W.A.S.P. Release the Lyric Video for Paint It Black. Announce Sold Out Shows Across Europe

W.A.S.P. announce the release of the lyric video for Paint It Black, taken from the digital release of Bonus Tracks & B-Sides from the W.A.S.P. The 7 Savage boxset.

Watch W.A.S.P. Paint It Black Below.

Purchase or stream the digital release of Bonus Tracks & B-Sides - https://orcd.co/wasp_bonus_listen
 
BraveWords, Sleaze Roxx, Metal Insider and The Metal Voice all picked the W.A.S.P. Album ONE Alive tour as one of the best tours in 2024. W.A.S.P. are bringing the Album ONE Alive tour to South America, Europe and the UK in 2025. Dates and tickets are available at WASPnation.com/tour

About W.A.S.P.
Few Bands in the history of Rock N’ Roll have ever incited the love, the hate, the raw emotional effect this Band has had on the world. From the very beginning, in the small venues of Los Angeles California, and later to the numerous countries worldwide that banned these Winged Assassins from performing live, the Band’s unique style of Shock and Rock caused Religious organizations, Local City Councils, Parliaments, and the Washington D.C. Senate to hold hearings in an effort to bar this group from selling records and trashing stages everywhere they played.

The band’s founding member, frontman Blackie Lawless, has led the group as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold out shows across the globe for 4 decades.

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Chicago's Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor' + fab video for 'All Together on 3', previewing fourth album

Melodic indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor', the second single from their new long-play album 'Tethered Together', as well as a wonderful new video for the cinematic 'All Together On 3', produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales, and edited by Daniele Arcuri. Both sonic gems preview their fourth record, out on May 16 via Flowering Tree Music. 

Based in Chicago, Push Puppets is the creative outlet for singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht. The five-piece creates songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie often bittersweet sentiments. Specht (lead vocals, guitar) is joined by a core of Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums). 

Most songs on this album also involve a string quartet, with a horn section on one. We see the quartet's impeccable performance in the video for 'All Together On 3', with Stephanie “Sly” Young on violin, Katherine Andrick on viola, Molly Rife on cello and Kelly Jozwiak on violin (note: Janis Sakai performs in the audio recording).

Its timeless quality and melancholic reflection take us on a sonic trip that is as stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. A moody and musically progressive song about how we’re stronger when we work together, it builds to a cathartic reprise of live strings and harpsichord with a desperate vocal crying for a helping hand as violins punctuate the lines with elegance.

The latest single This Whole Endeavor', a rocker about a relationship that has ended, draws you in with an instantly memorable piano hook. Describing the ebb and flow of a relationship with flowing lyrics, this is sincere yet engaging, the song's reflective bridge and breakdown followed by a driving finale. With the first verse noting love at first sight at a bar - somewhat foreteling the outcome - the story takes a turn and ends in disarray, the author ultimately wishing it was she with him in bed rather than his dog.

"I get a kick out of referring to love at first sight as ‘a trainwreck just about to happen’.  My Pete Townshend fandom might be apparent in this one between the 70s synth phrases and guitar smacks,” says Erich Specht.  “As much as I hate to admit it, after reflecting on the lyrics, it seems clear that this song is somewhat about the relationship with my ex-wife".

The 'Tethered Together' album is graced with impeccable songwriting that shines with lush harmonies, angular guitars, dramatic keyboards and strings backed by a rhythm section to ensure a continually high groove factor. Erich Specht muses on relationships and loss, as well as the weight and joy of life, in a manner that is poetic and seems effortless, his lyrics fitting to the melody like pieces of a puzzle. Wearing his vulnerabilities like a badge of honor, this music takes us on a journey to unexpected places.  

"This album offers a nod to the artistic excesses of the 70s, whether it's a wall of phased vocals or a moment where guitars and strings rip a quick line together between phrases.  The tracks are widely varied yet cohesive - and within a given song, you're likely to be taken elsewhere" says Erich Specht.

'All Together on 3' and 'The Whole Endeavor' are available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The 'Tethered Together' album, now available for pre-order, will be released digitally and on CD on May 16. Push Puppets will hold their album release show at Robert's Westside in Forest Park, IL on May 30.

'THIS WHOLE ENDEAVOUR' CREDITS
Lyrics and music by Erich Specht (ASCAP)
Produced by Doug McBride and Erich Specht
Mixed and mastered by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios
Erich Specht – Lead vocals and guitars
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Tommi Zender – Backup vocals and guitar

'ALL TOGETHER ON 3' CREDITS
Erich Specht – Lead vocals, guitars, string arrangements
Steve Frisbie – Backup vocals
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Stephanie “Sly” Young – Violin
Janis Sakai – Violin (Kelly Jozwiak appears in the video)
Katherine Andrick – Viola
Molly Rife – Cello
Video produced by Scott Thiele & Sebastian Gonzales
Video edited by Daniele Arcuri

Cover artwork by Crow Prints
Released & published by Flowering Tree Music (ASCAP)
Artist studio photos by Gintas Zaranka
Artist live photos by Gabi Bucataru
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 


Keep up with Push Puppets 
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BRKN LOVE Release Third Full-Length LP 'The Program' Out NOW via Spinefarm

Today, BRKN LOVE celebrates the release of their third LP 'The Program,' via Spinefarm. The release is heralded by a new single, "Cruel," accompanied by a new music video, available below.



Exuding bravado, mystique, and a whole lot of heart, BRKN LOVE sets the rulebook on fire by plugging in, turning up, and churning out the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that makes you feel a little freer. Their gritty riffs pack enough punch to shake any stage while the grooves quake with just the right amount of hip-swinging gusto. Led by vocalist and guitarist Justin Benlolo, the music drips swagger, soul, and spirit amplified by arena-sized hooks and intriguingly inventive musicality.

About "Cruel," Justin had this to say:

"'Cruel' is one of the most ambitious songs we’ve ever made. We leaned into our R&B influences on this one, breaking free from the boundaries we’d previously set for ourselves. This track marks a new chapter for BRKN LOVE, pushing our sound into brand-new territory. Lyrically, it’s about that moment when you’ve had enough — when someone has mistreated you for too long, and you finally decide to walk away. No second-guessing, no looking back. It is what it is.

"We recorded the song at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, capturing the energy and spirit of the greats we’ve always admired. The entire experience brought a new dimension to our sound, and we couldn’t be more excited to share 'Cruel' with the world. Thank you so much and turn it up loud."

Watch the Video for "Cruel"

Stream "Cruel" HERE 

An impromptu 2023 trip to visit a friend in Charleston, SC gave rise to their third studio album, 'The Program.' Justin initially planned on spending a weekend in town. That weekend turned into nine weeks, and he returned to Toronto with the bulk of the album’s material.

“I didn’t have anything else to do, so I brought all of my gear and studio equipment,” he recalls. “I was so inspired by the environment and the friends I made. It’s a big city, but it’s not huge. It’s just beautiful though. The experience inspired the whole record. Instead of being so picturesque and metaphorical, I told stories.”

The album title even referenced the name of the text group for his new friends in Charleston, embedding the experience and the city in the fabric of the music. The vision had already crystallized before he left for Los Angeles where he recorded with longtime producer Anton DeLost (Cleopatrick, The Warning, State Champs, Dead Poet Society). These friends, and a variety of other characters he met, ultimately inspired the concept at the heart of "The Program."

“It was a collective of 10 people I’d never met before, and we kept using the term ‘The Program’ repeatedly like, ‘Let’s go here, because it would be good for The Program’,” he goes on. “It was cool to be surrounded by near-complete strangers, invite them to our place, and play demos. Their opinions were unfiltered and blunt—which was awesome. I was actively searching for inspiration, and I put myself out there in different situations. I was free and unchained to do anything.”

BRKN LOVE fulfilled a clear destiny to be as free as possible on their third full-length LP, 'The Program.'

On the album, BRKN LOVE shares:

"Our new album, 'The Program' started with a completely unplanned trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We had no real agenda, just a need to get away and see where the music would take us. That trip ended up shaping so much of this record, from the name to the overall vibe. More than anything, it helped us break free from the parameters we had set for this band in the past. This time, we just wanted to make the music we love, without overthinking what BRKN LOVEwas supposed to sound like.

You’ll hear elements of funk, disco, pop and R&B in ways we’ve never done before. But at the end of the day, it still sounds like us. The fact that we even get to make a third album is something we don’t take for granted. So many bands don’t get this far, and we’re beyond grateful to still be here, making music that we love. 

Lyrically, this is our most honest and direct record yet. A lot of it is about love and loss. We didn’t want to dress it up or be vague; we just wanted to be straight-up about heartbreak and more importantly, how you move on from it in a positive way.

We made this album with our frequent collaborator, Anton Delost, who absolutely killed it as a producer. A huge part of the sound comes from recording at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606. Tracking through their iconic Neve console that’s been used on so many classic records. 'The Program' is the record we’ve always wanted to make, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it."

Order 'The Program' HERE

BRKN LOVE emerged with their self-titled debut in 2020. The group quietly generated over a quarter of a billion total streams. They notched a Top 15 entry on Active Rock radio with “Shot Down,” while their cover of “River” by Bishop Briggs hit critical mass. It inspired over 2 billion-plus views on TikTok. It piled up 28 million Spotify streams. 2022’s 'Black Box' only maintained this momentum. “Like A Drug” notched north of 8.5 million Spotify streams, made waves at Active Rock, and emerged as their third Top 5 at Canadian radio.

Ministry Releases First-Ever Music Video For “Everyday Is Halloween”: From “The Squirrely Years Revisited” Album, Out Now Via Cleopatra Records;

For the first time ever, Ministry has an official music video for the eternal hit, “Everyday is Halloween.” Originally released in 1984, Al Jourgensen’s rally cry for the goth community and misunderstood creatures of the night has remained a cult classic over the decades and is finally being given the visual treatment it deserves.

See the video for “Everyday is Halloween” Below.

Says Jourgensen, “I’m amazed and honored that folks are still listening to this song 40 years on. Fly that freak flag proudly.”

“Everyday is Halloween” is one of the cuts on the forthcoming album, The Squirrely Years Revisited, out now via Cleopatra Records that sees Jourgensen making peace with the past. After the incredible reception to Ministry’s With Sympathy and Twitch-heavy set at Cruel World 2024, Jourgensen decided it was time to reexamine his long-dormant synth pop hits and give them a fresh polish 40 years later.

Featuring 9 tracks (3 additional bonus tracks on CD), The Squirrely Years Revisited offers reworked versions of not only “Everyday Is Halloween,” but also “Work For Love,” “I’m Not An Effigy,” and “I’ll Do Anything For You.”

The Squirrely Years Revisited follows the release of Ministry’s 16th studio album in 2024, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, and comes ahead of the final new studio album from Ministry in 2026, a record that has Jourgensen teaming up with Paul Barker once again.

The Squirrely Years Revisited will be available in all formats including digital, CD and 4 different vinyl configurations.

Order Digital copies of the album HERE

Order CD/Vinyl copies of the album HERE

To celebrate the album and the new-old era of Ministry, the band — also including John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Pepe Clarke Magaña (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) —will embark on The Squirrely Years Tour beginning April 29, with a set dominated by Jourgensen’s earliest works. Opening support will come from Ministry’s old-school comrades, including Nitzer Ebb for the first half of the tour, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult for the second half of the tour; and Die Krupps on all dates. Tickets are on sale now at MinistryBand.com.

MINISTRY THE SQUIRRELY YEARS TOUR

Joined By Nitzer Ebb, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Die Krupps

*Nitzer Ebb appearing

+My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult appearing

(Die Krupps appearing on all dates except May 8)

April 2025

29  Phoenix, AZ @ Van Buren*

30  Albuquerque, NM @ Revel*

May 2025

2    Austin, TX @ Emo’s*

3    Houston, TX @ House of Blues*

4    Dallas, TX @ Factory*

6    Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern*

8    Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival

9    Chicago, IL @ Riviera*

10  Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral*

12  Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage*

13  Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall+

14  Boston, MA @ Roadrunner+

16  Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount+

17  Montreal, QC @ MTelus+

18  Toronto, ON @ History+

20  Minneapolis, MN @ Palace+

21  Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre+

23  Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall+

24  Calgary, AB @ Palace Theatre+

26  Vancouver, BC @ Commodore+

28  Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo+

29  Spokane, WA @ Spokane Live Casino+

31  Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom+

June 2025

1   Salt Lake City, UT @ Union+

3   San Francisco, CA @ Warfield+

4   Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium+

5   Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues+

For tickets and more information, visit www.ministryband.com/tour

ABOUT MINISTRY

Born in 1981 in Chicago, Ministry has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, Ministry was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. Ministry’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did Ministry, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, Ministry has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. Ministry’s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, was released March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Find Ministry Online

Website: www.ministryband.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

Seattle indie rocker AudioGust presents punchy feel-good 'Here We Go Again', heralding new album

Seattle-based indie rock artist AudioGust presents his latest single 'Here We Go Again', the bright and punctuated title track from his forthcoming second album, set for release in late spring. This song kicks things off with an upbeat tribute to the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration.

AudioGust is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Evans, whose journey started in the 1980s as a guitarist and bassist in various bands. After a decades-long detour in the software industry (including 20 years at Microsoft), he has returned to his true passion, writing and recording in his own studio. He has since released over three dozen songs and collaborated with artists worldwide, drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, The Police, and Foo Fighters.
 
'Here We Go Again' captures the artist’s late-night encounter with his muse—an unexpected, almost mystical moment when a song begins to take shape in his mind. As dawn approaches, the rush of ideas intensifies, and he scrambles to keep up, fearing that if he lets them slip away, inspiration may stop visiting altogether. With driving energy and vivid storytelling, Evans sets the tone for the album’s exploration of the highs and lows of the creative process.

This 3 a.m. creative encounter and subsequent search for its significance is a story that fits well with AudioGust's menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections.

This first offering is an intriguing introduction to AudioGust's new 14-track album. Deeply personal and universally relatable, this is an ode to the highs and lows of creativity, including some of his most popular singles, along with new material. Blending raw energy with introspective storytelling, the album explores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the exhilarating moments when it strikes and the emptiness when it fades.
 
AudioGust explains, "This album is split into songs that describe the extremes of the fickle nature of inspiration and songs that have come to me in both of those places". Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including 'Tomorrow is Mine', a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.
 
With a knack for crafting memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, underscored by upbeat rhythms and evocative guitar arrangements, AudioGust creates music that speaks to the disenchanted and dreamers alike through sonic exploration of the modern human condition. AudioGust released his debut album 'Walk With Me' in 2023, followed by the 'Hope from Darkness' and 'Love and Pain' EPs.

As of March 31, the single 'Here We Go Again' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.  The full album by the same name will be released on May 30.

ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Chris Evans
except 'How You Been?' written by Chris Evans & Liz Rodrigues
Recorded, mixed & mastered by AudioGust on Whidbey Island
Performed by AudioGust
Liliana Tani - vocals on 'Dead to Me'
Leslie Irish Evans - announcer's voice on 'Award Show'  
Cover artwork by Chris Evans
Artist photos by Ernie Sapiro
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with AudioGust
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Renowned Rock Singer RUSS BALLARD Shares New Single “Courageous” + Video

Renowned rock singer RUSS BALLARD premiers his new single and accompanying video “Courageous,” taken from his upcoming double album 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired,' out on April 25, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

This release is a real treat for all rock fans: the first CD contains new songs, which show once again that the inspiration never left RUSS, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits either penned or performed by him during the years.

About the new single, RUSS BALLARD says:

"Living in a mad world - aren’t we somehow? In a world where a little girl is a 'mother to her brother for so long.' I had this strong story in my mind one day… A dark one with a good end – 'You have the power to stand strong - Long may you shine on.'"

He also expresses his excitement for the album:

“It’s a buzz releasing a new album. What started as my 'Lockdown-tapes' during the pandemic became an album! During lockdown, my studio was a lifesaver for me, and I found new ways of writing and recording. The result gives the listeners a good insight into this time - have a listen!”

Watch the Video for “Courageous”

RUSS BALLARD is simply one of the most renowned and gifted songwriters in pop and rock music. His music career started when he was only 14 years old and he wrote a tune, which was recorded by The Shadows, appearing on their album 'The Sound Of The Shadows' in 1964.

During the 70’s and 80’s, his songs ruled the airwaves and the list of hits is pretty much endless. From “Since You Been Gone” (Rainbow), “God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You” (Argent and Kiss), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), “New York Groove” (Hello and Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Winning” (Santana) or “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” (Colin Blunstone) – just to name a few – everyone who needed a great song knew that with RUSS BALLARD they could not go wrong.

Numerous records/artists were also produced by him, like Roger Daltrey, America, Elkie Brooks, Skindred or Sada Vidoo. In 1974, he started a solo career (after his stint with the band Argent in early 70’s), which had its highest momentum with the 'S/t' album in 1984 (which included the hit single “Voices”) and the follow up “The Fire Still Burns”.

Since then, BALLARD has released 10 studio albums and is still writing and producing hits. Three songs from his 1984 and 1985 albums were featured in the TV show “Miami Vice” and were extensively played on dance floors around Europe.

 Pre-Order 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired' HERE

Female-Led Upon Wings Drop Metalcore Anthem "My Remedy"

Upon Wings are back in full force in 2025, and the female-led band has just released their second single of 2025, "My Remedy," which is a metalcore anthem.
 
On "My Remedy," Upon Wings unleash their heaviest song to date, with hard-hitting breakdowns, loud guitars, and pummeling rhythms backing vocalist Anne Autumn Erickson's angelic, heartfelt vocals. This powerful new song, which is about that one thing in life that gets your through hard times, is available now.

Stream and download the song on all platforms HERE.

Upon Wings were quiet in 2024, but they're enjoying a fantastic 2025.

In January, the band released "Haunting Me," an emotive electronic ballad with  dark beats and production. Meanwhile, their music has been strong on streaming platforms, with their 2022 heavy metal single, "Last Love," garnering more than 26,000 streams on Spotify, and their 2023 single, "Distant Memory," is at nearly 12,000 Spotify streams. Both of those songs feature guitars from Kevin Jardine and pummeling rhythms from Kyng drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña. "Distant Memory" also features a shredding guitar solo from Lita Ford guitarist Patrick Kennison.

Meanwhile, their debut single, "Afterlife" featuring Brett Hestla of Creed and Dark New Day, is also still going strong.

Anne's "Women of Rock and Metal," "Metal and Rock That Slays," and "Fire Tracks" playlists have taken off on Spotify, too.

Find Upon Wings on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE.

Find Anne Autumn Erickson's solo music on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE, and find her work at Audio Ink Radio here.

Manchester's THE SPEED OF SOUND presents 'SS-100-X', a JFK story of intrigue Their 'A Cornucopia' album trilogy, marking their 35-year anniversary, is out now

Iconic Manchester indie rockers The Speed Of Sound present their new single 'SS-100-X', a prime and timely pick from their 'Minerva' album. Titled after the codename for the presidential car that fateful day of JFK's assassination in Dallas, the video for 'SS-100-X' intentionally uses AI-generated images to mix fact with speculation and inference, matching the post-fact world environment of the 21st century.

The band has released their ambitious mega-album trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' in multiple formats via Californian cult label Big Stir Records, cementing their mark on the legacy they began in 1989. With music that is idiosyncratic and counter-intuitive, The Speed of Sound is always in search of something new. Creating music with lyrical bite, expanding their foundation of 1960s, punk and new wave influences, their dynamic and stylistic variation crossing borders and pushing boundaries at every opportunity.

"Spreading like a virus, conspiracy theories have gone mainstream and it all seems to have started long ago with the Kennedy assassination. The simple and chaotic explanation of anything is now routinely jettisoned in favour of swirling dark forces and a wilful maliciousness to recognise anything as fact, instead everything is an issue of unshakeable faith in the existence of a sinister deeper plot," says frontman and songwriter John Armstrong.

"The opening lines of the song describe the view from a 5th-floor Portuguese hotel balcony, but due to the absence of a Ground Floor in American buildings, that made it the 6th. So my view of the Lincoln convertible passing along the street below was identical to that Oswald had from the Texas School Book Repository."

This single arrives on the heels of the audio-visual trip that is 'Permafrost' and also 'Eight Fourteen Monday', which narrates a dreary commute to explore themes of isolation, detachment, and the contrast between superficial politeness and genuine emotion, while subtly referencing the devastating historical event of Hiroshima.

With overlapping themes of independence - both culturally and artistically - each disc of the 'A Cornucopia' trilogy has its own vibe and personality: 'Minerva' is belligerence in musical form, 'Victory' is a manifesto of artistic creativity and 'Bounty' represents the fruits of artistic freedom, all taking place far from the grasping tentacles of the ‘music industry’.

'A Cornucopia' began with the band’s own love of the album format and a determination to make long-form music rather than merely produce a conveyor belt of unrelated singles. The interlocking themes of 'A Cornucopia' are deliberately made for album listeners to enjoy, each disc being its own standalone entity while also forming part of the larger whole trinity.

Full of ambition, energy and melodic brilliance, this three-album deluxe edition is available on vinyl and CD. Beginning with the 'Minerva' album, The Speed of Sound shared a rich bouquet of thought-provoking compositions, including the hauntingly spacious 'Trickledown', the stratospherically vast 'The Great Acceleration', the uplifting 'Mind Palace' and 'West Wind', where a recklessly fast rhythm merges with a Wagnerian horn section.

The 'Victory' album then brings 14 fresh and unexpectedly shape-shifting grooves, from the supremely danceable 'Underground', the unabashed sensuality of 'Monsoon', gothic lounge jazz of 'Permafrost', the glam-rocking 'E to F', reckless garage punk punch of 'Go For It', post-nostalgia of 'The Same River' and triumphant shimmering elegance of 'Tranquility Falls' to the strangely linked pairing of 'Apocalypse Acropolis'and 'Apocalypse Metropolis'.

The ’Bounty’ album adds to this with another ten ranging from the crunching garage rock of 'No Kicks' to the haunting floating melody of 'Virtual Reality123', acoustic driven rave-up of 'Replicant' and bouncing energy of 'Artificial Paradise'.

Marking their 35th anniversary, 'A Cornucopia' trilogy follows their 2021 critically acclaimed album 'Museum Of Tomorrow', returning triumphant, defiant and redemptive. Most music is never even recorded, and most recorded music remains unheard. ‘A Cornucopia’ is a celebration of all unheard underground music and the whole counterculture itself - music made for the pleasure of making it.

‘A Cornucopia’ is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, Physically the full trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' can be ordered on CD and vinyl at www.thespeedofsounduk.com/shop-2

The Speed Of Sound are:
John Armstrong (songwriting, guitars & vox) – John A has developed a vivid style of guitar playing borne of combining rhythm and lead techniques in a flow that pulls the music like a tide steeped in unresolved chords and entrancing vocals.
Ann-Marie Crowley  (vox & guitars) – Ann-Marie hadn’t performed rock based music before joining The Speed Of Sound in 2015 and has vast experience of Irish, folk and also classical operatic singing.
Kevin Roache (bass guitar) – Kevin has performed with John since 1990, he brings a wide understanding of playing differing genre’s including music of Indian origin, he has a highly individual outlook on the bass.
John Broadhurst (drums) – John B joined The Speed Of Sound in 2018. He has a wealth of skills including jazz, pop, rock and blues and has an ability to play with the spaces, the freedom of playing originals is liberating while the fluid and improvisational sections are something he willingly embraces.
Henry Armstrong (keyboards) – With 16 years of studying improvisational music and an intuitive approach, Henry (John's son) joined in 2018, adding a new dimension to the band's sound.

CREDITS
All songs written by John Armstrong
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Vibratone Sound Studio in Manchester by Chris Guest, Adam Crossley & The Speed of Sound
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Bob Dinn - trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Guest - harmonium, vibraphone, organ, assorted shakers, tambourine.
Band photographs by Shay Rowan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with The Speed of Sound
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Volumes Return With Visualizer for Crushing New Single "Sidewinder"

Los Angeles quartet Volumes — Michael Barr [vocals], Raad Soudani[bass], Myke Terry [vocals], and Nick Ursich [drums] — have just dropped the visualizer for "Sidewinder," their first new track in over two years.

And trust us — it was worth the wait. 

The song is so sonically violent that it's the musical equivalent of the alien bursting from astronaut Kane's chest in the classic horror film Alien. The song is erected on djenty riffs that will loosen your teeth from your gums, industrial crunch, heavy artillery percussion, and the kind of screams that nightmares are made of. So, basically, it's a killer metal track. But the ante has been upped to 11.

Watch the visualizer below.

Volumes also discussed the song in an exclusive interview with Knotfest. Read it here.

"'Sidewinder' is an unapologetic hate letter to a world gone mad, especially the corruption within the music industry," Barr states, sharing insight into the subject matter that's as in your face as the sonics. "It offers an unfiltered perspective on a society in chaos, with no optimism or positivity. It’s a song that captures the feeling of everything unraveling as we know it."

 Volumes have been making a metallic racket since erupting onto the scene in 2010. Armed with a rich catalog spanning three EPs and four full lengths, with over 224 million streams and press praise from Kerrang!, Revolver, New Noise, and more, the band's signature, progressive metalcore style boasts djenty riffs, guttural screams, and crunchy synths. Volumes, who've welcomed singer Michael Barr back into fold twice, have never shied away from experimenting with their dual vocal sound or releasing reimagined and instrumental versions of their songs, demonstrating the depth and breadth of their songwriting prowess. They've hit the road with the likes of Ice Nine Kills, Counterparts, Northlane, Born of Osiris, Dance Gavin Dance, Secrets, and Crown the Empire. Clearly, Volumes cannot be bound by genre parameters and limitations. Now, with "Sidewinder," they are ready for the next era and the Volume(s) is turned all the way up.

UK electronic duo DRAGON WELDING shares 'Hiding Things For Fun', highlighting fourth album 'The Naughty Step'

UK electro noise-pop duo Dragon Welding has revealed a new video for their ruminative 'Hiding Things For Fun', a more downtempo offering from their fourth album 'The Naughty Step' (out now via Dimple Discs) and also happens to be the first record to feature new vocalist Nik Cockshott (formerly of leftfield indie rockers The Spores and The Keatons).

Dragon Welding is an anagram of Andrew Golding, perhaps best known as multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Essex-based indie noise-pop legends The Wolfhounds. Initially joining Golding for a one-off show in 2023, Cockshott and Golding soon began working together on new material, resulting in the 2024 single 'These Are Dangerous Times', a radical electronic reworking of Dragon Welding's debut release five years prior, essentially marking Dragon Welding's rebirth as a group.

Dragon Welding also recently shared a captivating 'stop-start' animation video for the title track, created by award- winning graphic artist Andy Royston, who also designed the album's cover. They earlier released the high tempo single 'We Dance Among You', following the video for ‘Up And Away’, released as a 3-track single - a clarion call to a dozing generation.

"This song is on one level about losing ideals as we get older. I try not to 'make do' if I can see a way of sticking to the right path. On another level, losing things deliberately is something I am often accused of. The trick in life is to find a partner who is as good at finding things as you are at mislaying them.” He adds that it is also “a Gen X anthem that dreams of being played live to an auditorium full of ghosts, each holding aloft a misplaced cigarette lighter," says Andrew Golding.

"The lyrical theme of the album overall is me trying to deal with problems that I’ve never quite resolved in my mind, while all the time, new problems appear. It’s never ending and I will continue to write songs about it until I stop caring.

After debuting in 2019 with a well-received eclectic eponymous album, Dragon Welding released the all-instrumental 'Lights Behind The Eyes’ (2021) and then ‘Fictionary’ (2023), which featured guest appearances by Anthony Chapman of Collapsed Lung and Alice Golding of The Othyrs.

With a consistent voice, a solid focus on idiosyncratic and, at times, dark electronic backing, augmented by an increasing plethora of obtuse instrumentation, unpretentious ecologically and socially-relevant lyrics, this incarnation of Dragon Welding is ready to present their new material. The new album continues DW's tradition of blending clever guitar with mischievous sonic and rhythmic manipulations.

'The Naughty Step' album is out everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp. Vinyl and CDs are also available from Rough Trade, Amazon and Resident Records.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics - Andrew Golding
Vocals - Nik Cockshott
Guitars and programming – Andrew Golding
Mixed by Ant Chapman and Andrew Golding
Mastered by Ant Chapman
Recorded in London and Manchester 2023-2024
Cover design and videos by Andy Royston
Images by Andy Royston and Helen Golding
Album released via Dimple Discs
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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Annisokay Share New Single

German metalcore powerhouse Annisokay have returned with their brand-new single "Inner Sanctum," a hard-hitting track that showcases the band's signature blend of crushing heaviness and melodic intensity. The song is taken from their new EP Abyss Pt. II, set for release on April 11 via Arising Empire. Watch the video below.

"Inner Sanctum" dives deep into themes of inner struggle and resilience, delivering powerful vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and intense breakdowns. Fans can expect Abyss Pt. II to push the boundaries of Annisokay's sound even further, cementing their status as a driving force in the modern metalcore scene.
 

In October, Annisokay will embark on their Abyss Pt. II European Tour, bringing their explosive live show to stages across the continent. The band is also set to perform at some of Europe's biggest festivals, including Wacken, Greenfield Festival, Reload Festival, and Summer Breeze, promising unforgettable performances that fans won't want to miss.
 

Mark your calendars for April 11 and prepare to embrace the abyss — both on record and live on stage!

More info about the Abyss Pt. II European tour dates and festival dates here. 

PRE-ORDER "ABYSS PT. II"

Iodine to Release Bloodhorse's Long-Awaited Sophomore Album "A Malign Star" + Band Shares Title Track

Iodine Recordings is pleased to announce it will release A Malign Star, the long-awaited sophomore LP from Boston's Bloodhorse. The vinyl arrives on May 30. Pre-order it here. 

The record was produced by Alex Garcia-Rivera at Mystic Valley Studios (Vundabar, American Nightmare, 108) and is the long-awaited follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed Horizoner album, which was released by Translation Loss.

The band is a who's who, featuring members of iconic Massachusetts bands American Nightmare, The Red Chord, and All Pigs Must Die.

A Malign Star is a reckoning — a raw, relentless journey through doubt, defiance, and the eerie spaces in between. From crushing riffs that pay tribute to self-destruction to compositions steeped in imperial dread, each track carves out its own space in the chaos. There's a biting critique of pettiness and alienation, an eerie drift through half-waking nightmares, and a full-throttle push to the brink of speed and control. If you like it fast, dark, and just a little self-aware of its own doom, then you're in the right place.

The band has also shared the title track. Listen below.

"The title is cribbed from a quote from Robespierre describing Paris as being held under a malign star. The idea for this song was to capture a sense of majestic, imperial foreboding," the band says.

Bloodhorse plan to tour in support of the record, as well!

BLOODHORSE ARE:
Alex Garcia-Rivera — Drums
Matt Woods — Bass + Vocals

New PHIL X & THE DRILLS Album 'POW! Right In The Kisser' Out NOW via Frontiers Music Srl

PHIL X & THE DRILLS are proud to unleash their latest album, 'POW! Right In The Kisser' to the world! Alongside the release, out via Frontiers Music Srl, the band is sharing the hot fresh track, "Broken Arrow." A new visualizer for the single is below.

About the "Broken Arrow," PHIL X comments:

"I'm really excited for our fans to witness the growth of the DRILLS. Songs like 'Broken Arrow' add a dimension to my songwriting and my voice. I wrote that song after hearing of Chris Cornell's passing which sparked deep thoughts about challenges and dealing with options. There's a lot of depth on 'POW! Right in the Kisser' and I can't wait for the world to hear it."

About the new album, he adds:

"'POW! Right in the Kisser' was a good ten years in the making. 'Battleship' was tracked in 2014. I just kept writing, and we'd record and then kept the whole 'different drummer on every song' thing going. It became a very special collection of songs & vibes. It's very exciting for me to share something like that with the world." 

Watch the Music Video for "Broken Arrow"

The journey of PHIL X & THE DRILLS is one of relentless passion and perseverance. From their early days stirring up the Hollywood rock scene in 2003, to their breakout EP 'Kick Your Ass in 17 Minutes' (2009), the band has always kept fans hooked with their high-energy sound and jaw-dropping performances. As PHIL X became a YouTube sensation through his work demoing vintage guitars for Fretted Americana, the band’s visibility skyrocketed, eventually evolving into the powerhouse known as PHIL X & THE DRILLS.

Over the years, the band has worked with an incredible roster of guest drummers, including Josh Freese (Sting, Foo Fighters), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), among others. Their most recent release, 'Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 1', showcased the band’s knack for pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable rock tracks.

In 2024, PHIL X & THE DRILLS hit a new career milestone, opening for Mötley Crüe at Summerfest in Springfield, IL, where their performance left 10,000 fans and industry professionals in awe. Now, with 'POW! Right in the Kisser', they’re set to take the next big step in their musical journey.

Order 'POW! Right In The Kisser' HERE

PHIL X & THE DRILLS:

Phil X - Lead Vocals & Guitars

Daniel Spree - Bass & Background Vocals

Brent Fitz - Drums & Background Vocals

Swedish Supergroup W.E.T. Release New Album ‘Apex’ Out Now Via Frontiers Music Srl

International powerhouse rock group W.E.T. is pleased to release their highly anticipated new studio album, 'Apex,' via Frontiers Music Srl. The focus track, “What Are We Fighting For,” is accompanied by a visualizer, available below.

Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto commented on the focus track:

“What I love about this song and even about the evolvement of W.E.T. is utilizing the fact that we have two lead singers in the band, and this can be exploited as many of my favorite bands in the 70’s - like Queen, Styx, Journey, and Eagles did, adding layers to the songs. On this track, Erik and I trade off on lead vocals for this defining song with a sound that has the true W.E.T. stamp to it."



Watch the Visualizer for "What Are We Fighting For"

The acronym W.E.T. comes from the members’ association with other bands, Robert Säll & Andreas Passmark from Work of Art, Erik Mårtensson & Magnus Henriksson from Eclipse and Jeff Scott Soto from Talisman. And now, for the first time ever, the T is emphasized as Talisman drummer Jamie Borger has joined forces with the band’s original core members.

W.E.T. truly epitomizes what melodic rock has become in the new decade. The key element at the foundation of W.E.T. has always been to create a modern melodic hard rock sound that will drive the genre into the future. Combining powerhouse rhythms and top-notch production (courtesy of Erik Martensson), the music is equally classic and contemporary. 

Although a side project to the members’ original bands, over the course of the band’s existence, W.E.T. have reconvened regularly over the last 15 years to produce four studio albums and a live record.

Starting with a genre-defining self-titled debut, Robert Säll (the “W” from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the “E” from Eclipse), and Jeff Scott Soto (the “T” from Talisman) accepted the daunting task to give that debut a follow-up, 'Rise Up'. After that stellar follow-up, their third opus, 'Earthrage', cemented a legacy of music which will stand the test of time.'Retransmission', their latest album, is nothing else than an absolute milestone, which is well in keeping with the tradition established by the three amazing records that have preceded this one.

Erik Mårtensson says:

“It’s always a challenge to find that sweet spot in our calendars when we are all available, not to mention the fact that Jeff lives in California and the rest of us in Sweden. But I also believe that adds to our ambition once we are able to gather. We are all aware that we don’t get too many shots at this, so when we do we gotta make it count.”

'Apex', the fifth studio album of the melodic supergroup, is a bold statement in the band's confidence that they have delivered their best work to date. Eleven tracks full of big choruses and hooky melodies, all served on a platter of smooth heaviness.

Order 'Apex' HERE

W.E.T. are:

Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals

Erik Mårtensson – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

Robert Säll – Guitars, Keyboards

Magnus Henriksson – Guitars

Andreas Passmark - Bass

Jamie Borger – Drums

Melodic Hard Rockers ALLIANCE Release New Album ‘Before Our Eyes’ Out Now Via Frontiers Music Srl

Melodic hard rockers ALLIANCE are pleased to announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album 'Before Our Eyes,' out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release of the album, the band has released the focus track, "Too Many People," accompanied by a visualizer available to view below.

About the new track, Robert Berry stated:

“Ah… The world is filled with people’s opinions, but their solutions are unobtainable. The underlying meaning of 'Too Many People' is, serve with care, not words, the circle you can touch.”

Guitarist Gary Pihl added:

“To me, this song is about contrasts. I wanted my guitar solo in the middle to use sounds that were very different. The first part of the solo is a clean, clear sound. For the second half, I plugged my guitar into a 1960s Fuzztone device. Just like the one Keith Richards used on 'Satisfaction'. You could say, one was pretty and one was ugly. That’s what I was going for!”

Watch the Visualizer for “Too Many People”

Renowned melodic hard rock band ALLIANCE, with a nearly thirty-year collaboration, and six highly regarded studio albums, return with their new release, “Before Our Eyes”, their first on the Frontiers label and the first in several years following “Bond Of Union” (1996), “Alliance” (1997), “Missing Piece” (1999), “Destination Known” (2007), “Road To Heaven” (2008) and “Fire And Grace” (2018). 

For the new album, the core of the band remains the same with guitarist Gary Pihl (Boston), drummer Mr. David Lauser (Sammy Hagar) and bassist Robert Berry (3, GTR). After Sammy Hagar stopped his solo career to join Van Halen, his drummer David Lauser and guitarist Gary Pihl still longed for the allusive missing pieces for a new project outside of their main gigs.

Early in 1993, Robert Berry received a call from Lauser. They reached out to keyboardist Alan (Fitz) Fitzgerald (ex-Night Ranger) and gathered at Hagar's studio in Mill Valley to work through songs from their demos. According to a witness, “There was an immediate connection. Everybody in the room could feel it. The vibe was powerful and inspiring”. They immediately recognized the common thread that would feed their creativity.

A signature style was beginning to emerge, and the band was bonding even though they were spread geographically throughout the country, with Pihl in Boston, Fitz based in Texas, Lauserin Southern California, and Berry in the heart of Silicon Valley. 

Over the years and up to today, ALLIANCE continues to solidify and bolster its long-distance collaborations. Though the scheduling remains challenging, their passion and commitment remain energized. Their musical benchmark, perhaps a product of their high-profile roles outside of ALLIANCE, has always been pushed to the highest standard. And it’s clear that they always strive to surpass their previous release. Thus, they have earned a loyal, patient, and growing fan base over the years that is sure to enjoy and embrace the new album “Before Our Eyes.”

The band states about the album:

“We are excited to have a new label and to be working with the team at Frontiers. With 5 albums released over the last 30 years we are feeling even more creative and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. We are looking forward to reaching a wider audience and are already hard at work on album 7.”

Order 'Before Our Eyes' HERE

ALLIANCE are:

Robert Berry - Bass, Vocals

David Lauser - Drums

Gary Pihl - Guitars

M THE MYTH UNVEILS NYMPHONIC – A BOLD, TRANSCENDENT EP EXPLORING SEXUAL LIBERATION, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND PRIMAL ENERGY

Electro-pop innovator, M the Myth, has officially released their groundbreaking EP, Nymphonic. This collection of six tracks is more than music—it is a statement, a reclamation, and an exploration of desire, expression, and transformation. Nymphonic is the message. It is sexual liberation, physical release, and the unshackling of the body—of being in your skin and reveling in that freedom. The title itself merges two concepts: nympho, a word often used to shame female sexual desire, and phonic, meaning “of sound.” Nymphonic reclaims the

narrative, embodying a primal, boundless energy that pulses through us when we stop resisting who we are.

Each composition within Nymphonic is tied to the ancient forces—earth, air, water, fire, and metal—forces that sustain life, allowing us to create and destroy. The record is a personal narrative of struggle, self-destruction, healing, and ultimate rebirth. Through music, M the Myth has found balance, self-fulfillment, and fearless self-love. The EP features six tracks: “Chew the Wire,” “Forever Falling,” “Pin-up Boy,” “Whiplash,” “Love Nymphonic,” and “Crumble.” Three previously released singles are joined by the three new tracks: “Forever Falling,” “Love Nymphonic,” and “Crumble.”

A bass-heavy, electro-pop experience that oscillates between tension and release, “Forever Falling” feels like freefalling through space. The track samples Sumitra Nanjundun’s 1995 track “Destiny,” layering past and present into a dialogue between fear and freedom. "What if the fall wasn’t something to resist? What if the fall was the flight?" says M the Myth. "This song is about surrender, about letting go of control and embracing the unknown." Produced alongside Niño Neon, “Forever Falling” embodies the expansive sonic landscapes that define Nymphonic—gritty, immersive, and emotionally raw.

Built on a driving house groove and euphoric synth textures, “Love Nymphonic” is the heartbeat of the EP. The track’s infectious energy mirrors the thrill and chaos of unfiltered desire. "This song is about claiming your desires without hesitation or fear—this primal expression of sexual liberation and uninhibited selfhood," M the Myth explains. "It is the essence of this album: electric, ecstatic, and fully alive."

The slow-burning, cinematic closer to the EP, “Crumble” blends retro-futuristic R&B with indie electro-pop. Minimalist verses give way to explosive, synth-driven choruses, symbolizing the collapse of false identities and the rebirth of something real. "It’s about falling apart so you can build something true," says M the Myth. "This track exists in that space between struggle and revelation. In the end, maybe we were never falling—we were being reborn."

The release of Nymphonic aligns with a powerful celestial event: a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. Historically a symbol of reckoning and transformation, the Blood Moon perfectly mirrors the themes of the album—breaking chains, embracing truth, and setting fire to the past to make way for rebirth. "This album isn’t about quiet revelations. It’s about setting fire to what cages us," says M the Myth. "To release Nymphonic under a Blood Moon is to send it into the world as a spell, a charge for freedom."

MORE INFO:

M the Myth is an innovative electro-pop artist dedicated to community leadership and advancing LGBTQIA+ issues. As a co-founder of Blonde Records and Artist Management, M the Myth is committed to expanding opportunities for female-identifying and LGBTQIA+ artists, fostering a more inclusive music industry. Their work has been recognized for its "unabashed hookability," with Music Connection Magazine praising their catchy, impactful songwriting. M’s music video for "Let’s Get Drunk Anyway" captured widespread attention, landing on the front page of LGBTQ Music Charts in 2019.

A passionate advocate for the arts and social change, M the Myth is a graduate of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU). Their non-profit, The Wavy Awards, gained special recognition at CGIU’s annual meeting, leading to a partnership with Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton Foundation. M the Myth’s academic achievements are equally impressive, with a Master of Music in Music Production and a Master of Arts in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, complemented by their training at the Los Angeles-based production school Icon Collective.

With a unique sound that blends electro-pop with deeply personal, socially conscious themes, M the Myth continues to break boundaries and inspire audiences with their artistry and activism. With a background in music production and songwriting from Berklee College of Music, and a history of accolades including the Stanford Alumni Artist Grant, a performance on Amazon Music's Twitch channel, and their single “Speed of Life” being featured on Billboard’s Queer Necessities playlist in February of 2020, M the Myth is paving the way for a new era of music that challenges norms and inspires listeners to live authentically.

Austin downtempo artist Claude9 debuts chilled 'Chords of Love' album, plus video for title track

Austin-based electronic artist Claude9 (a.k.a. Claude McCan) presents his debut album 'Chords of Love', released via indie imprint New Human Music, as well as a new chilled video for the title track, produced by Manny Dojo. This album offers a unique and largely relaxing sound, with light fractals of Enigma, Jean-Michel Jarre, Boards of Canada, Tangerine Dream, Air and Kruder & Dorfmeister.  Two tracks also feature the unmistakable talent of Jorja Chalmers (Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Italians Do It Better), whose saxophone brings intensity and emotional resonance.

Ahead of this release, Claude9 shared the singles 'Clouds So Low', a soulful track with chilled feel-good vibes, tastefully blends Eno-esque ambient music and downtempo trip-hop, and 'The Shadow', a slice of futuristic wonderment that showcases this relaxing nine-track record.

Weaving together ambient and downtempo electronica, 'Chords of Love' offers a seamless listening experience with six extended tracks and three shorter interlude pieces that flow effortlessly into one another, creating the feeling of one continuous work. This diverse sonic palette brings in everything from cicada field recordings to lush pads, drones, and a mix of real and synthesized vocals.

With the simple yet profound mantra of “Slow down, relax, and listen”, this is a gateway to a relaxed and healing journey. At the same time, it doesn’t shy away from moments of tension or layers of social commentary, adding depth to its soothing exterior.

“This album was inspired by a Brian Eno documentary that explored his collaborations with the German ambient artists Cluster. A specific sequence about two albums they worked on together caught my attention, so I bought one and was amazed by its sound—so distinct from Eno’s solo work. The biggest takeaway for me was the idea of giving myself complete freedom in terms of sound, arrangements, and genres, allowing the creative process to unfold without limits. Shortly after I started working on the album, the COVID lockdown hit, which gave me the rare luxury of time to fully immerse myself in experimentation,” explains Claude 9.

“My studio is something of a mad scientist’s playground, and I was able to make the most of that, diving deep into sounds and textures I hadn’t previously explored. I set out to create music that felt fresh and original—something not heard before—but still accessible and engaging to listen to. I think I achieved that balance. The lyrics are sparse, carrying themes of human unity that I wanted to convey. “Chords of Love” and “The Shadow” are both love songs, but their focus differs: the former is universal, while the latter is more personal. The Black Lives Matter movement protests happened the summer I was creating this album, inspiring the closing track “Enough is Enough,” a reflection on those events and my experience in Austin.”

Imbued with dreamy, rhythmic energy, the ‘Chords of Love’ album blends ambient and downtempo electronica, offering with six extended tracks and three shorter interlude pieces, creating the feeling of one continuous work that makes use of cicada field recordings, lush pads, drones, and a mix of real and synthesized vocals.

Claude McCan has been involved in the Austin music scene for several decades, both as a live performer and recording artist. As a keyboard player and singer, he has worked with Reggae acts Pressure, the Killer Bees, and Raggamassive, cutting his teeth to become a sought-after keyboard player. From there, he joined forces with hiphop-funk act Afrofreque, Supercreeps and Hail Marley.

Emerging in the late 90s as one of Austin's first electronic producers, Claude was involved in several well-received House music collaborations in the early 2000s. His background as a live musician brought authenticity to the dub and funk elements in his electronic compositions and, more recently, to his
collaboration with Noëlle Hampton (the Belle Sounds) and Ken Christensen (East Coast Boogiemen) in synth pop band XANIMAL.

As a producer at Claude9 Studios, Claude continues to produce and record internationally recognized music in the House and Downtempo genres, while still pushing limits and being an influential member of the ever changing Austin music community.

As of March 28, the 'Chords of Love' album is available from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. 

ALBUM CREDITS
Claude9 - Keyboards, real and synthesized vocals, melodica, harmonica
Jorja Chalmers - saxophone on tracks 1 and 9
Recorded at Claude9 Studios (Austin, TX)
Initial session for track 4 at ESH INSTITUTE, Lockhart Tx.
Production assistance by Alec ESH
Mixed and mastered by Charles “Chicky” Reeves at Sublime
Studios London, UK
Album cover design by Fumihito Sugawara / Fumanstudios
Released by New Human Music
Distributed by Xelon Distribution
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video production by Manny Dojo


Keep up with Claude9
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Studio | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with New Human Music
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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OF LIMBO Share Homage To Van Halen With "Finish What Ya Started"

OF LIMBO are sharing a fun new homage to Van Halen with their acoustic version of the classic “Finish What Ya Started”.  It’s the 2nd release from the California band off their upcoming “Unplugged” album, which will be released this summer.

Recorded at the band’s home studio in Long Beach, their self-produced rendition is a tongue-in-cheek remake that adheres to the original, while making it a bluesy, sexy and hell raising version that is the trademark sound that OF LIMBO has become known for. 

The band’s Jake Davies says “Jason Klein (formerly of Butcher Babies), our “Unplugged” bassist, brought us this one and we knew we had to do it. Van Hagar at their best! It’s a true “hound-dog” masterpiece.  We would never try to improve on their perfection. But we did take a couple liberties with the song here and there!”

The “Finish What Ya Started” video was directed by Brandon Vancour and filmed at OF LIMBO’s home studio in Long Beach. Jake explains “We just wanted to have fun and recreate the classic Van Halen video. We played around a little bit to make it a version our fans have come to expect. Other than that, we just followed their lead and hit up a couple babes (Internet sensations Heather Leather and Lindsey Ferrari) to dress up like rocker cowgirls while we danced around and sang along. There might have been some tequila involved…”

The band is ramping up their live shows to celebrate on release day for the song.  More dates are currently being booked to support the album release.

Live Shows

Friday, March 28th @ Alex’s Bar - Long Beach, CA

Friday, April 18th @ 4th Street Vine - Long Beach, CA  (Acoustic)
        Saturday, May 3rd @ The 3 Clubs – Hollywood, CA (Full band/Electric)

About OF LIMBO:

Brothers Jake and Luke Davies were raised in Melbourne, Australia – but relocated to Long Beach, CA to further their music career in the states. The band pride themselves on making every show a party with their unique take on Heavy Rock N’ Roll. Kevin Martin of Candlebox says "OF LIMBO is the last dangerous Rock N’ Roll band you f*&^rs will ever see live". OF LIMBO play 100+ shows per year, and have toured nationally with Wolfmother, Hinder, Candlebox, Buckcherry, Joyous Wolf, and Blue Oyster Cult, among others.  Their high-energy performances create an electric atmosphere that is infectious, making it impossible not to have fun.

OF LIMBO released “Joke’s On You” in early 2025, as a follow-up to 2024’s “Estrada”.  They saw their profile raised significantly with “California Demon” in 2023, which saw the song placed on all major DSP platforms on multiple Hard Rock & Metal playlists, and widespread press acclaim including Loudwire, HEAVY, BraveWords, The PRP, Substream, Medium, Ramzine, Rock N’ Load, and more.  2022’s “Let’s Go” also received adds on multiple playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora. The “Let’s Go” video made several Top 10 lists for Video Of The Year.  Previously released songs include ‘Happened Again’, ‘Nothing But Now’ ; ‘Nicotine’; and ‘Fight For Your Right’ (Beastie Boys cover).

Official Website

https://www.oflimbo.com/

For More Information, Contact:
Ed Bunker – NPM PR and Marketing
Ed@NPMPRandMarketing.com

Nate Vickers Drops Brand New Track "Parasite"!

Alt rock's breakout act to watch, Nate Vickers, returns with a gripping new single, "Parasite" out now via Oxide Records. With "Parasite," Vickers dives deep to explore the darker, more vulnerable side of his signature sound. Watch the new video for "Parasite", directed by Nate, below.

Digging into the heart of "Parasite," Nate Vickers shares:

"“Parasite” is a reflection of a period in my life where I lost sight of who I was as an artist. I found myself surrounded by influences that clouded my judgment and led me away from my instincts, leaving me in a place of deep self-doubt. For a while, I wasn’t creating from a place that felt genuine. This song marks a turning point—a moment of clarity and reclamation. Writing it was part of the process of reconnecting with myself and finding the courage to trust my own voice again."

Fueled by raw emotion and unapologetic honesty, "Parasite" explores the toxic undercurrents of relationships, delivered through gut-punch lyricism paired with soaring hooks. Channeling the push and pull of toxicity and self-discovery, this track features Vickers blending gritty guitars with pain and the pursuit of healing.

Inspired by iconic bands such as Linkin Park, Incubus, and Nirvana, Nate Vickers has crafted a sound that is unmistakably his own, earning him 2 million followers across social media and praise from Sirius XM's Octane. Further fueling Vickers' rise, his previous single, "A Little Too Late", racked up an impressive 1 million streams on Pandora and more than half a million on Spotify.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Nate Vickers news coming soon.

ABOUT NATE VICKERS

Introducing Nate Vickers: the enigmatic force behind the electrifying sounds captivating social media feeds worldwide. Based in Houston, this rock/pop virtuoso has mastered the art of leaving audiences spellbound, all while shrouded in an aura of mystery that leaves followers craving more.

With a whisper of his name echoing through the digital landscape, Nate Vickers commands attention like a siren's call. His journey to stardom is paved with viral covers on TikTok and Instagram, where his raw talent and magnetic presence have garnered an awe-inspiring following of a staggering 1.4m followers on TikTok and 452k on Instagram.

But Nate is more than just a musical maverick; he's a connoisseur of the digital realm, immersing himself in the thrilling landscapes of FPS games like Warzone, Apex Legends, and the timeless RPG gem, Runescape. From the tender age of youth, Nate's passion for gaming has been a steadfast companion, shaping his creative journey and imbuing his artistry with a dynamic edge.

Yet, his interests don't end there. Nate's eclectic spirit finds solace in the realms of fashion, art, skateboarding, and drawing, where his boundless creativity grows. Each brushstroke, each riff, each daring fashion choice speaks volumes of a soul unbound by convention, a spirit dancing on the precipice of discovery.

To know Nate Vickers is to embark on a journey shrouded in intrigue, where every note, every post, every shared moment unveils a new layer of his enigmatic persona.

GEMINI SYNDROME RELEASES NEW SINGLE “CAROUSEL” – A SONIC RECKONING WITH THE CYCLES OF SELF-DESTRUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION

In the ever-turning wheel of existence, where past, present, and future blur into a singular, cyclical motion, Gemini Syndrome unveils their latest offering, “Carousel”—a haunting meditation on the cycles we trap ourselves in and the courage it takes to break free.

"I am my own worst enemy."

A confession. A revelation. A truth buried beneath layers of pretense. We sabotage ourselves in the shadows, hiding behind the illusion of control. The turmoil within is relentless, unseen yet omnipresent. “Carousel” rips the mask away, exposing this eternal conflict—the conscious self at war with the unconscious. The driver and the passenger. The master and the captive.

"We can often be our own worst enemies," says drummer Brian Steele Medina. "There’s this illusion of control, like we’re holding the reins, but sometimes we don’t realize we’re just along for the ride. ‘Carousel’ captures that duality—the war between who we are and who we want to be."

To break the cycle requires an act of will—but true will is more than defiance; it is surrender. The courage to let go of the illusions that bind us. How can we evolve if we refuse to release the weight of our past? How can we ascend if we remain tethered to a wheel that never stops spinning?

"How can we become better than our present selves, when we live our lives like we’re on a carousel?"

The question lingers like an incantation, a challenge to all who dare to listen. “Carousel” is not just a song—it is a rite of passage, a moment of reckoning for those willing to look into the mirror and confront the storm behind their own eyes.

"At some point, you have to face the mirror," vocalist 

Aaron Nordstrom adds. "The song is about that reckoning—when you finally admit that you’re the architect of your own suffering. But acknowledgment is the first step to change."

With towering riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and a chorus that lingers like a whispered truth, “Carousel” embodies the struggle between stagnation and self-awareness.

This is the journey of Origin: From Nothingness to Everything—the transmutation of the self through trial and tribulation. The endless fight to wake up, break free, and become more than the sum of our past mistakes.

The ride is not over. But the choice is yours: remain in endless repetition, or shatter the cycle and step beyond.

As Gemini Syndrome continues their journey of musical and philosophical alchemy, “Carousel” stands as a call to arms for those willing to step off the loop and forge a new path.

GEMINI SYNDROME

Aaron Nordstrom | Messanger

Brian Steele Medina | Drums + Programming

Meegs Rascón | Guitars

AP Paveri | Bass