Bad Omens' RIAA-Certified Gold Single "Just Pretend" Claims #1 Spot On Alternative Radio Chart

September 1, 2023

In an electrifying feat, Los Angeles-based rock sensation Bad Omens continues to dominate the airwaves with their RIAA-certified Gold single "Just Pretend" claiming the coveted #1 position on the Alternative Radio chartafter having already achieved the #1 spot at Rock Radio earlier this March. Off the band's phenomenal latest album 'THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND' (out via Sumerian Records), "Just Pretend" has nearly 100,000 spins from radio overall between all formats, and taken on a life of its own after claiming the #1 spots on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs for 20 weeks and Hard Rock Digital Song Sales charts as well as climbing Spotify's Viral 50 playlists in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia amongst others. Directed by Erik Rojas (Chase Atlantic, Jessie J, Waterparks), the official music video was based on a story written by Bad Omens vocalist Noah Sebastian which has amassed over 6.4 million views on YouTube and a staggering 190 million streams across DSPs with no signs of slowing. Furthermore, the band's titular album title track "THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND" is currently climbing the Top 5 at Rock Radio. Speaking about the news, Sumerian Group Owner and CEO Ash Avildsen commented:

“Brilliant songwriting with an undeniable work ethic and creative tenacity has proven that an act this young can go #1 at both formats while being on a fully independent label. This is a huge moment for all artists part of the genre’s new era as well as all our peer indie labels who have stayed in the fight and not sold their brand to the majors.”

Listen to "Just Pretend" here and watch the music video below.

Fans can catch the band live beginning this week on their nearly sold-out headlining tour CONCRETE FOREVER (with ERRA and I See Stars as support). For ticket information please click here.

CONCRETE FOREVER North American Dates

September 1 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center (Sold Out)

September 2 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater (Sold Out)

September 4 - New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater (Sold Out)

September 5 - St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live (Sold Out)

September 6 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues (Sold Out)

September 8 - Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy (Sold Out)

September 9 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works (Sold Out)

September 12 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5 (Sold Out)

September 13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall (Sold Out)

September 14 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE (Sold Out)

September 15 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore (Sold Out)

September 16 - Boston, MA @ Roadrunner (Sold Out)

September 18 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS (Sold Out)

September 19 - Toronto, ON @ Rebel (Sold Out)

September 21 - Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed (Sold Out)

September 24 - Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! (Sold Out)

September 26 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Ballroom (Sold Out)

September 27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Myth Live (Sold Out)

September 29 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium (Sold Out)

September 30 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union (Sold Out)

October 2 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom (Sold Out)

October 3 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre (Sold Out)

October 4 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo (Sold Out)

October 8 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium (Sold Out)

October 9 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Theater at Virgin Hotels

October 10 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre (Sold Out)

October 11 - Albuquerque, NM @ Revel (Sold Out)

October 13 - Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum (Sold Out)

Fall Festival Dates

September 10 - Alton, VA @ Blue Ridge Rock Festival

September 22 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life

October 6 - Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock

Bad Omens recently announced their new comic book series "Concrete Jungle" (via Sumerian Comics). Co-written by Noah Sebastian and Kevin Roditeli ("Freak Show") and illustrated by Nicola Izzo, the four-issue monthly series will be available for purchase in stores starting next week on Wednesday, September 6. Be sure to keep an eye out for limited edition bundles later in the year and for further information, please click here.

Bad Omens slither through boundaries, only to ultimately choke convention in the process. The quartet—Noah Sebastian (vocals), Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson (guitar), Nick Ruffilo (bass), and Nick Folio (drums)—materialize with ghostly atmospherics, striking hooks, and the tingles of sensual high-register harmonies uplifted by cinematic production. Racking up over 250M worldwide streams to date and earning acclaim, the band presents an uncompromising and undeniable vision on their third full-length album, 'THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND' (Sumerian Records).

“Making the record changed us as songwriters and musicians. In many ways, I feel like it set me free as an artist because every decision made in the writing process was for myself, with no fear for anyone else’s expectations of what our third album should sound like. Be it our fans or our record label.”

They’ve always wielded this level of magic though…

The group’s 2016 self-titled debut, 'Bad Omens', yielded fan favorites such as “Glass Houses” and “The Worst In Me” which eclipsed 43 million Spotify streams. On its heels, 2019’s 'Finding God Before God Finds Me' spawned “Dethrone” (32 million Spotify streams) and “Careful What You Wish For”. Along the way, they toured with numerous marquee acts and received tastemaker praise.

After their first headline tour was canceled mid-way at the top of the global pandemic, the band found themselves at home in Los Angeles with plenty of time. Where they absorbed and imparted a different palette of unexpected inspirations. Channeling what the frontman describes at times as a “cursive sound” they embraced newfound confidence and boundlessly loose creativity. Anything went in the studio, and all “rules” were broken. Noah and Jolly wrote, produced, and engineered the music themselves while GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer and songwriter Zakk Cervini (Halsey, Grimes, Poppy, blink-182) lent his talents with the mix and master. Challenging himself, Noah decided to “make a track sampling items around the house, none of which were musical instruments”.

This ultimately became the framework for the first single “THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND”. Claps puncture the icy soundscape as his voice stretches from a breathy moan into an evocative and entrancing hook, breaking from a whisper into the seductive chant, “It wasn’t hard to realize. Love’s the death of peace of mind.” It culminates on a climactic scream uplifted by a distorted crunch.

“The whole record really details the loss of peace of mind,” he explains. “The lyrics in the title track are a little more specific in terms of the conflict at the heart of something more intimate and personal.”

By speaking it aloud, Bad Omens offer a level of comfort and empathy, with a sinister shroud. At the same time, they also give rock music a sexy new shape on 'THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND'.

“Sonically, we want to do something you can’t arrive late or early too,” he leaves off. “You can’t cheat your way to the final act. You have to get on the ride and process it until the end. The songs are meant to be heard from start to finish. We want you to take the whole trip with us.”

UADA Kicks Off North American Headlining Tour

September 1, 2023

Enigmatic black metal masters UADA will be retraversing the void starting tomorrow, August 30, in Denver, CO! The extensive North American headliner sees support from CLOAK and GHOST BATH and will make its way around the continent until the final curtain draws on October 1 in North Hollywood, CA. The full itinerary can be found below and tickets are now on sale HERE.

UADA will be touring in support of their forthcoming opus, Crepuscule Natura,' which will be released worldwide on September 8, 2023 via Eisenwald.

ICYMI: the USBM purveyors recently released a brand new single, "The Dark (Winter)," which can be streamed HERE.

'Crepuscule Natura' is now available for worldwide pre-sale HERE.

The album follows up UADA's 2020 release, 'Djinn,' which was regarded as "the most important record of the year" by Metal Insider, named one of the Best Albums of 2020 by New Noise Magazine, and regarded as "worthy of our your undivided attention at worst, and complete worship at best" for the Decibel Magazine October 2020 issue cover story.

UADA North American tour (w/ support from Cloak and Ghost Bath):

8/30: Denver, CO @ Roxy Theater

8/31: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

9/1: Boise, ID @ Shredder

9/2: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom

9/3: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw

9/5: Calgary, AB @ Dickens

9/6: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room

9/7: Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Center

9/8: Winnipeg, MB @ The Good Will

9/9: Minneapolis, MN @ Studio B at Skyway Theatre

9/10: Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray

9/11: Cleveland, OH @ No Class **NEW VENUE**

9/12: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground

9/13: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace

9/14: Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey

9/15: Quebec City, QC @ La Source De La Martiniere

9/16: Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus

9/17: Brooklyn, NY @ Meadows

9/18: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy

9/19: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

9/20: Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House

9/21: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

9/22: New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa

9/23: Houston, TX @ Secret Room

9/25: Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

9/26: El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse

9/27: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad **NEW VENUE**

9/28: Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock Live

9/29: Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place **NEW VENUE**

9/30: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

10/1: North Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory

Ever since the cloaked Pacific Northwest band appeared on the music radar, UADA has always been electrified by both polar worlds. Their echelon was stark and meaningful. Within the stretch of three albums as well as dense and triumphant live shows across the globe, they have not only spiked the map of extreme metal music but their unrelenting touring schedule and unbridled will to push forward into new horizons has also earned them a reception in all the extremes imaginable, be it worship or spite.

Five sonic vessels form the nucleus of 'Crepuscule Natura,' and within it`s 41 minutes, the record easily creates a sonic and aesthetic bridge between the band`s debut, 'Devoid of Light' (2016), and their sophomore effort 'Cult of a Dying Sun' (2018), only to forge onward upon the relentless path set forth with 'Djinn' (2020). Here, a more refined and muscular, yet no less melodic stronghold awaits. On 'Crepuscule Natura,' UADA provides all their memorable hooks, tasteful leads, and riding blasts in their distinct style, balancing their epic surging melodies with powerful spurts of aggression. Just like the band's smoke-heavy shows, the momentum and emphasis of their craft always stays grandiose, mythical, and triumphant – all the while making sure to birth a couple of new fan favorites and soon-to-be staple live songs.

'Crepuscule Natura', once again graced by the artwork of legendary Kris Verwimp and photography by Peter Beste, shows UADA on fire to unleash the marrow of black heavy metal.

Album Credits:

All music by UADA

Mixed and Mastered by Jake Superchi at Obsidian Spells

Album Cover & Moon emblem by Kris Verwimp

Photography by Peter Beste

Layout by Valkenstijn

Released via Eisenwald

Follow/Stream UADA:

BANDCAMP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Digital album released on September 8, 2023

CD formats to be shipped on or around September 15, 2023

Vinyl formats to be shipped on or around November 3, 2023

Chordophone collective Lusitanian Ghosts release upbeat 'September' single ahead of new 'Lusitanian Ghosts III' album

September 1, 2023

"Magnetic appeal... creating a broader cultural and sonic arsenal, while maintaining a buoyancy that takes the listener on a fantastic ride from start to finish" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Lusitanian Ghosts impressively channel tools of the past to create a beautiful sonic vision. Innovative in their use of traditional instruments to make modern pop-rock, this music is upbeat, quirky, feels familiar and is catchy as hell" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Highly melodic and sonically great... a pertinent, contemporary collection of songs that is full of dignity" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

Trans-Atlantic alternative neo-folk collective Lusitanian Ghosts presents their new single 'September', heralding the release of the third long-player 'Lusitanian Ghosts III' from this Portuguese-Canadian-Swedish chordophone collective (out September 15 via European Phonographic).

Recorded and mixed at Clouds Hill Studios in Hamburg by Sebastian Muxfeldt (Elbow, Peter Doherty, Teenage Fanclub), the single (like the coming album) will be released in both stereo and mono versions. Earlier, the band previewed the singles 'The Long Train', 'Shameless' and 'Got Enough'.

Founded by Neil Leyton and Micke Ghost (a.k.a. Mikael Lundin), Lusitanian Ghosts is a Portuguese-Canadian-Swedish project reviving lost instruments and presenting ancient sounds in the 21st Century. Re-casting these heritage folk violas into rock n roll songs, the European artist collective writes from a socio-political perspective on building a better world, creating songs for the heart and mind, recording on analogue tape and releasing moving music on vinyl.

Together with João Sousa, Abel Beja (from Primitive Reason), ToZé Bexiga (from Raia) and Jan-Eric Olsson, Lusitanian Ghosts plays traditional Portuguese chordophone instruments, ancient regional guitars (Amarantina, Beiroa, Campaniça, Braguesa, Toeira, Terceirense). These instruments, once on the verge of extinction, are the real "Lusitanian Ghosts" (Lusitania being an ancient Celtic tribe in what would become the central territory of Portugal).

'Lusitanian Ghosts' digital order https://lusitanianghosts.bandcamp.com/album/lusitanian-ghosts-iii

'September' evokes the Portuguese emotion of "saudade" - a happy-sad longing or yearning, a certain condition of the heart and soul. Here, Lusitanian Ghosts bring to the fore the Portuguese folk chordophone violas Amarantina, Campaniça and Terceirense, skilfully played by Michael Lundin, ToZé Bexiga and Abel Beja respectively.

ToZé's viola Campaniça, from the Portuguese heartland of Alentejo, also gets a processed treatment on this track, belying the fact that Lusitanian Ghosts make music with absolutely no guitars - just chordophones, bass and drums. Althought a brand new rock n roll alt-folk sub-genre, these songs feel warmly familiar.

"Musically, this one started out with an old bassline that I’d been toying around with for years but never got anywhere with. When I read Neil's lyrics that riff came to mind and we used it for the song originally. As it turned out, Janne came up with a much better bassline so my old one is still lying around waiting to be used in a future song. We couldn’t really decide if this was supposed to be a fast or a slow song, the chorus worked well both fast and slow so we just slowed it down in the ending so we got both. It turned out very well. A catchy little tune with ToZé on his baddest Pearl Thompson behaviour," says Micke Ghost.

Neil Leyton adds, "To me, September was always the most intense month of each year during my formative years... spending Summers on the beach in Portugal, then flying back to Canada for school... this song is about some of those intense childhood and growing up memories, both the good ones as well as the not so good ones... growing up is hard, but then you're an adult and you totally miss it, haha. This is also the perfect song to really introduce the wide breadth of emotions that are coming up on the rest of the Lusitanian Ghosts III album... coming, you guessed it, September 15th!"

'September' is out now, available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The 'Lusitanian Ghosts III' album will be released on September 15. It can be pre-ordered digitally via Bandcamp and also on vinyl, with both mono version and stereo version available.

SINGLE CREDITS
Neil Leyton - vocals
Mikael Lundin aka Micke Ghost - vocals and Viola Amarantina
João Sousa - drums and Adufe
Abel Beja - viola Terceira and backing vocals
António “ToZé” Bexiga - Viola Campaniça
Janne Olsson - bass and Viola Beirão
Published by Lusitanian Music Publishing
Written and Produced by Neil Leyton and Mikael Lundin
Recorded at Clouds Hill Studios, Hamburg
Engineered and Mixed by Sebastian Muxfeldt
Assisted by Schulie Pieper
Mastered by Chris von Rautenkranz at SoundGarden Hamburg
Album cover painting 'Hamnen' (The Harbour) by Yngve Forsberg
Album cover art photography by Swedish photographer Stina Wigg
'September' lyric video created by LyricFind (Toronto)

Hollow Front Announce "The Fear Of Letting Go" + Share "We're All Left Suffering" Video

August 31, 2023

HOLLOW FRONT ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM THE FEAR OF LETTING GO

ALBUM ARRIVES OCTOBER 27 VIA UNFD

BAND SHARES VIDEO FOR "WE'RE ALL LEFT SUFFERING"

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based metalcore slingers HOLLOW FRONT have announced their new album The Fear of Letting Go. It arrives October 27 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band has shared the video for "We're All Left Suffering," a track that finds Hollow Front in absolute beast mode, fusing vitriolic fury, riffs, and vocals, with forward-thinking guitar shred!

"This track is an anthem for the broken spirited," says vocalist Tyler Tate. "We live in a world riddled with heartache and constant struggle. Whether mentally, physically, or financially, we are a collective of human beings doing our best to survive."

He continues, "I think with everything that's happened in the world over these last three years, things might seem hopeless. It feels like the whole world has gone mad, and we're all just here suffering along for the ride. It can be incredibly discouraging being a human in today's social and economic climate. So I think this song is for those people who are sick of dealing with the bullshit life is throwing at them, and just want to truly breathe for once."

"We're All Left Suffering" follows "Letting Go," which addressed the exit of singer/guitarist Dakota Alvarez and served as a swan song for him.

EPICA - reveal new video of 'Beyond The Matrix (Live At The AFAS Live)'

August 31, 2023

On October 6th, EPICA’s new digital EP Live At The AFAS Live will be finally available, and today the band reveals another uplifting hit with ‘Beyond The Matrix’.

Coen Janssen comments: “This is our ‘ultimate’ live track! We haven’t found an audience yet that didn’t bounce with is during the chorus. Can you imagine how awesome it looked to see the whole AFAS jump simultaneously?! A great view to end the show full of adrenaline!!”

For those who don’t want to wait another month to enjoy the live videos from the band’s biggest home country headline show to date, you can now tune in to the new heavy metal streaming platform Thunderflix, where EPICA’s latest BluRay release from 2021, Omega Alive, is exclusively available as full stream – check it out here and subscribe to see many more metal shows at: https://www.thunderflix.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?campaign=epica

Vinyl fans are also in luck as on October 13th, EPICA will finally re-issue their fifth albumRequiem For The Indifferent on transparent red double vinyl. Initially released in 2012, the record featured the evergreen and fan-favorite ‘Storm The Sorrow’ and has been out of print for over 8 years: https://bfan.link/requiem-for-the-indifferent

Emerging Grunge Band G.U.S.H. Revives 90s' Nostalgia with Debut Single, "I Hate Myself"

August 31, 2023

Emerging grunge trio G.U.S.H. is leading the charge in 90s' grunge revival, calling to a very specific nostalgia familiar to kids who grew up during the heydays of MTV and Nickelodeon. The alt-rockers are now making their debut with their first ever single, "I Hate Myself," along with a music video that calls back to the analog days. The clip can be found below.

G.U.S.H. comments on the album's heavy themes and creation, "G.U.S.H. is a modern take on 90s grunge music. Songwriter Roger LeBlanc has taken the traditional sound of grunge music and added elements of shoegaze, post-rock, and metal. This new path has given LeBlanc an opportunity to express the weight of living with a debilitating chronic mental illness through low tuned heavy riffs coupled with intimate lyrics and a dynamic vocal delivery that rides the lines between mania and violence.

"This album is a window into mental illness and addiction and deals with the grieving process, the suicide of a dear friend, and the loss of who LeBlanc once was. The creation of this album acts as a therapeutic process through which the themes of trauma and healing can be explored while offering a sense of solidarity and empowerment. LeBlanc wants to let people who are struggling know they are not alone and that there can be quality of life achievable through self compassion, patience, and acceptance, and hopes that it inspires others to embark on their own journey of healing and love."

Currently, G.U.S.H. is an independent D.I.Y. act and is gearing up to reveal their debut self-titled full-length, for which more info will soon be announced! In the meantime, you can stream the new single across all streaming platforms HERE and peep the artwork and tracklisting below!

The 90s’ was the last decade to champion alternative music; grunge topped the charts as glam metal started to falter, MTV was not only dedicated to serving household audiences with new and legacy music, but also saw the dawn of Mike Judge cartoons that paid homage to rock and metal culture, and even Nickelodeon sought artists such as Devo, Iggy Pop, Blondie, and Third Eye Blind to participate in their children’s programming, be it through musical introduction numbers for iconic TV shows or unlikely cameos. As millennials broke into the aughts and approached their teen years, the alt-mania started to fade away. MTV gradually stopped purveying music and became a hub for reality television instead. Nickelodeon lost its edge and iconic branding. And above all, the rockers who wrote some of the most legendary music of the era started to meet their demise. Now, nearly 30 years after grunge started to take the airways, a new era is being ushered in with G.U.S.H., an emerging band from Canada who is an amalgamation of 90s’ alt-nostalgia.

“90s alternative music played such a huge role for me, especially at such an impressionable age,” says G.U.S.H songwriter Roger LeBlanc. “My two cousins were Gen ‘X’ers and they introduced me to what would be the foundation that I base all music I create off of. Albums like ‘Nevermind,’ ‘Razorblade Suitcase’ and ‘Mellon Collie’ and ‘The Infinite Sadness.’ These all influenced what I love in my music – pop song structure, catchy hooks, guitar driven jams and an upfront drum production, all dripping with angst. Deftones showed me that you can mash up two totally opposing influences and make something unique and powerful.”

LeBlanc continues, “I think we were the first generation to really be left to our own to figure out life. Both parents were expected to be working in the 90’s and that created such a unique form of anxiety in every aspect of life which embodies itself in all the cultural aspects of the time. The cartoons were weird, so were the toys. Video games were really starting to explode and the internet had arrived. I kind of raised myself in that sense. MTV (Much Music in Canada) and PC Gamer magazines is where I got the only news I cared about in those days. I think the main way these play into G.U.S.H. is that it is kind of a call back to a more simple time for me, although the lyrics can be austere, this really is a project about healing and finding yourself again.”

For some, LeBlanc’s foray into alternative music might be a surprise, as he last musical venture was with the now defunct post-black metal horde Numenorean. In some ways, G.U.S.H. is a major diversion from Numenorean, but when one really reads between the lines, there’s a duality within the post-rock elements found within both projects, calling to more nuanced 90s acts like the Deftones, who always painted outside the lines with layers of texture. “I wanted to get back to the basics,” explains LeBlanc of this musical change. “I wanted to explore what made me fall in love with music to begin with. This is music I’ve always wanted to play and to be honest I really pushed to have more aspects of it in my black metal project. I just couldn’t find anyone who wanted to play or write music like this with me, so I just did it myself. Then I surrounded myself with artists who wanted to be there. At the end of the day, I wanted to fall in love with music all over again and just have fun. I feel like I lost that in my previous project and I am so excited to have it back.”

What’s striking about G.U.S.H.’s debut is the stark contrast between the bright music and dark lyrics, reminiscent of the forlorn icons of the 90s who battled their demons publicly through their deep and mournful words against the backdrop of high-energy riffs and beats. “I wanted to convey what it’s like to live with chronic mental illness and the challenges I face being Bipolar,” LeBlanc candidly explains. “I wanted to explore my practice of wearing a mask to protect the ones I love and to be able to function professionally as an artist. The lyrics are what I’m truly feeling and the conversations I have with myself. The cheerful instrumental aspect of the sound is the mask I wear when I’m out in the world. This also plays into the experience of the mood swings and crippling depression associated with being Bipolar.”

The stigma that often goes along with mental health struggles is one that had started to become erased and challenged by the forefathers of the grunge genre. Artists became more open about their battles with depression, anxiety, and addiction, paving the way for individuals to speak more candidly about their own personal demons and to seek help before it’s too late. “I think things got a little more basic in the 90’s with regards to music and being openly pissed off and depressed was okay,” LeBlanc explains. “The faces of music became more about the human condition, not really pretending to be anything else. Like, hair metal in the 80’s which was huge before Nirvana hit the scene. Those bands were very much a suspension of belief with tons of gimmicks. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, but I think different generations expect different things from their artists. 90’s grunge and alternative was just a group of folks playing in a band and writing emotionally charged music. The emphasis was on stripped down songwriting and less with the gimmicks or makeup or being ‘heavier’ than the other band. It was about writing good catchy jams and owning the pop influence. I hope that it influences people to not shy away from pop music, just because it’s pop music. There’s so much to learn from other people's creations. I hope that people hear all the influences in our music and go ‘Oh, shit, I never thought to do that, I’m totally going to steal that!’”

While the millennials will never get to experience the haunting live prowess of legends like Kurt Cobain or Layne Staley, and Gen Z starts to see the last of the 90s heroes leave this plain such as Chris Cornell and Scott Weiland, G.U.S.H. emerges as an answer to those yearning for the nostalgia that they never got to experience first hand. The band joins the ranks of some of LeBlanc’s favorite modern acts who strive to capture the cultural essence from before the turn of the century. “There’s a couple of really great modern bands that inspired me on this journey,” he remarks. “Dilly Dally, Dead Soft, Superheaven, Narrow Head, Teenage Wrist, Fleshwater and Loathe. All fucking awesome!” He cheekily adds another piece of his childhood that seems to have made its way into the 2020s. “Also, bucket hats are back…I don’t know if that’s a good thing though?”

As G.U.S.H. makes its debut as an independent artist, the band captures the irony of how musical digitalization has now empowered artists to be their own creators. Napster once caused grievous harm to musicians by eliminating music sales, but now with the rise of digital streaming services and Bandcamp, this unlikely medium has started to allow artists to become DIY entities and not tied to the limiting corporate structure of a record label. As the band begins its journey, there is no doubt that they will be among the leaders of the grunge revival movement, one that kids will rediscover in another 20 years and feel inspired to mimic. “I hope that it inspires people!” exclaims LeBlanc. “I hope that folks will get out of this album what I get out of the albums I love. I also hope it helps all my sad folks feel a little better knowing they aren’t alone. That’s what Nirvana and Deftones did for me. I hope that I can give that back in some way to someone else.”

Recording Lineup:

Roger LeBlanc (Guitar/Vocals)

David Horrocks (Drums)

Josh Schroeder (Bass)

Live Lineup:

Roger LeBlanc (Guitar/Vocals)

David Horrocks (Drums)

Jeremy Shannon (Bass)

Ben Taillefer (Guitar)

Album Cover Artist:

Matthew Springer

Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Josh Schroeder

Links:

Instagram

Awake The Dreamer Share New Video

August 31, 2023

Awake The Dreamer have shared the new single "Labyrinth," an anthem of self-discovery, empowerment, and liberation!

Watch the video below.

Dive deep into the narrative of someone courageously breaking free from the chains of their past, rising above previous struggles, and awakening a fierce determination that fuels a newfound agency. This song is more than just a melody; it's a declaration of the strength it takes to reclaim control and build a better future for oneself. It's a musical journey that celebrates the power of self-determination and the strength that comes from within.

"We are really excited to continue the next chapter of Awake The Dreamer and for all awesome things we have in store coming in the near future. See you out there," enthuses vocalist Max Andrén.

The history of Awake The Dreamer leads us back to 2015, when the Stockholm based Melodic Post-Hardcore/Metalcore act was formed by childhood and high school friends. Since dropping the Grow EP in 2016, the band been seen touring all across Europe and Asia alongside bands like Ice Nine Kills, Northlane, Adept, and Crystal Lake, to name a few.

In September 2019, the band dropped the debut album Damaged Souls via Arising Empire. A 10-track introduction to hard-hitting, melodic post-hardcore/metalcore, which also included features by Adept's Robert Ljung on "Vigilant" and Crystal Lake's Ryo Kinoshita on "Atmosphere."

"Being a smaller band that didn't even have an album out by the time we had toured Europe and Asia quite finally caught up to us and then the pandemic hit. Like that wasn't enough, we unfortunately had former members leaving the band, so it became natural for us to just start from scratch in order to re-develop a new sound. A sound which we are really happy and proud of. It feels great to start releasing music again and we are really excited to be back," says bassist Benjamin Turesson.

AWAKE THE DREAMER ARE:
Max Andrén — Vocals
Victor Sandberg — Guitar
Johan Norsander — Guitar
Benjamin Turesson — Bass

Mavis Share New Video

August 31, 2023

ARISING EMPIRE WELCOME MAVIS TO ITS ROSTER

BAND SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "TORTURED LAND" — WATCH

German metalcore ensemble MAVIS, featuring vocalist Phil Donay, guitarist Manu Weller, bassist Mo Amrein, and drummer Jakob Schulz-Klein, are thrilled to reveal their new association with prominent label Arising Empire, along with the news of forthcoming music!

Following an impressive debut in the metalcore community with their initial three singles in 2020, this Southern German group is gearing up to release more tunes soon. MAVIS' brand new single, titled "Tortured Land," is out now. Watch the video below.

For the recording, mixing, and mastering of their new tracks, MAVIS collaborated with Manuel Renner of Überlärm Studios, a professional gaining recognition for his collaborations with bands such as Senna, CONSVMER, Vicious Rain, and The Butcher Sisters, among others. Together, they crafted a sound that accentuates the band's melodic yet spirited aspects while retaining a robust and vibrant energy.

"Tortured Land" features a visually compelling music video, filmed in collaboration with Danny Jakov of deadapefilms, encapsulating MAVIS' intensely dynamic performance style. The narrative portrays the challenge of confronting inner demons and anxieties, illustrating how facing them alone can exacerbate the issues, causing them to expand like a delicate glass sphere until it shatters, wreaking havoc on everything in its path.

MAVIS ARE:
Phil Donay — Vocals
Manu Weller — Guitar
Mo Amrein — Guitar
Jakob Schulz-Klein — Drums

Resolve Shares New Videos — WATCH🙌

August 31, 2023

SECOND FULL-LENGTH HUMAN DROPS SEPTEMBER 15 VIA ARISING EMPIRE

Resolve continue the roll out of their new album Human (out September 15 via Arising Empire) with the release of a brand new track titled "Older Days."

The new single features special guest vocals from both ten56.and Paleface Swiss as Resolve explore areas of both Trap and Hip-Hop, showcasing a whole new side to the band.

Watch the video below.

Vocalist Anthony Diliberto shares, "I wanted to express how I find comfort in surrendering to my inner demons, to the point that getting rid of them would make me an entirely different person, which I'm scared to encounter."

Bassist Robin Mariat continues, "When it came to picking it as a single for the Human campaign, we knew it was the one track we should try and do something different with its release. So we called for two of the most accomplished vocalists we know, Aaron Matts from ten56. and Zelli from Paleface Swiss to come to our studio and spice it up a bit more with us. Not only that, but we thought it could also be fun to film all three vocalists do a vocal run-through for the track once It was all done."

Pre-order Human now at the Arising Empire Shop.

Ever since their public reveal in February 2017 with the debut single "Exposed," Resolve have been eager to show their peers that they won't settle for anything but greatness. Their strong work ethic and attention to details allowed them to open shows for Architects, Every Time I Die, While She Sleeps, to name a few — within the first few months of the band's career.

RESOLVE released their debut album Between Me and The Machine in 2021 and had support from the likes of Kerrang! Magazine, Rock Sound, Metal Hammer, and Kerrang! Radio, while their tracks were rightfully placed on Spotify editorial playlists like New Core, New Metal, and Kickass Metal, gaining millios of streams worldwide.

RESOLVE ARE:
Anthony Diliberto — Vocals
Antonin Carré — Guitar
Robin Mariat — Bass
Nathan Mariat — Drums

Taking Back Sunday Announce New Album "152" + Share New Single "S'old"

August 30, 2023

Taking Back Sunday — John Nolan (lead guitar, piano, vocals), Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass), and Mark O’Connell (drums), announced their eighth studio album 152, set for release October 27 via Fantasy Records. Named for the section of road in North Carolina between Highpoint, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh where the band and their friends would meet up as teenagers ⎯ 152 is the multl-platinum selling rock band's first full-length offering since 2016's Tidal Wave. To mark the occasion, Taking Back Sunday released a brand-new track, "S'old," a fiery declaration of commitment and accountability.

Listen/watch the official video for "S'old" HERE.

Pre-order 152 HERE.

Commenting on their new album 152, Taking Back Sunday states, "'152' offers a lot more hope and light than we first realized when we were in the thick of it, putting it all together. We've been fortunate enough, through our music, to grow up with a lot of people going through the same things at the same time, and probably feeling the same way. Our hope is that you're able to find a little bit of yourself in this new collection of songs, because you're not alone, and neither are we."

Produced by Tushar Apte (whom the band met through a mutual collaboration with noted DJ Steve Aoki) and mixed by Neal Avron (Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers), the long-awaited LP features 10 intensely vulnerable and absorbing new tracks all delivered with fresh ambition and newfound purpose. Inspired by the long layoff and the cloud of uncertainty that blanketed the world (and music industry) these past few years,152 stands among the most genuinely reflective and emotionally pure efforts of Taking Back Sunday's illustrious career.

"You would think after 20 years, we knew what each other is going to do," said Lazzara. "But there were so many times making this record where I heard the initial idea and thought I knew where it would go, but then I was super surprised. It's those kinds of surprises that make it so exciting. That's why we all still want it so badly."

Added O'Connell, "When we're writing songs, the one thing we ask ourselves, 'Is it capable of making people feel something?' You try to make people feel emotion. That's the one goal we went in with, and we think we did it."

From the album's intricate riffs and anthemic vocals to its elegantly warm synths and economical string arrangements, the quartet work-shopped these new tracks like never before. That musical ambition, both musically and lyrically, is evident on the soaring album opener, "Amphetamine Smiles," a powerful tale of reconnection that is as much about the band themselves as it is the world at-large. From send-up to seriousness, Taking Back Sunday continually challenged one another, exploring musical ideas in new and exciting ways. So many of these tracks dig deep and connect on a gut level. "S'old" struggles with the obligations of adult responsibility and acceptance, (the previously released single) "The One," is a far-reaching anthem of love and brotherhood, "Keep Going," tracks the self-defeating darkness of betrayal, and "Quit Trying," drips with a 'can't run from who you are' self-awareness. All through 152, the consistent thread is one of generosity, gratitude and ultimately, hope.

Over two decades, Taking Back Sunday have cultivated a massive, dedicated fanbase built around music that reverberates with sincerity, desire, and connection. The influential, beloved rock powerhouse, originally from Long Island, NY, brought songcraft and pop sensibilities to punk's rigid conformity that expanded the genre’s contours and carried the band to new heights.

Despite the sizable gap between releases, a new generation of fans have discovered Taking Back Sunday and their enduring legacy has only grown in stature. The new album proves it was well worth the wait.

152 is Taking Back Sunday at their very best, a gripping and self-assured statement from an essential band once again at the peak of their prodigious powers.

TAKING BACK SUNDAY ON TOUR:
9/09 — Las Vegas, NV — Freemont Street Experience – (Free Show)
9/29 — Cocoa, FL — Cocoa Riverfront Park
9/30 — Jupiter, FL — Dastoberfest
12/1 — Melbourne, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
12/2 — Sydney, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
12/3 — Brisbane, Australia — Good Things Festival 2023
More dates will be announced soon!

Darius Rucker to Preview New Album 'Carolyn's Boy' with Performances of "Fires Don't Start Themselves" & More This Friday on TODAY

August 30, 2023

As anticipation mounts ahead of his first solo album in six years, Carolyn’s Boy, three-time GRAMMY winner Darius Rucker is set to deliver an unforgettable show on NBC’s “TODAY” Citi Concert Series stage this Friday, Sept. 1 during the 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. hours. In addition to songs from his multi-time Diamond certified catalog of hits, fans will hear a preview of music off the forthcoming album, set for Oct. 6 release and available for preorder here.

“I wanted to name the record Carolyn’s Boy because Mom never got to see any of my success,” Rucker previously shared with “TODAY” host Craig Melvin of the project. “She died before any of this happened, so it’s just another homage to the greatest woman I’ve ever known.”

Featuring current single “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” No. 1 hit “Beers And Sunshine,” recent release “Have A Good Time” and more, the 14-song tribute to a woman who embodied joy boasts Rucker as a songwriter on 11 tracks and includes a collaboration with rising trio Chapel Hart as well as Rucker’s powerful take on the Rihanna ballad “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In addition to his musical offerings, the famed sports fan continues to expand his creative endeavors off the stage and onto the field. Rucker’s Fanatics apparel line recently launched its third season of NFL gear while expanding to include all 30 MLB teams and select NCAA markets. Rucker's passion for sports and music will also converge as he performs the national anthem at the USC vs UNC game this weekend to kick off the college football season, which he will play an important part of as the new voice of ESPN’s “College GameDay” theme song.

For more information on all things Darius Rucker, including his personally-curated Riverfront Revival Music Festival returning to Charleston on Oct. 7 & 8, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

About Darius Rucker
Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. He co-hosted the 54th annual CMA Awards in 2020 and topped the charts at Country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021. Rucker’s new single, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” is available everywhere now as a preview of his forthcoming album set for Oct. 6 release, Carolyn's Boy, as he performs new music for fans this summer on his Starting Fires Tour.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $3.6 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics apparel line available at Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.

Indie folk-pop artist Mike Gale set to release milestone 20th album 'Thanks For Always Waving'

August 30, 2023

"‘Summer, Be Gone’ actually feels like a warm zephyr floating through an open window on a balmy summer’s day... like water bouncing off silk... a most wonderful and unique chorus which goes against the pop-norm by being a ghostly shimmer of reverb and wistfulness" ~ Joyzine

"Adorned with easy grace, this is triumphal folk-pop at its finest... like something Tame Impala and The Beach Boys might have performed together under the heavy influence of Paul Simon" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Equal parts charming and entertaining. A presentation of Gale's unique mind and it's abilities as a wonderfully adept melody making machine" ~ Headstuff

"A beautifully articulated songbook throughout. Swimmingly brilliant in it's indie slacker charm" ~ Monolith Cocktail

British folk-pop artist Mike Gale presents his stunning new album 'Thanks for Always Waving' (out September 8). With 11 tracks on offer, this is a rich and thoughtful collection of world- and folk-inspired indie pop.

Gale's music is positively-vibed folk-inspired indie pop. Generating catchy melodies and harmonies, this will be his 20th album in 20 years. Initially writing and performing under the Co-Pilgrim and Black Nielson monikers, this is the twelfth album released under his own name.

Mastered by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Circus Devils), this album was produced, recorded and mixed by Gale as his home studio. In the lead up to the album's release, he released the singles 'Grumble Pie' and 'Summer Be Gone', along with a calming video featuring the artist Kimvi, which was filmed in Suzhou, China by Matt Wallwork,

"'Thanks for Always Waving' is my 20th album. I wanted to go back to basics a bit with this one - simple pop songs with a stripped down gentle feel. I was very inspired by one of my favourite bands' (Tall Dwarfs) use of homemade percussion for rhythm, and the idea that you don't need a traditional drum sound to make a song groove. Lyrically, the album is mostly about trying to keep a positive outlook and being generally grateful for what you have despite the world seeming like a terrible place most of the time," says Mike Gale.

Album pre-order https://mikegale.bandcamp.com/album/thanks-for-always-waving

"The title of the album comes from my love of a YouTube channel called 'Solo Travel Japan', which is basically a guy taking overnight ferry trips to the many Japanese islands. One of the things he says as he leaves port is "Thanks for Always Waving" and it stuck."

A multi-instrumentalist, Gale has been singing for as long as he can remember. But it wasn't until he was around 20 that he formally began playing the guitar and writing his own music, citing The Lemonheads as a big influence in those early years. Born in Southampton, Mike Gale spent a good chunk of his childhood in North Devon and then Oxford, New York and Melbourne before returning home to settle on his beloved south coast of England.

With Gale taking melodic and percussive cues from influences such as Tall Dwarfs, Pavement and The Clean, 'Thanks for Always Waving' is ultimately one of his most pop-oriented albums to date, filled with mellow bongo beats and gentle washes of wavey organs.

As of September 8, 'Thanks For Always Waving' will be available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, .

CREDITS
Written and performed by Mike Gale
Produced, recorded and mixed by Mike Gale
Mastered by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Circus Devils)
Single cover photo by Akira Deng
Video filmed by Matt Wallwork in Suzhou, China
Actress featuring Kimvi

CARNIFEX - RELEASE VIDEO VISUALIZER FOR SECOND SINGLE 'DEATH'S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN' FEAT. TOM BARBER (CHELSEA GRIN)

August 30, 2023

Nourished by nightmares and the throbbing pulse of pragmatic terror, CARNIFEX have returned with their ninth full-length studio album, Necromanteum, out October 6th via Nuclear Blast Records. After existing as a band for over 18 years, CARNIFEX continue to experiment with fresh song arrangements, and adding a unique sense of atmosphere to their inherently deathcore foundation.

The band offers fans the next single from the album entitled, 'Death's Forgotten Children' which features Tom Barber of CHELSEA GRIN. Lyrically the song was inspired by near-death experiences that Scott and Tom have lived through.

CARNIFEX's Scott Ian Lewis comments, “I really had a great time working with Tom. Not only did we collaborate on the vocal patterns but we co-wrote the lyrics, which is something I’ve never done before. The song came out great and we both hope the fans love it as much as we do.”

Stream the new single 'Death's Forgotten Children' featuring Tom Barber (CHELSEA GRIN) here:
https://carnifex.bfan.link/deaths-forgotten-children

Watch the video visualizer for 'Death's Forgotten Children' featuring Tom Barber(CHELSEA GRIN) below;

Pre-order/pre-save Necromanteum here:
https://carnifex.bfan.link/necromanteum

The recording process took place over the course of several weeks with producer Jason Suecof in Florida, and saw the return of live drums since COVID-19 restrictions made doing so on Graveside Confessions impossible. Mastered by Mark Lewis in Nashville, TN, the album was also co-produced by vocalist Scott Ian Lewis and drummer Shawn Cameron. The cover artwork glows with an emerald and lavender fog; a ghostly energy erupting from the depths of a cemetery. Designed by renowned comic book artist E.M. Gist, this gateway represents the questions we ask about what lies on the other side of reality.

Decades ago, wealthy intellectuals began installing psychomanteum in their homes; a secret room completely filled with mirrors, or a single mirror, and in complete darkness, in order to speak to the dead in other dimensions, and gain their knowledge. It was often used as a healing tool to help dissolve grief or considered a form of prophecy. Necromanteumpresents the concept: what if you could use that kind of room to speak with death, itself? What secrets of the world could you uncover from a direct conversation with the grim reaper? Not a monster, but a fellow intellect.

Necromanteum will be available digitally and in the following formats:

CD Jewel
vinyl
- Neon Green w/ Purple Splatter

This fall,CARNIFEXwill head across the U.S. on their 'Necromanteum Tour'. The 24-date trek will kick off on October 10th in Arizona and will make stops in Dallas, Columbus, and Denver before concluding on November 11th in Los Angeles. Joining the band each night are SIGNS OF THE SWARM, TO THE GRAVE, and THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased at http://carnifexmetal.com/.

Confirmed dates forCARNIFEX's 'Necromanteum Tour'with SIGNS OF THE SWARM, TO THE GRAVE, and THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE are:

10.11.2023 U.S. Tucson, AZ – The Rock
10.13.2023 U.S. San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box
10.14.2023 U.S. Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
10.15.2023 U.S. Dallas, TX – Gilley's (Monster Mosh Fest)
10.17.2023 U.S. New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
10.19.2023 U.S. Murfreesboro, TN – Hop Springs Beer Park
10.21.2023 U.S. Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Heaven
10.22.2023 U.S. Orlando, FL – Level 13
10.24.2023 U.S. Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
10.25.2023 U.S. Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
10.26.2023 U.S. Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
10.27.2023 U.S. Patchogue, NY – Stereo Garden
10.28.2023 U.S. Reading, PA – Reverb
10.29.2023 U.S. Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
10.31.2023 U.S. Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance
11.01.2023 U.S. Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
11.02.2023 U.S. Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
11.03.2023 U.S. Joliet, IL – The Forge
11.04.2023 U.S. Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
11.06.2023 U.S. Omaha, NE – Slowdown
11.07.2023 U.S. Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
11.09.2023 U.S. Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
11.10.2023 U.S. Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
11.11.2023 U.S. Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco

Visit CARNIFEX at:
https://www.facebook.com/CarnifexMetal
https://www.instagram.com/carnifex
https://twitter.com/carnifex
https://www.youtube.com/carnifex
http://carnifexmetal.com

ON THORNS I LAY Remember the Fallen on New Single

August 29, 2023

On Thorns I Lay are the Greek gods of doom and gloom. These Athenians have cast death metal with a melodious, gothic glow since the early '90s. Heck, they plucked their name from a Shakespearean sonnet.

Today, On Thorns I Lay are releasing the second single off their upcoming self-titled album, which is their first release for Season of Mist. Watch the war-torn lyric video for "Fallen From Grace" below.

'On Thorns I Lay' comes out on October 13. Pre-order the album HERE. Pre-save it HERE.

"Fallen From Grace" opens their new album on a harrowing note. "This song is about all those who have suffered from wars and genocides", the band says. But despite the heavy subject matter, On Thorns I Lay continue to push their swelling, muscular riffs and smokey, orchestral atmosphere to new heights, thanks to a little help from their friends. Members of the Athens Orchestra are featured here, along with Fanny Melfi, who's sang with their fellow countrymen Septicflesh.

"All the pain and suffering, all the murders and rapes of innocent people, still haunt us and will never be forgotten", says On Thorns I Lay. "Remember the fallen!"

ON THORNS I LAY started as a death metal band together with other cult bands in Greece in the early 90’s such as Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Necromantia, Nightfall and started to spread their name in the local and global underground scene.

On Thorns I Lay have released 9 albums so far such as Orama, Crystal Tears, Aegean Sorrow and Threnos gaining great reviews in (Scream Norway, album of the month, Inferno Finland 5/5, Metal Storm Top 5 albums of 2020 and many others…). The have shared the stage with great bands such as Dream Theater, In Flames, Anathema, Amorphis, Katatonia, Rotting Christ, Tiamat, The Gathering, Satyricon, Septic Flesh and many more…

Their music style is pure atmospheric melodic doom death metal!

On Thorns I Lay's last album “Threnos” followed the path of atmospheric, yet emotional Doom Death Metal – paying tribute to the roots and representing the trademark sound of the band once again. On Thorns I Lay continue to tell dense stories of loss and despair.

After their mini tour at the Baltic states with Rotting Christ they signed a deal with the world famous record label Season Of Mist and they have finished the recordings of their 10th album entitled ‘On Thorns I Lay to be released in 2023.

Recording studio
Devasoundz Studios

Producer / sound engineer
Fotis Benardo

Mixing and mastering studio and engineer
Fotis Benardo

Current line-up
Peter Miliadis - Vocals (Dimlight, ex- Slaveatgod)
Christos Dragamestianos – Guitars
Nikolas Paraskevopoulos - Guitars (Dimlight, Yoth Iria)
Kostas Mexis - Bass (Aetherian, ex- Black Path)
Antonis Ventouris - Keyboards
Stelios Darakis - Drums (Dexter Ward, ex- Sacred Outcry, The Eternal Suffering, ex- Mortal Torment, ex- Lloth)

Guest vocals:
Fanny Melfi - Fallen From Grace
Labros Kiklis - Fallen From Grace
Stavros Papagiannakopoulos - Thorns Of Fire, Crestfallen
Ilias Mantikos - Thorns Of Fire
Katerina Tzitzou - Fallen From Grace
Irina Dimaki - Fallen From Grace
Anna Thana - Fallen From Grace
Aris Karatzas - Crestfallen, Newborn Skies, Raise Empires, Among The Wolves

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/OTIL
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/otilpresave

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/onthornsilay
https://www.instagram.com/onthornsilayofficial
https://onthornsilay.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/@UCdzi7TfP1G8z6LjS5Oj5ibw
https://onthornsilay.live

Formats:
Digital
Vinyl Black
Vinyl Colour

BLACKLITE DISTRICT Teases Upcoming 'You’re Welcome - XL' Album with New Single, "Just So You Know XL"!

August 29, 2023

South Dakota-based alternative rock artist KYLE PFEIFFER, better known as BLACKLITE DISTRICT, has unveiled his newest single, a re-imagining of his highly popular "Just So You Know," "Just So You Know XL." Produced by BRETT HESTLA, "Just So You Know XL" is the debut single off of the upcoming album, You’re Welcome - XL. Listening to "Just So You Know XL" is an electrifying sonic journey that transcends boundaries and will excite and entrance both new and long time fans. An expanded and enriched version of the 2017 single, an original and critically loved MINECRAFT song with a viral video created by renown animator, gamer, and creator Rainimator, "Just So You Know XL" stands as a testament to the multi-talented artist's ongoing evolution. From the very first note to the last lingering echo, "Just So You Know XL" captivates with its powerful vocals, intricate instrumentals, and profound lyrics.

“This was the song that basically started this whole 'XL' project. I had to find a way to play this song acoustic, because the original version is a very beat/trap driven track, and here we are. One of the most popular songs in the BLACKLITE DISTRICT catalog, I am beyond excited to share with brand new version of “Just So You Know”, the ‘You’re Welcome - XL’ album this fall, as well as some tour dates! The boys and I are also hard at work on new music and have a lot more in store for the rest of the year!” - KYLE PFEIFFER

Purchase / Stream "Just So You Know XL" Online

Dance Gavin Dance Drop Brand New Track In Tribute To Late Bandmate, Tim Feerick

August 29, 2023

Chart topping progressive post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance has released a surprise new single and accompanying visualizer titled “The Ghost of Billy Royalton” today in tribute to their late bassist and dear friend, Tim Feerick, who tragically passed away last year.

The emotional track features vocals from Tilian Pearson, Jon Mess, Andrew Wells, and Will Swan, who shares:

“I made this video as a tribute to Tim, just as the song is. I made sure to incorporate Jurassic park and Star Wars which were 2 of his favorite things. This is the kind of thing I would make and just share with him and my friends. But because he’s not here, I’m sharing it with you all.”

“The Ghost of Billy Royalton” debuted live last night in Tempe, AZ on the opening date of Dance Gavin Dance’s mostly sold-out Jackpot Juicer US Tour. The surprise single serves as a poignant memorial to the late Feerick from his beloved bandmates and a beautiful way for the band to celebrate his legacy with their fans at their upcoming live shows.

The Jackpot Juicer US Tour kicked off in Tempe last night and will travel throughout 26 further cities ending in Detroit at the Masonic Temple Theatre on October 4th. Fans can also see Dance Gavin Dance at upcoming US festivals, including the band's very own one-day festival, Swanfest, on October 1st. This year's Swanfest marks the first ever East Coast edition, which will feature a special extended set from the band as well as performances from Periphery, Set It Off, SiM, Rain City Drive, Stolas, Within Destruction, Body Thief and Dwellings. Full 2023 routing below.

THE JACKPOT JUICER US TOUR

w/ SiM, Rain City Drive, and Within Destruction

*Non Live Nation date

+No SiM

August 24 || Tempe, AZ || The Marquee Theatre*

August 25 || Las Vegas, NV || Brooklyn Bowl

August 26 || Los Angeles, CA || Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall*

August 29 || Seattle, WA || Showbox SODO*

August 30 || Portland, OR || Roseland Theater

September 1 || Garden City, ID || Revolution Concert House

September 2 || Salt Lake City, UT || The Union Event Center*

September 3 || Denver, CO || Mission Ballroom*

September 5 || Austin, TX || ACL Live At The Moody Theater

September 6 || Oklahoma City, OK || The Criterion*

September 8 || Houston, TX || White Oak Music Hall*

September 9 || Dallas, TX || The Factory in Deep Ellum*

September 10 || Birmingham, AL || Iron City*

September 12 || Fort Lauderdale, FL || Revolution Live at the Backyard

September 13 || Orlando, FL || Hard Rock Live

September 15 || Nashville, TN || Wildhorse Saloon*

September 16 || Atlanta, GA || Coca-Cola Roxy

September 18 || Raleigh, NC || The Ritz

September 19 || Silver Spring, MD || The Fillmore

September 21 || Chicago, IL || Radius*

September 23 || Milwaukee, WI || The Rave II*

September 25 || Cleveland, OH || Agora Theatre*

September 27 || Boston, MA || MGM Music Hall at Fenway

September 29 || New York, NY || The Rooftop at Pier 17

September 30 || Asbury Park, NJ || Stone Pony Summer Stage

October 3 || Pittsburgh, PA || Stage AE*+

October 4 || Detroit, MI || Masonic Temple Theatre*+

FALL FESTIVAL DATES

September 22 || Louisville, KY || Louder Than Life

October 6 || Sacramento, CA || Aftershock

SWANFEST 2023

October 1 || Philadelphia, PA || Mann Center

About Dance Gavin Dance

Rejecting tired formulas at every step, Dance Gavin Dance merge progressive rock and post-hardcore with thick groove, brilliantly combining experimental music with hooks and a warped sense of humor. The group has amassed over 1.6 billion global streams, and 1.4 million album equivalent units sold across their catalog in the US alone. With hundreds of thousands of rabid fans engaged with Dance Gavin Dance on socials and their very own festival event, Swanfest, which sold out both its inaugural edition in 2019 and its triumphant, post-pandemic return in 2022 in the band's hometown of Sacramento last April and is now set to hit the East Coast for the first time, it all amounts to a full force band facing a mainstream that has overlooked them for too long.

As the undeniable statistics keep mounting up, the fact becomes more and more clear that Dance Gavin Dance are becoming one of this generation's most popular and enduring forces from the world of heavy music. As Pollstar put it "Sacramento, Calif.-based Dance Gavin Dance is not just any band."

Find Dance Gavin Dance Online

dancegavindanceband.com

Lions At The Gate Release Debut Album 'The Excuses We Cannot Make'

August 29, 2023

Los Angeles-based hard-rock quintet Lions At The Gate have released their debut album, 'The Excuses We Cannot Make'. Leading up to today, the band has released "Not Even Human", "Scapegoat", "Bed of Nails", "Find My Way" featuring Tatiana Shmayluk of Jinjer, "The Ledge", and most recently "Drain". Altogether, the tracks have amassed over 1.2 million views on YouTube and nearly 1.5 million streams on Spotify. Stream 'The Excuses We Cannot Make' at the link here, available now on all platforms.

Lions At The Gate fans will have the opportunity to see the band on the road this fall with Lacuna Coil, Fear Factory, and God Forbid (on select dates). For ticket information, please click here.

Lions At The Gate Tour Dates

10/7 - Tucson, AZ @ Encore*

10/8 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater*

10/9 - El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse*

10/10 - Tulsa, OK @ The Shrine*

10/12 - Memphis, TN @ Growlers*

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade^

10/14 - Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse^

10/15 - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom^

10/17 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's*

10/18 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre^

10/19 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre^

10/20 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom^

10/21 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater^

10/23 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues^

10/24 - San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater^

10/26 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea's Live#

10/28 - Destin, FL @ Club LA **

10/29 - St Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live**

* Supporting Fear Factory

^ Supporting Lacuna Coil & Fear Factory

# Supporting Lacuna Coil

** Supporting Lacuna Coil & God Forbid

Michael Ray's Intoxicating "Spirits and Demons" with Meghan Patrick Impacts Country Radio

August 28, 2023

With four No. 1 singles, singer-songwriter Michael Ray is one of country radio’s most consistent hitmakers. Earlier this summer he released his six-song Dive Bars & Broken Hearts EP to a flurry of fan, media and industry acclaim. That excitement fuels the release of Ray’s new single “Spirits and Demons” with Meghan Patrick.

“The song’s about going through that part of life where you’re trying to figure things out,” said Ray of the song. “You went through a break-up, and you go to the bottle. You know, you wanna numb it. You wanna forget about what’s going on and just not feel anything, but when you lean into that bottle, it’s going to bring out the demons, it’s going to bring out some of those memories and you just end up reliving it.”

Joining Ray on the haunting duet is two-time Canadian Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, Meghan Patrick. Ray felt the song needed a female voice so he reached out to his friend Patrick, saying “…she’s got a voice that can blister concrete – and a gift to reach right into a song and rip its heart out, put it in her throat and meet you line for line with some intense emotions.”

Of the new single, MusicRow shared, “This oomphy-sounding duet sez that booze doesn’t really cure a heartbreak. Both partners sing with gusto.”

In addition to his new single, Ray heads into the final stretch of summer and into fall with a full slate of touring. In addition, the Grand Ole Opry stalwart will make his 73rd appearance on the iconic stage on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

About Michael Ray
Forged on the small stages of Florida’s rural communities, Michael Ray has created an impressive foundation. With four No. 1 songs including RIAA Platinum-certified “Think a Little Less,” RIAA Platinum-certified “Whiskey And Rain,” RIAA Gold-certified “Kiss You in the Morning,” RIAA Gold-certified “One That Got Away” – plus “Get to You” and “Her World Or Mine” bringing his tally to four RIAA Gold-certified singles – over 2 billion global streams, over 650,000 album equivalents and over 150 million YouTube views, he is a true country star who’s performed at the Grand Ole Opry 72 times. Looking to expand his sound, Ray sought out CMA Album of the Year Award-winning producer Michael Knox. The pair have taken his brand of country to a new level for Dive Bars & Broken Hearts, Ray’s six-song EP available now via Warner Music Nashville, featuring current single and haunting duet “Spirits & Demons” with Meghan Patrick, a two-time Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year. Currently on the road headlining shows through the summer, he’s taking his music where it matters: to the people. For more information, visit MichaelRayMusic.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter@MichaelRayMusic and Facebook.com/MusicMichaelRay.

COLOSSAL STREET JAM Join the FRETBAR RECORDS Family!

August 28, 2023

Emerging rock sensation COLOSSAL STREET JAM is thrilled to announce their exciting collaboration with independent record label FRETBAR RECORDS. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the band's journey as they embark on a new chapter of their musical career.

COLOSSAL STREET JAM, known for their high-energy performances and bluesy rock sound, has captured the hearts of rock enthusiasts across the nation with their unique blend of classic rock influences and modern melodies, quickly elevating them to prominence in the competitive music scene.

FRETBAR RECORDS, a dedicated supporter of independent artists, is equally excited about the collaboration: "Colossal Street Jam is an amazing rock band that reminds me of why I love music" - JIMMY WARREN - President FRETBAR RECORDS

The partnership with FRETBAR RECORDS brings forth a plethora of opportunities for COLOSSAL STREET JAM. As a label that values creative freedom and artistic expression, FRETBAR RECORDS will work closely with the band to nurture their distinctive sound while expanding their reach to wider audiences.

It’s once been said that all roads lead to home…
That’s precisely where this long-time band of brothers & creative soulmates found themselves, when their well-traveled musical roads converged.

It was at this poignant juncture that COLOSSAL STREET JAM was born.
One may define their electrifying synergy as the cosmic melding & explosive concoction of abstract minds, unique talent, inherent soul, and tireless passion for their beloved craft.

Having a deep & mutual admiration for one another, as well as having tremendous respect for their many, and diverse collective influences, who helped shape their gritty, melodic, psychedelically tinged hard rock stylings, each member truly brings their own individuality, and nuance to the mix.

An eclectic potpourri for the senses, CSJ ultimately, and seamlessly fuse their independent ideas to deliver a singular vision & signature sound that can easily be coined as “New Classic Rock” for the ages.

This hard-driving, 70’s inspired, 5-piece ensemble is comprised of Gene Potts (vocals)… Sal Marra (guitar/ vocals)… Tony Flora (bass)… Dave Halpern (drums)… and Eric Safka (keys).

With their roots firmly planted and their musical heritage tightly in place, CSJ has long been an integral part the legendary Asbury Park, NJ music scene.

Always proud to honor these roots, and the place that gave them their start, the band forever carries with them that feeling of tradition, and heart that has endeared them to growing audiences both nationally and internationally.

In 2016, the band’s release, Living Free, was met with critical acclaim and worldwide press. The albums single, “Songbird” received extensive radio airplay both locally, and globally.

In 2018, that same record won an award for Australian Indie Album of The Year For Internet Radio.

It subsequently remained on the Indie charts, Down Under, for 6 months.

Later that year, in November of 2018, CSJ released their follow up album, Just Take Hold…

Once again, they were greeted with extensive Indie and College radio airplay for that record’s namesake single, “Just Take Hold”, as well as for their cover version of the Sugarloaf classic, “Green Eyed Lady”.

In May and December of 2019, CSJ completed two successful European tours, which journeyed them throughout The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

As the world paused for the next couple years, due to the global pandemic, CSJ was still hard at work on their next creative endeavor.

In 2021, they released a new single, “No Way To Live”…

Just as before, they garnered massive airplay, both locally and overseas.

On March 1st, 2023, the long-awaited full length, 11- song album, which was on hold, due to the state of the world was finally released.

Baring the same name, as that previous single, this record triggered the launch of a full-scale publicity campaign, along with upcoming shows in both the US and Europe.

COLOSSAL STREET JAM has shared stages nationwide with the likes of Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Robbie Krieger of The Doors, The Black Crowes, Kings X, Stone Temple Pilots, Rival Suns, Blackberry Smoke, The Drive By Truckers, The Hold Steady, Gov’t Mule, Johnny Winter, Sebastian Bach, Bruce Dickinson, Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, Ritchie Blackmore, Steve Morse, Zebra, Deep Purple, Leslie West, Clarence Clemons, and countless others.

TEMIC Fall Upward on New Single

August 28, 2023

TEMIC formed when the rest of the world was grinding to a halt. Eric Gillette and Diego Tejeida had already toured the world together as members of Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress, but it wasn't until 2020 that they decided to start a super group with Arkentype drummer Simen Sandnes and Fredrik Klemp, who's the lead vocalist for Maraton.

Today, TEMIC are releasing another power prog anthem off 'Terror Management Theory'. Watch the sublime, self-produced video for "Falling Away" below.

The video was shot in the Norwegian village of Bortelid earlier this summer and marks the first time all four members of TEMIC got together in person as a band!

'Terror Management Theory' comes out November 17. Pre-order the album HERE. Pre-save it HERE.

"Falling Away" is uplifted by the full range of TEMIC's powers. Gillette alternates between beefy distortion and warped, nimble riffing. Tejeida fires off a white-hot keyboard solo before Simen Sandnes fills the bridge with booming finesse.

"It's one of our favorite songs on the album," the band says. "The song embodies all the core elements we envisioned for TEMIC: powerful lyrics and catchy vocal melodies at the forefront, a constant pulse underneath, dynamic and rich instrumentation all around, and electronic-influenced sounds adorning the edges".

Klemp's clean, commanding falsetto delivers a hopeful message, too. "The lyrics discuss the natural impermanence of all things from the perspective of someone who contemplates their own mortality and shares this moment of clarity with their descendants," says TEMIC. "Far from being dark, "Falling Away" invites you to reflect positively on the fact that our time is finite".

The members of TEMIC have also jammed with Devin Townsend and Neal Morse. Simen Sandnes comes from an equally impressive, albeit slightly different background.

Sandnes played soccer semi-professionally up until he was 16 years old. Once he reached high school though, the Norwegian prodigy spent most of his time drumming at his school's rehearsal space, where he now teaches part-time.

Since then, he's drummed for Arkentype, SHINING, the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack and an official world cup song. No wonder he's endorsed by Zildjian and Mapex.

Introducing TEMIC—prog’s newest, most ambitious, and most adrenaline-fueled act. TEMIC melds the creative minds of keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken), guitarist Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress), drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype), and vocalist Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22).

The origins of TEMIC date back to 2017, when Tejeida and Gillette toured the world as band members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. From the very first chords they exchanged, their musical chemistry both on and off stage was undeniable, leading them to discuss the prospect of starting a new band together. Unfortunately, conflicting tour and recording commitments forced them to turn their attention elsewhere for years—that is, until the world came to a standstill in 2020, and Tejeida called Gillette to ask a fateful question:
“Remember how we said we should make music together? Well, how about now?”

Thus, the first demos for what would later become TEMIC’s 2023 debut album, Terror Management Theory, began to emerge. Within a few weeks after that initial phone call, the musical vision of TEMIC had become clear: Let’s create progressive music that is heavily influenced by high-energy electronic music, but arranged and orchestrated for a 5-piece modern prog rock/metal band—where, at last, the pulse can be the focus, and the vocal melody can be king.

Eager to join forces with the very best bandmates, Tejeida and Gillette first summoned the rhythmic power of their friend and drummer Sandnes. With characteristic enthusiasm, Sandnes seized the opportunity, prepared to contribute his percussive prowess as the heartbeat of TEMIC. When it came time to find the singer that would carry TEMIC’s melodies to new heights, Sandnes recommended vocal powerhouse Klemp, whose emotive delivery and unmatched intensity left no doubt that he was destined to be the voice of TEMIC. Finally, to round out the rhythm section of Terror Management Theory, dynamic bassist Jacob Umansky (Intervals) was invited on board as a guest player, gracing the album with an unrivaled groove and a signature low-end sound.

Together, this mammoth lineup is TEMIC, a high-energy, electronic-inspired, modern melodic prog metal band for the next generation.

Line-up:
Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22) – Vocals
Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) – Drums and Percussion
Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) - Keyboards and Sound Design

Recording Studio: Drums and vocals recorded at Top Floor Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Producer: Produced by TEMIC. Drums and vocals engineered by Jakob Herrmann Gothenburg, Sweden)
Mix/Mastering: Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser at The Mouse House (Los Angeles, USA)

Guest musicians:
Jacob Umansky (USA) – Bass guitar on the whole album
Mosaic Gospel Choir (Norway) – Mothallah
Garden State Threshold Choir (USA) – Mothallah

Cover artwork: Hicham Hamzi

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Temic
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/tmtpresave

Formats:
Digital
Digipak
2x 12” Gatefold in various colours
Merch

Follow Temic
https://temicband.com
www.facebook.com/TEMICBAND
www.instagram.com/temicband