Savage Lands Release Single Feat. Heilung, Chloé Trujillo

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Using royalties from their first ever-single, Savage Lands recently protected 60,000 square feet of Costa Rican rainforest from getting chopped down. But on their new single, "Black Rock Heart", these angry metalheads are warning us that if we don't listen up, the world as we know it might not be around much longer.

Watch the video for "Black Rock Heart" featuring Kai Uwe Faust from Heilung and Chloé Trujillo below.

Just listening to "Black Rock Heart" helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song's royalties fund the musician-run non-profit's preservation efforts in Costa Rica. Donations can also be made at https://savagelands.org/donation/  

Savage Land's first single was a fitting tribute to the endangered howler monkey. But even though it's still plenty heavy, "Black Rock Heart" aims at more spiritual concerns. The video begins with an ominous warning: the spirits of nature are reaching out to us... Of course, who else could represent these magical beings but visionary artist Chloé Trujillo and Heilung's chief of ceremonies Kai Uwe Faust.  

Channeling the protective powers of an Obsidian stone, Chloé sends Kai to warn of the doomsday scenario that's unfolding right before our eyes. Don't mistake the derelict buildings or rusted heavy metal machinery that dot this deserted landscape for the work of AI. Savage Lands shot this video on location in Salton Sea, which is the site of the biggest environmental disaster in California history.  

"That we tried to create an ocean just shows our own ignorance" says guitarist Sylvain Demercastel, who co-founded Savage Lands alongside Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren. "The Salton Sea is a very symbolic area. It was the perfect place for us to shoot this video. Sadly, there's hardly a tree in sight".

Kai bangs on his hand drum. Still, even when he's screaming in the band's face, the message falls on deaf ears. Black Bomb A's Sebastian Poun strains his voice into a bat-like shriek before  exploding on a room full of TVs, computers and other man-made creations that are supposed to make us happy.

"We wanted this song to reflect our mounting frustration with the way the real estate heat wave is destroying Costa Rica's ecosystem", says Sylvain. "Black Rock Heart" does sound angrier and more aggressive than what we've previously heard from Savage Lands. Sylvain shoots off a guitar solo that howls away like a flare gun, but the riff is a wicked stroke of downpicking that's only sharpened by the low end's blackened groove. "It's got a bit more black 'n' roll to it, which plays into the title".

But "Black Rock Heart" isn't all doom and gloom. Just as Chloé's clean singing cuts through those venomous shrieks like a salve, the song ends with a positive sign. The black arrow that falls from the sky is a final message for us to act on the benefit of our planet, before it's too late. 

"That's the reason why we started Savage Lands", says Sylvain. "It's up to us to do something".

Kai and his fellow Heilung warriors are continuing to support Savage Lands on their 2024 tour dates. The Nordic collective are donating $1 for every ticket sold to the non-profit's ongoing forest preservation efforts in Costa Rica.   

"The question is: 'Do you like to breath'?", Kai asks. "Do you like trees. Then you really should follow Savage Lands".

Picture by Gornoss

Savage Lands are planting their eco-friendly flag at Hellfest!They'll play the main stage on Friday, June 28, with help from some very special guests.

Stop by the Savage Lands booth to learn more about the green zones, nature sanctuaries and other preservation projects that they're building in Costa Rica. Make a donation and receive the chance to win a one-of-a-kind guitar.

Artists occasionally support causes through donations to organizations. With SAVAGE LANDS, Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren teamed up with his guitar-wielding friend Sylvain Demercastel to create their own US 501(c)3 non-profit.

Savage Lands raises money for reforestation and the creation of sanctuaries free of human destruction in Costa Rica. Using their own royalties, donations and other fundraising efforts, the organization builds nature sanctuaries, establishes green zones and other land preservation projects. They partner with other non-profits, scientists and forest engineers, as well as Decibel Magazine and Season of Mist.   

Donate: https://savagelands.org/donation/

"If you want to make a difference, take action! Our greatest hope with Savage Lands is that it will inspire you to join us, and if you can, to start your own initiative to help preserve animals, forests, and our planet", says Dirk.

Learn more about Savage Lands
https://savagelands.org/

Stream
https://orcd.co/savagelandsblackrockheart

Recording lineup for "Black Rock Heart"
Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) - Drums
Sylvain Demercastel - Guitar
Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A) - Bass
Poun (Black Bomb A) - Vocals
Chloé Trujillo - Vocals
Kai Uwe Faust - Vocals

Lineup for "Black Rock Heart" Video
Florian Pons - Drums
Sylvain Demercastel - Guitar
Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A) - Bass
Poun (Black Bomb A) - Vocals
Chloé Trujillo - Vocals
Kai Uwe Faust (Heilung) - Vocals

Recording
Savage Lands at Daufembach Studio in Los Angeles, CA
Additional songwriting by Florian Pons and Stephane Buriez

Production
Adair Daufembach
Additional production by Stephane Buriez

Suck Brick Kid Release New Single "What I Do When I Black Out Is None of My Business" via Smartpunk Records

SUCK BRICK KID have dropped their new single "What I Do When I Black Out is None of My Business" via Smarpunk Records

Pre-orders for the album are available here.

The band showcases their natural ability to turn inebriated escapades and some questionable bathroom graffiti findings into inspiring, vibrant punk anthems.

The track, inspired by a real-life venue bathroom doodle that the band stumbled upon during a night out, is a fast-paced first impression of the themes on their upcoming album.

Speaking about "What I Do When I Black Out is None of My Business," the band says, "We actually did some method acting for this track…once we achieved that state of 'blacked-out-ness,' we were able to let it all flow out. This song is one of our favorites from the record because it explores an area we are all too familiar with. Being a burden to yourself and everyone else around you because you just 'know how to have a good time.' Luckily the laundromat is just around the corner.."

ABOUT SUCK BRICK KID:
With a decade of beers literally under their belt, Suck Brick Kid have defined themselves as "loud as fuck and fast as fuck." This is mainly because their vocabulary is small and rudimentary, at best. But also because they really do both of these things better than most. They don't take themselves too seriously and that's infinitely refreshing!

With a slew of conceptual albums already out, Suck Brick Kid aimed high for this new release and found inspiration in one of the lowest places imaginable...a dive bar bathroom. Bathroom graffiti is often over-looked, over-pissed-on, or even over-appreciated (I saw you draw a penis on that stick figure you dirty dog) but Suck Brick Kid wanted to tap into the mindset of some of these individuals and explore what they were (maybe) going through when they made their mark. This opened up possibilities for the songs that vocalist Grant Tchekmeian and guitarist Ian Marchionda cleverly navigated, as they crafted some of the most insane and absurd lyrical content to date. The End Is What I Want should strike a chord with any lover of punk music, dive bars, both of those things, or people who just like a cheeky poop joke — no that was not one, but you see what I did there. 

This record is sure to put this band six feet under, in wooden suits, and left for the worms.

But before that happens, they've graced stages of FEST in Jacksonville, Florida, and have also toured alongside Unwritten Law, Palisades, Set Your Goals, and more. However, the band is survived by the following family members (Grant Tchekmeian on vocals, Ian Marchionda on guitar, Daniel Valery on drums, and Hayden Cler on bass).

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

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

Lowlives Share "You Don't Care" Video

West coast based raucous rockers LOWLIVES have shared their new single and music video for "You Don't Care."

The track is taken from their debut album, Freaking Out, due out May 31 via their new label home Spinefarm and marks the end of the band's three-part, "Helvis" video narrative.

Watch the music video for "You Don't Care" below.

Stream "You Don't Care" here.

Pre-save Freaking Out here.

ABOUT LOWLIVES:
LOWLIVES aren't so much about carefully stoking the embers as pouring on gasoline with merry impetuosity. With vocalist Lee Downer and drummer Luke Johnson joined by guitarist Jaxon Moore and bassist Steve Lucarelli, the nascent band was founded on a shared love of '90s alternative and grunge, and a shared desire to make music once more for little more than the love of doing so. 

"During my time away from music, someone bought a pair of child's ear defenders for my wife and I as a present when we announced we were pregnant," Johnson recalls. "I'd put them away in the cupboard, thinking we'd never need them, that I wouldn’t be playing any shows again. But they became this thing that nagged at me, the feeling that my daughter would never know the original me, for whom music was everything. Over time, those feelings came flooding back, as did the hunger, and the innocence. A massive part of me had been missing, and I wanted to get back to doing something pure and for the sheer love of it. That's what Lowlives is. Whatever happens, happens. Let's just Thelma And Louise this off a cliff."

Debut album Freaking Out, set for release in May 31 via Spinefarm, arrives imbued with that same such spirit. The intervening years have, after all, been above all about nurturing exactly that, first through jam sessions at Luke’s home studio and latterly fledgling adventures on the road. A 2018 tour of the UK, hastily arranged following the cancelation of a high-profile support billing the band were mere hours from embarking upon, was formative in bonding the quartet on and off the stage. Performing to an audience of two before bedding down in a trashed squat will do that to even the most seasoned, tour-hardened souls. "It really did cement who we are and what we're about," Johnson says, laughing at the fond memories of the 13-date fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants trek.

Recorded at Chapel Studios with producer Adrian Bushby, the 10 tracks that arrive under Freaking Out's banner are the scintillating end product of their self-funded two-week stay, where the four musicians would work all day with joyous abandon on fleshing out the sketches of songs with which they arrived, before retiring at night to unwind over cans of cider and the football.

"The experience of being forced into that situation of living and working together brought us even closer together, I feel," nods Downer. "We were able to work collectively in a way we hadn't previously, due to the geography of where we all live in the States."

Downer points to his passion for Nirvana and Alice In Chains shining through on tracks such as "Vertigo" and "Swan Dive," Johnson likewise to his obsession with The Smashing Pumpkins on "You Don’t Care." Fans of early-day Foo Fighters, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots will feel at home between Freaking Out’s sheets; admirers of Billie Joe Armstrong ("Freaking Out"), Matt Skiba ("Damien"), and Rivers Cuomo ("Loser"), likewise. Freaking Out is an unashamed celebration of its influences, and the simple beauty of the coalescence of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. "We're making music that excites us because it's what we want to hear," Johnson says, simply.

But make no mistake: there is depth here, too, deeply ingrained in lyrics that mine fears, anxieties, vulnerabilities, and the existential questions that keep us staring at the ceiling in the early hours. Freaking Out is, above all, the distillation of what LOWLIVES is truly about. It's rock music to make you fall in love with rock music all over again. "I thought by now I'd have the answers / Or the power to save my soul," Downer sings on the impassioned "Closer Than You Know." LOWLIVES might not hold that key, but it's the spark that he and Johnson have been missing in their lives, and looking for all along. Let it in, and you might find it's the same for you, too.

PHOTO CREDIT: Wil Foster

LOWLIVES ARE:
Lee Downer — Vocals/Guitar
Jaxon Moore — Guitar
Steve Lucarelli — Bass
Luke Johnson — Drums

ABOUT SPINEFARM:
Spinefarm represents some of the biggest and most important rock acts in the world. Founded in Finland in 1990, the label established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. Acquired by UMG in 2002, Spinefarm Music Group is now home to a host of artists that reach millions of fans across the globe and showcases the very best in rock, punk and metal. From massive metal names such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams to their name) to alt-rock legends Killing Joke and genre-benders Sleep Token, Spinefarm's artists are — and always have been —true leaders in their chosen field. The roster also includes renowned names like Atreyu, Airbourne, Saint Asonia, and While She Sleeps, as well as fast-rising young artists like Dayseeker, Dead Poet Society, Kid Kapichi, BRKN LOVE, and Creeper. Spinefarm, now flanked by associated SMG labels Candlelight (Emperor, Ihsahn, Urne) and Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, Austin Meade, The White Buffalo), has grown from its independent origins into a true global rock powerhouse.

Wheel Share New Single "Disciple"

Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel previously announced their third studio album Charismatic Leaders, which arrives on May 3.

Today, they launch the third single — the dramatic and brooding "Disciple."

Listen here. Watch the visualizer below.

Vocalist and guitarist James Lascelles comments, "'Disciple' is a heated debate between a current and an ex-cult member and both believe they are saving the other — they are also utterly unwilling to consider the opposing point of view.  The discourse between these two made up characters is a reflection of multiple topical debates in modern society and the writing process has given me a chance to reflect on my own behavior; particularly how I respond to ideas I strongly dislike."

The album's first single "Empire" was released last month, and the video currently has over 250k views. Watch it here. Their second single, "Porcelain," was also released earlier this month. Listen here.

Charismatic Leaders was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel's ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala's third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.

Charismatic Leaders clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the Rumination EP tracks as bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems). Pre-orders are live here.

Wheel will be celebrating the release of their new album with their first ever shows in Australia, supporting labelmates Caligula's Horse, as well as their first ever North American headline shows. Those are posted below.

WHEEL ON TOUR:
5/2 — Orlando, FL — Conduit 
5/5 — Philadelphia, PA — The Foundry
5/6 — Vienna, VA — Jammin Lava
5/7 — New York, NY — Mercury Lounge
5/8 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
5/9 — Montreal, QC — Petit Campus
5/10 — Toronto, ON — Adelaide Hall
5/12 — Chicago, IL — Beat Kitchen
5/13 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry
5/16 — Denver, CO — Moe's
5/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Underground
5/20 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
5/21 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
5/22 — Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone
5/23 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post
5/25 — Seattle, WA — Barboza

Capstan Share "What You Want" Video

Florida post-hardcore five-piece CAPSTAN — Anthony DeMario [vocals], Joseph Mabry [guitar, vocals], Harrison Bormann [guitar], Andrew "Boz" Bozymowski [bass, vocals], and Scott Fisher [drums] — recently announced their new album The Mosaic, out May 24 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here. 

The band has just shared the video for the new single "What You Want. It's a fans first anthem, once that captures the band's soaring, emotional, and supremely catchy sonic style. Capstan indulge in a little '80s energy with this track, as it has a glorious throwback vibe, all the while maintaining a modern edge.

Watch it below. 

"Perhaps an unexpected tune from Capstan, 'What You Want' pokes fun at coming to terms with some surprising and difficult truths about the music industry," the bad muses. "Still, ever earnest, this song is a commitment to what Capstan is and always will be, and a pledge to our most loyal fans."

To make a mosaic, tiny pieces interlock as a larger picture. In similar fashion, distinct elements coalesce as one in Capstan. The band mixes metallic precision with pit-splitting hardcore grooves and the kind of hooks you can't shake. Since 2015, Capstan have progressed with each subsequent move. Following Seasonal Depression [2015] and In The Wake of Our Discord [2018], they made waves with their full-length debut, Restless Heart, Keep Running, in 2019. They toured with the likes of Trash Boat, Doll Skin, Silverstein, and many more. After amassing tens of millions of streams and earning acclaim from the likes of KERRANG! and New Noise, the group paint a definitive body of work on their aptly titled third full-length offering, The Mosaic.

Australia's Void Of Vision Share Video for New Single "Empty"

Raw, ferocious and oozing with caustic dexterity, come and witness the high octane new single "Empty" from metalcore mavericks Void of Vision, officially out today via UNFD.

Watch the video below. 

Following the quartet's transmutation via the razor-sharp 2023 single "Angel Of Darkness," "Empty" is a sweltering blend of pummeling beats and oscillating melodics, complete with jagged riffs, voracious vocals and a fiery breakdown that all combine to unite the recent journey behind the scenes in particular for frontman Jack Bergin.

"'Empty' was written halfway through our Australian tour in October last year," shares Bergin. "We'd just completed our first run of shows back since I had surgery following a brain AVM rupture in April, which left me facing mixed emotions I didn't expect. On one hand, we were playing our largest ever headline shows to date and selling them all out, and on the other, I was facing the fear of getting up on stage every night risking another potential rupture every set I played."

Bergin continues, "Performing under the 'Angel Of Darkness' persona for the single campaign, I'd get up on stage and play it down from the usual high energy show we're known for, leaving every second of gratitude or appreciation to be communicated by a backing track in between songs to communicate with the audience. A protective measure sure, yet I felt vapid and far from the engaging stage persona that had led us to playing these bigger stages in the first place. We were at the peak of our career and I felt nothing but imposter syndrome up where I usually feel most at home."

He furthers, "Everything quickly snowballed into more bottled up emotions surfacing, all of a sudden finding myself coming to terms with unprecedented body dysmorphia after my hospital stay. I had never even processed losing all my hair from alopecia until I had to return to societal norms after hiding away for months straight off the back of touring. I'd just been diving into a world of fashion and makeup trying to cover everything up just to hide my face and body in a world where I couldn't avoid comments and remarks, no matter how I presented myself."

Bergin finishes, "Following the Sydney date of tour we found ourselves in the studio on an off day, laying down the foundations of what would by the end of the day, become 'Empty.' I took the first words off the top of my dome, and screamed that chorus at the top of my lungs, leaving the take from that very demo the exact same as the intro in the final track you hear today. It feels suiting to return now with a song all about perception, not only by the public but also one self.. and it feels like true growth now feeling entirely realized and ready for whatever is to come."

ABOUT VOID OF VISION:
Melbourne's Void Of Vision have solidified their standing as one of the most innovative and sonically explosive acts in the modern heavy scene for over a decade. Performing at Australia's first-ever Knotfest edition, alongside Slipknot, Parkway Drive, Megadeth and more, to collaborating with metal-meets-electronic DJ and producer PhaseOne, Void Of Vision also recently unveiled the amalgamated CHRONICLES series as a complete album, bringing together the previously standalone EPs LUST, HEAVEN, and UNDERWORLD into a gripping snapshot of Void Of Vision's relentlessly inventive past, present, and future.

From their debut EP, 2014's Broken // Bones through to 2016's Children of Chrome, 2017's Disturbia, 2019's Hyperdaze, and the release of CHRONICLES, a new future was heralded in 2023 by the standalone single "Angel Of Darkness": An alt metal rager weighted equally by searing heaviness and pulsing pop, helmed by the titular Angel Of Darkness as the band's representative during the single's campaign.

Supporting Invent Animate last year as well as touring the UK and Europe supporting Stray From The Path, Void Of Vision closed out 2023 with their biggest Australian headline shows to date. And kickstarting 2024 with an appearance at Homegrown Festival in Melbourne and with a special headline show in Narre Warren, Void Of Vision are firmly poised for an explosive year ahead, touring North America supporting ERRA as of next week, before joining Aussie juggernauts Parkway Drive on their gargantuan 20 Year Anniversary Tour in Australia this September along with I Prevail and The Ghost Inside

Crossfaith Announce "AЯK" + Share New Song "L.A.M.N" (Feat Bobby Wolfgang"

Japanese rockers Crossfaith have announced their new album AЯK. It arrives on June 26 via UNFD and Warner Music Japan, and marks the band's first album in six years.  Pre-order the record digitally here.

It is a welcome return for the band — after adjusting the global pandemic and a band hiatus, as well a membership change — and serves as quite a milestone.

The album's title AЯK is a message of saying goodbye to the past and hello to a new beginning, and their fresh sound and perspective is reflected in the new material.
 
Crossfaith have also shared the visualizer for the brand new single "L.A.M.N" (Feat. Bobby Wolfgang).

Watch and listen to this certified banger below.

It's a ferocious anthem, delivered in Crossfaith's signature metal x industrial hybrid style. It will incite mosh pits the world over, thanks to its vicious breakdowns and incendiary message. Punishing riffs and thunderous percussion will send the blood and adrenaline coursing through your veins.

The band comments, "This song is like an antithesis to phenomena like lookism and other political correctness going over the edge today. Through this song, the band conveys the message that it is alright to break down in this corrupted society. It is completely natural that everyone is different. It features Bobby Wolfgang, who is one of the artists we've always wanted to collaborate with, and he definitely brought that edge to this song"

This track follows the previously released single "ZERO." Watch the video here.

Additionally, the band recently announced Daiki Koide as its new guitarist.

The AЯK era kicks off now. Stay tuned for more.

ABOUT CROSSFAITH:
"Playing heavy music is how I feel alive," says singer Kenta Koie. "We want Crossfaith to be the band making music that no one has ever heard before. Crossfaith formed in 2006 and released their debut album The Artificial Theory for The Dramatic Beauty in 2009, followed by The Dream, The Space (2011), Apocalyze (2013), Xeno (2015), and Ex Machina (2018). Each one saw the band blend its love of punk rock, metal, and electronic music in daring new ways. "Good art is how I express myself to other people. It's hard to talk from the bottom of my heart, that's why I write these songs," Koie says. In keeping with their progressive musical journey, 2020's SPECIES EP saw the band continue to push their own sonic soundscape to new grounds.The band dropped the pandemic-penned single "Gimme Danger" in 2022.

Doomcrusher Share "Reflect" Video

Heavy act Doomcrusher have just released their sophomore single "Reflect," out now worldwide via Arising Empire!

Watch the video below. Stream the song here.

In the crucible of the apocalyptic atmosphere that envelopes our world, Doomcrusher were forged. Born out of the deepest desire to be the harbinger of change, the band emerged with a resolute mission: to defy the impending doom that looms on the horizon.

Founded by Andy Posdziech (Any Given Day), Jean Bormann (Rage), Marv Kinkel, and Rob Lee, Doomcrusher's sound is a powerful fusion of stomping and heavy mid-tempo industrial riffs, seamlessly intertwined with uncompromising gutturals that resolve into unfolding and uplifting hooks.

The band's sound is further enriched by sophisticated electronic elements, adding depth and complexity to their musical tapestry. The ambition is clear — to redefine modern core music while staying true to the roots of the metal genre. Their music is not merely an auditory experience; it's a journey through the realms of sound, a deliberate exploration of the boundaries of heavy music.

Doomcrusher stand as a defiant force against the inevitable, a rebellion that crushes the darkness of doom with an unwavering belief in the transformative power of music.

PHOTO: Moritz Hartmann

DOOMCRUSHER IS:
Marv Kinkel — Vocals
Andy Posdziech — Guitar
Jean Bormann — Guitar + Vocals
Rob Lee — Bass
Silas Fischer — Drums

Calva Louise Sign To Mascot Records + Share Video For "Under The Skin"

Calva Louise have revealed the extraordinary cinematic sci-fi video for their new song "Under the Skin," and the news they have also signed to Mascot Records — home to P.O.D., VOLA, Defects, Conquer Divide, Dragged Under, 10 Years, and Oxymorrons. 

Feast your eyes on the video for "Under the Skin" below.

Stream the song here.

Calva Louise are storming into 2024, playing Download Festival, 2000Trees, and Primordial General Mayhem. In May, they'll take on a 10-date co-headline tour of the U.S. with Vukovi and play So What!? Festival, Welcome to Rockville, and Sonic Temple. They'll also perform at Vainstream Rockfest (Germany) and Dynamo MetalFest (Netherlands). Calva Louise are gearing up for an explosive 2024, with even more shows on the horizon!

The British based band is truly international with its members hailing from across the globe and has been ripping through the U.K. underground for the past few years, driven by the creative vision of the Venezuelan songwriter Jess Allanic (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard) along with French bassist Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals) and New Zealander Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals).

BBC Radio 1's Alyx Holcombe declared them one of the "Artists You Need to Know in 2024." They've picked up airplay on BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and Radio X. Metal Hammer highlighted them as a band proving that metalcore is back and more diverse and exciting than ever, hailing their "guitar licks with hellish screams."

"Under the Skin" was co-written by Jess Allanic and Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen and is a mesmerizing blend of raging metal riffs, swirling electronica, and Jess' extraordinary ability to flit between ethereal vocals and demonic howls. It swoons in and out of a stunning narrative, with melodic twists along the way that are punctured by an attack of hypnotic assertiveness. 

This first single release is accompanied by Calva Louise's most ambitious music video production, including a sci-fi movie-style short film, telling a story about intertwined dimensions where the characters are looking to perpetuate their consciousness beyond the real world.  

The lyrics of "Under the Skin" follow a complex sci-fi narrative and is the introduction of a conceptual storyline consisting of characters called "Travellers" and their counterparts called the "Doubles."

Allanic says, "The lyrics deal with the obstacles that arise in the human duality as one is looking for freedom and the other is looking to perpetuate their consciousness, but the expectations are not the same for both sides." 

The music video shows the Travellers and their Doubles transporting energy capsules which they recovered from the Hybrids-Scorpions (the story's villains) to the Main Hologram Generator, the maker of the "Realworld."

The story focuses on one of the Doubles Vic, that betrayed Commander Jonnie, also a Double, and his crew composed of both Travellers and Doubles, after being infected (and therefore under the control) of a Hybrid-scorpion that sneaked into Jonnie's Hedron-Ship. Jonnie's plans had been interrupted due to the anticipated invasion of the Hybrids that kidnapped multiple Hedron-Ships back in the Mother-Hedron-Ship, where their city was built. Meanwhile, the infected Doubles began to abandon their counterpart Travellers and started to usurp their lives in the holographic "Realworld." The Hybrids then got a free pass to continue sucking the energy of the countless Travellers who had been getting trapped in the "Dreamworld."

The video is a feast for the eye and was directed, edited and with VFX by Allanic. 

2023's mesmerising album Over The Threshold was a breakthrough moment for the band. They had built a formidable reputation on the live circuit, with sold-out shows across the U.K. It came off of the back of a headline performance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival along with tours with the likes of Cassyette, Highly Suspect, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Death Valley Girls, and not to mention, electric performances at Riot Fest (U.S.) and SXSW (U.S.).

All their music videos form part of a larger science-fiction project that guides the Lore behind the songs, providing an immersive experience for the audience. The main concept of duality means the existence of two sides within the human experience: the avatars or "Travellers" fighting like THIRD CLASS CITIZENS to reach the energetic source of their willpower: the "Doubles." 

In this story, there are foreign entities, the "Hybrid-Scorpions" (half organic and half machines), who steal life energy from both Travellers and Doubles. Their FEAST IS OVER when the stolen energy is retrieved and attached to weapon-like tools that they use (the Hedron-Bazookas), while the Hybrids have corrupted some Doubles (OPORTUNISTA). The Travellers' aim is to reach their Doubles with the help of the Commanders (SQUARE ONE), since they have been working for decades to unify both sides OVER THE THRESHOLD of duality.

Rock Sound called Third Class Citizen "a masterstroke in atmospheric songwriting and more than enough reason for you to keep your eyes firmly on the band this year." 

Writing for Kerrang!, Boston's Manor's Henry Cox said, "I don't know how you'd even begin to describe them – they blend elements of punk and rock and electronica and indie and all sorts of stuff. It's a super-unique sound. Definitely give Calva Louise a go."

Talking about signing to Mascot Records, the band says, "We are honored to be part of the Mascot family, and with their help, we hope to keep developing a high level of immeasurable value for the distribution and promotion of our music around the world through a unique sound for our next album and for our live shows."

CALVA LOUISE ON TOUR:
5/8 — Carrboro, NC —Cat's Cradle Back Room*
5/9 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade Purgatory Stage*
5/11 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome To Rockville (FESTIVAL)
5/13 — Nashville, TN — The Basement*
5/14 —St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill — Duck Room*
5/16 —Ferndale, MI — The Loving Touch*
5/17 — Chicago, IL — Subterranean*
5/18 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple (FESTIVAL)
5/19 — Washington, DC — DC9*
5/21 — Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie*
5/22 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall*
5/23 — Brooklyn, NY — Baby’s All Right*
5/28 — L.A. CA — The Echo 
6/2 — Fort Worth, TX — So What!? (FESTIVAL)
* WITH VUKOVI

Vicious Rain Share "Like A Nightmare" Video

Swiss act Vicious Rain — vocalist David Häusermann, guitarist and vocalist Mauro Gugerli, guitarist Tristan Meier, bassist Loris De Notaristefano, and drummer Michael Teufelberger — have released their forth single "Like A Nightmare."

Watch the video below.

Stream the song here.

With "Like A Nightmare," Vicious Rain takes another step forward in their musical journey. This single is a compelling addition to their growing catalog, showcasing the band‘s emotional depth and raw power. Get ready for a sonic experience that challenges your perspective. This is Vicious Rain, and "Like A Nightmare" is their latest chapter. Following the path paved by their third single, "Crown Of Thorns," Vicious Rain showcase their unwavering commitment to expressing raw emotions, pouring their heart and soul into every note. The band's dedication to its craft and the sheer passion the members exude leaves no doubt that their future is bright.
 
"'Like A Nightmare' is all about the messy side of love. It's like being drawn to something you know will hurt you, but you cn'‘t help yourself. The song captures that feeling of being stuck in a cycle of desire and pain, leaving you feeling hopeless and trapped," says vocalist David Häusermann.

Formed in late 2022, Vicious Rain are an alternative metalcore band hailing from Baden, Switzerland. The members bring several years of professional recording and live show experience to the mix. Combining influences as intertwined singing/screaming vocals — with a pinch of hope-infused singalongs, screaming melodic leads topped with crushing breakdowns — embracing everything from the heavy side of the genre all the way to the more intimate and melodic side. The band's spirit is marked by their shared belief in the importance of solidarity and the role of the individual accomplishment of a common vision. Lyrically, the band expresses its stance on recent and recurring personal matters, without mincing their words while believing that self-reflection is the key to growth.
 

VICIOUS RAIN ARE:
David Häusermann — Vocals
Mauro Gugerli — Guitar + Vocals
Tristan Meier — Guitar
Loris De Notaristefano — Bass
Michael Teufelberger — Drums

Self Deception Share "Beautiful Disaster" Video

Self Deception are dropping their latest single "Beautiful Disaster." This captivating track captures the essence of our cosmic insignificance, drawing inspiration from Carl Sagan's profound "The Pale Blue Dot" speech.

Watch the video below.
 
As vocalist Andreas Clark reflects, "'Beautiful Disaster' is a homage to Sagan's timeless wisdom, reminding us of our place in the vast universe. It's a testament to the struggles we face as mere specks in the grand scheme of things, yet finding solace and beauty amidst the chaos."
 
The single marks a significant departure in Self Deception sound, as they delve into experimental territory with producer Nicklas Eklund. Exploring an arena approach, the track promises to deliver a powerful auditory experience that resonates with listeners on a cosmic level.
 
Accompanying the release is a visually stunning music video, conceptualized by Pavel Trebukhin to further immerse audiences in the cosmic journey depicted in "Beautiful Disaster."
 
This release sets the stage for Self Deception's forthcoming album Destroy the Art, slated for release on October 25. The album promises to be a culmination of the band's artistic evolution, featuring their distinctive fusion of introspective lyrics and mesmerizing melodies. With their broad musical palette, Self Deception never fail to surprise listeners with their innovative and genre-defying sound, ensuring an unforgettable musical experience for fans old and new.
 
The band has shared previously singles "Hysteria" and "Matthew McConaughey." 

Self Deception are also set to appear at Louder Than Life + Aftershock festivals later this year.
 
Stay tuned for more updates.
 
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New Music From UNFD

BILLY MORRISON Solo Album ‘The Morrison Project’ Out Now Digitally via TLG/VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP

Billy Morrison's highly anticipated solo album, The Morrison Project released digitally today, April 19, 2024, through TLG/VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP.
The album is scheduled for release physically on CD and LP on May 24th. This collaboration marks the genesis of TLG | ZOID as the premier Rock arm within The Label Group's esteemed family of labels.

The current single off The Morrison Project "Crack Cocaine" with Ozzy Osbourne& Steve Stevens broke into the Billboard Top 20 Mainstream Rock Chart this week and currently lands at #16 with a bullet on the Mediabase rock chart. "Crack Cocaine" was #1 "most added" and #1 "greatest gainer" in last week's debut on the charts. The music video starring Paris Jackson already has 2 million plus views on Youtube in its first 2 weeks. Watch the video - below

The Morrison Project promises to be a standout in Morrison's illustrious career, showcasing his exceptional songwriting abilities and visionary creativity. With an eclectic lineup of guest artists, including icons such as Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Corey Taylor, DMC, Al Jourgensen, Steve Vai, Steve Stevens, Linda Perry, Tommy Clufetos, JOHN5, and more, the album offers a diverse and captivating musical journey.

THE MORRISON PROJECT was produced by Billy Morrison, mixed by Barry Pointer, and mastered by Dave Donnelly. The songs on the album were recorded in Los Angeles at various studios and were written by Billy Morrison in collaboration with his guests.

The British guitarist, singer, and songwriter is primarily known as Billy Idol’s rhythm guitar player for the past 15 years alongside lead guitarist Steve Stevens, has expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with TLG, highlighting the importance of a record deal that respects the artist's creative freedom and ensures widespread distribution across all platforms. This collaboration not only signifies a forward-thinking move in the music industry but also aligns with the evolving landscape of entertainment, where the integration of digital and virtual spaces is becoming increasingly prevalent.

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PROFANATICA Announces May-June U.S. Headliner

USBM legends PROFANATICA will be scourging the states with blasphemy this spring with support from STORMRULER. The headlining trek will first lay waste to Youngstown, OH on May 14 and will conclude on June 8 in Raleigh, NC. Tickets are now on sale HERE.

The band just recently unleashed a gory new music video for the song "Take Up the Cross," which is taken from the band's latest offering, 'Crux Simplex.' The clip was created by garlix and can be found below.

The band will also be appearing on the 2024 edition of Milwaukee Metal Fest on Friday, May 17, in which the full lineup and tickets can be found HERE.

'Crux Simplex' was released on September 22, 2023 via Season of Mist. The record can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

PROFANATICA U.S. TOUR 2024 (w/ STORMRULER):

05/14: Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl

05/15: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle

05/17: Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest*

05/19: Rapid City, SD @ Creative Arts Building

05/20: Denver, CO @ HQ

05/21: Cheyenna, WY @ Ernie November

05/22: Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High

05/23: Boise, ID @ Shredder

05/24: Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

05/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

05/27: Sacramento, CA @ Cafe Colonial

05/28: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

05/30: Palmdale, CA @ Transplants

05/31: Los Angeles, CA @ Echo

06/01: Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock

06/02: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

06/04: Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

06/05: Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

06/06: New Orleans, LA @ Poor Boys

06/07: Augusta, GA @ Grantski Records

06/08: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel of Bones

*Profanatica only

PROFANATICA are at the vanguard of the first wave of American black metal. Founded and led by infamous master of black perversion Paul Ledney (drums/vocals), they have purveyed primeval blasphemy for nigh on thirty-three years.

Ledney formed the band from the ashes of the first INCANTATION lineup when he split and took with him all of the members sans John McEntee. That early trio of ex-INCANTATION members reeled off three ground-breaking demos of some of the most extreme and blasphemic metal of its time in rapid succession. The band flyers that permeated the tape-trading circuit were no less shocking and featured the trio bloody and naked and in the throes of what was most certainly a primeval summoning of some kind. In short order, they had inked a deal with the fledgling Osmose Productions for what became one of that labels first releases (Osmose release #5); a legendary split with Colombia's MASACRE.

Something so volatile could only last briefly, and after another brief recording session the band collapsed under the weight of its own extremity. but the recordings made in this two year window went on to see dozens of reissues in the coming decades, in a testament to how formidable and formative they are to the black metal scene worldwide.

After almost fifteen years spent with his equally polarizing solo project HAVOHEJ, Ledney reignited the flames of PROFANATICA in 2006. Reemerging with a new deal from Hells Headbangers, Ledney and his new band released 'The Enemy of Virtue', a collection of that vaunted early material, and a new fulllength, 'Profanatitas de Domonatia'. A triumphant return, 'Profanatitas de Domonatia' picked up right where these Kings of US Black Metal left off, delivering a savage stream of chainsaw guitars and relentless battery upon which they desecrated everything sacred.

This set-in motion another frenetic burst of work for PROFANATICA. The next decade saw them

unleash four new full-length albums of blasphemous perversions, sacrilegious incantations, and furious black metal. In addition, the band issued six mini-albums and EP's, a full DVD of early footage, and began touring internationally in Europe and in Central and South America. For the first time PROFANATICA were appearing near or at the top of the bill at festivals like Maryland Death Fest, Messe Des Mortes, Hells Headbash, Prague Death Mass (Czech Republic), Chaos Descends (Germany), Black Sun (Spain), Tyrant Fest (France), SWR Fest (Portugal) and many more.

In fall 2018, PROFANATICA joined forces with Season of Mist and undertook their biggest tour to date supporting WATAIN and ROTTING CHRIST across Europe. And a year later, the trio vomited forth a most vulgar strain of black metal ejaculate with their SoM debut album 'Rottng Incarnation of God.'

The band embarked on an extensive twelve-country European headline tour in the album's wake. Shortly after returning home that winter, the world ground to a halt in 2020. Save a live-streaming concert production for the legendary Rock al Parque in conjuncton with BATUSHKA, little was heard from PROFANATICA.

That is until spring 2023, when PROFANATICA emerged from their den of iniquity on a European headline tour to promote a new album. 'Crux Simplex' is a ten-track offensive of sin and sacrilege, a nasty affront that bastardizes the first 10 stations of the cross. As per their legacy, PROFANATICA deals in bestial, first-wave black metal barbarity, and their eighth album unveils ungodly levels of bile and blasphemy. 

Live Lineup:

Mayhemic Slaughter of the Heavens – Drums / Vocals

Destroyer of Holy Hymen – Guitar

The True Perversion of the Heavenly Father – Bass 

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High on Fire releases new LP 'Cometh the Storm'

Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, released its new LP, 'Cometh the Storm', yesterday via MNRK Heavy. The GRAMMY Award-winning group, celebrating its 25th anniversary, recorded 'Cometh the Storm' at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort -- the band's ninth studio album -- marks the release of the first new High on Fire music since 2018's 'Electric Messiah' and the first to feature drummer Coady Willis(Melvins, Big Business, Murder City Devils), alongside bassist Jeff Matz, and guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike.

'Cometh the Storm' boasts runic art and design by longtime High on Fire collaborator Arik Moonhawk Roper.

High on Fire will kick off U.S. headlining tour dates in support of 'Cometh the Storm on May 4 in Orlando, FL. The jaunt will feature support from Venezuelan post rock outfit, Zeta, and Massachusetts crossover crew High Command. 

High on Fire 'Cometh the Storm' spring U.S. tour
(w/ Zeta, High Command)

May 4 Orlando, FL Conduit
May 5 Columbia, SC The Senate
May 7 Greensboro, NC Hanger 1819
May 8 Richmond, VA The Broadberry
May 10 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
May 11 New Haven, CT Toad's Place
May 12 Jersey City, NJ White Eagle Hall
May 13 Cambridge, MA The Middle East
May 15 Albany, NY Empire Live
May 16 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
May 17 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
May 18 Chicago, IL 3 Floyd's Brewing (Dark Lord Day feat. High on Fire, Abbath, Fugitive, 1349, Spiritworld)

TOUR AND TICKET INFO HERE

Randy Houser Brings "Country Back" with New Single

Billboard-lauded “golden-voiced Mississippi native” Randy Houser releases his new single “Country Back,” a full throttle proclamation of all things country. Prior to the song’s release, it was picked up by over 60 reporting stations at Country radio. Listen to the single below.
 
Written by Houser and Matt Rogers and produced by Houser, “Country Back” opens with an electrifying roadhouse feel, peppered by piano as he launches into the chorus:
 
            We’re taking our country back
            Back to the hollers and hills
            Show your bright light towns how a night goes down
            Where dust on the bottle, boots on the throttle, horns on a Cadillac
            Yeah, we’re taking our country, our country back
 
Houser returns to the road next month for headlining and festival dates this summer before kicking off the Country Round Here Tonight Tour with Justin Moore on Sept. 5 in Charlotte, N.C. Moore and Houser gave fans a preview of what’s to come with a surprise performance of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville. Watch HERE.

For tour dates and more information, visit RandyHouser.com or follow along on Instagram @RandyHouser, Facebook.com/RandyHouser and Twitter/X @RandyHouser.
 
Randy Houser Tour Dates:
May 25 | Concert For A Cause at Tringali Barn | St. Augustine, FL
May 31 | Hollywood Casino Event Center | Charles Town, WV
June 1 | Veterans Band Aid Music Festival | Virginia Beach, VA
June 6 | Elizabeth Stampede | Elizabeth, CO
June 22 | Rock the Country | Mobile, AL
June 23 | Old Town Music Festival | Murrieta, CA
June 28 | Country Stampede | Bonner Springs, KS
July 6 | Rivers 'n' Roots Music Festival | Paris, ON, CA
July 13 | Sauk County Fair | Baraboo, WI
July 18 | Country Thunder Wisconsin | Twin Lakes, WI
July 25 | Night in the Country | Yerington, NV
July 26 | Britt Music & Arts Festival | Jacksonville, OR
Aug. 1 | Country Line Country Fest | Prairie du Chien, WI
Aug. 14 | Berrin County Youth Fair | Berrien Springs, MI
Aug. 17 | Chase County Fair & Expo | Imperial, NE
Aug. 23 | YQM Country Fest | Dieppe, NB
 
Country Round Here Tonight Tour Dates:
Sept. 5 | Skyla Credit Union Amp | Charlotte, NC
Sept. 6 | Red Hat Amphitheater | Raleigh, NC
Sept. 7 | Macon Centreplex Coliseum | Macon, GA
Sept. 26 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT
Sept. 27 | The Stone Pony | Asbury Park, NJ
Sept. 28 | TD Pavilion | Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 3 | Walmart AMP | Rogers, AR
Oct. 5 | 713 Music Hall | Houston, TX
Oct. 6 | Toyota Music Factory | Irving, TX
Oct. 10 | Toledo Zoo Amphitheater | Toledo, OH
Oct. 11 | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | Indianapolis

Photo Credit: Sean O’Halloran

About Randy Houser
With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy.” Houser added a fourth No. 1 to his catalogue with “We Went” from his 2016 album, Fired Up. Houser’s sixth studio album Note To Self is available now via Magnolia Music Group and features 10 tracks all co-written by the Mississippi native. Lead single and title track “Note To Self” marked his “powerful return” following 2019’s critically-acclaimed album Magnolia, with MusicRow boasting the Mississippi native “remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.” His latest single “Country Back” is available now. For more information, visit RandyHouser.com.

FRANK RAY STAYS GROUNDED IN HIS COUNTRY ROOTS WHILE CRANKING UP THE LATIN HEAT IN HIS LATEST RELEASE “UH-HUH (AJÁ)”

One of country music's most promising emerging artists, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville's Frank Ray is bringing some sizzling Latin heat to your summer by paying tribute to his Mexican roots with the release of his latest single, “Uh-huh (Ajá)” available on all digital platforms with a May 6th add date at country radio via Stoney Creek Records. Download “Uh-huh (Ajá)” HERE.

Recently named “One of the most influential Latinos'' by TIME Magazine, Frank Ray’s intoxicating “Uh-huh (Ajá)” will have you so infatuated with your partner that you’ll join as he dances between English & Spanish lyrics in this smash penned by Shay Mooney (Dan+Shay) & Pedro Capó (2 billion+ streaming artist) alongside Jesse Frasure and Vibarco. Produced by GRAMMY® nominated Dave Pittenger, Ray’s heritage shines reminding listeners why Good Morning America lauded him among “Latino country artists that are expanding the genre while honoring their roots.”

“Music is the best representation of who I am,” says Ray. “Shay and Pedro perfectly captured the essence of Latin music, with constant changes, vibrant horns and rhythmic percussive elements. The second I heard the demo I immediately knew I needed to put this song out as my next single because it encompasses everything I'm known for, whether it's traditional country music, family tunes, party anthems, R&B rhythms, pop, soul or Latin flavor - there's something in this song for everyone.”

Ray has been equally busy off the stage as on, continuing to work hard raising attention on the subject of mental health awareness for our first responders through his organization, FRAY.  Ray was recently named Chief Ambassador of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. and will have a major presence in this year’s Police Week which is expected to have over 50,000 police officers and their families in attendance. Additionally, in the last twelve months Ray has visited fifty-eight police and fire departments across the United States and Canada to speak to our heroes about the importance of speaking up when you are not feeling okay, and that it is okay to say “I am not okay.” 

"Sticking to my roots, who I am and how I was raised and releasing a Country Latin single is very noteworthy because the Latin culture can be represented in a way that has not been done in the mainstream music genre for decades. I have the opportunity to bring the Latin flavor to country music fans, but also to bring country music to a whole new audience," said Frank Ray about the significance of "Uh-huh (Ajá)."

About Frank Ray:

Texas chart-topper, bilingual recording artist and former police officer - Frank Ray is busting open doors in the country genre, adding his signature Latin flavor to the scene. Growing up just three miles from the border in New Mexico, Frank, born Francisco Gomez, was immersed in the best of both worlds - enriched by his Mexican culture and surrounded by Texas Country music. Praised as “easygoing contemporary Country with Pop-Soul hooks and a dash of Southwestern spice” (Rolling Stone), Frank’s “catalog is representative of his fun personality and flair” (Country Now), expertly blending ‘90s Texas Country, Latin, R&B and Pop. As an entertainer, Frank delivers electrifying, high-energy performances that have something for everyone. With immense cross-cultural appeal and a panorama of influences, “One of the most influential Latinos'' (Time Magazine), Ray “is looking to stretch Country music’s cultural boundaries” (Los Angeles Times).  

In the three short years since embarking on his musical journey full-time, he has racked up two No. 1 singles and three Top 10 singles on Texas Country Radio, become a staff songwriter, signed a record deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and much more. Along with being named an “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone and Amazon Music USA as well as a “Listen Up Artist” by CMT, Ray has appeared on USA Network’s Real Country, been profiled in the Los Angeles Times and on NBC's TODAY.  

Named to the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) New Faces Class of 2023, Ray has shared stages with Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore, LANCO, Hunter Hayes and more. Recently on tour with Old Dominion and performing at major music festivals across the U.S, Frank visits first responders through his mental-health initiative FRAY (First Responders Mental Clarity), at each tour stop providing first responders with the tools, resources and training to promote their mental wellbeing, as well as that of their families and communities. 

The latest from Frank Ray is the intoxicating "Uh-huh (Ajá)" that will have you so infatuated with your partner that you’ll join as he dances between English & Spanish lyrics in this smash penned by Shay Mooney (Dan+Shay) & Pedro Capó (2 billion+ streaming artist). Produced by GRAMMY® nominated Dave Pittenger, Ray’s heritage shines, reminding listeners why Good Morning America lauded him among “Latino country artists that are expanding the genre while honoring their roots.”

Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes

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COLIN STOUGH FIGHTS MIDNIGHT TEMPTATION IN “MAKES TWO OF US

19 Recordings/BMG Nashville artist Colin Stough battles the midnight temptation of an on-again-off-again romance in “Makes Two of Us.” Available across all streaming platforms and digital retailers, listen here.
 
“‘Makes Two of Us’ is about that after a breakup thing where you keep thinking about your ex. It’s those lonely moments when your brain kicks in and you start thinking about them, then you start debating on whether or not you should reach out just in case they’re thinking of you too,” shares Stough. “You find yourself wondering if they’re thinking of doing the same, even though you know that reaching out never gets you anywhere and is pretty much a horrible idea.”
 
Co-written by Stough with Alex Maxwell and Cole Taylor, the late-night breakup anthem of intrusive thoughts captures a conflicted heart caught in a feedback loop of heartbreak and loneliness, and about to give in just one more time. Showcasing a complex artist-writer who continues to hone his lyrical craftsmanship, its lyrics pass no judgment on who was right and who was wrong, instead zeroing in on the raw relatability of a wounded soul desperate for relief – consequences be damned.  
 
Feeling like a gathering storm, the pitch-black production from Alex Maxwell helps put the growing urge in sonic terms – while also eclipsing the power of Stough’s Promiseland EP debut. With a heavy-handed Rock foundation, distorted guitars thunder alongside pounding drums and streaks of steel guitar lightning, but Stough weaves in tender moments to explore the emotional conflict as well – all while his volcanic Southern vocal fights confusing signals. On the one hand, he should resist what’s surely the start of another toxic cycle. But on the other, the craving for connection is real, and, hopefully, coming from both sides.
 
With more new music promised soon, Stough’s stacking music festival appearances this summer after headlining the past year while also supporting artists like Chase Matthew, Kidd G, and Drake White. Find upcoming show dates here. 

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID BRADLEY

ABOUT COLIN STOUGH:
While Country Rock phenom and Gattman, Mississippi, native Colin Stough is only knocking on the door to his twenties, he has traversed a long journey in a few short years – starting with his debut EP Promiseland, released in the fall of 2023. After learning to play guitar at 8 years old, Stough first pursued his artistic dreams at 10, boldly trading childhood possessions for his first guitar at a local pawn shop – an instrument he still plays to this day. After graduating high school, the naturally gifted singer and self-taught songwriter began working full-time as an HVAC technician, before his mother convinced him to audition for American Idol. Impressing judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, Stough stunned viewers and soon built a thriving fan base, finishing third on Season 21 of the show in 2022. He spent the ensuing months writing and recording original music, while also touring nationwide to put his blowtorch vocal and guitar-slinging edge on full display. After signing with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville, his distinctive mix of Southern Rock distortion and pure-Country style has helped Stough’s music rack up more than 19.8 MILLION global on-demand streams. Stough has headlined across the country and opened for established artists like Chase Matthew, Kidd G, and Drake White.

KEEP UP WITH COLIN STOUGH
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ELVIE SHANE DELIVERS DYNAMIC STUDIO ALBUM DAMASCUS - OUT NOW

"Country music is increasingly starting to address difficult subject matter and Elvie Shane is at the forefront of that movement.” - Rolling Stone

“This album is a journey that I didn’t want to stop.” -  Storme Warren, The BIG 615

“With each and every release, singer-songwriter Elvie Shane cements his staying power in country music.” - Country Swag

“Elvie Shane originally from Caneyville, Kentucky has labored to make mainstream country that hits a little different….”- Saving Country Music

“The lovely, echoey production and Shane’s captivating voice draw you into a dark tale of a struggle with addiction. Essential listening.” - Music Row on “Pill”

“But when you listen to ‘Pill,’ for all the song's fear and sorrow, its dominant emotion is tender, unconditional love” - Taste Of Country on “Pill"

“Throughout the delivery, the Wheelhouse Records singer/songwriter puts his gritty vocals on display as he unleashes the incredibly raw narrative filled with personal experiences of his past and the lessons he’s taken away from being in those situations.” - Country Now on “Pill”

“relatable, heartfelt and a must-listen” - The Country Note on “Pill"

"His voice retains a world-weary edge, but it’s when the song draws to a close that he showcases the Southern rock rawness it possesses.” - Billboard on “What Do I Know"

“An ode to blue-collar workers that exposes the heart-aching realities of the working class… ‘Forgotten Man’ has more in common with songs such as Hank Williams Jr.’s ‘A Country Boy Can Survive’ than the plethora of poppy, nostalgic anthems out right now, while Shane’s backwoods growl and heartland rock sound sells it hard.”- Billboard on “Forgotten Man"

“The Kentucky singer-songwriter expertly sums up what it means to be blue-collar in the 21st century in this defiant, angry country single that would do Merle Haggard proud.” - Rolling Stone on “Forgotten Man"

"'Jonesin'' puts all of Shane’s talents to the forefront. The country-rock anthem feels honest, dark, and enticing.” - Country Swag on “Jonesin’"

BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville singer/songwriter Elvie Shane today releases his much anticipated sophomore album DAMASCUS, an ode to his artistic evolution and deep-feeling take on country music, available to listen HERE. Drawing inspiration from the Apostle Paul’s transformative biblical story and the hardened beauty of ancient steel, each of the 13 tracks find Shane stepping into the shoes of another, taking pieces of each character he’s met on his journey, and melding them into one beautifully woven work. Shane co-wrote all songs on the project produced by his frequent collaborator, Oscar Charles.

“There’s 13 songs on DAMASCUS, and a lot of piss and vinegar,” said Shane. “It’s the ‘Outside Dog’ in me that drives me to do this. Welcome to that autobiography, I’d like to formally introduce myself.”

The Kentucky native teamed up with Little Big Town for his track “First Place,” raising a glass to the everyday victory of just getting by. Shane’s gruff vocals couple with Little Big Town’s robust and iconic sound to deliver an irresistible, harmony-laden cocktail, with notes of “Boondocks” and Steve Earle. Watch the behind-the-scenes music video showcasing the making of “First Place” with Little Big Town and highlights from The Damascus Album Stories Tour HERE.

Ranging from Appalachian electro-punk to defiant heartland hip-hop, grungy gospel blues and neon ‘90s twang, Shane’s influences collide in DAMASCUS to tell his story – one that countless others have experienced in one way or another. The project kicks off with “Outside Dog,'' a me-against-the-world prideful anthem that sets the tone for his transformational turbulence and ultimately, self-discovery. The track is followed by the moody, gospel-rock “What Do I Know,” a scathing look into a world at odds with itself, while “Jonesin’” soulfully preaches about the weight of always needing more. 

The album pivots into a new stage of discovery, with the shadowy, electro-soul pulse of "Baptized" and bittersweet blue-collar anthem “Forgotten Man.” Shane tackles the opioid epidemic with the agonizing “Pill,” and the need for prison reform with high-strung, funky “Appalachian Alchemy” and the weary, identity-stripping “215634.” Hope begins to build thanks to the inspirational message of betting on oneself in “Winning Horse.” The tempo picks up with the keys-driven, honky-tonk fun of “Fan On High,” with a reminder to never take life too seriously and the wild-cat swagger of “Chicken Shit.” Shane’s DAMASCUS journey concludes with the heartland-hymn “Does Heaven Have A Creek,” a track that finally finds peace through reflection of what really matters and what comes next.

About Elvie Shane:
Acclaimed champion of the next blue-collar generation, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Records’ Elvie Shane has emerged as a country star with his heart on his sleeve, driven by his unwavering determination to aim for impact. A dynamic project of extremes and deep empathy with a sharp-edged fusion of country, rock, and hip-hop, Shane’s sophomore album DAMASCUS tells the deeply-layered tale of his journey through success, struggle and self-discovery – one that countless others battle with each day. The Kentucky native has won over critics, delivering “an ode to blue-collar workers that exposes the heart-aching realities of the working class,” (Billboard) as the project “further cements Shane as a new voice of the damaged, addicted, and lost in country music,” (Rolling Stone). It was another shared life experience that earned Shane his Platinum-certified Number One debut, “My Boy.” The tender tribute to the unconditional love of stepparents took Shane from a country road to the top of the charts, touring the country’s biggest stages as well as overseas and racked up over 400 million streams and counting. The track helped launch Shane’s debut album BACKSLIDER, which was hailed by critics from Billboard and Rolling Stone to the Nashville Scene and beyond, earning spots on many "Best Of” lists alongside new artist nominations from the ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. For more information, visit www.elvieshane.com. 

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Listen to Zac Brown-Pirates & Parrots & Watch the Lyric Video