back the curtain, embracing all aspects of her life, including the “lows” she once held so close to vest.      
 
“Nobody can have the highs without the lows,” she reflects. “When I decided to produce this album, I knew it was going to be a challenge - and musically it was a beautifully stretching & exciting experience. But it brought me into this unexpected season of life where I started facing all these roadblocks that were holding me back. Fear. Doubt. Denial. And I was really forced to finally bring these issues into the light. I went from hiding behind my songs to being able to say it out loud in the room - and that’s something I’m really proud of.
 
Out today, “Lately” is the first taste of what’s to come from High & Low. The track delves even further into this human experience, detailing the attempt to overcome loss using a series of distractions.
 
“I’d realized that I’d grown into this version of myself that only wanted to show and talk about the highs and became quite dependent on keeping up this façade that I have it all together,” she details. “Real life is gritty, and wild, and never perfect, and it’s given me so much freedom to be able to be more vulnerable not always put on a happy face, and be honest and unafraid of the more difficult feelings.”
 
Written by Smith with Gordie Sampson and Troy Verges, you can listen to “Lately” below.

The additional five new tracks balance 2022’s critically-acclaimed High, celebrated by NPR as “her most fully realized project yet,” with High & Low capturing the full picture of who Smith is as an artist and as a creator – where embracing the yin and yang simply makes you more human.
 
Pre-save High & Low HERE.

In addition to celebrating the release of High last year, the Minnesota native earned her first Academy of Country Music Awards nomination for New Female Artist of the Year. With two upcoming performances set for “Opry at the Ryman” on Jan. 21, Smith plans to announce 2023 shows soon.
 
For more information, visit caitlynsmith.com.
 
About Caitlyn Smith
After winning a Critics Choice Award, earning a nomination for ACM New Female Artist of the Year and writing songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Garth Brooks, Caitlyn Smith has established herself as one of Nashville’s brightest rising stars. Undeniably one of the best vocalists of this generation, Smith’s 2018 Starfire and 2020’s Supernova saw her in the pages of TIME Magazine and The New York Times, and had her named to Rolling Stone’s 10 country artists to know and Paste’s 10 country artists to watch. Smith’s self-produced High, was released in April 2022, with her follow-up effort High & Low due April 14 on Monument Records.

The Lucid and Insane Clown Posse Vocalist Violent J Re-Imagine Faith No More's 'Epic' with 'Sweet Toof'

Eclectic hard rock band The Lucid, which features vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge), actor/guitarist Drew Fortier, bassist David Ellefson, and drummer/producer Mike Heller have once again joined forces with legendary underground rap icon Violent J (Insane Clown Posse) for a re-imagining of Faith No More's "Epic" titled "Sweet Toof".

"Sweet Toof" is the band's fourth and final single from their upcoming E.P., Saddle Up and Ride, due out digitally January 27th from SpoilerHead Records. CD, Vinyl, and signed copies are available via Limited Edition pre-order bundles that will ship at a later date.

Violent J states,
"Man quit playin'! It's been an absolute honor and a privilege working with The Lucid! Being included among such monster talented and unbelievably cool people has been easily one of the highlights of my career so far. That's the absolute truth. Listen to it! Who the fuck can deny THE BEASTLY results? We KING KONG 'em!"

The Lucid guitarist Drew Fortier states,
"It has been such a fun, creative, and organic journey getting to this point with The Lucid. We are all very proud of what we have created together, especially with it being a completely independent endeavor."

Fortier continues,
"We love the Faith No More guys and their body of work and knew the perfect way to cap off our E.P. was doing a re-imagining of 'Epic' along with Vinnie and Violent J's twisted, and wonderful approach."

From the ferocious vitriolic sonic assault of the title track, "Saddle Up and Ride", to the epic off the wall and out of left field, "Sweet Toof", Saddle Up and Rideshowcases The Lucid feeding into their eccentric tastes spanning across Thrash, Country, Rap, Radio Rock, Metal, and Funk.

Violent J, one half of the legendary rap duo, Insane Clown Posse, is featured on the E.P.'s title track, "Saddle Up and Ride" as well as the album closer "Sweet Toof". Violent J has a solo album titled Bloody Sunday due out in 2023.

Pre-order the Saddle Up and Ride E.P. here:

http://lucidofficial.com/

For all things The Lucid:

https://linktr.ee/TheLucidOfficial

The E.P. features artwork by Alex Sarabia and was produced by Mike Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert.

The Lucid began in mid 2020 as an idea between frequent collaborators Drew Fortier and Mike Heller which led to David Ellefson (ex Megadeth) jumping on board on bass along with vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge) rounding out the lineup resulting in their debut self-titled album which featured 9 heavy hitting and emotionally charged tracks showcasing this eclectic quartet's unique sonic approach. To promote the album, 3 music videos were released, the Fortier directed "Deaths of Despair", "Maskronaut" directed by Michael Sarna, and "Hair" which was directed by Hannah Fierman and has gone on to win multiple awards from various film festivals.

The Lucid Online:

Official Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

The Lucid Contact Info:

Press: Shauna O'Donnell - sobandpromos@gmail.com

Radio: Jody Best- Bestbetpromo@yahoo.com

General inquiries - maggotwind@gmail.com

THE METAL HALL OF FAME RELEASE THE METAL HALL OF FAME ALL STARS CD/DVD

January 19, 2023-- The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to enshrining forever, the Iconic Bands, Industry Executives, and Musicians who are responsible for making Rock and Metal Music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring Rock and Metal Fans throughout the World, from generation to generation. Now they are teaming up with Deko Entertainment to release the first ever Metal Hall of Fame All Stars CD and bonus DVD.

The Metal Hall of Fame All Stars CD includes appearances by Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteem, Iced Earth), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Tony MacAlpine, Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Uriah Heep), Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater, Alice Cooper), Chris Impellitteri, Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne), Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth), Geoff Tate (ex-Queensryche), Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani. 

As a bonus you also get the The Metal Hall of Fame DVD which includes the 2021 inductions of Triumph, Stryper, Marty Friedman, former KISS members, Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick, former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley, with inductions by Paul Stanley (KISS), Dee Snyder (Twisted Sister), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Frank DiMino (Angel), and many others. Also included are the 5th anniversary highlights including past inductions of Metallica, Anthrax, Randy Rhoads, Ronnie James Dio, Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) and much more!

This CD/DVD layout includes a 12-page booklet designed by famed artist Ioannis (Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Theater, etc…) and comes in two Limited Edition (only 100 of each) Box Sets which includes assorted Metal Hall of Fame postcards, key chain, and t-shirt. Metal Hall of Fame CEO Pat Gesualdo had this to say about it, “"It's a great honor to join with Deko Entertainment to release the Metal Hall of Fame All Stars CD/DVD.," says Pat Gesualdo, Metal Hall of Fame President/CEO. “All the musicians worked hard on this compilation to bring some exciting new hard rock and metal music to the fans!””

The 2023 induction ceremony is being held January 26th at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA with the induction of Twisted Sister, Raven, Lou Gramm,  and Chris Impellitteri.  Tickets are 35.00 Advance / 45.00 at the Door.

Pick up the, Metal Hall of Fame All Stars, and special limited bundles via: http://bit.ly/3WtsK4E

For more information, visit
www.dekoentertainment.com
www.metalhalloffame.org
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

Last in Line (Def Leppard, ex-Black Sabbath, ex-Ozzy) Announce "Jericho" + Share "Ghost Town" Video

LAST IN LINE — frontman Andrew Freeman, bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne), and former Dio comrades-in-arms Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) and Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath) — and their label earMUSIC announce the release of their third studio album Jericho, out March 31.

Pre-order the album here.

To kick things off, the first track "Ghost Town" was released digitally today. The accompanying music video can be watched below.

"The song for me describes breaking a cycle from different perspectives. On a personal level it could be family, career or life expectations, putting a person in an unwanted or unwelcome space. On a grander scale it addresses government expectations. Non-sensical, unethical ideas and laws that become the norm, while turning a blind eye to larger problems," states Freeman.

Despite the past two years of isolation, this record was produced in the best hard rock tradition with great studio performances of an excellent all-star line-up.

"With Last in Line, just as we did with Dio, we cut the basic tracks live. It's important for us to capture the energy of the syncopation of playing together in real time – much like the energy of a live show. This record represents the best of both worlds: the spirit of an energetic band performance, and the more reflective and nuanced qualities of our individual performances, too," says Campbell.

Last year, Last in Line surprised with a unique version of the Beatles classic "A Day in the Life," which has been released on the Limited 12" Silver Collector's EP with the same name.

In 2023, Last in Line are at the top of their game. On Jericho, Campbell delivers his signature flamboyant guitar playing, Appice and Soussan shake foundations with their unmistakable grooves, and Freeman's vocals are just one of the best of his generation.

The 12 tracks boast big guitar riffs and solos, they're catchy, and full of energy. Appice invites us: "All the musical forces of Last in Line are combined here for a super-powerful new record. Press play and put your seatbelts on!!"

TO THE GRAVE Drop Video For "Cut Off The Head"; New Album "Director's Cuts" Out Feb 24th via Unique Leader Records

Australian extreme metal squad, To The Grave have unveiled their powerful new single / video 'Cut Off The Head', the third taken from their new album, Director’s Cuts, out 24th February, 2023, via Unique Leader Records. Watch the horror-tinged video to 'Cut Off The Head' below and

Pre-order Director’s Cuts HERE.

 

The band comment: 

"'Cut Off The Head' is our commentary on the current state of heavy music from our perspectives. Too many people use their “fame” to inflict harm on others, from shitty business practices and bullying within the scene through to taking advantage of and assaulting fans. We’re sick of our art and expression being connected to the actions of these people simply by existing in the same genres. They deserve everything they have coming to them.”

At just over 44 minutes in length, 'Director’s Cuts' is an album packed with ambition and conscience. To The Grave have never shied away from channeling the real horrors of animal cruelty and its impact into the violent, emotional intensity of their music. Songs such as ‘Red Dot Sight’, ‘Found Footage’ and ‘Cut Off The Head’ perfectly conjure images of a world gone astray.  

 

'Director’s Cuts' was recorded by bassist Matt Clarke, with drums recorded live at The Brain Studios in Sydney and mixed and mastered by Lance Prenc at Prenc Audio (Void of Vision, Alpha Wolf, Polaris) in Melbourne with album photography by Animals Uncovered. 

The band comment on the new album: 

"This is the refinement of our combined musical tastes, fuelled by our sadness and anger at the state of the world. We made the music we wanted to make without really considering how it would fit into any little genre boxes, because we knew if we loved it completely then everyone else would too. These songs are hard and heavy without being technical just for the sake of it.”

Watch the video to their first single "Red Dot Sight", a hard-hitting track about anti-vegan public figures and the media perception against vegan activists, here.

Second single 'Axe of Kindness' continues the band's strong vegan message, watch the video here.

Catch To The Grave on tour across the US the March/April on the Unique Legion Tour with Vulvodynia, Viscera, Osiah and Bound In Fear.

ABOUT TO THE GRAVE

One of Australia’s most uncompromising bands, To The Grave return with their heaviest album to date, both sonically and thematically. Since the release of their 2019 debut album 'Global Warning', the caustic five piece have garnered international success, with 2021’s follow-up 'Epilogue', a re-issue of 'Global Warning' with bonus tracks, solidifying their position as “one of the country's heaviest exports.” (Revolver).

To The Grave have steadily built an audience in the underground, accumulating more than 11 million Spotify streams, racking up over 5.4 million YouTube views, all whilst decimating live audiences alongside Parkway Drive, PolarisCattle Decapitation, Thy Art Is Murder, Vulvodynia and Alpha Wolf.

Now, following a sold-out national headline tour in 2022 and revitalized by a new lineup, the band are more focused than ever, looking ahead to the release of their second album 'Director’s Cuts' in February.

 

The eleven tracks lyrically expose a societal and environmental hell on earth whilst pushing the boundaries of accessible extremity, full of barbed hooks, thick with atmosphere and drenched in groove. Razor-sharp guitars played with an exploratory approach - blending everything from whammy pedal squeaks and chiming cleans to death metal chainsaw tones - are entwined with live drums to give a level of dynamism that musically sets this band apart from the extreme metal pack, yet they maintain the weight of the heaviest bands today. Vocalist Dane Evans commands a multifaceted performance, bursting with vocal energy from throat-ripping dissonant screeches to low end gutturals. 

To The Grave are

Dane Evans - Vocals

Jack Simoni - Guitars, Programming

Luke Ringin - Guitars, Vocals

Matt Clarke - Bass, Vocals

Simon O’Malley - Drums, Vocals

Find To The Grave Online

https://linktr.ee/tothegraveau

NYC Sludge Rockers THE NETHERLANDS Announce New Album 'Severance' to be Released March 30

As humanity hurtles chaotically, blindly, and seemingly willingly towards what may well be its last act, The Netherlands, NYC’s hulking, intoxicatingly heavy progressive-sludge trio, has returned with an LP which attempts to filter the fury, glimmers of hope, and untenable intensity of life in the anthropocene into a 10 song narrative whirlwind which sounds unlike anything you’ve ever heard. 

'SEVERANCE' is the 9th release from multi-instrumentalist, compulsive creator, and unrepentant volume addict Timo Ellis (Cibo Matto, Spacehog, Yoko Ono) under The Netherlands moniker. 'SEVERANCE' features all the hallmarks of Ellis’ work, including blistering post-shred guitar heroics, primal drumming, and soulful, yet searing caterwauls.

But, as with every Netherlands release, Ellis has inexplicably found a way to ratchet up the intensity, render the dynamic shifts more extreme, and hone his menacing melange of melody and rhythm into a uniquely weaponized form of rock ‘n’ roll that reaches towards high art.

Check out the Video for "Omisha"

While Ellis is perpetually working, he’s not one to work without a grander purpose than loud music for the sake of loud music.

In the man’s own words, “'SEVERANCE' suggests a catastrophic separation, explosively brought about in the last 250 years by techno-industrial civilization and the human supremacist worldview, which separates us from the Earth, from each other, and from ourselves.

"This album is about the urgent need to return to values, traditions, and rituals that restore our connection with the Earth, all of its creatures, and ourselves. It’s about abolishing corporate capitalism, unchecked technological expansion, and halting the unnecessary pillaging of this planet’s creatures and 'resources'...about a path forward that integrates modern foundations of fairness, community, compassion, love, and sovereignty for all people, animals, and Earth systems.”

An admittedly heavy conceptual weight to lift, 'SEVERANCE's exceptionally cinematic arc is aided by Ellis’ stream-of-conscience prose which lends an earnest, exasperated voice to the outrage so many of us feel in our daily lives as we’re blinded by screens and lulled into complacency by various systems of oppression. 

Pre-Order / Save 'SEVERANCE' HERE

An album exploring topics as heavy as the ones 'SEVERANCE' tackles requires sonics to match. For Ellis -- a prolific producer and engineer himself -- the skills and peerless engineering sensibilities of taste making heavy music producer Kurt Ballou (Converge, High On Fire) and the hallowed walls of Ballou’s God City Studio in Salem, Mass, proved the ideal space to capture the record’s massive sounds.

For Ellis, Ballou’s unmatched attention to detail and “comprehensive tuning” of the drum and organic guitar sounds on 'SEVERANCE' proved to be an x-factor in capturing the most monstrous and fully refined Netherlands release to date. The experience of tracking 'SEVERANCE' with Ballou surpassed all of Ellis’ expectations, and reinforced the NETHrock mastermind’s belief that Ballou is “one of the best and most artfully-minded heavy music producers of his generation.”

'SEVERANCE' is another chapter in the book of a band that’s consistently released heavy music on its own terms and with its own undeniable personality. There’s a reason contemporary heavy metal luminaries like Joe Dupontier of Gojira and Bill Kellihar of Mastodon count themselves amongst The Netherland’s biggest fans, and 'SEVERANCE’s 10 tracks prove The Netherland's potency once again. 

Physical Version of Seether's 20th Anniversary of Edition of "Disclaimer" Out Today

SEETHER CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR GOLD-SELLING DEBUT, DISCLAIMER, WITH EXPANDED REISSUE

 2-CD AND 3-LP FORMATS OUT TODAY, JANUARY 20

Craft Recordings has partnered with Seether to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Gold-selling debut, Disclaimer, with an expanded reissue on 3-LP, 2-CD, and digital formats.

The physical formats arrive today, January 20, 2023 — available here.

Alongside brand new cover art, all configurations of this deluxe reissue feature the hits "Gasoline," "Fine Again" and "Driven Under," plus apreviously unreleased live show, captured in its entirety at New Hampshire's Hampton Beach Casino in 2003. Rounding out the bonus content is a rare 2002 live acoustic cover of Nirvana's "Something in the Way," which was first issued as a B-side.

"It's difficult to believe that 20 years have passed by in what feels like the blink of an eye," the band exclaims. "This album was our first U.S. release under the band name 'Seether' and it holds a very special place in our hearts. This is where our career really began and it's a great pleasure to present this updated version of Disclaimer that we hope fans, both seasoned and new, will love as much as we have enjoyed this incredible journey over the past two decades. As always — play it loud!"

The 3-LP set is housed in a deluxe triple gatefold jacket, while both physical formats also include new liner notes from Katherine Turman, an acclaimed music journalist, producer and co-author of Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal (HarperCollins).

Formed in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1999, Seether (originally named "Saron Gas") instantly hooked fans at home with their blend of alt-metal, grunge and heart-on-sleeve lyricism. At the turn of the millennium, not long after releasing the South Africa-only Fragile, the band (originally consisting of vocalist and guitarist Shaun Morgan, bassist Dale Stewart and drummer Dave Cohoe) caught the ears of Wind-up Records, who brought the trio to the US to record their international debut. In the whirlwind weeks between pre-production in New York City and recording in Los Angeles, the band gained a new name (borrowing their permanent moniker from Veruca Salt's 1994 alt-rock hit) and lost a drummer, when Cohoe chose to return home. As the band auditioned new drummers, veteran musician Josh Freese (The Vandals, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails) stepped in to lend his talents in the studio.

Over the next four months, Seether recorded new material, plus seven selects from Fragile, with producer Jay Baumgardner (Bush, Shinedown, Papa Roach). Several songs dated back to Morgan's teenage years, including the brooding "Fine Again," written after his parents' divorce. "69 Tea," meanwhile, was one of Morgan's earliest compositions as well as the band's first single in South Africa. Other songs found Morgan and Stewart reflecting on more recent experiences, including the deeply personal acoustic ballad "Broken," written by Morgan about the breakup of his marriage and family after his wife chose to remain in South Africa with their daughter.

Disclaimer was released in August 2002, amid a busy schedule of shows (including a coveted spot on the Ozzfest tour). The album, which was eventually certified Gold by the RIAA peaked in the Billboard 200's Top 100 and spawned three of the band's most enduring hits, including "Driven Under" and "Fine Again," the latter of which topped Billboard's Active Rock chart, peaked at No.61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the Top Ten of both the Hot Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. The song was also featured in the video games Madden 2003 and 1080° Avalanche and later appeared in the 2018 film Boy Erased. The third single, "Gasoline," peaked at No.8 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and remains one of Seether's biggest hits, while videos for all three songs saw regular airplay on MTV2. The critics also took notice of the young band. Comparing Seether with such grunge heroes as Pearl Jam and Nirvana, Rolling Stone praised the group's "toe-tapping catharsis."

That catharsis could certainly sum up the band's first year in America. But, while that transitional era wasn't easy, it set Seether on a prolific—and highly successful—course. In her liner notes, Turman writes, "Out of strife, both in the members' personal lives and in navigating the new-to-them music business, arose indelible songs and a sound that would create a career. Plus, the pride of a nation; when Seether returned to play South Africa post-Disclaimer, people were grateful to them as essentially the first South African rock band to succeed outside its borders."

Speaking to Turman, Morgan recalls, "If there was ever a little engine that could, against all odds, with every possible obstacle thrown at us, this is the record…. We managed to somehow surmount everything."

Stewart adds that the band remains "very proud of Disclaimer. The record put us on the map in a lot of ways, and it had a lot of songs we'd written when we were really young…. There's a lot of pride attached to that album."

Two years after its release, the band revisited the songs on Disclaimer with 2004's Disclaimer II. Among other reworkings, Morgan reimagined "Broken" as a duet with Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee. Released as a single, the song became a Top 20 hit in the US and a Top 5 hit in Australia, New Zealand and Belgium, while Disclaimer II became the band's first Platinum-certified album in America.

In the ensuing years, Seether has amassed a global audience and released a total of eight best-selling studio albums, including the Platinum-certified Karma and Effect (2005) and Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces (2007). Ranked at No.7 on Billboard's All-Time Mainstream Rock Artist roundup (a list that spans the chart's 40-year history and finds Seether tied with Aerosmith), the band has scored four Top Ten albums on the Billboard 200 and 17 chart-topping singles, including 2017's "Let You Down," 2014's "Words as Weapons" and 2011's "Tonight." Along the way, the quartet (now comprised of Morgan, Stewart, drummer John Humphrey and guitarist Corey Lowery) has never waned in their sense of purpose, their dedication to their craft and their commitment to fans. That sentiment also extends to the band’s annual Rise Above Fest, which they founded in 2012 to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental illness.

In 2020, Seether released their acclaimed eighth studio album, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (If You Want Peace, Prepare for War), via Fantasy Records, while last year, the band celebrated their 20th anniversary with the compilation Vicennial – 2 Decades of Seether (Craft Recordings). Also in 2021, Seether was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's popular "Right Here Right Now" exhibit, which focuses on the evolution of rock and its impact on the current generation of artists. "Right Here Right Now" helps fans discover how bands like Seether, plus artists like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, have influenced the new millennium.

 Click here to order Disclaimer (Deluxe Edition).

ABOUT CRAFT RECORINGS:
Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most prestigious collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its rich and storied repertoire includes legendary artists such as Joan Baez, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Nine Inch Nails, Thelonious Monk, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Traveling Wilburys, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Concord, Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Milestone, Musart, Nitro, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Sugar Hill, Vanguard, Vee-Jay, and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation — ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord Recorded Music. For more info, visit here and follow on FacebookTwitterInstagram, YouTube, and Spotify