WES ANDERSON TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL” JUNE 21ST

Maryland guitarist Wes Anderson will release his new single “Heads Are Gonna Roll” on June 21st. The single featuring Skindred vocalist Benji Webbe, with founding Alien Ant Farm bassist Tye Zamora, and drummer Donald Spangler (Ballyhoo!) is being released in collaboration with THC MUSIC (Taproot, American Head Charge, Simon Says). “Heads” will be followed up in August with another new single, featuring Taproot vocalist/guitarist Stephen Richards.

View the teaser for “Heads Are Gonna Roll” Below.

As former lead guitarist for Shanghai Superstars (2010 - 2012), Fiction 20 Down (2012 - 2015), Big Infinite (2015 - 2018 ), and now releasing music and performing as a solo artist, Wes Anderson has nearly 30 years as a touring and performing musician, building a reputation as a solo artist with collaborations with P-Nut (311), Jahred Gomes (Hed P.E.) and many more, spanning multiple genres and collaborators on each track, all of which start out with Wes and a guitar, and, through collaboration, take on a new life of their own.

Says Anderson, “'Heads Are Gonna Roll' is another amazing opportunity, where I was able to enlist Benji from Skindred on vocals, Tye Zamora of Alien Ant Farm on bass, and Donald Spangler from Ballyhoo! on drums. I wrote the music and produced the track, a hybrid of punk, metal, and reggae vibes, just what you'd expect from the artists involved. Skindred is one of my all-time favorite bands, so to be able to collaborate with Benji is literally a dream come true!”

“Heads” marks the first new Hard Rock track for Anderson since 2021’s “Out The Way”, which featured vocals from (hed)pe vocalist Jahred Gomes. In addition to Metal, Funk, and Punk-infused Rock bangers, Wes is also a producer and multi-instrumentalist cranking out recent and upcoming hip-hop collaborations with The Kaleidoscope Kid, Kosha Dillz, MC Bravado, ¡Mayday!, and the incomparable Madalen Duke.

With nearly 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and several independent single, EP, and LP releases charting on iTunes, national touring, major endorsements from companies like Dean Markley Stringsand Paul Reed Smith, and a Maryland Breakout Artist of the Year award, it is clear Wes has the talent, drive, and vision to take his music to the masses.

For More Information Please Visit:

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CABAL - RELEASE NEW SONG 'SORT SOMMER'

Danish deathcore maniacs CABAL are back with their new masterpiece 'Sort Sommer'. For the new song they teamed up the danish band FABRÄK and the song is written in danish.  It´s probably not the sound you have in mind when you think about CABAL but the guys show once again their boundless creativity and impress with new sounds.
 

Singer Andreas Bjulver about the new song:
"Sort Sommer is a very special track to us as it's done completely in our native tongue (Danish) and is a track made in collaboration with our good friends in FABRÄK and it sounds very different from what most people would expect from a CABAL track. It's a track that while exploring some heavy subjects is build around friends having fun and pushing boundaries for their respective genre in the studio."

He continues about the collabortaion with FABRÄK:
"So the collaboration happened since one of the singers used to be a bassplayer in a metal band that was on the same management as cabal so we've known each other from the scene since forever, also our bass player is their live guitarist and I live with the other singer, so even though our sounds are quite different this probably the band that we are the most intertwined with." 

Stream 'Sort Sommer' here: https://cabal.bfan.link/sort-sommer
Watch the video for 'Sort Sommer' Below

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.

CABAL released 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 of CABAL’s signature sound. Add to this guest appearances from metal titansTRIVIUM's Matt Heafy, rising metalcore stars POLARIS’ Jamie Hails and Denmark’s Blackgaze darlings MØL’s Kim Song Sternkopf and there is no doubt that CABAL is a band with friends in every corner of the metal scene.

CABAL is:
Andreas Bjulver Paarup – Vocals
Christian Hammer Mattesen - Guitars
Chris Kreutzfeldt - Guitars
Lui Broch Larsen - Guitars
Dennis Hursid - Bass
Nikolaj Kaae Kirk - Drums

CABAL online
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

Credits: Christoffer Rosenfeldt 

Black Lava's Legend Grows on New Single

"Familiar yet undeniably creative, heavy and a clear statement in the darkness of music" - Metal Roos

"Practically forces you to headbang" - Metal Injection

"One of the more impressive debuts of recent years" - Distorted Sound

Like any good sorcerer, Black Lava cast a wicked array of spells. On their new album, this blackened band of Aussies swirl together howling old-school death metal, eerie melodic dissonance, technical wizardry and sludgy grooves into haunting fantasies. Today, they're releasing the third single off The Savage Winds to Wisdom, which is bound to stand as another crushing pillar in the band's growing legend. 

Listen to "Dark Legacy" below

The Savage Winds to Wisdom comes out July 12, 2024 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Stream: https://orcd.co/blacklavathesavagewindstowisdom

Heading into The Savage Winds to Wisdom, Black Lava were hellbent on tapping deeper into the medieval witchcraft that they conjured on their debut album. "Our first time in the studio, we were dealing with all these frustrations that had boiled up during the pandemic", says Dan Presland, who's nimble pounding on the drum kit has helped shape Vipassi, A Million Dead Birds Laughing and Ne Obliviscaris. "That anger led to more of a bang-bang, punk rock approach. This time around, we took more time on the songwriting with the hope of conjuring a deeper and darker sense of atmosphere".

Black Lava got their wish. "Dark Legacy" leaves even the most ghoulish of metal heads shivering in its wake. Presland slithers between hissing cymbals as Hadal Maw guitarist Ben Boyle rips through the long black night with a sustained roar of reverb, like an angry giant that's been disturbed from its cave. "I have walked / I have seen", Rob Watkins waxes and wanes, so drunk on witches' brew that he's begging for death's cold embrace.  

"There was greater care taken with the compositions on The Savage Winds to Wisdom, while still staying true to what we set out to do with Black Lava", Boyle says. "Create catchy, anthemic tunes that are heavy-but-energetic and give a sense of power to the listener". 

While it's not short on dread-inducing ambience, "Dark Legacy" cuts all the way to the bone. After some stormy feedback, the song opens with a riff that comes cracking down like a bolt of lightning. When Watkins summons his death growl for a dance with the grim reaper, it cuts straight through the iciest of heart. 

"We sharpened our tools on this album", Black Lava says. "The Savage Winds to Wisdom is a step up in all aspects. We went a little more dark and brutal and that's exactly where we want to take our music".

Not even the most stifling period in recent history could contain Black Lava. Despite being kept under strict lockdown during the pandemic, these Aussies were just stewing together, waiting to erupt. Now, only two years removed from their smoldering debut, the band are roaring back with even more mythical firepower on The Savage Winds to Wisdom.  

“Our second album is a step up from the first in all aspects”, drummer Dan Presland says. “We took more time on the songwriting. The Savage Winds to Wisdom shows exactly where we want to take our music”.  

Though possessed by an ancient and mysterious alchemy, Black Lava formed with the ease of a natural spring. Over the past decade, all four members have crossed paths around the various corners of Melbourne’s metal underground. On top of their progressive all-instrumental vision quests in Vipassi, Presland also drums alongside Hadal Maw guitarist Ben Boyle in the grinding, tech-death, underground curiosity A Million Dead Birds Laughing. But when the two got together to blow off steam amidst quarantine at Presland’s newly minted home studio, they were pleasantly surprised by the darkness that swept over these jam sessions.   

“Both of us were dealing with a lot of pent-up frustrations”, Presland remembers. A few weeks before, his flight home from America (where he was supposed to track the drums for Ne Obliviscaris’ fourth album Exul) touched down hours before Australia closed its borders. “But that anger, coupled with our need to keep creating, led us in a different direction”.

Progressive metal was still a clear undercurrent, but the songs that came spewing out were unusually heavy. Death and black metal held more sway, though sludgy rock n’ roll also found its way into the mix. Such a peculiar range of influences required a vocalist with a very particular set of pipes. Fortunately, Rob Watkins jumped at the opportunity to reunite with Presland, who was the drummer in their thrash band Metalstorm. With Watkins’ Blackhelm bassist Tim Anderson added to the fold, Black Lava burst onto the scene in 2022 with their smoldering debut.    

“Soul Furnace more than lives up to those lofty expectations”, Distorted Sound hailed, “proving to not only be a late contender for album of the year, but also one of the more impressive debut albums of recent years”.  

Black Lava wasted no time in keeping the juices flowing. The band was already hard at work on their second album while the first one was hot on the shelves. The Savage Winds to Wisdom stirs from the same cauldron of influences. Lead single “Ironclad Sarcophagus” echoes from the crypt with eerie countermelodies and a rhythm section that’s more bewitching than a spell book.  

“I pictured this ancient wizard sending out evil vibes into the world in hopes of tricking someone into opening his coffin”, Watkins says. “When writing lyrics, I try and stay true to the spirit of metal. But really, I’m just channeling how the music makes me feel”.  

If Soul Furnace was like stumbling upon the entrance to an ancient cave, then The Savage Winds to Wisdom is a fiery, full-blown descent into the belly of the beast. “Dark  Legacy” rings through the long black night with one sustained roar of a guitar roar, like an angry, one-eyed ogre. But while the songs came quickly, with Presland and Boyle carving out monstrous riffs and scaly grooves for Watkins to splatter his medieval fantasies, Black Lava took their time with this album. It's not until nearly three minutes into the opening number, after “Colour of Death” has boiled to a full headbang, that the first of its many horns-up roars is unleashed.    

“There was greater care taken with compositions on The Savage Winds to Wisdom”, Boyle says. “There’s more depth and layering to the riffs and melodies. Calling on a more broad list of inspirations and tones, the album has a real sense of balance, a certain quality that will lend itself to repeat listens and attention to detail, while still staying true to what Black Lava set out to do; create heavy, yet energetic and catchy anthemic tunes that tell a story and emanate a sense of atmosphere and power for the listener.”

True to its name, The Savage Winds to Wisdom swirls within a deeper and darker sense of atmosphere. Whereas before their bang-bang approach to songwriting resembled something closer to a punk rock band, this time around, Black Lava concentrated more on atmosphere. “Unsheathing Nightmares” reveals its root source of terror in careful layers, mutating from raw black metal and razor-sharp tech-death into a rainy, ambient  hellscape. “That’s one of the songs that really excited me”, says Watkins, who calls upon a coven of witches by digging into the slimier depths of his baritone.  

The title track is big enough to stand alone as its own self-contained world. Winding  over the course of seven eventful minutes, it’s the longest and perhaps most ambitious song in Black Lava’s musical geology. Blast beats pound like hail beneath waves of distortion that crash with the force of a monsoon. “The silents of fate” Watkins reckons, like a sea captain stranded among the wreckage.  “The thousand winds swirl the soul”. Swept up by a screeching solo from special guest Ben Baret (Ne Obliviscaris), the song whirls into an unstoppable force, a torrential finale that brings this album to a truly epic conclusion.     

“We sharpened our tools with this album”, the band says. “We went a little more brutal and that sets the tone for where we’ll head in the future.  

On The Savage Winds to Wisdom, Black Lava conduct a perfect storm.       

Recording line-up 
Dan Presland (drums) 
Ben Boyle (guitar) 
Ben Boyle (bass) 
Rob Watkins (vocals) 

Guest musician
Benjamin Baret (Ne Obliviscaris, Vipassi) plays the guitar solo on "The Savage Winds to Wisdom". 

Live line-up 
Dan Preslans (drums 
Ben Boyle (guitar) 
Nick Rackham (bass) 
Rob Watkins (vocals)

Recording studio 
Bushido Studios in Melbourne, Australia

Producer and sound engineer
Troy Mccosker

Mastering, mixing and engineering 
Studio Fredman and Fredrick Nordstrom

Cover art
Paolo Girardi

Pre-order & Stream: https://orcd.co/blacklavathesavagewindstowisdom

Follow Black Lava 
https://www.facebook.com/BLACKLAVA00
https://www.instagram.com/blacklava.aus/
https://blacklava-aus.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1KnUaYbFhPHqEgEvySQYxw?si=IboyCWpOTa2e4fqiUfG2XQ

Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl Gatefold (Gold with Silver Splatters)

Trench Share "DIVIDED BETWEEN NEW SKIN" Video

Calgary's hardest band TRENCH  — Jay Breen (vocals); Tony Chan (bass); Cole Young (guitar/electronics); and Tommy Chan (drums) — are back with a brand new banger. The band has shared the video for "DIVIDED BETWEEN NEW SKIN." Watch it Below. 

It's actually three singles in one: "DIVIDED EXISTENCE," "BETWEEN INVERTED WORLDS," and "NEW SKIN PROTOCOL." 

Yes, it's a rager. Yes, it will tear your head clean off your neck with its ferociousness, while the animated video will capture your attention and never let it go. Essentially, Trench and "DIVIDED BETWEEN NEW SKIN" are the total hard rock package.

"The first track 'Divided Existence' is entirely electronic and was composed by Cole Young," says vocalist Jay Breen. "The song was designed to ease you in and take you on a journey leading into the first track. The song 'Between Inverted Worlds' tackles the emotions of always being between self doubt and self fulfillment. The track is about facing your defeat and self doubt. 'New Skin Protocol' is metaphorically about the reinvention of yourself though facing these emotions."

He continues, "Musically, we have progressively gotten heavier. The electronics have gotten more experimental and have become a bigger part of the band. We challenged ourselves musically and technically and left it all on the table."

About the video, Breen furthers, "'Divided Between New Skin' represents the struggle between being stuck between self deprecation and self-fulfillment. The animation takes you through the story of retrieving an intergalactic soldier who mysteriously perished on their quest. After finding the soldier, they are restored and recreated into a new and improved being through a series of protocols. The story may continue one day…"

Trench are touring with Misery Signals this summer. All dates are below.

TRENCH ON TOUR:
WITH MISERY SIGNALS:
7/12 — Vancouver, BC — The Pearl 
7/13 — Portland, OR — Dante's 
7/14 — Boise, ID — The Shrine 
7/18 — Los Angeles, CA — 1920 
7/20 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theatre 
7/23 — Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall 
7/24 — Chicago, IL — Avondale Music Hall 
7/25 — Brooklyn, NY — Warsaw 
7/26 — Brooklyn, NY — Warsaw 
7/27 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall 
9/6 — Calgary, AB — The Palace 
9/7 — Regina, SK — The Exhange 
9/8 — Winnipeg, MB — Park Theatre 

ABOUT TRENCH:
In a world where conformity reigns supreme, Trench stand defiant and unapologetic, daring to carve their own path through the music scene. With their unforgettably distinct and refreshing approach to metal music, they've crafted a sound that's as bold as it is brooding, refusing to adhere to anyone's expectations but their own. Their journey began in 2017, instantly marking Trench as a force to be reckoned with. After exploring their sound in the early days, they weren’t content to rest on their laurels, revealing the boundaries they were willing to push with the release of The Gift of Guilt in 2019, diving deep into synthetic post-metal landscapes while confronting the harsh realities of life and loss head-on. 

Along the way, Trench's ferocious live performances and unyielding determination caught worldwide attention, earning them spots on stages alongside heavyweights like Misery Signals, Comeback Kid, Integrity, and Harm’s Way. Their rapid evolution didn't go unnoticed either; the impact of their debut LP Blossom in 2020 (with Jesse Zaraska of Misery Signals accompanying them on "Hellbent Gate") led to their inevitable record deal with New Damage Records. Their fourth official release in 2022, Encased in Chrome, propelled Trench to new heights, sharing the stage with modern-day legends Knocked Loose. It was also featured on Cult of Luna's Top 10 List in 2023. Shortly after, Trench was invited to play overseas at Beyond The Redshift Festival in London, alongside iconic death metal band Napalm Death.

UK artist NICK HUDSON explores an oligarch's dark fate on 'Sky Burial While Alive'. New album 'Kanda Teenage Honey' out now

“Beautifully written, recorded, produced and arranged... all complimented by vocal that lives up to the same standard. No cheating, no fronting, just honest crafted musicality”  ~ Billy Gould (Faith No More)

"Kanda Teenage Honey is shockingly emotional, thoughtfully orchestrated and wonderfully curious lyrically. It is a record for true music lovers" ~ Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu)

"A profound, clever and vividly confessional Avant-pop composer, Hudson is always pushing the envelope in his works, his unique musical output forged via musical territory that is hardly explored" ~ The Spill Magazine

"There isn’t really anyone making music like Nick Hudson“ ~ The Quietus

“A unique talent. His song writing and performances are breathtaking.  He is long overdue being heard by a wider audience. This solo album is a peak in an already stellar career” ~ Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai)

"Scott Walker channeling Coil” ~ MOJO Magazine

"Genius” - BBC Radio (BBC Introducing)

Brighton experimental artist Nick Hudson presents 'Sky Burial While Alive', the latest audio-visual offering from his new album 'Kanda Teenage Honey', an expansive 16-track collection recorded in a former Soviet movie studio in Georgia in the build-up to the country's current unrest, which was recently covered in Billboard.

The song features a prologue text on dictators, spoken by Alfreda Benge - collaborator and wife of legendary British composer Robert Wyatt. The video was filmed at the Bologna villa that was used in Pasolini’s 'Salo' (1975) - itself a notorious and damning critique of fascism - and in a Tbilisi art space with a cast of international performers/artists.

“'Sky Burial While Alive' takes its imagery from a scene in my novel 'Inheritance', whereby an oligarch, upon finding his power challenged and his assets diminished, retreats to a Swiss bank vault only to have 7 griffon vultures perform a sky burial upon him, depositing his remains in Lake Geneva. It’s a commentary on the imbalance of power and the thin-skinned nature of those who fetishize and seek to consolidate it at all odds - unfortunately all too pertinent right now in Georgia and other countries in whom Russia has its tendrils," says Nick Hudson.

Having earlier previewed the singles 'For My Silence' and 'Khevsureti', this album was born of geographical explorations amidst musical territory that is hardly touched on. Mixed by and featuring Toby Driver of Kayo Dot, this album involves such luminaries as Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, Stuart Dahlquist (Asva, Burning Witch, Sunn O))), Lizzy Carey (Bat For Lashes), Robert Wyatt collaborator Alfreda Benge, Christopher Nell (legendary German performer and collaborator of US theatre visionary Robert Wilson), and soprano prodigy Poppy Efemey.  

Recorded with Ilya Lukashev at Leno Studio and Sano Studio in Tbilisi, this album was mastered to analogue tape by Paul Pascoe (Barry Adamson, Beat Hotel, Sleaford Mods) at Church Road Studios in Hove, Hudson collaborates with some incredible Georgian musicians and his friend Seva, a Russian dissident who fled the FSB, having worked for Navalny. Hudson explains, "He contributes a poem narrating his thoughts on exile, through which I've layered field recordings of the recent Tbilisi and Paris protests, where many of us got tear-gassed."

"Russia attempted to invade Georgia most recently in 2008 and we've seen a vast influx of Russians fleeing the conflict and resettling in Tbilisi (which endures and suffers a pro-Russian government ideologically in conflict with most of its citizens). This geopolitical tension has inevitably made its way into the lyrical and musical texture of the record via the songs 'Hollow Man' and 'Sky Burial While Alive'. It also contains oligarch-hexing magic realism and a tribute to that vastly-neglected demographic – the old-school homosexual. Musically it encompasses art rock, black metal, ambient music, agitprop folk, charred goth rock, symphonic vastness and piano ballads -all infused with the energies and landscape of Georgia," says Nick Hudson.

In 2021, Hudson released his 'Font Of Human Fractures' album and the 'K69996ROMA:EP', following his band The Academy of Sun's opus album 'The Quiet Earth' in 2020. He has collaborated with such legends as Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Matthew Seligman (David Bowie, Tori Amos, Morrissey), Massive Attack's Shara Nelson, plus David Tibet (Current 93) and queercore icon GB Jones. His vast output also encompasses painting, film and a novel.

"As an album, 'Kanda Teenage Honey' explores ideas of preserving the sacred from the corrosively kleptocratic institutions of church and state: spiritual and material kleptocracy.  The title itself refers to a very real preservation of innocence derived from a story I heard of a local villager whose teenage son was shot and killed: the father had his son's body preserved in honey. As such, there are secular hymns for peace and lucid stillness, tales of saints de-martyring themselves and falling in love free of judgement from anachronistic scrutiny - a thinly veiled parable of queer love.  Two very close friends died within six months of each other during my first year in Georgia – there are requiems in the songs 'Archipelago' and 'Bardo', plus an acappella tribute to the Siberian husky that helped me grieve them during a retreat to the sublime mountainous region of 'Khevsureti' by the Chechen border, where despite being an ostensibly Orthodox country, pagan traditions are still passionately observed.  I dreamed eighty-percent of 'Bardo' in the energised serenity of this beautiful region while mourning my friend Jesse. Patrick, honoured in 'Archipelago', was one of my earliest mentors and a dynamically brilliant pianist.  They are much missed," explains Nick Hudson.

"'Ortolan' references the summer of 2021, when I fled to the same Isle Of Wight monastery at which Scott Walker had sought refuge in the sixties, as my mental and physical health hit a nadir and I was forced to leave the city I'd called home for twenty years. 'This Heat' refers to a return journey from a plague necropolis at the Chechen border, where giddily drunken park rangers piloting a 4X4 hurtled us passengers down a treacherous mountain pass and I briefly thought it might be the last song I'd ever write.  Since then, I've come to learn that Georgians are some of the virtuosic drivers in the world, even drunk, and I need not have feared."

'Kanda Teenage Honey' is out now everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp and is also available as a 4-panel CD digipak with an 8-page full colour booklet featuring artwork by Nick Hudson and Berdia Arabuli and photography by Carl Solomon, Jack Hubbell Rosene and Kenneth Anger.

Hudson also recently published his book 'The Land Exists So The Seas Don't Argue', showcasing a decade of lyrical output in five albums plus ephemera with a foreword by renowned Scottish author Chris Kelso.

CREDITS
Composed, arranged and produced by Nick Hudson
Engineered by Ilya Lukashev & Nick Hudson at Leno Studio and Sano Studio, Tbilisi
Steinway recorded by Ilya Lukashev & George Gvarjaladze at Leno Studios, Tbilisi
Mixed by Toby Driver
Mastered to analogue tape by Paul Pascoe, Church Road Studios, Hove
Nick Hudson - piano. acoustic guitar on 2, Faemi 1M, programming, vocals, foley, protest field recordings
Beqa Minadze - electric guitars
Gigi Koberidze - drums
Greg Massi - guitar on 4
Lizzy Carey - all strings
Toby Driver - hammered dulcimer on 10
Poppy Efemey - soprano on 10
Stuart Dahlquist - bass on 13
Samuel Gottlebe - classical guitar on 10, 12 and 15
Kianna Blue - Issa G Thang on 13
Alfreda Benge - cosmological rhetoric on 3
Oliver Hill - guitar on 8
Christopher Nell - duet vocal on 12
Stuart Braithwaite - black metal Ivor Cutler on 8
Vsevolod Osupov - poem and recitation on 11
Oli Spleen, Kianna Blue and Jon Griffin - choir on 9
Ana-STASI-a - thelemic seduction on 14
Wolfgang Dubieniec - mood on 3
'For My Silence' artwork by Kenneth Anger
'Khevsureti' cover painting by Berdia Arabuli
Album artwork by Nick Hudson and Gary Mallard
Artist photography by @_Carl_Solomon_
Rings featured in photos by @Fauda.Silver
Videos directed, produced and edited by Nick Hudson

Keep up with Nick Hudson / The Academy of Sun
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I Prevail + Halestorm Share Collab Track "can u see me in the dark?" Ahead of Co-Headline Summer 2024 Tour —

HALESTORM and I PREVAIL are gearing up to embark on the "can't miss" tour of Summer 2024. Their co-headline trek, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on July 9 in Raleigh and runs through August 17 in Las Vegas. Hollywood Undead and Fit For A King will serve as support, making this a powerhouse package that will be remembered as one of Summer 2024's best lineups. Get tickets here or here. All dates are below.

The tour is also the catalyst and the creative spark for the bands' collaborative track "can u see me in the dark?" Listen here.

It's an epic and explosive pairing, just like the tour itself, thanks to the vocal chemistry between I Prevail's Eric Vanlerberghe and Halestorm's Lzzy Hale,stormy riffs, and unforgettable chorus. It will go down as one of the smash hits of Summer 2024.

Watch the lyric video Below.

"We're excited to finally have a song come out,' says Vanlerberghe. "It was a fun challenge to blend the Halestorm and I Prevail sounds together. We really focused on creating a music bed that felt very much I Prevail and letting Lzzy just shine and do what she does best. I feel we found a very sick way to blend the two identities of our bands into one massive song. I'm really looking forward to this tour and possibly playing this song live together for everyone."

"In celebration of our upcoming tour together, we joined forces with the boys of I Prevail and wrote an original song together," says Hale. "'can u see me in the dark?' is written for our collective fan bases, our community, our family. We want you to know that you are seen and you are not alone shining through life's myriad of joy and pain. We can't wait to feast our eyes on you this summer!"

Halestorm have partnered with mental health organization Sound Mind Live to engage fans to pledge support that will provide free-to-the-community mental health programming across the country for fans and the broader community.

 HALESTORM + I PREVAIL ON TOUR:
WITH HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD + FIT FOR A KING:
7/9 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park 
7/11 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center
7/12 — Back Waters Stage — Dubuque, IA (No Halestorm)
7/13 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre
7/15 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
7/16 — Boston, MA — Leader Bank Pavilion
7/18 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage
7/21 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
7/23 — Bridgeport, CT — Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
7/24 — Scranton, PA — Pavilion @ Montage Mountain
7/26 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
7/27 — York, PA — York Fair
7/30 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration*
7/31 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
8/1 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
8/3 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
8/4 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Amphitheater
8/6 — Hartman Arena — Wichita, KS (No I Prevail)
8/7 — St. Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/8 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
8/10 — Woodlands, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman
8/11 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
8/13 — Denver, CO — Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre*
8/14 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater
8/16 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theater
8/17 — Las Vegas, NV — Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort
*Festival

ABOUT HALESTORM:
Having amassed over 2.5 Billion streams globally, the Grammy-Award winning band Halestorm has grown from a childhood dream of siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale into one of the most celebrated rock bands of the last two decades.  Most recently, the band released Back From The Dead, their fifth full-length studio album which has tallied over 100 Million streams worldwide. Rolling Stone called the title track "a biting but cathartic howler about overcoming all obstacles,” and that song as well, as "The Steeple," marked their fifth and sixth number ones at rock radio, respectively. Associated Press said the album "will definitely be in the running for best hard rock/metal album of the year." Their previous album, Vicious, earned the band their second Grammy nomination, for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song "Uncomfortable," the band's fourth #1 at rock radio, and led Loudwire to name Halestorm "Rock Artist of the Decade" in 2019.  Fronted by the incomparable Lzzy Hale with drummer Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bass player Josh Smith, Halestorm's music has earned multiple Platinum and Gold Certifications from the RIAA, and the band has earned a reputation as a powerful live music force, headlining sold-out shows and topping festival bills around the world, and sharing the stage with icons including Heaven & Hell, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett, and Judas Priest. Additionally, Lzzy was named the first female brand ambassador for Gibson and served as host of AXS TV's "A Year in Music."

ABOUT I PREVAIL:
I Prevail have established themselves as the forerunners of the genre in the 21st century. Their latest release TRUE POWER, once again produced by Tyler Smyth, features the sort of stadium-sized riffs that will rattle your teeth loose from your gums and unforgettable, supremely catchy melodies that will camp out in your brain for weeks at a time. The band also alternately mixes screamed vocals that sound as though they crawled from the depths of hell with soaring, emotional vocals and heartfelt, intimate lyrics that go so deep, they hit marrow. The end result is an album that resonates with the listener in the most personal way. Rising to an arena level and receiving two Grammy nominations — Best Rock Album for Trauma and Best Metal Performance for crushing lead single "Bow Down" — I Prevail proved that they were built to last. To date, they've racked up more than 4.2 billion global streams, are approaching 755 million YouTube views, and saw both "Hurricane" and "Bad Things" singles top Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2020 and 2022 respectively. A number of their singles and album Lifelines have now been certified Gold and Platinum, and they have been praised by press far and wide, including Forbes, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and NPR. I Prevail have affirmed their position among the genre's elite.

MC5 Announce New Album "Heavy Lifting" + Share New Track "Boys Who Play With Matches" — LISTEN❗

EARMUSIC TO RELEASE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 53 YEARS FROM LEGENDARY DETROIT PUNK ROCK PIONEERS MC5

HEAVY LIFTING IS DUE OUT OCTOBER 18 IN ADVANCE OF ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

DEBUT TRACK & VISUALIZER FOR "BOYS WHO PLAY WITH MATCHES" OUT DIGITALLY TODAY 

"The MC5 represents a kind of uncompromising vision of the future and that is eternal…the flame keeps burning on." – Wayne Kramer

Led by founding member Wayne Kramer and recorded with iconic producer Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss), the album features original MC5 drummer Dennis 'Machine Gun' Thompson on two tracks along with special guests including Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Don Was, and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against).

STREAM + DOWNLOAD THE NEW SONG HERE

WATCH VISUALIZER BELLOW.

Emerging from the gritty streets of Detroit in the mid-60s, MC5 revolutionized rock 'n' roll with their blistering fusion of garage rock, blues, soul, free jazz, and proto-punk. Infamous for incendiary live performances and a radical left-wing stance, their status as pioneers of punk and protest rock has inspired many musicians like Ramones, The Clash, Rage Against The Machine, The White Stripes, Slash, and countless others and continues to shape the sound of punk and alternative rock for generations to come.

earMUSIC will release the first new music from MC5 in 50+ years (following 1971's High Time) with the album HEAVY LIFTING due October 18 — one day prior to the band's induction into 2024's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when they will receive the "Musical Excellence Award."

HEAVY LIFTING features guitar and vocals by founding MC5 member Wayne Kramer, who also co-wrote 12 of the album's 13 songs together with Oakland singer/songwriter Brad Brooks. Prolific for five decades, Kramer was the last remaining active member of MC5. He passed away suddenly in February, followed by the death of drummer Dennis "Machine Gun" Thompson in May. It is Thompson's final studio recording.

The album's debut track "Boys Who Play with Matches" is out digitally today.

Stream + download it HERE.

In an interview with UNCUT in November 2023, Kramer discussed the album and said: "Live long and stay creative. This is my attitude. And this album continues from where High Time left off. In that, I think it's an artist's responsibility to reflect the times they're going through. And I think that we made an album that is in sync with where we're at today and the challenges that we're facing, and that carries a positive message."

HEAVY LIFTING was recorded with iconic producer Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, KISS) and features an all-star lineup of Kramer's friends and musical colleagues including Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Don Was, and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), allowing for a collaborative effort that bridges the gap between generations of musicians inspired by MC5’s fearless approach to music and activism. The breadth of MC5's impact can be heard by all the album’s players, including Vicki Randle (Aretha Franklin), Stevie Salas (Parliament Funkadelic, Rod Stewart), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Winston Watson Jr. (Bob Dylan), and Joe Berry (M83). Far more than a trip down memory lane, HEAVY LIFTING is a resounding affirmation that the spirit of punk endures.

"It's very heavy," Ezrin reports on HEAVY LIFTING. "It has a revolutionary message but also a good sense of humor. There's a little bit of heavy metal. There's quite a bit of funk. But it is a heavy record, and it's a guitar record left, right and center. Just a wall of guitars most of the time, and mostly driven by Wayne and his ethos. It's a snapshot of a guitar man at the height of his powers. We all feel a responsibility to make sure that his work is heard, and he is celebrated. We poured our hearts into the project."

In addition to the 13-track album, a 2CD + 2LP bonus disc will be released including previously unreleased live recordings from the MC50 tour in 2018 celebrating the 50th anniversary of MC5’s revered 1969 debut album, Kick Out the Jams, which features classic anthems like "Kick Out the Jams" and "Ramblin' Rose." Alongside Kramer, the MC50 live band features Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, Faith No More's bassist Billy Gould, and frontman Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla), with a special guest appearance by Mark Arm (Mudhoney). See the full track listing below.
 
Pre-order HEAVY LIFTING on CD, vinyl and digital download, in addition to bonus 2CD and bonus 2LP, HERE. 

FORMATS:
CD (Digisleeve)
LP (black, 180g, Gtf.)
Ltd. Arctic Pearl LP (180g, Gtf.)
2CD (Digisleeve)
2LP (black, 180g, Gtf.)

HAMMERFALL - release video for new single ´The End Justifies´

Heavy metal titans HAMMERFALL are thrilled to announce the release of their electrifying new single, ´The End Justifies.´ 
This classic HAMMERFALL anthem is the second single from their highly anticipated upcoming album, Avenge The Fallen, set to be released on August 9th through Nuclear Blast Records.

´The End Justifies´ captures the essence of HAMMERFALL's signature sound, combining powerful riffs, soaring vocals, and a relentless rhythm that fans have come to love. The accompanying video, filmed in the band's rehearsal studio, brings an intense visual experience that matches the song's driving energy. Fast-paced camera movements and raw, unfiltered footage showcase the band's passion and dedication, creating an immersive experience for viewers.

Watch the video Below.

Listen to the song on all platforms: https://hammerfall.bfan.link/TEJ.ema 

Pre-order the album here: https://hammerfall.bfan.link/avenge-the-fallen.ema

Line-up:
Joacim Cans - vocals
Oscar Dronjak - guitar
Fredrik Larsson  - bass
Pontus Norgen - guitar
David Wallin – drums

HOMEPAGE: LINK
FACEBOOK: LINK
INSTAGRAM: LINK
TWITTER: N/A

Barbarians of California (Feat. AWOLNATION, Tinfed) Shares "Far Out, Bro" (Feat. Snapcase's Daryl Taberski" Video at Revolver

The West Coast's contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. They are equal opportunity iconoclasts, gleefully thrashing the left and the right in the hardcore-punk tradition of nonconformity and raw fury. The band isn't "political," because they aren't advocating for anyone's platform. The central message is defiance. 

The band has shared the video for its latest single, "Far Out, Bro" (Featuring Daryl Taberski of Snapcase). Watch it Below. It also premiered over at Revolver.

Be forewarned, though! It's a racer that will tear your head clean off your neck with its speed, ferocity, and DGAF attitude. Oh, and there's also a monster breakdown.
 

"This was a fun piece of music to chase down," says Eric Stenman. "Aaron [Bruno] challenged the band to come up with our fastest song yet. We're really proud of the way the riffs swarm around some of Aaron's most sarcastic, cutting vocals.  We were always hoping to have Daryl(Taberski from Snapcase on a song, and he immediately took this one. Both Aaron and I have vivid memories of listening to Snapcase back in the '90s and his presence really helps to drive this project home."

"Far Out, Bro" follows  "Where Are the Punks," out now via ONErpm. Watch the video here. 

So, who, exactly, are The Barbarians of California?

You'll be glad you asked.
 
Eric Stenman and Aaron Bruno first collided in the California hardcore scene of the early '90s. Stenman cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk. Bruno was born and raised just north of L.A. and nicknamed "AWOL" by his high school friends.  Eric played guitar for cutting-edge, electro-infused rockers Tinfed. Commercial success eluded them despite a cult following, a deal with a major label, and an appearance on the M:I 2 soundtrack. 
 
Bruno co-founded the hardcore band Insurgence as a teenager. His next band, Home Town Hero, toured with Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots and released a major label album, but combusted in 2004. Next came Under The Influence Of Giants, who, despite critical acclaim, disbanded in 2008. Stenman became one of the most sought-after producers of alternative rock. His discography as a producer, mixer, and engineer includes important releases from 7 Seconds, Senses Fail, ††† (Crosses), and AWOLNATION. AWOLNATION, of course, is the multi-platinum act Bruno formed in 2009. 
 
The spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians were born. 
 
The apparent "full circle" moment isn't lost on either of them. "It's a funny time in our lives to go back and make the most aggressive music we've ever created," Stenman laughs. “Both of us have always had a love for this world. If given the opportunity, why not try to give back to it?"

The band previously shared "Dopamine Prophecy." Listen here.

More from The Barbarians of California is on the horizon, so stay tuned...

...but in the meantime, check out Bruno on the 100 Words or Less podcast here.

Awake The Dreamer Share Super Cute Animated Visualizer For "Violence" — WATCH👊

Sweden's Awake the Dreamer captivates listeners with their latest single, "Violence," out now via Arising Empire.

The song delves into themes of internal struggle and emotional turmoil, portraying a narrative of being ensnared by another's anger and the silent battles that follow.

Musically, "Violence" blends haunting melodies with powerful riffs and dynamic vocals, reflecting the intensity of the emotions within. The track underscores the impact of unspoken anger and the relentless pressure it creates, showcasing the band's ability to merge melodic elements with raw post-hardcore energy.

Watch the super cute and animated visualizer for "Violence" Below.

The history of Awake The Dreamer leads us back to 2015, when the Stockholm based melodic post-hardcore x metalcore act was formed by childhood and high school friends. Since dropping their Grow EP in 2016, the band toured all across Europe and Asia alongside bands like Ice Nine Kills, Northlane, Adept, and Crystal Lake to name a few.
 
In September 2019, the band dropped its debut album Damaged Souls via Arising Empire. A 10-track introduction to their style, it also included features by Adept's Robert Ljung on "Vigilant" and Crystal Lake's Ryo Kinoshita on "Atmosphere."
 
"Being a smaller band that didn't even have an album out by the time we had toured Europe and Asia finally caught up to us and then the pandemic hit. Like that wasn't enough, we unfortunately had former members leaving the band, so it became natural for us to just start from scratch in order to re-develop a new sound. A sound which we are really happy and proud of. It feels great to start releasing music again and we are really excited to be back again," the band says.

AWAKE THE DREAMER IS:
Max Andrén — Vocals

Alleviate Announce"DMNS" + Share "Alive"

Following the excitement around their previous singles, which cumulatively amassed over 2.5 million plays on Spotify, ALLEVIATE return with their latest single "Alive" and announce their debut album DMNS, set for release on August 23 via Arising Empire! 

Watch the visualizer Below. Stream the track here.

"Alive" takes listeners on an intense journey of resilience and rebirth, featuring powerful lyrics, and a dynamic performance. The track showcases the band's ability to fuse crushing heaviness with melodic depth, making it a standout piece in their growing discography. "Alive" is a pointed statement of Alleviate's artistic evolution and sets the stage for DMNS.

 Pre-order DMNS as CD, limited colored vinyl, together with unqiue merch options at the Arising Empire Online Shop.

Upon dropping "Die For Me," ALLEVIATE  quickly gained fans from all over the world. Famous internet reactors like Nik Nocturnal and Too Lit Mafia were all about their powerful and catchy sound, as the group combines technical riffs, heavy breakdowns, and catchy hooks that get stuck in your head for hours at a time.

ALLEVIATE stand for strength that's hidden deep inside us all. The band is comprised of accomplished musicians from five different bands in different genres of metal music. Formed in 2020 with the launch of "Die For Me," the band combines the best of technical metalcore, deathcore, djent, and post-hardcore in one powerful and beautiful style. Riffs, breakdowns, deathcore vocals, and catchy choruses are how ALLEVIATE stand out from the crowd. The members have proven themselves numerous times in previous and current bands. They've played hundreds of shows and are experienced live performers. As soon as the world returns to normal, they will take the stage as ALLEVIATE. The band's name itself represents what it stands for — giving hope and spreading a positive message into the world.

ALLEVIATE ARE:
Timo — Clean Vocals (Our Mirage)
Marius — Shouts (Breakdowns at Tiffany's)
Ramon — Guitar (The Evolutionist)
Marc — Guitar (We Are Perspectives)
Yunus — Drums (Time, The Valuator)

NAILS To Release New Album, Every Bridge Burning, Aug 30th

Southern California’s NAILS have revealed details today of their long-awaited, 4th full-length album, Every Bridge Burning. Their first record in 8 years will be released on August 30th with Nuclear Blast Records and features 10 tracks of pure, relentless aggression that can only be described as the sound of NAILS.

The tumultuous new album was produced by Kurt Ballou at God City Studio and features aptly diabolic artwork by Jef Whitehead.

While founding vocalist/guitarist Todd Jones has long been recognized as the driving creative force behind NAILS, it has also been announced the band has reemerged with new lineup that includes drummer Carlos Cruz (Warbringer), bassist Andrew Solis (Despise You, Apparition), and guitarist Shelby Lermo (Ulthar).

Today, NAILS gives fans a taste of what’s to come with the hostile new single ‘Imposing Will.’ 

“‘Imposing Will’ is special to the record in that I knew we wanted it to be the opener,” explains Jones. “We wanted it to have the effect of an urgency; an immediacy in the music itself. When you push play, you get smacked in the face.”

Stream the new single, ‘Imposing Will,’ now at: https://nails.bfan.link/imposing-will

Pre-order Every Bridge Burning: https://nails.bfan.link/every-bridge-burning

Listen to ‘IMPOSING WILL’ Below.

NAILS Tour Dates:

W/200 Stab Wounds, Mammoth Grinder & Tribal Gaze

Sept 11 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount

Sept 12 - Toronto, ON - The Axis Club Theatre

Sept 13 - Detroit, MI - Tangent Gallery

Sept 14 - Chicago, IL - Avondale Music Hall

Sept 15 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway

Sept 16 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In

Sept 17 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade

Sept 18 - Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819

Sept 19 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage

Sept 20 - Brooklyn, NY - The Brooklyn Monarch (w/special guest Stabbed)

Sept 21 - Worcester, MA - New England Metal & Hardcore Festival @ The Palladium

Nov 2 - Manchester, UK - Damnation Festival

w/Xibalba, World Peace, Deadbody & Auditory Anguish

Nov 14 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone

Nov 15 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco (w/special guest Entry)

Nov 16 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick (no Xibalba)

About NAILS:

For the first time in over 8 years, the blistering assault on our nervous system that can only be described as the sound of NAILS, has reemerged. With Carlos Cruz on drums, Andrew Solis on Bass, Shelby Lermo on Guitars, and Todd Jones on guitar & vocals, the upcoming studio album, EVERY BRIDGE BURNING, will be revealed August 30th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The album artwork, a creation by Jef Whitehead, serves as a visual prelude to the auditory chaos—a stark representation of the aural brutality that NAILS delivers.

Recording for the album commenced in Massachusetts at God City Studio with Kurt Ballou (of CONVERGE), whose contribution is integral to the NAILS sound, as elucidated by Jones: “we’ve recorded every album with Kurt. He’s such an important ingredient as to how we present our music. When our fans want to hear NAILS, they want to hear something that is through the filter of Kurt’s engineering.” 

EVERY BRIDGE BURNING was born out of unwavering dedication to NAILS fans and the underground music scene. It echoes their commitment to authenticity and raw power. NAILS remains a beacon of rebellion and resilience in a world hungry for genuine expression. With no shortage of effort or meticulous song arrangement, the time has arrived to become engulfed in the ferocity of NAILS once again as EVERY BRIDGE BURNING unveils a new, but familiar chapter in extreme music.          

“This band was modeled after some of my favorite bands; the type of bands where, when they put out an album, you know what it’s going to sound like,” describes Jones, “it’s the delivery of the expectation.” The sensory destroying musical onslaught that we’ve all been missing is back. NAILS is Todd Jones, Carlos Cruz, Andrew Solis, and Shelby Lermo.

Follow NAILS:

https://www.instagram.com/nailstyranny

https://www.facebook.com/NAILSoxnard

https://www.youtube.com/@nailstyranny

http://nailsmerch.com/

BLEED FROM WITHIN - Release Video For 'Hands Of Sin'

A brand-new BLEED FROM WITHIN anthem is out today, 'Hands Of Sin'. Two years on from the release of their last album, the critically lauded Shrine. This monumental new single arrives just in time for the band's intense summer of European festival shows and teases what is next during their Winter across European arenas as special guest support to Slipknot.

Watch the video for 'Hands Of Sin' Below.

Stream 'Hands Of Sin' on all platforms now at: https://bleedfromwithin.bfan.link/hands-of-sin.ema

Ali Richardson comments: “Hands Of Sin marks a new chapter for Bleed From Within. We’ve worked incredibly hard on this material and pushed ourselves as songwriters. The result is one of the best songs we’ve ever written and we’re incredibly proud to share it with the world. Can not wait to play this on the festival stages this Summer. Play it loud!”

Bleed From Within racked up some impressive tour dates last year, including the Lamb Of God Headbangers Boat cruise, following on from a colossal summer run that took in both headline shows, performances with Heaven Shall Burn, and festival appearances at the likes of Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Summer Breeze (Germany) and Alcatraz (Belgium), finishing up with a 13-date tour supporting Trivium across the UK. This was all on top of a hugely successful debut American tour earlier in the year with August Burns Red and The Devil Wears Prada. 

In November of last year Bleed From Within released the Shrine Deluxe Edition. Their stunning latest studio album Shrine was released in the summer of 2022, marking the band's most groundbreaking work to date and staking out Bleed From Within's bold intent. The Scottish 5-piece claiming their position as the most exciting prospect in modern metal.

Stream/order the Shrine Deluxe Edition: https://bleedfromwithin.bfan.link/shrine-deluxe.ema
Watch the 'Overthrone' lyric video: https://youtu.be/BfauvGS5FaU 
Watch the visualizer for 'The Will to Resist': https://youtu.be/YqKPB4bvyL8

Steven Jones from the band stated,
''Upon releasing 'Shrine' in June 2022, it's safe to say that none of us expected what the following months would bring. It's been a hell of a year, with our most rigorous touring schedule yet putting us in places we've dreamed of since we started the band. This era of Bleed From Within is something we have worked so hard toward, and in this moment we are extremely grateful to all those who have made it possible. To all of our fans who fill the rooms and sing the words, to the team behind the scenes who keep the cogs moving on tour, in the studio, and everywhere between, and to the creative minds that help us bring our music to life - thank you. 17 months since its original release, we are so proud to now present this limited and deluxe edition of 'Shrine', featuring all of the songs that were recorded during the sessions. Here's to the months and years ahead!''

More from Shrine:
'Temple Of Lunacy' visualizer: https://youtu.be/dB4arT5XN_Y
Flesh And Stone' official music video: https://youtu.be/NF6tw5XQFSM
'Stand Down' official music video: https://youtu.be/kJDMOvGYVqE
'Levitate' official music video: https://youtu.be/BGKS3mW2XPM
'I Am Damnation' official music video: https://youtu.be/swF5fiPdONo
'Killing Time' official music video: https://youtu.be/390LnQOz3MY

Bleed From Within have been to hell and back, but they are no strangers to enduring hardship. When a global pandemic threatened to shut down their plans, the Glaswegians collectively raised five middle fingers and pressed on. It’s no surprise that this unstoppable riff machine continues to crush forward at such a frantic pace – there's no putting the breaks on the heaviest band to ever emerge from Scotland.

The band’s reputation as one of the most formidable forces in modern metal has earned them tour slots with Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Testament, and Heaven Shall Burn, to name just a few. The last few years has seen them dominate the UK live scene and take Europe and America by storm.

Shrine has taken the most graft to put together of any record in their catalog, challenging their self-perception on both personal and technical levels - the culmination of two years of hard work that embodies their artistic might. Armed with the learnings of evolving their sound over the last decade without ever losing sight of their DIY roots, this is Bleed From Within at their very best. There’s no denying the band’s inevitable next steps are world domination, with Shrine a turning point moment.

Bleed From Within are:
Scott Kennedy - Vocals
Craig Gowans - Lead Guitar
Steven Jones - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
David Provan - Bass
Ali Richardson - Drums 

Beauty In Chaos presents 'Diving For Pearls' ft. Wayne Hussey & Cinthya Hussey, previewing new album

LA-based collective Beauty In Chaos presents 'Diving For Pearls', featuring The Mission trailblazer Wayne Hussey and Cinthya Hussey, his wife and partner in Archeometre.

Accompanied by an alluring overlapping-reality video, this is the first offering from the forthcoming record by the revolving evolving sonic entity that is Beauty In Chaos, formed in 2018 by guitarist Michael Ciravolo. Entitled 'Dancing With Angels', the full-length album is set for world-wide release on July 24. As BIC's curator, Ciravolo describes the new track as “a torrid earworm of a song with lots of swirling layers”.

This ‘single version’ was mixed by the legendary Tim Palmer, whose production and mixing credits include The Cure, U2, David Bowie, Robert Plant, HIM and The Mission, among many other notable artists. “I have been fortunate once again to mix Beauty In Chaos' latest offering and it’s a beauty! But beware, you can’t just hear it once as it will stay with you all day," says Palmer.

This is the fourth song Wayne Hussey has fronted with Beauty In Chaos, one that Ciravolo feels “may just be the best we’ve written together”, despite Hussey’s bout with writer’s block while searching for the perfect approach to the new song.

“When Michael first sent me the music track, I was on tour with The Mission. I had a few listens and thought, yes, this is good, I can find something to sing to this easy enough. And then nothing. For months, I’d listen, and I would come up with melodies aplenty, but no words. More time passed and Michael would ask how I was getting on and each time I’d reply, "I’ve got vocal melodies but no lyrics, absolutely nothing is coming". I must confess that I was getting worried that I’d never be able to write another song – ever,” recalls Wayne Hussey.

"I was raking over all my old lyric notebooks and various word documents on old hard drives and still nada. I was bemoaning my situation to Cinthya one evening and she suggested I write about a personal situation I’d found myself in a few years back. I got my mind focused in the right direction, and while in the studio singing along to the track, I soon got the first line, with the rest following fairly easily…and quickly. It was a huge relief to have the elusive muse visit me again. I played it to Cin and she suggested a couple of small changes and voila, here you have it! I won’t explain what or who the song is about, there’s no need for that, I’ll just leave the listener to make up their own mind, and take from it what they will”.

Ciravolo scoffs affectionately at Hussey’s recollection, “I think he has told me that every time I have sent him music! He cries wolf of ‘no words’, yet he proceeds to one-up our preceding song … which was damn good in my slightly biased opinion. The man is a genuine poet!”

Cinthya Hussey adds “When I first heard the instrumental track for this song I immediately fell in love with Michael's guitars. It's the kind of song that embraces you... and I could listen to it all day long.  Wayne was a bit stuck for ideas so I threw an idea at him that was relevant and would be good to get out of his system... And off he went... majestically so!  This is probably one of my favourite Beauty In Chaos songs!”

About the new album 'Dancing With Angels', Ciravolo divulges that several BIC alumni will return, along with some new members of the growing ‘BIC Family, while offering an open-ended description of the new album. “It’s sort of a sonic progression from 'Behind The Veil’, with a bit of ‘natural regression’ to our debut release ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’”

As of June 4, ‘Diving For Pearls' will be available a limited edition CD single and also digitally everywhere, including Bandcamp, Apple Music and Spotify via 33.3 Music Collective. The 'Dancing With Angels' album, set for release on July 24, can be pre-ordered directly from the Beauty In Chaos store.

CREDITS
Written by Wayne Hussey, Michael Rozon, Michael Ciravolo
Copyright 2024
Wayne Hussey - voice and words
Cinthya Hussey - voices
Michael Ciravolo - guitars, bass-VI and textures
Michael Rozon - bass, synth and drum programming
Dirk Doucette - live drums
Tim Palmer - additional textures
Recorded by Michael Rozon at SAINTinLA Studio
Mixed by Tim Palmer
Mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound
Additional recording by Wayne Hussey
"Dancing With Angels" cover painting by Maren Platzhoff
Video filmed & directed by Vicente Cordero / Industrialism Films
Video edited by Ryan Conlon
Additional filming by Cinthya Hussey
Filmed on location at CypherBlu
Video features Wayne Hussey (vocals), Cinthya Hussey (vocals), Michael Ciravolo (guitar), Tish Ciravolo: bass guitar), Dirk Doucette (drums)
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 
Artist photos by Kevin Estrada

Keep up with Beauty in Chaos
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Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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EIVØR Releases Fiercly Feminine New Single

On her new album, Eivør leans heavier into electronic beats and cosmic orchestration. But ENN only deepens the connection to her Nordic roots. The title, which in English means "Still", grounds her latest artistic leap in the comforts of home. With "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES", Eivør pays a loving tribute to all the strong women in her life while exploring the dark new depths of her music.

Watch the video for "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" Below.

ENN comes out June 14 on Season of Mist. 

Pre-order & Stream

https://orcd.co/eivoruppuroskani

Merch

https://eivor.travelling-merchant.com/merchandising

The four-on-the-floor thump of previous single “HUGSI BERT UM TEG / STILL JUST YOU” quietly declared that Eivør can shine as brightly as any pop star. But "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" is certainly her most metal moment. The song doesn't begin with synthetic shimmers but a drum toll that echoes with the ominous force of an ancient spirit waking from deep inside cave. "Sing to the darkness", she growls from the pit of her throat, conjuring a devilishly anthemic guitar riff that's bound to enchant the hordes at this year's Hellfest.

"When I was writing 'UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES', I imagined a coven of witches, past and present, chanting to each other across the chasms of time", Eivør says. That mental image will forever be seared into our cultural memory by the song's positively bewitching video, which was created by a wickedly talented team of women.

"This video felt like a homecoming in many ways", she continues. "I had a strong urge that to capture the spirit of 'UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES', we needed to film in the Faroe Islands. Katrin Joensen Næss was the perfect choice for director, as the two of us shared the same aesthetic vision. We were joined by an amazing team of Faroese female artists whom I also admire. Art Director Jenný Kragesteen, Costume Designer Maibritt Marjunardóttir and the rest of these wonderful women all delivered their special magic to this video. In the spirit of the song, we all felt that we rose from the ashes together creating this visual world. I couldn't be more proud or more grateful for this collaboration".   

ENN is Eivør's first offering for the international metal label Season of Mist. But "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" was the last song that she wrote for the album. "I wanted to complement the earthy vibes of ENN with something raw, that was coursing with untamed feminine energy", she says. Where lead single "JARÐARTRÁ/DUST TO DUST"beckoned us back into the blue embrace of Mother Earth, "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" cries out in celebration of all the mothers, sisters and other strong women in her life.

Eivør comes from one of the smallest places on the planet. She grew up in a village of 400 people, tucked away among the Faroe Islands. That she now performs on the world's biggest stages - from the UEFA Champions League to The Game Awards and Red Rocks - is nothing short of extraordinary. But she hasn't forgotten all of the women who have supported her along the way. With its heaving bass line, "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" certainly possesses dark undertones, but her falsetto soars above the song's heavenly bridge. "We glide on powerful wings / Stride into our certainty", she sings, followed by her own echo, as if the voices of women past and present are lifting her to even greater heights. 

"I've never written a girl power song" Eivør says. "I guess it was about time".

Pre-order & Stream

Additional video credits

DOP - Rúni Friis Kjær

Editor - Jarivan Ahman

Production Manager - Thurid Samró

Art Director - Jenný Kragesteen

Costume Designer - Maibritt Marjunardóttir

Hair & Make-up - Døgg Nónsgjógv

Colorist - Mamoun Abufarha

Gaffers - Jákup S. Thøgersen, Rógvi Rasmussen

Production Manager - Thurid Samró

1st AD - Gunnvá Gaard

Props - Bjarni Richardt-Mortensen

Post Facilities - BeoPost

Extras - Lisa Helmsdal, Stina Av Kák Kollsker, Oddvør Dahl Wærnskjold, Angela Fagranes, Rannvá Jónsdóttir, Sophilia Wraae Mukisa, Kollbrún í Haraldsstovu, Ria

To celebrate the release of her star-turning new album, this fall, Eivør will shoot across Europe on a headlining tour with label mate Sylvaine in tow before linking up with Heilung in Australia and New Zealand. Don't miss the chance to hear her perform "JARÐARTRÁ/DUST TO DUST", "HUGSI BERT UM TEG / STILL JUST YOU", "UPP ÚR ØSKUNI / RISE FROM THE ASHES" and other mesmerizing songs off ENN for the first time. Tickets are going fast!

Get tickets at eivor.com

"My band and I can't wait to start this new chapter with you and perform later this year", says Eivør. "These tours will bring ENN all over the world - from the United States to Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand and Australia".
 

In preparation for their tour together, Eivør and Sylvaine put together a playlist of their favorite songs. Get in the mood with some of the choice cuts off Nova and the soundtracks to The Last Kingdom and God of War Ragnarök. 

Stream: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7k4ImSEttiL9O6gOQ1tmrn

Photo by Sigga Ella

Follow Eivør:
https://www.eivor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/eivormusic/
https://www.instagram.com/eivormusic/?hl=en
https://eivor.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/eivormusic
https://twitter.com/eivormusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@eivor_music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dB4ya2W1Gvng8gjWSPu2H?si=U-2hxkT9RjizmDg52Q-8kA&nd=1

AU's Windwaker Drop "Get Out" Video

Australia's WINDWAKER — vocalist Liam Guinane, guitarist Jesse Crofts, bassist Indey Salvestro, drummer Chris Lalic, and synths/samples specialist Connor Robins — recently announced their new album HYPERVIOLENCE, which arrives July 12 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here. 

They've dropped the video for the latest single "Get Out." Watch it Below.

It's a melancholic alt rock jam, sprinkled with phonk samples and Memphis/Southern hip-hop influenced electronic passages. The chorus is anthemic in nature, with less focus on technical guitar parts and more emphasis on playful rhythms.

"'Get Out' is about wanting someone (or something) out of your life and conscious thought," the band offers. "It explores the discomfort of something negative returning to the present, and the consequences of staying in a relationship for longer than you should."

Windwaker will embark on their first-ever U.S. tour this summer in support of Northlane. All dates are below and get amped to enjoy Windwaker live and onstage, in their most natural state.

Shattering all restraint, Windwaker tear at the seams of their sonic boundaries, refining and finessing their craft into something truly unique. Concocting an unsuspecting recipe of electro-charged violence, sickly sweet pop hooks, bouncing hip-hop moments and slick riffage, the charismatic quintet move towards exciting new territory with each new release. And HYPERVIOLENCE is the summit of their efforts.

Emerging out of Melbourne, Victoria, the Australian outfit has cultivated a dedicated and passionate fanbase, amassing millions of digital streams since their inception in 2017. Last July's release, "SIRENS," has cracked over 2.7 million Spotify streams in just a few months time, and saw the band travel across the nation in celebration on the Love In The Dark Tour with Caskets (UK) and alt., selling out nearly every date along the way.

The band's debut album Love Language was released in 2022 via Fearless Records and Cooking Vinyl, demonstrated an unpredictable and undeniable exploration of love across 12 tracks. Windwaker translate their electric and eclectic energy on record to the live stage, with JB Hi-Fi's STACK Magazine last year reviewing: "From full-on mosh to sensitive slowdance, the five-piece delivered a propulsive statement on the status of modern metalcore." The band have carved their name into the core of Australia's alternative music community and have toured alongside some of metal's most favored acts — Beartooth (US), I Prevail (US), Motionless In White (US), Enter Shikari (UK), Caskets (UK), Creeper (UK), Northlane, and more.

WINDWAKER ON TOUR:
WITH NORTHLANE, INVENT ANIMATE, + THORNHILL:
6/21 — Seattle, WA — Neptune
6/22 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
6/23 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
6/24 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom
6/26 — Edmonton, AB — Union Hall
6/27 — Calgary, AB — Palace Theatre
6/30 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
7/1 — Chicago, IL — House of Blues
7/3 — Lakewood, OH — Roxy
7/4 — London, ON — London Music Hall
7/5 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall
7/6 — Ottawa, ON — Bronson Centre
7/7 — Montreal, QC — Beanfield Theatre
7/9 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
7/10 — Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club
7/11 — Philadelphia, PA — TLA
7/12 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage
7/13 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
7/14 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl
7/16 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum
7/17 — Atlanta, GA — Masquerade (Heaven)
7/19 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center
7/20 — Dallas, TX — South Side Music Hall
7/21 — Lawrence, KS — Granada Theater
7/23 — Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall
7/24 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
7/26 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
7/27 — Sacramento, CA — Ace of Spades

New Signing 🚨 UNFD WELCOMES ANKOR

Smile Empty Soul Release New Single "SAVIOR" + Music Video via TLG|ZOID / Virgin Music Group

Stream "SAVIOR"

https://ffm.to/smileemptysoul-savior

Alt-rock veterans Smile Empty Soul have unveiled their latest single, "Savior," accompanied by an impactful music video. The track is a preview of their upcoming EP, Swan Song, which is scheduled for release at the end of the year through TLG|ZOID / Virgin Music Group.

"Savior" addresses the challenging state of contemporary society, as explained by the band's frontman, Sean Danielsen. "I feel like people have grown cold to each other and selfishness has stepped up as the primary mentality," Danielsen reflects. The song's poignant lyrics and gripping melody are a testament to the band's signature sound and their ability to tackle relevant themes through their music.

WATCH the Official Music Video for "SAVIOR" Below

SMILE EMPTY SOUL is a hard rock band that originated in Los Angeles, CA in the late 1990’s and has stayed true to their brand of “no bullshit”, “real as it gets” hard rock to this day. The band signed a major label record deal in 2003 to release their self-titled debut album in May of that year. They realized huge success at alternative radio, rock radio, and the music video channels that have since fallen by the wayside or turned into reality show networks.

After 3 very successful singles/videos and a gold record from the debut release, the band ran into trouble with their record company (which was in the midst of turmoil at the top levels) and found themselves working extra hard in the trenches, and signed to indie labels or no label at all from then on.

This would become SMILE EMPTY SOUL’s destiny, as they have gone on to release many more albums and EP’s on various labels, as well as their own company “smile empty music inc”. The band released their 9th full length record Black Pilled on October 12th of 2021 completely on their own.

“Smile” has become known for its constant touring and never wavering honest sound/lyrics. They’ve never changed for anybody, and turned down many opportunities to “sell out” because it’s not who they are.

With a new album, and just as much drive as they had starting out 20 years ago, this band looks to continue to build on the legacy they’ve created as one of the hardest working, and most underrated bands in rock and roll.

The band has recently partnered with TLG|ZOID / Virgin Music Group to release new music. Denny Sanders (The Label Group) and Sean Danielsen previously partnered on the successful release of Consciousness. Released in 2009 the record has become second only to the band's debut release in popularity.

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify

YouTube

https://www.tlgent.com/

TESTAMENT ANNOUNCE REMASTERED VERSIONS OF THE LEGACY AND THE NEW ORDER + RELEASE VIDEO VISUALIZERS FOR 'OVER THE WALL' & 'INTO THE PIT'!

Iconic Bay Area thrash metal pioneers TESTAMENT are proud to announce an explosive celebration of the band's enduring legacy and their influential presence in the thrash metal scene. On July 12th, TESTAMENT will release the remastered versions of their seminal albums The Legacy & The New Order both digitally and on vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records.

Chuck Billy states, "When The Legacy and The New Order were first recorded we were new and had limited resources to record the albums being a young band. Now, with the remastering, fans will hear the albums in their signature sonic onslaught they were intended to be heard."

Eric Peterson, "Wow, I can’t believe it's been 37+ years since The Legacy and The New Order have been released. We were very young when we went to record these songs. It is long overdue for them to have a fresh remastered sound which we believe now are sonically killer. Also included in the final LP is special memorabilia from these two records including very rare, personal photos from that era including behind-the-scenes and record deal memos. We are very happy with the outcome. We hope you enjoy these too!" 



Today, the band offers fans previews of the remastered versions completed by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound via singles from each of the albums. 'Over The Wall' from The Legacy (Remastered 2024) and 'Into The Pit' from The New Order (Remastered 2024) are now available to be streamed on all platforms as well as a video visualizer.

Watch the video visualizer for 'Over The Wall' from The Legacy (Remastered 2024) Below

Stream the remastered version of the single 'Over The Wall' off The Legacy (Remastered 2024), here:
https://testament.bfan.link/over-the-wall-remastered

Watch the video visualizer for 'Into The Pit' from The New Order (Remastered 2024):
https://youtu.be/cvAV9AgJ7q0
Stream the remastered version of the single 'Into The Pit' from The New Order (Remastered 2024), here:
https://testament.bfan.link/into-the-pit-remastered
 

The Legacy was remastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound. It will be available digitally and on 180G vinyl on red and white swirl with black splatter (limited to 1500 worldwide). The release includes alternate cover artwork and gatefold packaging with new liner notes as well it includes an oversized booklet with never-before-seen images.

Pre-order/pre-save The Legacy here:
https://testament.bfan.link/the-legacy-remastered

The New Order was remastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound. It will be available digitally and on 180G vinyl on blue and purple swirl with black splatter (limited to 1500 worldwide). The release includes alternate cover artwork and gatefold packaging with new liner notes as well it includes an oversized booklet with never-before-seen images.

Pre-order/pre-save The New Order here: 
https://testament.bfan.link/the-new-order-remastered

This Fall, the 'Klash of the Titans' makes its triumphant return to North America! Fans will enjoy an epic night of metal with thrash royalty TESTAMENT and KREATOR co-headlining the run. The 33-date trek will kick off on September 12th in Reno making its way across the US and will include 7 Canadian dates before concluding in San Francisco on October 27th. Joining the night are special guests Bay Area death metal pioneers and labelmates POSSESSED.

Don't miss your chance to witness this epic line-up!
Purchase the tickets at www.testamentlegions.com & www.kreator-terrorzone.de.

Confirmed dates for TESTAMENT and KREATOR's co-headlining 'Klash Of The Titans North American 2024' tour with POSSESSED are:
09/12/2024  Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort
09/13/2024  Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
09/14/2024  Salt Lake City, UT - The Union Event Centre
09/16/2024  Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
09/17/2024  Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
09/18/2024  Vancouver, BC Canada - Vogue
09/20/2024  Calgary, AB Canada - MacEwan Hall
09/21/2024  Enoch, AB Canada - River Cree Casino
09/22/2024  Saskatoon, SK Canada - Coors Event Centre
09/24/2024  Winnipeg, MB Canada - Burton Cummings Theatre
09/26/2024  Maplewood, MN - Myth Live
09/28/2024  Huber Heights, Oh - Rose Music Center
09/29/2024  Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/01/2024  Cleveland, OH - The Agora
10/03/2024  Toronto, ON Canada - History
10/04/2024  Montreal, QC Canada - MTelus
10/05/2024  New Haven, CT  - College Street
10/06/2024  Boston, MA - House of Blues
10/08/2024  Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
10/10/2024  Montclair, NJ - The Wellmont Theatre
10/11/2024  Bethlehem, PA - Wind Creek Casino
10/12/2024  Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
10/13/2024  Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
10/15/2024  Orlando, FL. - Hard Rock Live
10/16/2024  St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
10/18/2024  Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall (Lawn)
10/19/2024  San Antonio, TX - The Aztec
10/20/2024  Dallas, TX - The Factory
10/22/2024  Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
10/23/2024  Albuquerque, NM - Albuquerque Convention Center
10/24/2024  Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
10/26/2024  Los Angeles, CA - Palladium
10/27/2024  San Francisco, CA - The Warfield

More information:
www.testamentlegions.com
www.facebook.com/testamentlegions
www.twitter.com/testament
www.instagram.com/testamentofficial
www.youtube.com/testamentofficial
www.tiktok.com/@testamentlegions

AMERICAN IDOL BREAKOUT HUNTERGIRL RELEASES LABEL-DEBUT EP, TENNESSEE GIRL

Already hailed as one of Country’s most exciting new talents, emerging 19 Recordings/BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville artist HunterGirl shows the sharp instincts of a perceptive powerhouse on her label-debut EP, Tennessee Girl.

Arriving today (6/7), the six-song EP serves to introduce a natural-born singer-songwriter and national TV favorite, who views her life like an open-book. Taking to socials to express her gratitude for her fans and this project, watch the vulnerable thank you here. 

A native of Winchester, Tennessee named one of CMT’s 2024 Next Women of Country, her mix of modern Country power ballads and deep-feeling diary entries feature strong take-me-as-I-come values and a soaring Southern vocal to match.

“I have been dreaming of getting a record deal since I was singing songs in my Nanna’s living room as a child. I remember watching artists I looked up to chase after their dreams and praying one day I would have that chance. The songs on this record are pieces of my heart and my story, and I cannot wait to share it with the world and during CMA Fest. So much has gone into creating this debut project, and it reflects not only me as an artist but me as a person,” says HunterGirl.

STREAM OR DOWNLOAD HUNTERGIRL’S TENNESSEE GIRL HERE

Built on an edgy mix of next-gen modern Country, Top 40 energy and Pop-Punk distortion, Tennessee Girl was produced by hit songwriter/producer Lindsay Rimes (Nate Smith’s “Whiskey on You”) with each song either written or co-written by HunterGirl herself. 

A striking lyrical journey through young love and romantic temptation, tattooed train wrecks and missed chances, tunes full of up-all-night energy like “Bad Decisions” pulse with youthful vigor, while “Clockworks” cleverly pines for a romantic impossibility, and “Bad Boy” matches raw attraction with a velvet smooth vocal. 

On Thursday (6/6), the wild-child music video for “Bad Boy” premiered across all CMT channels and social accounts, playing throughout the day and even debuting on Paramount’s world famous Times Square billboard at 1515 Broadway in New York City. Co-directed by West Webb and Luke Lowder the fun loving, rough-and-tumble clip captures the devil-may-care spirit of “Bad Boy,” written by HunterGirl with Rimes and Greg Bates.

“I remember watching CMT as a little girl and hoping I would have a music video on their channel one day. I couldn’t help but cry when they told me ‘Bad Boy’ will premiere in New York City,” HunterGirl shares. “I am so thankful to CMT for believing in me, and fulfilling a dream I’ve had since I was young. Growing up in Winchester, Tennessee, I never dreamed that my face was going to be on a billboard in Times Square!”

Meanwhile, Billboard spotlighted HunterGirl as its Rookie of the Month for June, calling her “a clear-eyed purveyor of emotional depth” – and Tennessee Girl offers plenty of proof. Read the full article here. 

Tunes like the moody “Weather in Tennessee” capture the unpredictable atmosphere of an on-again-off-again relationship. And while the deeply empathic “Ain’t About You” made history as the first debut radio single in over 30 years to be completely written by a female Country artist herself, HunterGirl’s next focus track amplifies her creative vision.

Deconstructing beauty standards for a girl-power anthem with a casual, dressed-down spirit, “Pretty Much” is all about learning to love yourself in a demanding, unforgiving world. Co-written by HunterGirl with David Fanning, Josh Kear, and Andy Sheridan, the track features understated, self-confident vocals, as HunterGirl matches a soft-touch rebelliousness with the delicate sway of steel guitar and processed beats.

Inspired by female powerhouses from Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire to Kelly Clarkson and P!NK, HunterGirl has been writing and performing since she was a child, and burst on to the national stage as the runner-up on the 20th season of American Idol in 2022. Embracing her Tennessee roots and the innate skills of a Country tunesmith, her first batch of music has taken Nashville and beyond by storm. 

On top of her CMT Next Women of Country accolade, HunterGirl has been praised by People for her “incredible voice,” while also being proclaimed an “Artist to Watch” by Country Now and “a major, major new talent” by MusicRow. She’s topped the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with her wistful “Red Bird” and making her Grand Ole Opry debut this spring. 

Following up her historic “Ain’t About You” single, HunterGirl also took part in the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute to the Troops show on May 21 – a cause she has long championed – and after performing today (6/7) at Nashville’s world-famous CMA Fest 2024, she’ll be joining her biggest Idol believer Luke Bryan on the road for select shows this summer.

Photo Credit: Kristin Barlowe

About HunterGirl: 

America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl has been performing since she was three years old and writing songs since she was nine. In her teens, she honed her craft by performing at venues across the United States and working with veteran non-profits such as Operation Song, Freedom Sings and A Soldier’s Child, using music therapy to help numerous vets transform their stories into songs. After high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs at Lower Broadway’s most famous venues including Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Jason Aldean’s Bar, The Listening Room, and HonkyTonk Central, winning songwriting contests such as “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International” in her spare time. Recently, she competed and placed second on the star-making competition series American Idol, where she delivered standout performances and won the hearts of millions across the country including Idol judge and Country superstar Luke Bryan who proclaimed her the “new age Miranda Lambert” and his “favorite female Country voice.” After topping the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with her wistful “Red Bird,” HunterGirl has been a guest on Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan and The Kelly Clarkson Show as well as shared the stage with Country superstars Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more. Named to CMT’s esteemed 2024 Next Women of Country, HunterGirl’s “Ain’t About You” made her the first female Country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself. Now, after making her Grand Ole Opry debut that earned her a lively standing ovation, she just released the anthemic “Bad Boy" along with her label-debut EP, Tennessee Girl, out now. Praised by People for her “incredible voice” and CMT for her “soaring vocals and superstar potential,” HunterGirl will hit the road with Luke Bryan and Kimberly Perry this summer. Chronicling “her current moment of transcending from talented aspiring artist to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), HunterGirl - “a major, major new talent” (MusicRow) - is poised to become Country’s next big female artist.

KEEP UP WITH HUNTERGIRL

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