Auburn, Alabama's Make Sure — the project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Aubrey Jackson — has dropped the video for "Comedown." It's adorable and features cats.
Watch it below.
It features an orange tabby named Watson who goes missing, sending his owner into the sort of intense panic that any pet parent will understand in their bones. Missing feline flyers, a $10k reward, and a passionate search for his fur baby ensues.
"With 'Comedown,' I wanted to pay homage to pop/rock songs I grew up listening to in the early 2000s," Jackson says. "At face value, the song might appear to be gloomy, but to me, it's ultimately a hopeful song about acceptance and moving towards a healthier life."
Stay tuned for more information on Make Sure soon.
Make Sure is known for mixing intimate dream-pop and expansive folk-rock. His most recent album Ninjutsu is like getting a hug from a close friend after baring your soul to them. It captures the liberating feeling of truly knowing that someone else has walked down the same road of disappointment, awkwardness and redemption. "Talking about vague pain isn't helpful," Jackson says. "It's your actual story that gives people hope."
SYLOSIS - Release Music Video For 'Absent' Alongside Zetra Remix
SYLOSIS have released a video for the track 'Absent', taken from their most recent album, A Sign Of Things To Come. The introspective cut displays a new side of SYLOSIS, as they showcase their masterful understanding of dynamics through post-industrial atmospherics set against their trademark brand of visceral modern metal.
Josh Middleton comments on 'Absent' and its accompanying video:
“Despite having always included darker and quieter songs in our discography, ‘Absent’ represents uncharted territory for Sylosis, while staying true to our commitment to melody and emotion in our music. The video also breaks away from our usual style, and we're grateful for director Daniel Grey's efforts in creating something out of our comfort zone. We're excited to have invited our new friends, Zetra, to bring a fresh perspective to the track with their reimagined remix. Their dark synth influence really adds a new dimension to the song, which we love!”
In regards to the song's lyrics, Josh continues:
“This is a more personal song and I wanted to push myself to try a different direction lyrically as well as with the music video. The song is about being so wrapped up in your own troubles that you neglect to see or appreciate that other people around you may be hurting or in a far worse place than yourself.”
Watch the new video for 'Absent' below.
Alongside the new video, the band have also revealed a remix of the track by shadowy labelmates Zetra. Their reinterpretation of the track drags the industrial elements of the original to the fore, creating a driving and intense portrayal.
Zetra comments:
“A candle has been lit.
Summoned by the riff, we answered the call to transport ‘Absent’ into our realm.
To strip flesh from bone and be born anew.
Witness its transformation.
Thank you, Sylosis.
Always, Zetra.”
Listen to 'Absent (Zetra Remix)' here: https://sylosis.bfan.link/absent.ema
Credits: Christoffer Rosenfeldt
GHØSTKID Announce New Album "HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE" + Share Video For "FSU"
"The biggest problem that art has nowadays is that it doesn't hurt anymore," says GHØSTKID vocalist and agent provocateur Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler. "Especially here in Germany, people are so afraid to push boundaries, to make art that makes you think and feel."
By fall 2021, with the world shutdown seemingly over, Sushi wasn't content to let his creative yen languish at home in Germany.
"Even though we had made it through COVID, I was missing being able to play live, to really function as a band," says Sushi. "It didn't feel real to me. I became distanced from the music." A six-week decampment to Los Angeles became the creative fuel for GHØSTKID's next steps. The last vestiges of Hollywood sleaze, decaying glamour, personal temptation, and the still-vibrant creative vibes of the city became the frontman's "don't-look-before-you-leap" inspiration for the gestating HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE.
The album is a perfect snapshot of an artist finding himself, crawling from his own personal wreckage against a crumbling, mythical Californian milieu. "That's why 'HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE' is the first track. If you really want to make it, you have to give a lot. You have to be willing to give up everything. It's kind of like suicide to the person that you've been when you become an artist."
The matching, lush, and elaborate art adorning the album was created by Aly Wayne Gacy.
Today also marks the release of the eagerly awaited video for GHØSTKID's latest single, "FSU."
Watch the video below.
"'FSU' describes the raw and aggressive lifestyle of not giving a shit about anything and just do whatever you want," comments Biesler, who directed and edited the video in cooperation with Nils Lesser (Vaultroom Production) and Benjamin Klose. "The track was inspired by the Joker from Batman and the pure chaos and anarchy that the character is representing. Even if the lyrics circle around self-destructive behavior, the song is more about the feeling of freedom by dismissing the rules. It's a track about being a misfit and taking back your power, about being yourself, getting rid of labels and becoming independent — basically a big fuck you…"
HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE arrives March 22 and available in the following formats:
Ltd. CD Digipak
Ltd. transp. red LP
Ltd. grey LP (300x) available from cmdistro.de & various other retailers
Ltd. white-black haze LP (500x) available from GHØSTKID
Ltd. translucent highlighter yellow LP (US version) available in the US
"Live is where it's the most real, the most in the moment," says Sushi. "There’s no sense of boundaries, no sense of gender. I wear what I like as long as it looks cool. GHØSTKID, for me, is how I express my art through the music and my persona. When it comes down to art, you should be free." GHØSTKID will be bringing their melody and chaos to American stages for the first time in the spring of 2024 opening for Black Veil Brides, following a European tour with labelmates Blind Channel.
Once more teamed with producer Sky van Hoff, HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE is indeed GHØSTKID's ticket to massive audiences worldwide.
GHØSTKID ON TOUR:
WITH BLACK VEIL BRIDES, CREEPER, + DARK DIVINE:
4/25 — San Francisco, CA — Fillmore
4/27 — Las Vegas, NV — Sick New World
4/28 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
4/29 — Denver, CO — Ogden Theater
4/30 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
5/2 — Minneapolis, MN — Fillmore
5/3 — Chicago, IL — Concord Music Hall
5/4 — Green Bay, WI — Epic
5/5 — Detroit, MI — Royal Oak Theater
5/7 — Albany, NY — Empire Live
5/8 — Boston, MA — House of Blues Boston
5/9 — Richmond, VA — The National
5/10 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
5/12 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville*
5/13 — Atlanta, GA — Buckhead Theater
5/15 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/16 — Philadelphia, PA — Fillmore
5/17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple*
5/18 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
5/20 — San Antonio, TX — The Aztec Theatre
5/21 — Houston, TX — RISE
5/22 — Dallas, TX — The Factory
5/24 — Tempe, AZ — The Marquee
5/25 — Los Angeles, CA — The Belasco
*Festival
GHØSTKID IS:
GHØSTKID — Vocals
Jappo van Glory — Guitar
Chris Kisseler — Guitar
Stanni Czywil — Bass
Steve Joakim — Drums
BRODEQUIN Return with Punishing New Album
Brodequin come with a long and sordid history. Jamie and Mike Bailey have been banging people's heads together since 1998. Their first album catapulted the brothers far beyond their kingdom of Knoxville, Tennessee. But after seizing the throne as one of the most brutal rulers in all of metal, the band disappeared into the shadows.
Today, after 20 years, Brodequin are returning with Harbinger of Woe. The band's fourth album lives up to their namesake. It's dark and torturous, but also technically exquisite. Heck, some might even call it a work of art.
Watch the medieval video for "Of Pillars and Trees", which was created by Matti Way of From the North Films below.
Harbinger of Woe comes out March 22, 2024.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/harbingerofwoepresave
“Of Pillars and Trees” is classic Brodequin. Mike's riffs churn like severed limbs through a meat grinder. New drummer Brennan Shackelford pings his cymbals with all the murderous intent of a spiked mace. Heck, the death growls are nasty enough to make you think that Jamie is sucking the blood of his enemies through a straw.
As with every Brodequin song, "Of Pillars and Trees" is rooted in real events. "This song finds its inspiration in the historical practices that involved the utilization of trees for the purpose of torture and execution"," Jamie explains. "Among the myriad methods employed, a prominent example was the affixing of an individual to a pillar, or, more commonly, a tree trunk through the use of long iron nails".
But "Of Pillars and Trees" also branches out into new territory for the band. "The creation process for 'Pillars' started out much like any other Brodequin track", Mike says. "It wasn't until the mid-section came together that it began to diverge. I wanted to slow things down a bit but add some depth with multiple guitar tracks instead of just droning a single riff. As the layers were being written, I kept hearing a synth pattern in my head. But instead of using an actual synth, I recreated what I was hearing on my guitar, using plenty of reverb and delay to get the tone as close to what I was imagining as possible".
After signing with Season of Mist in 2022, Brodequin re-issued their entire discography on LP and CD.
"Relentless, barbaric intensity" - John Gallagher (Dying Fetus), who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal albums ever.
"Kicks in like a sledgehammer" - Metal Rage raved over Methods of Execution
"A merciless massacre" - Power Metal praised Festival of Death.
Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BrodequinReisssues
Stream:
https://orcd.co/brodequin-methods
https://orcd.co/brodequin-festival
https://orcd.co/brodequin-torture
The Middle Ages might’ve brought the world out of The Dark Ages. But for every compass or printing press, those enlightened thinkers were also responsible for inventing the most torturous devices in human history. None were more brutal than the brodequin. Not only did the French use this instrument to cripple their victims, but to squeeze their legs to the point where bone marrow would spill out of their wounds.
You could say the same about Brodequin. The band come with their own long and sordid history. Brothers Jamie and Mike Bailey have been playing brutal death metal since 1998. Putting his history degree to good use, Jamie’s lyrics are inspired by real historical events, staying true to death metal’s core thematic pillars of dismemberment, torture, abuse and murder. But their artwork broke from genre’s generic splatter illustrations by digging into intricate period woodcuts and beautifully grotesque oil paintings.
“There simply was no point in history that was more brutal than the medieval period,” says Jamie. “At the same time that such barbarity was deployed, there was also an explosion in fine art, architecture and music. It all comes to feed our identity as a band”.
Brodequin’s first album catapulted them far beyond their kingdom of Knoxville. “This band has stuck out in the underground with relentless, barbaric intensity”, says Dying Fetus’ vocalist and guitarist John Gallagher, who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal death metal albums ever. Festival of Death put another flesh-tearing arrow in their quiver (“Some of the fastest, most brutalizing death metal ever recorded” - Sputnik Music). But after sieging festival stages across Europe with Methods of Execution, the band had to be put on ice.
“We had a series of deaths in our family”, Jamie explains. “Mike and I knew we had to step away until we had the time and were at a place mentally to give Brodequin the attention it deserved.”
Now, after 20 years of peaceful silence, Brodequin have returned with fresh instruments of torture. The Brothers Bailey are back with a new drummer, a new label and their long-awaited fourth album.
“Brodequin had been away for so long that I was stunned by the level of interest from fans and record labels”, Jamie says. "Before playing Hellfest, the band was approached backstage by a metalhead rocking a Brodequin t-shirt who happened to work for Season of Mist. Soon enough, they were hitting it off with Michael Berberian. The rest, as they say, is history.
“We all hung out for hours”, recalls Jamie. “The extraordinary level of enthusiasm shown toward our music made Season of Mist the obvious choice”.
As has been the case with this band for their entire career, Harbinger of Woe lives up to its name. Lead single “Of Pillars and Trees” is classic Brodequin. Mike’s distorted guitar chords churn like limbs through a meat grinder. The way Brennan Shackelford pings, blasts and flays his snare through “Suffocation in Ash” with the all encompassing speed of a sandstorm. Jamie’s growls are so phlegmy, so rotted, that to drag them out from whatever dark bowel movement spawned them would make an executioner sick to their stomach. And yet — somewhere deep inside all that carnage hides a terrifying beauty. The title track leaves you deaf, dumb and blind, begging on your knees in the face of a punishing, almighty riff.
“This album is a journey into this lost period of history where brutality and beauty coexist. Beauty, in the arts the were created, but also the beautiful brutality that was needed to engineer deadly devices like the brodequin”.
With Harbinger of Woe, Brodequin reclaim their throne as the most brutal band in all of death metal.
Line up:
Jamie Bailey: Bass/Vocals
Mike Bailey: Guitar
Brennan Shackelford: Drums
Recording
Drums recorded at Brennan's Drum Room in Dallas, Texas.
Guitar, bass and vocals recorded at Navarre 24 in Harriman, Tennessee
Producer and sound engineer
Mike Bailey
Mastering studio and engineer
Brad Boatwright
Mixing studio and engineer
Josh Welshman
Artwork
Original artwork done by Jose de Brito.
Additional elements by Jamie Bailey.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/harbingerofwoepresave
Links:
www.brodequinofficial.com
www.facebook.com/brodequinTN
www.brodequin.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/brodequintn
Borknagar Drop "Nordic Anthem" Video
NEW ALBUM FALL OUT FEBRUARY 23 VIA CENTURY MEDIA
BORKNAGAR, Norway's pioneers of avant-garde/progressive black metal, will release their monumental 12th studio album Fall on February 23 via longtime record label partners Century Media Records.
Pre-order it here.
Today, they release the video for "Nordic Anthem." Watch it below.
The video was created by Marius Martinsen, Kenneth Williams and Lars A. Nedland via the production company High & Low.
The video was created by Marius Martinsen, Kenneth Williams and Lars A. Nedland via the production company High & Low.
"So many gods. So many beliefs. So much conflict," the band says about the track. "'Nordic Anthem' is about rejecting any kind of doctrine, religious or political. It's about going to your own nature, your inner core, and finding strength and freedom. Our perspective is a northern one — we're from the north, after all — but this is a firm stance that is universally applicable. It's about finding and trusting your own values, your own heritage, and standing up against gods and authorities trying to push doctrine to control you, or corrupt you. This is our collective anthem. We won't bend our knee to any god!"
Fall includes eight majestic tracks across 54 epic minutes of playing time, once again brilliantly mixed by Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Kreator), and featuring stunning album cover artwork by Eliran Kantor (Testament, My Dying Bride, Sodom), which can be seen above.
BORKNAGAR founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun says, "We are extremely proud to present you all with our 12th album entitled Fall, another chapter of our musical journey. In many ways Fall represents a continuation of True North, but as always, we are pushing further and afar to seek even broader and more challenging horizons. Musically, we are loyal to our musical legacy, but we have most certainly walked through fire and ice to reach our highest peak yet. Although Fall represents a wide array of musical and lyrical ideas, the fundamental theme behind the album is based on the fascination and appreciation of the very outskirts of life. Those places, and those beings, in the vast periphery of our own existence that very few live to see or even learn to know about — but still are profoundly essential for our existence. With Fall we seek to portray and cherish all that holds up and pushes boundaries — against the great fall."
Fall is the follow up to 2019's widely acclaimed True North studio album and will be available as limited first-pressing Digipak CD, Gatefold 2-LP on 180gr vinyl and as a Digital Album.
The vinyl edition of Fall will be available in the following variants:
*Gatefold black 2LP
*Ltd. Gatefold neon orange 2LP (300x copies, available from cmdistro.de + various other retailers) (SODL OUT)
*Ltd. Gatefold transp. bottle green 2LP (300x copies, available from EMP + Nuclear Blast)
Fall into BORKNAGAR, share the grand struggle against the wild in all of us...
BORKNAGAR ARE:
(FROM L-R IN PHOTO ABOVE)
(Photo Credit: Jørn Veberg)
ICS Vortex — Bass, Vocals + Choirs
Lars A. Nedland — Keys, Vocals, + Choirs
Øystein G. Brun — Guitars
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow — Drums and Percussion
Jostein Thomassen — Guitars
Dead Poet Society Share "My Condition" Video
NEW ALBUM FISSION ARRIVES JANUARY 26 VIA SPINEFARM
SPECIAL L.A. RECORD RELEASE SHOW SET FOR JANUARY 24 AT PICO UNION PROJECT
NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR SET FOR SPRING, FEATURING APPEARANCES AT SHAKY KNEES, WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE, + SONIC TEMPLE
Los Angeles quartet DEAD POET SOCIETY will drop their second album FISSION on January 26 via Spinefarm. Pre-order it here.
Today, the band has shared "My Condition" video. Watch it below.
The semi-animated video was directed by The Moldy Peaches' Steven Mertens, who has lensed videos for Regina Spektor, Lil Peep, Duran Duran, and more.
DPS have also announced details of an exclusive and intimate record release show. Rock Night Out presents Dead Poet Society: The FISSION Album Release Experience, sponsored by Spinefarm, is set for January 24 in Los Angeles at Pico Union Project. Stay tuned to the band's social properties for more information on this special show.
Additionally, The FISSION Tour is set for this spring, including appearances at festivals such as Shaky Knees, Welcome to Rockville, and Sonic Temple. All dates are below. Get tickets here.
Dead Poet Society accumulated over 100 million global streams, with nearly 50 million streams in the U.S. alone. The band also enjoyed two Top 15 singles at radio and key playlisting. They have also spent as much time as possible on the road — having toured with alt rock powerhouses Badflower, Biffy Clyro, Highly Suspect,and BRKN Love. The band has ultimately established itself as an intense live act not to be missed!
DEAD POET SOCIETY ARE:
Jack Underkofler — Vocals/Guitar
Jack Collins — Guitar
Will Goodroad — Drums
Dylan Brenner — Bass
DEAD POET SOCIETY ON TOUR:
4/14 — Vancouver, CA — The Pearl
4/16 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
4/17 — Spokane, WA — District Bar
4/18 — Boise, ID — Olympic
4/20 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
4/23 — Omaha, NE — Waiting Room
4/24 — St. Louis, MO — Delmar
4/26 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St Entry
4/27 — Milwaukee, WI — Rave
4/28 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
4/30 — Grand Rapids, MI — Stache
5/1 — Detroit, MI — Loving Touch
5/2 — Toronto, ON — Velvet Underground
5/4 — Atlanta, GA — Shaky Knees*
5/6 — Boston, MA — Sinclair
5/7 — Philadelphia, PA — Foundry
5/9 — Asbury Park, NJ — Wonder Bar
5/10 — Washington, DC — Union
5/12 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville*
5/14 — Asheville, NC — Grey Eagle
5/15 — Nashville, TN — Basement East
5/17 — Johnson City, TN — Capone's
5/18 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird
5/19 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple*
5/21 — Little Rock, AR — Rev Room
5/22 — Oklahoma City, OK — Beer City
5/24 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
5/25 — Houston, TX — House of Blues
5/26 — Austin, TX — Parish
5/28 — Tucson, AZ — Club Congress
5/29 — Phoenix, AZ — Crescent
5/30 — Los Angeles, CA — Troubadour
6/1 — Santa Ana, CA — Constellation Room
*Festival Appearance
Kurt Deimer Unveils Highly Anticipated 2024 Headline Tour Dates, Featuring Shows Alongside Tesla!
Kurt Deimer proudly announced the much-anticipated tour dates set to take center stage in 2024. The tour promises an electrifying musical experience, with Deimer's solo headline performances and special appearances alongside the legendary band, Tesla.
The tour announcement follows Deimer's recent successful single release "Doom," which captivated audiences worldwide with its innovative sound and soul-stirring lyrics. Renowned for his dynamic stage presence and ability to infuse passion into every performance, Kurt Deimer is set to raise the bar yet again with this upcoming tour.
"Doom" is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Stream/ Download "Doom"
Stay tuned for further updates and announcements regarding ticket sales, additional tour dates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content by following Kurt Deimer's official social media channels.
Kurt Deimer Tour Dates:
1-15 Conduit in Winter Park, FL
1-16 Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa, FL (SOLD OUT) with Tesla
1-17 Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa, FL with Tesla
1-20 Stickyz in Little Rock, AR
1-21 Growlers in Memphis, TN
3-01 Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY with Tesla
3-02 Blue Gate PAC in Shipshewana, IN with Tesla
3-04 Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh, PA
3-05 America Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA with Tesla
3-06 Sound Board in Detroit, MI with Tesla
3-07 WC Social Club in Chicago, IL
3-08 Epic Event Ctr in Green Bay, WI with Tesla
3-12 Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN with Tesla
3-13 DPAC in Durham, NC with Tesla
3-15 Zen West in Baltimore, MD
3-16 MGM NORTHFIELD in Northfield, OH with Tesla
3-22 Cosmic Eye Brewing in Lincoln, NE
3-23 Bigs Bar in Sioux Falls, SD
3-24 The Marquee in Sioux City, IA
5-29 Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, CO with Tesla
5-31 HOB in Dallas, TX with Tesla
6-04 ACL Live in Austin, TX with Tesla
6-05 The Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, TX with Tesla
6-07 HOB in Houston, TX with Tesla
6-11 Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO with Tesla
In a world that seems to be spiraling out of control, Kurt Deimer is a man with a very clear mission: Work Hard, Rock Hard, Play hard and Spread positivity. In fact, his mantra could be summed up: “Take the high road, do the right thing, encourage others.” It sounds like a tall order these days in a world full of warring factions. And it’s an unusual mission for a singer/songwriter vocalist whose music could be described as hard rock, even heavy metal – genres that are not always synonymous with positivity.
Deimer, for his part, describes his work as good old fashioned rock and roll. “And it’s as good a vehicle as any for spreading good vibes” he says. “I’m here to encourage others to treat people with respect, dignity and kindness,” he says. “I’ve been through a lot of things in my life and I try to share that with others and be a beacon of hope for my listeners.”
That positivity and perseverance has paid off for the native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He’s not only launched a movie franchise, Hellbilly Hollow, by filming and starring in a feature length horror film of the same name. He’s also recorded more than two dozen songs with legendary producer Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, James Brown and the Rolling Stones), his management team includes Brian Wheat, manager of TESLA who discovered him while opening for TESLA.
Chris Lord-Alge says he was drawn to Kurt’s originality as an artist. “I saw something completely different in Kurt, and that was the lure for me. He isn’t a typical rock or country artist – I love hearing him talk and narrating a story, and I was drawn to taking those stories and helping turn them into music. He’s a personality, he’s someone you want to talk to.”
Things have not always been positive in Deimer’s world. At age 20, as a young rock vocalist, he found himself in the grips of drug addiction. He later discovered he was using substances to medicate an underlying anxiety condition. At that young age, he quit drugs, got help for his anxiety and never looked back.
He eventually started buying and selling rental properties and used that money to start the first of several successful companies he owns. Despite making his mark in the business world, Deimer didn’t feel ready to settle down and “join the country club and play golf all day” – so at an age when most people start thinking about slowing down, he started to speed up.
Inspired by the artists that helped shape him – Boston, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Marley and AC/DC, to name just a few – he started writing song lyrics.
Inspired by his love of movies and acting roles in films including the 2018 ‘Halloween’ remake – where his character was killed by Michael Myers – and John Travolta’s ‘Trading Paint,’ he started hashing out a movie concept that became his eventual Hellbilly Hollow feature film and franchise.
Deimer has supported Geoff Tate on an expansive cross-country tour that highlighted material from his debut EP, that came out on November 19, 2021, which includes a duet with Tate and a trilogy of music videos directed by Scottish filmmaker Paul Boyd [Sting, Deadmau5, The Cult] that spotlight Deimer’s cinematic vision and charismatic presence. Along with many other supporting shows including TESLA, Drowning Pool and Yngwie Malmsteen all this within the first two years of touring.
For Deimer, the inspiration is to make the world a better place one song at a time, singing about the ills of the 21st century and offering solutions instead of excuses. “When people listen to my music, I want to help them decompress and feel better after a brutal day. That’s what music always did for me, and that’s what we need more of today.”
For More Information Please Visit:
Avralize Sign to Arising Empire, Share "Lotus" Video
Arising Empire proudly welcomes AVRALIZE to the roster.
Fronted by vocalist Severin Sailer, guitarist Philipp Tenberken, drummer Bastian Gölz, and bassist Valentin Noack, the band has shared the video for "Lotus."
Watch it below.
Many worlds come together. A mix of vibe, technique, and artistic creativity meets destructive breakdowns, provoking guitar riffs and catchy choruses. With finesse, the four guys from south Germany strike the perfect balance between the brutality and exciting grooves that you just want to dance to.
"We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our partnership with Arising Empire. With their support, we can now concentrate on realizing our vision for the band and immerse ourselves even more in what we love most: creating music," the band says.
"The essence of the song revolves around the profound theme of letting go of the past. This signifies a transformative process of shedding old burdens, relationships, or beliefs to make way for new growth and change. Change is often perceived as intimidating and frightening, yet for us, it became essential to break free from self-imposed limitations and embrace the freedom to pursue our true desires, regardless of external opinions. Authenticity lies in being true to oneself and removing anything that obstructs the expression of our genuine selves—a step that anyone is capable of taking," says vocalist Severin Sailer.
Having shared the stage with scene heavyweights like Ghostkid, Novelists, Paleface, and Of Virtue, the group quickly established a reputation for their energetic live show that turns their crowds into a giant party on a regular basis. AVRALIZE have already performed at established festivals like Southside, Hurricane and RockXplosion.
PHOTO CREDITL: @fragilegold
CABAL - drop Plaguebringer (INHUMAN Rework)
Danish deathcore mob CABAL start off 2024 strong. After kicking off their ‘The Great Decay European Tour’ a few days ago, the band from Copenhagen have dropped 'Plague Bringer (INHUMAN Rework)' today. Taken from the band's last album, the highly lauded Magno Interitus, German producer INHUMAN has reshaped this crushing cut and added his own distinctive touch to 'Plague Bringer'. Listen to the song here:
https://cabal.bfan.link/plague-bringer-RW
SingerAndreas Bjulver states:
"If there is something we’ve always loved in CABAL, it’s collaboration and experimentation, so we decided to embrace both of those two things with this rework of Plague Bringer by dark electronic wizard Inhuman. We are super excited that Inhuman managed to create a fresh and new take on our sound, and that we now get to share it with you all."
INHUMAN adds:
"Excited to announce my collaboration with Nuclear Blast and Cabal on the remix of their hit single, 'Plague Bringer.' This rendition is my most metal-inspired take, merging the potent force of electronic production with Cabal's relentless instrumentation and vocals.
Brace yourself for an intense sonic blend, where metal meets electronica, inviting you to dive deep into the auditive plague. Get ready for an electrifying experience that hits hard and doesn't hold back."
'Plague Bringer (INHUMAN Rework)' was taken from the band's latest album Magno Interitus that was released on October 21st via Nuclear Blast. The album is available as Digipack [limited edition], Black Single LP, Crystal Clear with Gold + Black Splatter Single LP [limited to 500 units, Mailorder + Wholesale exclusive], Crystal Clear with Red + Black Splatter Single LP [limited to 500 units, USA exclusive], Gold + Black Marble Single LP [limited to 300 units, bandshop exclusives] and on all streaming platforms.
Order Magno Interitus here:
https://cabal.bfan.link/magno-interitus.ema
Credits: Christoffer Rosenfeldt
CABAL is one of the most brutal and promising heavy acts hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band aims to create a visceral and doom-laden atmosphere throughout both their music and visual expression. The production is crystal clear, whilst the songwriting draws inspiration from everything from black and death metal to djent and hardcore.
Since the release of their debut album "Mark of Rot" in 2018, the young band has managed to make a name for themselves in both Denmark and the rest of the world by playing renowned festivals like Copenhell, Roskilde Festival, Euroblast Festival and Complexity Fest as well as touring in Europe, Japan and North America.
CABALreleased the sophomore album"Drag Me Down" in April 2020 - a dark descent into a personal hell brought to life by crushing instrumentals, an oppressive atmosphere and dark personal lyrics delivered with relentless intensity, while still leaving room for experimentation and expansion ofCABAL’s signature sound. Add to this guest appearances from metal titansTRIVIUM's Matt Heafy, rising metalcore starsPOLARIS’ Jamie Hails and Denmark’s Blackgaze darlingsMØL’s Kim Song Sternkopf and there is no doubt thatCABALis a band with friends in every corner of the metal scene.
AboutMagno Interitus
In the early winter of 2022, CABAL marked a new era with the release of Magno Interitus. Singer Andreas Bjulver Paarup says: “The main theme on the album is the great decay happening all around us. It seems that everything just falls apart in these days. This applies to politics, society in general as well as some personal things. We tried to translate the feelings that we have about the state of the world into music.”
CABAL are not only charting new territory with their visceral and doom-laden sound but are also moving out of the comforts of their dark, black and white signature aesthetic into bright colours inspired from Ari Asters latest masterpiece, ‘Midsommar’. Flowers, vines and eerie cultist May Queens are amongst the new visual elements that define the aesthetic of Magno Interitus.
Andreas, who is the art director and lyricist in the band, is excited about the new direction of the album: “We have a kind of base sound, our safe home. From there, we can experiment and try something new. On Magno Interitus we really left our comfort zone and went deeper into the details and extremes than ever before. You can hear it on the title track, as well as on the opener “If I Hang, Let Me Swing” or on “Exsanguination”. These are my personal three favourites on the album at the moment.”
Once more, CABAL brought in some extraordinary features on the album such as Joe ‘Bad’ Badolato of Fit For An Autopsy on Magno Interitus, as well as Simon Olsen from the Danish band BÆST on the track “Insidious”. This time around, CABAL also experimented with a completely different format by inviting the dark, industrial duo ‘John Cxnnor’ to co-create the very unique track “Blod af Mit”.
CABALis:
Andreas Bjulver Paarup – Vocals
Christian Hammer Mattesen - Guitars
Chris Kreutzfeldt - Guitars
Lui Broch Larsen - Guitars
Dennis Hursid - Bass
Nikolaj Kaae Kirk - Drums
CABALonline
https://www.instagram.com/cabalcph/
www.facebook.com/cabalcph
www.cabalcult.com
www.patreon.com/cabalcult
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHWujbw3iYHcXq9ExfRiA4Q
https://www.tiktok.com/@cblde4th
Wé Ani Releases New Single “The Standard” Following American Idol Success
Wé Ani is thrilled to announce the release of her new single, “The Standard.” This is her first official single since her remarkable Top 5 finish on the latest season of American Idol. Listen Below.
“The Standard” is hard-hitting, forward thinking, hypnotizing record epitomizing the very essence that is female confidence. The rhythmic, R&B/Pop record reveals Wé Ani’s remarkable versatility, fusing Latin influences with a signature street sound and an added bonus of bilingual lyrics.The expressive record showcases Wé Ani’s self-confidence and a casual disregard for critics and any other such hater that may be out there. The captivating song, with a hard-hitting beat, was written by Wé Ani, Dani Stacy, TJ and Kadie Jacobs. It was produced by Tony Chetta and is sure to have you on your feet with a hand on your hip, and a smirk on your face feeling every bit of self-confidence each and every one of us should carry around daily.
“This song was everything I wanted to say to people that have had preconceived ideas about me, giving myself the space to say what I want to say,” says Wé Ani. “But even more, giving other people the freedom to brag about how they feel about themselves. Their own standard.”
“The Standard” has been finding its own moment on social media as fans and stars have been embracing the audio including this instagram reel from Grammy, Emmy and BET Award winning actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish. The new single follows the release of two original songs featured on the “Good Burger 2” soundtrack. “The original movie was so pivotal to my childhood, so being a part of the sequel was such an honor!”
With an impressive social media following of over 1.5 million and earning praise as a “star” from American Idol judge Lionel Richie, Wé Ani’s trajectory continues to soar. Catch her performing at the World Famous Apollo Theater on February 3. Get your tickets HERE.
About Wé Ani:
Wé Ani is a gifted singer-songwriter that has been wowing audiences since the young age of 12. The innovative vocalist is influenced by Aretha and Whitney, bringing her audience back to an era of Hollywood movie glamour but her style and presentation could be compared to Billie Eilish, a cool, confident, edgy tomboy. The Harlem native has traveled all around the world performing, including traveling to Rwanda with the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision. With successful runs on American Idol and The Voice, the now 24 year old isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Photo Credit: Samuel Greenhill
EXHORDER THRASHES INTO 2024 WITH NEW ALBUM, DEFECTUM OMNIUM, OUT MARCH 8TH VIA NUCLEAR BLAST
NOLA thrash and groove trailblazers EXHORDER have revealed details and plans for the release of their eagerly anticipated 4th full-length record, Defectum Omnium, that’s due out March 8th from Nuclear Blast Records. Featuring 12 crushing tracks and ominous cover artwork by Travis Smith (Katatonia, Opeth), the album follows the band’s critically revered 2019 release Mourn The Southern Skies. Fans can pre-order Defectum Omnium now!
Commenting on the impending album, vocalist/guitarist Kyle Thomas states:
“It’s been quite a journey for Exhorder since the 2019 release of ‘Mourn the Southern Skies’. Lineup changes as well as the 2020-2021 pandemic and lockdown presented hurdles that weren’t easy to overcome. But we persevered, kept our heads down and went to work with intense focus and real goals. One of those goals was to bring our fourth full length album to our fan base. ‘Defectum Omnium’ is a collaborative effort in songwriting, much as it was in the early days of Exhorder. We produced it ourselves, as we felt no need or desire to bring in anyone from the outside based upon our shared vision. It was also important to us not only to continue the natural progression this band has been in since the early 90’s, but to put a foot back into our roots. The influence punk and hardcore had on this band from getting our start in the New Orleans punk rock scene has a strong presence. We’ve also made sure to keep plenty of our thrash roots as well in our songwriting process.
But we have also managed to keep our doom roots alive, which first surfaced on the song ‘(Cadence of) the Dirge’ back in 1992. In fact, on one new song we have guest appearances by Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin from Trouble, and they absolutely killed it!
From the time that we began pre-production until the actual release date, we can promise you that every bit of ‘Defectum Omnium’ was crafted with great care, and we are really excited about it! Our goal was to make an album that WE loved and gives the experience of a journey, or maybe even a rollercoaster ride effect. We can’t wait to share it with the world!”
Without further ado, EXHORDER kicks in the door of 2024 with a savage new track, ‘Year of the Goat,’ that sets the neck-snapping pace for the record to come. Watch the music video directed by Brian “Bone” Thorburn and produced by Threshold Studios at the link below.
Adding on the new song, Thomas says:
“Our debut single ‘Year of the Goat’ is a fast paced, chugging piece in the spirit of the influence that Motörhead had on punk rock bands like Charged GBH and The Exploited. The lyrical approach is a throwback to early Exhorder attitude, and we had a ton of fun filming the video at a free show that we performed in the greater Cincinnati area. 2024 is the year of the goat!!!”
Pre-order/Pre-save Defectum Omnium: https://exhorder.bfan.link/defectum-omnium
Stream ‘Year of the Goat’: https://exhorder.bfan.link/year-of-the-goat
“YEAR OF THE GOAT” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW;
Following the release of Defectum Omnium in April, EXHORDER will kick off a US tour with Bay Area thrash legends VIO-LENCE, Virginian extreme metalheads DECEASED and LA death metal band MORTAL WOUND. The brutality starts April 5th in Cambridge, MA and will culminate April 13th in Chicago, IL.
Tickets are on sale now at the links below.
EXHORDER US Tour Dates:
April 5 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East (Tickets)
April 6 - Brooklyn, NY - Monarch (Tickets)
April 7 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts (Tickets)
April 8 - Baltimore, MD - The Ottobar (Tickets)
April 10 - Cleveland, OH - The Winchester (Tickets)
April 11 - Cincinnati, OH - Legends (Tickets)
April 12 - Detroit, MI - Sanctuary (Tickets)
April 13 - Chicago, IL - Reggies (Tickets)
About EXHORDER:
Formed in 1986, EXHORDER’s journey has proven exciting, yet tumultuous. After a twenty-seven-year absence following their final Roadrunner Records release in 1992, EXHORDER re-entered the game with an album considered by many to be a contender for the "Best Comeback Album" category. The band released Mourn the Southern Skies in October of 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records. Fraught with euphoric peaks and crippling valleys throughout its existence, lineup changes, and the 2020-2021 pandemic, EXHORDER has since clawed back through the muck to prepare yet another album to add to the discography. In the spring of 2024, EXHORDER presents yet again via Nuclear Blast their fourth full-length recording, Defectum Omnium, the Latin phrase for "The Failure of All". Singer Kyle Thomas wryly explains that the album title is representative of the current state of affairs that the world is in. "The world is a dumpster fire, and we are all complicit.", he explains. "People have been talking about, ‘...viruses killing us off, blah-blah, blah...', when in actuality WE are the virus to the Earth. Mother Nature is simply trying to shake off the fleas, and her ‘viruses’ are the antibodies combating US. Earth will survive, and we will join the dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers soon enough in her history."
Produced by EXHORDER and mixed by Jens Bogren, Defectum Omnium puts a foot back into the roots of the band's inception. The scales have tipped favorably towards the presence of punk and thrash more so than on Mourn the Southern Skies. Tracks like ‘Wrath of Prophecies’, ‘Forever and Beyond Despair’, and ‘Sedition’ are what EXHORDER comes by most honestly when referring to their beginnings. There is also a strong presence of doom influence, as always. ‘The Tale of Unsound Minds’ and the haunting ‘Defectum Omnium/Stolen Hope’ will raise utter despair from the depths of your soul. The thick New Orleans grooves EXHORDER has been known for beating out since day one are still undeniable, and they stand out in tracks like ‘Year of the Goat’, ‘Under the Gaslight’, and ‘Three Stages of Truth/Lacing the Well’.
One trait about Defectum Omnium that deserves to be pointed out is that it is more of a journey and experience than just a regurgitated selection of songs on autopilot. With peaks and valleys much like a roller coaster ride, one listener described the album as having "...a little something for everyone.". As EXHORDER has always been hard to classify by one genre, the album is loaded with heaviness, aggression, speed, and venom. It also has an equal presence of mystery, melody, and harmony, and vacillates between darkness and light. Themes that dart back and forth between surviving oppression, despair, revolution, and brittle hope take you through the band's madness by way of the musical path that they have forged. With touring plans underway in support of Defectum Omnium, EXHORDER finds itself poised to finally achieve the brass ring potential that has always seemed to be just out of their reach.
Follow EXHORDER:
https://www.facebook.com/exhorderofficial
https://www.instagram.com/exhorderofficial/
BEYOND THE BLACK - RELEASE DELUXE EDITION OF THEIR LATEST STUDIO ALBUM 'BEYOND THE BLACK
After the release of their very successful self-titled album Beyond The Black, which was released in January 2023 the band now release a deluxe edition of their album. The deluxe edition features three bonus tracks 'I Remember Dying (Stranger Reprise)', 'Wide Awake (Piano Version)', and 'Raise Your Head (String Version)'. Today the band also releases their brand new video for 'Raise Your Head (String Version)'. Their highly-anticipated Dancing In The Dark tour starts in April 2024. All tour dates are listed below.
Jennifer Haben comments about the deluxe edition:
"How quickly time flies. It’s been a year since the release of our 5th studio album "BEYOND THE BLACK“. We are very pleased that we can now give our fans a special gift for its anniversary with the digital deluxe edition including 3 exceptional bonus tracks."
Jennifer Haben states about 'Raise Your Head (String Version)':
"From the bottom of my heart, in my opinion, this bonus "String Version" is one of - if not THE best bonus song we’ve ever released. 'Raise Your Head' is a call to everyone who feels trapped in their lives and is looking for a way out. It's a reminder that we are all capable of breaking free from societal expectations and forging our own path. if only we have the courage to look behind the illusions and "raise our heads“."
Stream the deluxe edition here: https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/btb-deluxe
Watch the video for 'Raise Your Head (String Version)' below.
About BEYOND THE BLACK:
German Symphonic Metal ascending stars BEYOND THE BLACK can already look back across a stratospherically successful career, despite their youthful years. Upon release, their 2015 debut album hit like a bomb in their home country. Songs Of Love And Death besieged the German Top 15 for weeks, which led to the band being awarded the Metal Hammer Award for “Best Debut” in 2015. Its successor Lost In Forever (2016) entered the German charts at #4 and paved the way for a huge tour throughout Germany and across countries like the UK, Russia, and Japan. Since the band’s live debut in 2014, they have played some of the world’s biggest Metal festivals like Wacken Open Air (several times) and have toured as support to heavyweights such as AEROSMITH, KORN, SCORPIONS, SAXON, and WITHIN TEMPTATION. During the campaign for their third record Heart Of the Hurricane (2018), BEYOND THE BLACK landed their first-ever European headline tour, which took them across 10 countries, with most dates selling out.
Before they’d even finished the Heart Of the Hurricane touring cycle, BEYOND THE BLACK had already gone back to the studio to write and record album number four. The result was Horizons, released in June 2020, which entered the German album charts at #3 (CH #6, AT #16, BE #53) marking the band’s most successful album release to date.
Now, two years later, BEYOND THE BLACK are back to launch a new chapter. Following the release of recently highly acclaimed tracks 'Reincarnation', 'Is There Anybody Out There', 'Winter Is Coming' and 'Dancing In The Dark', the band released their new, fifth studio album – the self-titled Beyond the Black on January 13th, 2023!
Photo Credit: Heilemania
Firewind Drop "Fallen Angel" Video — WATCH // New Album "Stand United" Out 3/1
Hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND, who are currently gearing up for extensive European and U.S. tours, will release their tenth studio album, entitled Stand United, on March 1 via AFM Records. Pre-order it here.
Stand United will be available as CD, LP Vinyl, digital formats, and highly collectable bundles including an autographed card, a FIREWIND cat patch plus and more.
Following previously-released, first album singles such as "Salvation Day" or the powerful anthem "Come Undone," the band, formed by guitar legend Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil), has shared a music video for their latest single "Fallen Angel."
Watch it below.
"'Fallen Angel' is a song about the eternal battle between good and evil, a song about the temptations of life," says Gus G. "There's been so many interpretations of all this. Working again with director Rainer 'ZIPP' Franze, we gave a biblical touch on the visuals and there's even some choreography going on, for your viewing pleasure. Musically, I feel there's a good balance of modern and classic metal elements which is where Firewind should be in 2024."
For more than 20 years, Firewind have been enthralling heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs by Gus G, big hooks, and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singerHerbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, among others).
Stand United features nine brand new songs produced with Dennis Ward (Magnum, Unisonic), as well as a cover of the '80s pop rock classic "Talking in Your Sleep." It was originally recorded by The Romantics but Firewind gave it their metal twist. Their forthcoming studio offering also bears testament to the band's sheer enthusiasm and lyrical topics that could not be more relevant.
"I wouldn't exactly call Stand United a classic concept album, but the album title indicates what we're about thematically," Gus G, who has also contributed more lyric ideas to this album than any prior releases, said. "This world seems to be getting more and more out of balance, what with environmental disasters, the pandemic, the wars currently raging all over the globe. In such times, it's more important than ever for mankind to stand close together instead of fighting each other. That's what Stand United is about!"
In support of Stand United, Firewind will be touring the U.S. All dates are below. Get tickets here.
FIREWIND ON TOUR:
WITH EDGE OF PARADISE + IMMORTAL GUARDIAN:
4/11 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
4/12 — Manchester, NH — Angel City Music Hall
4/13 — Reading, PA — Reverb
4/14 — Pittsburgh, PA — Crafthouse
4/15 — Toronto, ON — Ground Control
4/16 — Westland, MI — Token Lounge
4/17 — Hobart, IN — Hobart Art Theatre
4/19 — Springfield, IL — Danenberger Family Vineyards
4/20 — Peoria, IL — Revival Music Hall
4/21 — Joliet, IL — The Forge
4/23 — Denver, CO — HQ
4/25 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
4/26 — Anaheim, CA — Parish @ House of Blues
4/27 — W. Hollywood, CA — Whisky A GoGo
4/28 — San Francisco, CA — DNA Lounge
5/01 — Austin, TX — Come and Take it Live
5/02 — Dallas, TX — Sundown @ Granada
5/03 — San Antonio, TX — Rolling Oaks Events Center
5/06 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
FIREWIND ARE:
Gus G. — Guitars
Herbie Langhans — Vocals
Petros Christo — Bass
Jo Nunez — Drums
Darkest Hour Share "Societal Bile"
Washington, D.C. quintet Darkest Hour — Mike Schleibaum [guitar], John Henry [vocals], Aaron Deal [bass], Travis Orbin [drums], and Nico Santora [guitar] — recently announced their tenth album Perpetual | Terminal, out February 23 via MNRK Heavy. Pre-order it here.
Today, they share the video for the brand new song "Societal Bile," which was directed by Chad Fjerstad.
Watch it below.
"This song is for survivors," says Schleibaum. "While we all have our own special survival story, this song touches on the bile that immerses us as we navigate this modern life. It's also an acknowledgment of the personal responsibility we all share to ourselves to reject all that attempts to consume us and fight each day to find our own space to exist in peace with a world at war. It's dedicated to everyone who's got that survivor's disease and won't ever give up."
Darkest Hour will also hit the road for a headline tour right after the album drops. Mouth of War, Filth Is Eternal, IAM, and Somnuri will also appear. The tour kicks off February 29 in Richmond, VA and runs through April 6 in their hometown of D.C. All dates are below.
DARKEST HOUR ON TOUR:
WITH MOUTH OF WAR, FILTH IS ETERNAL, I AM, + SOMNURI:
2/29 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club
3/01 — Greensboro, NC — Hanger 1819
3/02 — Savannah, GA — Southbound Brewing Co
3/03 — Nashville, TN — Exit In
3/05 — Miami, FL — Gramps
3/06 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
3/08 — Dallas, TX — Trees
3/09 — Austin, TX — Come And Take It Live
3/10 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
3/11 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th St
3/13 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater
3/14 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
3/15 — San Diego, CA — Brick By Brick
3/16 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post (Roseville)
3/18 — Portland, OR — Dantes
3/19 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
3/21 — Salt Lake City, UT — Metro Music Hall
3/22 — Denver, CO — Marquis
3/23 — Wichita, KS — Lodge Room @ TempleLive
3/25 — Minneapolis, MN — Turf Club
3/26 — Chicago, IL — Reggies
3/27 — Detroit, MI — The Sanctuary
3/28 — Cleveland, OH — Asylum Room @ Templelive
3/29 — Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving Underground
3/30 — Toronto, ON — Axis
4/01 — Ottawa, ON — Brass Monkey
4/02 — Montreal, QC — Fairmount Theatere
4/03 — Quebec City, QC — La Source de la Martiniere
4/04 — Cambridge, MA — Sonia
4/05 — Brooklyn, NY — The Meadows
4/06 — Washington, DC — Black Cat
ABOUT DARKEST HOUR:
Darkest Hour, as a whole, have weathered time, trends, and tides of change and stand stronger nearly three decades since their formation. Their unique sonic style incorporates death metal exorcisms, thrash recklessness, hardcore punk attitude, and melodic catharsis at the speed of a circle pit.
"The record's theme centers around the duality of survival while embracing rebirth,'" says Schleibaum. "We keep killing parts of ourselves to make new parts and survive. The story of the record is the story of the band. We're still here, and we're giving the world a body of work that's representative of our music today. We've realized relationships, tours, good times, everything that seems to give life meaning, is terminal — and will inevitably end. Nevertheless, we're 46-year-old dudes who love this music enough to put up with the trials and tribulations of being artists in a touring band."
Darkest Hour clawed their way out of the DMV area in 1995. Throughout the ensuing years, they tallied tens of millions of streams and quietly built a diehard fan base. Canvasing the globe, they packed thousands of shows and touched down on every continent, save Antarctica. Along the way, they notably notched five Top 3 debuts on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. 2017's Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora marked the group's third #1 bow on the latter in addition to crashing the Top 10 of the Top Vinyl Albums Chart. It also represented a creative and critical high watermark. Beyond praise from Revolver, EXCLAIM!, and more, MetalSucks rated it a rare perfect score of "5-out-of-5" and hailed it as "the best album Darkest Hour have ever made." New Noise cited it as "one of the best of 2017," and Metal Hammer dubbed it "a monumental return." PopMatters crowned it "a masterclass in following your beliefs no matter where they might take you."
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, with recording, music publishing, and management divisions operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists and works with some of the greatest musical talent including The Lumineers and Pitbull, the music publishing catalog of Chuck Berry, plus premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. The company’s music department services Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producers. Its catalog across divisions consists of 54,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
Breaking Benjamin's Keith Wallen Announces "Infinity Now" Solo Album + Shares "Strings" Video — WATCH
BREAKING BENJAMIN guitarist KEITH WALLEN is pleased to announce that his new solo album Infinity Now will arrive May 3 via Rise Records. Pre-save it here.
Today, Wallen has shared the video for the new single "Strings." Watch it below.
"'Strings' is a shot of adrenaline, and an earnest refusal to conform to any agenda other than your own free thought and peace of mind," Wallen shares.
The simple but impactful clip finds Wallen and his band in performance mode.
Speaking of performance mode, Wallen will be debuting his solo material while pulling double duty! He will serve as the support act on an acoustic tour with his main band Breaking Benjamin. All dates are below.
KEITH WALLEN ON TOUR:
WITH BREAKING BENJAMIN:
1/12 — Norfolk, VA — The Norva
1/13 — Richmond, VA — The National
1/15 — Hunsville, AL — Von Braun Center
1/16 — Birmingham, AL — Iron City
1/19 — Memphis, TN — Elvis Presley's Memphis-Graceland Soundstage
1/20 — Fayetteville, AZ — JJ's Live
1/23 — Midland, TX — Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
1/24 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theater
1/26 — Biloxi, MS — Beau Rivage Theatre
Fit For A King Share Video for New Song "Keeping Secrets"
FIT FOR A KING have shared the video for the brand new single "Keeping Secrets." Watch it below.
The track is the perfect storm of FFAK old and new, as it finds the band taking some creative risks where explosive breakdowns collide with furious screams and heightened melodic vocals. The lyrics also explore a deeply personal subject for the band.
"'Keeping Secrets' is a song that not only showcases some new elements for the band," says singer Ryan Kirby. "It goes back to some of the more popular elements of our older work. The song's theme of questioning if people can truly love you, if you don't open up and let them know the real you, is something my adopted daughter has struggled with greatly, and is the inspiration for the song."
"Keeping Secrets" lands as the band prepares to head back out on road for the Winter 2024 leg of the Metalcore Dropouts Tour with labelmates The Devil Wears Prada. The Metalcore Dropouts 2nd Semester Tour finds Counterparts returning as support, along with Avoid as openers. Leg 2 kicks off on January 16 in Kansas City and runs through February 24 in Minneapolis.
Tickets and VIP upgrades are available here.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA + FIT FOR A KING ON TOUR:
WITH COUNTERPARTS + AVOID:
1/16 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater
1/17 — Fayetteville, AR — JJ's Live
1/19 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart's
1/20 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
1/21 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
1/23 — Buffalo, NY — Town Ballroom
1/24 — Albany, NY — Empire Live
1/26 — Harrisburg, PA — HMAC
1/27 — Huntington, NY — Paramount
1/28 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
1/30 — Hartford, CT — The Webster
1/31 — Richmond, VA — The National
2/2 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
2/3 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
2/4 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues
2/6 — Corpus Christi, TX — Brewster Street Ice House
02/7 — Austin, TX — Emo's
2/9 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theatre
2/10 — San Diego, CA — Soma
2/11 — San Francisco, CA — The Regency Ballroom
2/13 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
2/14 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
2/15 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom
2/16 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom
2/17 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
2/20 — Edmonton, AB — Midway Music Hall
2/21 — Calgary, AB — The Palace Theatre
2/23 — Winnipeg, MB — The Park Theatre
2/24 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore
FIT FOR A KING ARE:
Ryan Kirby — Vocals
Bobby Lynge — Guitar
Daniel Gailey — Guitar
Trey Celaya — Drums
Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary — Bass/Vocals
Kill The Lights Announce "Death Melodies" + Share "From Ashes" Video
Kill The Lights, which features former members of Bullet for My Valentine, Throw the Fight, Threat Signal, and Still Remains, have announced their sophomore album Death Melodies. It will be released on March 8 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.
To celebrate the exciting news, the band has also shared the video for "From Ashes." Watch it below.
With its classic, '80s semi-ballad songcraft twinned with modern sounds, "From Ashes" is a new anthem that should accompany any and all rigorous activity. Going to the gym? Then put "From Ashes" at the top of your playlist, as it will get the blood and adrenaline pumping through those veins.
"'From Ashes' lyrically discusses having to live with the pain of knowing that you let your loved ones down," the band offers.
Certain bonds cross any and all borders and boundaries. Kill The Lights harbor this kind of connection between them. Even though you’ve got Michael "Moose" Thomas [drums] and Jason "Jay" James [bass] in Bridgend, Wales, James Clark [vocals] in Minneapolis, MN, Jordan Whelan [guitar] in Grand Rapids, MI, and Travis Montgomery [guitar] in Dallas, TX, the musicians lock into an impenetrable groove that eclipses physical distance. The band is especially adept at fusing classic, galloping guitar riffing with modern metal conventions, like alternately sung and screamed vocals and breakdowns that will incite pits to erupt.
Of course, the musicians boast an incredible pedigree. Moose co-founded multi-platinum international heavyweights Bullet For My Valentine, while Jay also played in the band. James fronted Throw The Fight, and Jordan and Travis handled guitar duties for Still Remains and Threat Signal, respectively. Upon forming Kill The Lights, they uncovered uncontainable chemistry, releasing their debut LP The Sinner in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Among many highlights, "The Faceless" posted up 2 million-plus Spotify streams and counting followed by "Through The Night" and "Shed My Skin," which each crossed the 1 million mark. Metal Hammer rated it 4-out-of-5 stars and proclaimed "Kill The Lights nail the groove and the glory." After piling up millions of streams and earning acclaim from the likes of KERRANG!and New Noise, a sense of unwavering unity drives their second full-length offering, Death Melodies.
Ghost Atlas (Feat. Jesse Cash of ERRA) Share "Gaps in the Armoire" — WATCH
NEW ALBUM DUST OF THE HUMAN SHAPE ARRIVES JANUARY 26 VIA UNFD
Ghost Atlas, the melodic alt-rock side project from Jesse Cash of ERRA, have shared the lyric video for the new single "Gaps in the Armoire." It's a contemplative, acoustically-driven song with '90s Brit rock influences and it showcases the depth and breadth of Cash's talents.
Watch and listen below.
Ghost Atlas is an intensely personal project. Every conceptual part of the music, lyrics, and visuals is an intentional outpouring of Jesse’s mind. The twelve tracks across Dust Of The Human Shape illustrate the internal world of Jesse's fervor and ideology, while allowing the listener to find their own connective interpretation. The album is a culmination of art and tense human emotions, fuelled by a spectrum of life experiences.
It arrives January 26 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.
ABOUT GHOST ATLAS:
Jesse Cash is what you might call an enigma. Though armed with a powerful melodic voice, utterly distinct in its emotion and gravitas, the singer, songwriter, and brainchild behind progressive metalcore pioneers ERRA and melodic alt-rock solo project Ghost Atlas is a reserved, laconic individual. It's not that Jesse Cash has nothing to say. Far from it, in fact; he simply prefers to pour heart, mind and soul into his art, and just one listen to Dust Of The Human Shape, the first Ghost Atlas full length since 2017's All Is In Sync, and There's Nothing Left To Sing About, will make you jubilant of that very fact.
An avid reader and lover of film and a diverse range of music, Jesse Cash weaves these artistic influences, his life experiences and inner landscape into textured musical tapestry that runs the gamut of human emotion. From the rousing, soaring sonics of album opener "Void Voyeur" and lead single "Lesser Gods" to the plaintive yet hopeful '90s Brit-rock-tinged nostalgia of "Gaps In The Armoire" and "Seeker (Stretch The Night)," Dust Of The Human Shape illustrates the internal world of Jesse’s fervor and ideology. An intensely personal project, every conceptual part of Ghost Atlas' music, lyrics, and visuals is both an intentional outpouring of Jesse’s mind and a challenge to the listener to find their own connective interpretation. Just like Cash himself, Dust Of The Human Shape has a lot to give and a lot to say – you just have to know how to listen.
Scotty McCreery Releases New Song "Can't Pass the Bar"
Triple Tigers recording artist Scotty McCreery is kicking off 2024 by giving fans new music, as his boisterous track “Can’t Pass the Bar” is available today. Listen to “Can’t Pass the Bar” HERE and watch the lyric video HERE.
“I grew up loving ‘90s country music, especially the barn burning songs. I wanted one of my own, so I got together with some of my buddies and we wrote it,” said McCreery. “Can’t wait to perform this song live on the Cab in a Solo Tour.”
Written by McCreery, Brent Anderson, Cale Dodds, and Frank Rogers and produced by Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, the rollicking ode to the working man finds McCreery celebrating a long week with a trip to the bar with his buddies.
When the long week’s paychecks are cashed
Where we gonna spend it, buddy you ain’t gotta ask
When the neon lights are kicking on, all of us are heading
To a home away from home
We don’t look like much but we’re pretty damn smart
For some good ole boys that can’t pass the bar
The new music follows a blockbuster 2023 for the country crooner. He released his current radio single “Cab in a Solo,” which garnered him the most first-week adds at country radio (120) of his career and is moving quickly up the charts, currently in the Top 20 on both Mediabase (#17) and Billboard (#20). He was inducted to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, joining previously inducted artists like Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Andy Griffith, Ronnie Milsap, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, James Taylor, Randy Travis and more. And in December, one of his country music heroes, Garth Brooks, invited him to join the Grand Ole Opry, an honor that McCreery has dreamed about since he was a kid.
McCreery launches his 2024 headlining Cab in a Solo Tour later this month, where he will be joined by Anne Wilson as direct support as well as Greylan James and Noah Hicks on select dates. The tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick-off at Hobart Arena in Troy, OH on Jan. 26, 2024, and trek across the U.S. with stops in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston and more.
Written by McCreery, Frank Rogers and Brent Anderson and produced by Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, “Cab in a Solo” is the fastest moving single of his career. Stream “Cab in a Solo” HERE.
Upon its release, Taste of Country declared “McCreery’s country roots shine.” With a hint of neotraditional country and dash of 90’s country nostalgia, the heartbreak track finds the happily married father in unfamiliar territory – lamenting a failed relationship.
“Cab in a Solo” follows the recent success of his smash hit single “It Matters to Her.” The singer/songwriter has earned five consecutive No. 1 hits in the last few years including RIAA Platinum-certified No. 1 “Damn Strait” and RIAA Gold-certified No. 1 “You Time,” both found on his last solo album Same Truck: The Deluxe Album.
Photo Credit: Jeff Ray
Tickets for the Cab in a Solo Tour are on sale now at ScottyMcCreery.com. The first three shows are almost sold out, so fans should get their tickets now.
Cab in a Solo Tour Dates:
1/26/2024 Troy OH Hobart Arena +^
1/27/2024 Shipshewana IN Blue Gate Performing Arts Center^
2/1/2024 Durham NC Durham Performing Arts Center +^
2/2/2024 Atlanta GA Coca-Cola Roxy+^
2/3/2024 Chattanooga TN Soldiers and Sailors Auditorium +^
2/8/2024 Brookings SD Dacotah Bank Center +^
2/9/2024 Des Moines IA Vibrant Music Hall+^
2/10/2024 Omaha NE Steelhouse +^
2/22/2024 Independence MO Cable Dahmer Arena +#
2/23/2024 Norman OK Riverwind Casino
2/29/2024 Philadelphia PA The Met +#
3/1/2024 Boston MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway +#
3/2/2024 Syracuse NY Landmark Theatre +#
3/14/2024 Johnstown PA 1st Summit Arena +#
3/15/2024 Wallingford CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre +#
3/16/2024 Schenectady NY Proctors Theatre +#
+ Anne Wilson
^Greylan James
#Noah Hicks
About Scotty McCreery:
Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The 30-year-old has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 5 consecutive No.1 hits: the RIAA Platinum-certified “Damn Strait,” the RIAA Gold certified “You Time,” the RIAA Gold certified “In Between,” the RIAA Platinum certified “This is It,” and the RIAA Triple Platinum certified ‘Five More Minutes.” His new single “Cab in a Solo,” which McCreery wrote with Frank Rogers and Brent Anderson, is from a forthcoming album due out in 2024. The North Carolina native has earned one Triple Platinum, five Platinum and four Gold singles; one Platinum and two Gold albums; won the 10th season of “American Idol” in 2011 at age 17; was named the ACM New Artist of the Year in 2011; won the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (“The Trouble with Girls”) in 2012; and BMI Awards for writing One of the Top 50 Country Songs of the Year five times (in 2015 for “See You Tonight,” in 2018 for “Five More Minutes,” in 2019 for “This is It,” in 2021 for “In Between,” and in 2022 for “You Time”). He was awarded Pandora Billionaire status in 2021 in recognition of his music achieving more than one billion streams on Pandora. His song “Five More Minutes” inspired two popular holiday movies which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network: “Five More Minutes” in 2021 and “Five More Minutes: Moments Like These” in 2022. He released his first book Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream in 2016. His most recent album is Same Truck: The Deluxe Album. This fall McCreery was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and was most recently invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks. The singer/songwriter married his high school sweetheart Gabi in 2018, and the couple had their first son Avery in October 2022. For more information, visit ScottyMcCreery.com.
DYLAN SCHNEIDER IS MAKING “BAD DECISIONS” IN LATEST ANTHEMIC SMASH AVAILABLE NOW
“Country Music’s Next Rising Star” (Billboard) Dylan Schneider today releases his latest anthemic smash with “Bad Decisions.” Written by the “Artist to Watch” (Amazon Music, Pandora, Taste of Country) with Gabe Foust and Jacob Hackworth, the seductive new track - produced by Lalo Guzman - will no doubt be his next viral sensation. Seduced by a magnetic connection with an ex, a couple can’t help but give into temptation. Listen now below.
“’Bad Decisions’ is a song I’ve been excited about since the day we wrote it," says Schneider. "It’s about always falling back into that on-and-off cycle with that same someone you know you should just let go. I feel like we’ve all been there before, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
Making his debut performance at Stagecoach later this year, Schneider is already bringing the heat in 2024. Currently opening for Nate Smith on his 2024 World On Fire Tour, his viral hit “Ain’t Missin’ You” has racked in over 124M TikTok views, 128k user-generated TikTok videos and 39M on-demand streams.
Wrapping 2023 on a high opening for Kane Brown, Tyler Hubbard and Scotty McCreery, the BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records artist released his most personal song to date with the autobiographical “Daddy Drinks Whiskey.” Not afraid of honest storytelling and the vulnerability that comes along with it, the song details the struggle of a loved one’s alcoholism.
With even more new music on the way that highlights his “more mature sound” (American Songwriter), Schneider continues to “expand the bounds of his artistry” and “build upon his foundational country roots with intentionality” (American Songwriter), ultimately making “…music that his fans fall in love with, without losing the authenticity that he has had all along” (Country Swag).
An electrifying performer who’s been recruited by some of country music’s biggest superstars such as Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay and more, the Top 5 hit songwriter (Dustin Lynch’s “Momma’s House”) has gained over 500,000 social followers in just a few months, scored two RIAA-certified Gold records, accumulated over 1.2M social media followers and banked an upwards of 318M on-demand streams (and counting).
Upcoming Tour Dates:
January 12 - Uncasville, CT – Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun*
January 13 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
January 31 – Oxford, OH – Bricks Street Bar*
February 1 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s Bar*
February 2 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection*
February 3 – Indianapolis, IN – 8 Second Saloon*
February 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex*
February 9 – Las Vegas, NV – Stoney’s Rockin’ Country*
February 11 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*
February 15 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater*
February 16 – Bakersfield, CA – Buck Owens*
February 17 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades*
February 18 – Smith River, CA – Lucky 7 Casino & Hotel
February 21 - Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom*
February 22 – Kelowna, BC – Community Theater*
February 23 – Calgary, AB – The Place Theater*
February 24 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall*
April 28 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach Festival
* with Nate Smith
Photo Credit: Matthew Simmons
About Dylan Schneider:
Drawn to the storytelling aspects of country music, Dylan Schneider started performing and writing songs at the age of 14, after meeting Brett Eldredge and singing with him on-stage during a concert. After that, he began posting videos to his Facebook page, where he’d cover popular Country songs, gaining a devoted online following. Since then, Schneider has made a name for himself in the Country music community, forging a sound that merges modern pop sensibilities with a down-home feel. He’s been named a “Breakthrough Artist to Watch” by Amazon Music, an “Artist to Watch” by Pandora, Taste of Country and Sounds Like Nashville and declared “Country Music’s Next Rising Star” by Billboard. He’s toured with Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Granger Smith, LANCO, Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris Lane and Niko Moon, co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s Top 5 hit song “Momma’s House,” scored two RIAA-certified Gold records, accumulated over 1.2M social media followers and banked an upwards of 318M on-demand streams (and counting). Signed to BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records, his latest EP College Town truly embraced his irresistible rock-n-roll edge and unrestrained pop-country swagger. Now, after posting a snippet of his break-up anthem “Ain’t Missin’ You” on social media, gaining over 500,000 social followers in a few months, the sound went viral, racking up more than 124M TikTok views, 128k user-generated TikTok videos and 39M on-demand streams, before climbing to #3 on TikTok’s Country playlist and securing placement on viral-song charts. Currently on Nate Smith’s 2024 World On Fire Tour, the rising country star just released his latest smash “Bad Decisions,” along with the heart-breaking truth of “Daddy Drinks Whiskey.”
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