Caulbearers explore native Manchester, celebrate humanity on 'Burst Through The Borders'

"Impressive... what it might sound like were you to cross Bill Laswell and Massive Attack with Laura Marling and Mojave 3... stellar, believable and inspiring. With a tandem of female and male vocals and lyrics that are heartfelt, hopeful and genuine" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

“Funky and original in such a quirky way that the sauvé jazz-infused style and improv mindset create such a tasty track that you find yourself giving multiple listens within the same sitting. All music should be this progressive” ~ Jammerzine

"Caulbearers have been one of the city's forward-thinking musical forces. A unique blend of genres backed up with a commitment to alternative lifestyles which brings real soul to their various endeavors" ~ Danny Moran (Northern Soul)

“With so much new music clamouring for attention now, Caulbearers deserve a place in your heart because they are thinking about the world and offering optimism where others are just ranting“ ~ 160 gig blog

Manchester-based Caulbearers present their new single 'Burst Through The Borders', influenced by modern, urban existence and celebrating the sacred in the everyday and the supposedly mundane. The fantastic single cover artwork was created by James Roper. The accompanying video is a collaboration between Mahoney and editor / animator James Stirzaker, who has a long history of working with the band.

Formed in 2007, Caulbearers are a collective led by Damien Mahoney, with contributors hailing from around the UK and Europe. A DIY ethic has coursed through the band’s work, including releases, design, production and much of the recording process. This hybrid ensemble is known for blending diverse musical styles and fusing them together on stage, weaving nu jazz and folk with elements of hip-hop, funk, dub, soul and afrobeat.

The video was shot almost entirely on mobile phones during the Covid 19 epidemic and in various states of lockdown restrictions in 2020. It depicts eerily empty scenes of Manchester, including the heart of the city centre. Other locations include Blackburn countryside and the Norfolk coastline. Singers Ruth Blake and Damien Mahoney are the only humans seen in the video, accompanied by various birds enjoying brief cameos throughout. As in the song, the natural world with its mysteries, wisdom and wonder, is the main protagonist of the video.

“I wanted to capture all these locations at such a unique time when everything felt so different, to help tell the story of a song that imagines great transformations of our societies, spaces, cultures and of ourselves. When everything initially locked down in the UK, we only had access to our phones and each other, so my wife Liz and I took a DIY approach and would go out filming in the early morning. As the year progressed, other friends also filmed sections and when times of less restriction came, we visited more locations but kept the same approach and aesthetic throughout," says Damian Mahoney.

Written in 2017, the song’s lyrics for 'Burst Through The Borders' were inspired by timeless texts by authors such as Idries Shah, Kahlil Gibran and Neil Douglas-Klotz whilst simultaneously dreaming of a beautiful revolution occurring in the markets, pubs, boardrooms, hospitals and schools of our towns and cities.

“As a species, we have so many difficult challenges to find solutions for, that it can feel overwhelming to know where and how to start. I wanted to write something that had total faith in the possibility of change, in the ability to transcend the complexities of our modern lives with simplicity. The song imagines this energy of love flooding through the world and transforming the institutions and purposes of our societies and our lives. By its nature, it dismantles the barriers that cause hardship for so many and the borders that separate us from each other. I wanted to write something that included everyone and everything. I was imagining this powerful force, reaching and filling up all these places and the people in them, leaving no one behind," says Damien Mahoney.

Mixed by Seadna Mcphail (Badly Drawn Boy, Jah Wobble, Everything Everything, I Am Kloot, Happy Mondays) and mastered by Jim Spencer (New Order, Johnny Marr, Charlatans, Factory Floor) at Eve Mastering in Greater Manchester, this track features numerous renowned musicians. Among them are drummer Howard Jacobs (808 State, Beth Gibbons, Homelife, Toolshed), guitarist Anton Hunter (Beats and Pieces Big Band, Article XI), cellist Stefan Skrimshire, bassist Nicholas Malin, and additional acoustic guitar by Andrew Mucha. Ruth Blake joins Damien Mahoney on vocals, while acclaimed composer and polyrhythmic pioneer Edward Chilverscontributes piano.

Along with the A-side, Caulbearers presents a stunning b-side - 'Solid Supposed' featuring Ruth Blake, whose latest single 'Brave Ships' was produced by Damien Mahoney. Not long ago, Caulbearers also released the single 'Over Comes A Cloud', which marked the beginning of a blossoming relation with Blake.

Caulbearers' music and sound is influenced by an eclectic range of artists, including Bill Laswell, Toots & The Maytals, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Curtis Mayfield, Talking Heads, Andy Weatherall, Brian Eno, Lee Scratch Perry and The Specials.

'Burst Through The Borders' will be released on April 29 and will be available across digital platforms, including and Apple Music and Spotify. It can already be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written, produced & edited by Damien Mahoney
Rhythm and guitar tracks recorded at Airtight Studios in Manchester
Vocal & instrument recording by Damien Mahoney at his Padded Cell studio
Mixed by Seadna Mcphail
Mastered by Jim Spencer at Eve Mastering in Greater Manchester
Video directed by James Stirzaker & Damien Mahoney
Filmed by Elizabeth Murphy, Damien Mahoney, James Stirzaker, Elia Santini, Richard Smith and Amii Priestley
Video editing & post-production by James Stirzaker
Single cover artwork by James Roper
Photos by Jan Schoof. Collages by James Stirzaker


Keep up with Caulbearers
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Ruth Blake
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify

CRYPTODIRA ANNOUNCE A STORM CALLED PROGRESS LIVESTREAM HAPPENING MAY 11th & 12th

PERFORMING THEIR NEW ALBUM THE ANGEL OF HISTORY IN FULL

The New York-based progressive death metal group, Cryptodira, have announced their upcoming 2-day livestream event titled A Storm Called Progress, an in-studio, full performance of their newest album The Angel Of History. Captured at Graphic Nature Audio, the session was engineered by Matt Guglielmo, and mixed and mastered by Jamie King. Happening on May 11th and 12th at 7pm ET, the stream will be available to watch for free on the band's Twitch channel (twitch.tv/CryptodiraBand) while the band will be present to virtually chat with fans. Following the full album performance, fans can expect play-throughs, lyric analysis, and the individual song performances to be released every month.

Speaking on the event, vocalist/guitarist Scott Acquavella says:

"As a band that's always done things the old fashioned way of writing, recording, and touring, pandemic life has been a particularly weird adjustment for us. Having put out a record in the middle of it, we were hellbent on finding a way to bring people closer to The Angel of History than anything else we've done before, and the answer to that was A Storm Called Progress.

A Storm Called Progress is centered around a live, in-studio performance of The Angel of History recorded at Graphic Nature Audio and mixed/mastered by Jamie King that will be premiered as a two day live stream event on our Twitch Channel. From there, the following months will see a series of video releases, with each month being dedicated to a different song on the record. For each song there will be an instrumental play-through video, a deep dive lyrical analysis video, and a video cut of that individual song from the live performance to explore The Angel of History in a completely different context.

We weren't content to just put out any old video performance in a sea of COVID-inspired live streams and it was important to us to release a body of work that would be engaging for listeners and creatively challenging for us, pandemic or not."

Their sophomore full-length The Angel Of History, out now via Good Fight Music, marks their most dynamic and intricate efforts yet. Put best by BrooklynVegan, the band achieve a balance of, “mind-meltingly complex as it is headbangingly abrasive as it is genuinely tuneful.” Co-produced by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Vatican) and Cryptodira, The Angel Of History is available to buy and stream here.

NITE Signs to Season of Mist

Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of blackened heavy metal band NITE! The San Francisco outfit will be releasing it's second full-length via the label at a later date. Stay tuned for more!

NITE comments, "All of us in the circle of NITE are very excited to announce our signing with Season of Mist. We look forward to working with their talented and experienced team to bring our music to the unsuspecting masses. We are thrilled to join the label's echelon of innovative artists whose legacy looms large over the history of modern heavy music."

For a glimpse of what's to come, check out NITE's Bandcamp and stream their 2020 debut album, 'Darkness Silence Mirror Flame,' HERE.

Photo by Michelle Nisbet

The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal brand barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while keeping one eye on the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satan’s Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakis’ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era.
 
With Avinash Mittur (Wild Hunt) replacing founding bassist Bryan Coons in early 2021, he and drummer Patrick Crawford (Serpents of Dawn, Older Sun) make up a rhythm section that’s fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of the early days of heavy metal, with a Rickenbacker-powered roar fueling the low end. NITE’s debut full-length Darkness Silence Mirror Flame, released in March 2020 by Creator-Destructor Records, earned widespread praise. It showcased their fist-raising classic heavy metal that nearly every fan of the genre once fell in love with, but with a twisted and shadowy edge that the titans of old could never imagine. NITE is the flame of the past illuminating the darkness of tomorrow.

Genre: Blackened heavy metal

Lineup:
Van Labrakis: Guitar / Vocals
Scott Hoffman: Guitar
Avinash Mittur: Bass
Patrick Crawford: Drums

Links:
Website: http://nitemetal.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitemetal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nitemetal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitemetal
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo7-UhuJNohvsMB2DP05LAQ
Bandcamp: https://nitemetal.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6MjCnAA9RF0vy3j6QYyLG0
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nite/1499573755


For more on NITE, visit the band's official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BANDCAMP, and INSTAGRAM.

Stoner Rock Shamans MONSTER MAGNET Offer Their Take on Dust’s “Learning To Die”

New Covers Album, A Better Dystopia, Out May 21, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

Napalm Records is pleased to present the next chapter in psychedelic rock icons MONSTER MAGNET’s rabbit hole deep dive, A Better Dystopia (out May 21, 2021): a delightfully (and psychotically) curated collection of 60’s and 70’s proto-metal and late-era psych obscurities covered by the heavy New Jersey legends themselves.

While the album marks a new frontier for MONSTER MAGNET as their first covers record, this is not your typical set of standards released to pass time. A Better Dystopia sees the band pay homage to some of their favorite songs of all time, while reflecting on the paranoia, dystopia and revolution of both now – and then.

Today, fans can get a second glimpse into the album with a video of the band’s cover of classic Dust track, “Learning To Die.”

Of the song selection, frontman Dave Wyndorf says:

“‘Learning To Die’ blew me away when I was 15 and it still blows me away.

Man, do I LOVE to sing this song. Dust was one of the greats."

Dave Wyndorf says about the birth of A Better Dystopia:

“We all agreed that we would be bored out of our minds within a month of lockdown. MONSTER MAGNET loves the road. It’s a lifestyle. So, I considered our options. Rather than panhandle on the internet, hawking masks and Zoom-rocking practice sessions for dollars, I suggested we record a “bunker record”. A total DIY affair (band only) recorded and mixed in Bob Pantella’s small but potent Freak Shop Studios/rehearsal space right here in New Jersey. But what to record?

I didn’t feel much like writing, but working on anything was better than watching the news as hospitals filled up, people died, and American politics went bat-shit crazy. The world roared “Dystopia! Apocalypse! Revolution!”. I’d heard those words before, and they brought to mind my childhood in the late 60’s/early 70’s… and the music… and short playlist of songs (just one of many) that I’d been carrying around with me on my whatever device to listen to before shows. Of course, these tunes have also been in my head for more or less my whole life. These were not the popular hits of the time. This was like a playlist from the 4th dimension… strange bits of musical obscurity, mostly dredged up from that inglorious and freaky “twilight zone” time that preceded Arena Rock, Heavy Metal, Reggae and Disco. A no-man’s land of hard rock that still had remnants of psychedelia and garage punk but had abandoned any notion of “flower power” or frat house fun. And of course, they rocked.

Yeah, these songs were it.”

Wyndorf is at the top of his game on A Better Dystopia, delivering each lyric in his own inimitable style, and musicians Phil Caivano, Bob Pantella, Garrett Sweeney and Alec Morton own the sound – vintage and old school, dense and heavy, with searing fuzz leads and pounding bass and drums all played in a deft style that's almost been lost in modern music. The album opens with “The Diamond Mine”, as Dave Wyndorf recites a classic monologue by Dave Diamond, an American radio DJ whose programs in the late 60’s and early 70’s helped popularize many psychedelic and acid rock bands. At this point the real trip begins, as the opening chords of the Hawkwind classic “Born To Go” gear up for launch. Tracks like standout “Mr. Destroyer” (Poo-Bah) spur visions of some untold Freak revolution – or perhaps dinosaurs battling on a burning planet at the end of time – creating a perfect blend of hard rock and psychedelia. Feverish “Motorcycle (Straight To Hell)” (Table Scraps) is pure punk fury of the old school tradition, evoking a cross between Iggy Pop and Motörhead as Wyndorf wails "I'm gonna drive it straight to HELL!" Falling even further down the mind-bending rabbit hole, Magnet offers their stunning, whirlwind take on the often-overlooked hard rock classic "Learning To Die" (Dust) and a masterful version the Stooges meets Goth epic, "Solid Gold Hell" (The Scientists). The album closes with a bonus nuclear cover of Morgen’s “Welcome To The Void”, inviting you to restart the ride again and again.

Pre-Order A Better Dystopia HERE

A Better Dystopia will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album

- 4 page CD Digipack

- 4 page CD Digipack + Patch (Napalm mailorder only)

- 2LP Gatefold Black

- 2LP Gatefold Pink Transparent (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300)

- 2LP Gatefold Cuaracao (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 500) NEW!

- 2LP Gatefold Purple (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300) NEW!

- 2LP Gatefold Glow In The Dark (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 200) SOLD OUT

- Limited Die Hard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Neon Green/Black Splatter + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 200) SOLD OUT

Can’t get enough MONSTER MAGNET? Pre-orders are now available for limited edition vinyl represses of both Mindfucker and Mastermind in the Napalm Records store! Visit HERE to order your copies before they’re gone.

MONSTER MAGNET is:

Dave Wyndorf - Vocals, Guitar

Phil Caivano - Guitar

Garret Sweeny - Guitar

Alec Morton - Bass

Bob Pantella - Drums

Black Label Society release None More Black Boxset & Music Video for "Blind Man"

FEATURING REMASTERED ALBUMS, 32-PAGE PHOTO BOOK, & MORE

AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT ONE

Black Label Society announce the release of their first-ever career spanning box set, titled NONE MORE BLACK today via Entertainment One. Featuring their to date 12 full-length studio albums, this massive collection is comprised of 20 all newly pressed vinyl and includes a compilation bonus tracks and reworked originals vinyl, Song Remains Not The Same Vol. 2. Also included is a beautifully made 32-page hardcover retrospective photo book, a NMB bottle opener, and an exclusive, “Odin’s Demolition Squad” back patch to add to your BLS vest.

But wait, there’s more... guitar icon and frontman Zakk Wylde has unleashed a hilarious infomercial for the occasion here. The limited quantity Boxset is now available to order in eOne’s Heavy US, UK and EU stores here.

Vinyl Selections in Boxset:
Grimmest Hits 2LP
Stronger Than Death 2LP
1919 Eternal 2LP
The Blessed Hellride LP
Hangover Music Vol. VI 2LP
Mafia 2LP
Shot To Hell LP
Order Of The Black 2LP
Catacombs Of The Black Vatican 2LP
Nuns And Roaches LP
Sonic Brew 2LP
Song Remains Not The Same II 3LP

Bonus Tracks:
Song Remains Not The Same Vol. II
1. My Dying Time
2. Blind Man
3. Graveyard Disciples
4. The Nomad
5. Scars
6. House of Doom
7. A Love Unreal
8. We Live No More
9. Cry Me A River
10. The Chosen One
11. Empty Promises
12. Lead Me To Your Door

About Black Label Society
Black Label Society bandleader Zakk Wylde wields his guitar like a Viking weapon, bashing out thick riffage and squeezing out expressive squeals as if the glory of his Berserker brotherhood depends upon every single note, which of course, it does.

Charismatic beast and consummate showman, Wylde puts his massive heart and earnest soul on display with unbridled, unchained, animalistic passion in Black Label Society, whether it’s a crushingly heavy blues-rock barnstormer or a piano-driven ode to a fallen brother. Each Black Label Society album is another opportunity to top the one before it, but like AC/DC or The Rolling Stones, BLS isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s a brand we can trust.

Mighty missives like “Damn the Flood,” “In This River,” “Stillborn,” “My Dying Time,” “Queen of Sorrow,” and “Blood is Thicker Than Water” have amassed millions of downloads and streams. They are the soundtracks to sweat-soaked revelry, jubilant evenings that descend into bewildering mornings, and adrenaline-fueled sports.

To many, Wylde is synonymous with pinch harmonics as much as Chuck Berry dreamt up the duck walk. Zakk’s signature Les Paul Bullseye guitar hangs in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. His infamous leather bell bottoms hang in the Grammy Museum. His handprints are on Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame. He’s performed the National Anthem at major sporting events. He wrote the 2013 Major League Baseball theme for ESPN. He even momentarily joined Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff in Guns N’ Roses. He is a playable character in the Guitar Hero games.

A lifelong disciple of Black Sabbath and the longest-serving guitar-shredder for the Ozzman himself, Wylde co-wrote modern Ozzy Osbourne classics like “No More Tears,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” “Road to Nowhere,” and “Miracle Man.” Together with Ozzy bassist Blasko and drummer Joey Castillo (ex-Queens Of The Stone Age), Wylde pays faithful tribute to the forefathers of metal as frontman for Zakk Sabbath.

One part invading horde and all parts traveling carnival party, Black Label Society traverses the world powered by caffeine and cacophony. BLS engages and inspires audiences everywhere they go, on every radio dial they burn, inviting all comers to join in and participate in their brotherhood and sisterhood of hard rock and vigor.

Now ten studio albums deep, with solo records, Ozzy shows, and Zakk Sabbath tours all kicking ass simultaneously, Black Label Society rides ever forward, fist held high.

Black Label Society is: Zakk Wylde - Vocals, Guitar / John DeServio - Bass /
Dario Lorina - Guitar / Jeff Fabb - Drums

PUNK ROCK TRAILBLAZERS THE DICTATORS REASSEMBLE

ISSUE NEW SINGLES, ‘LET’S GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER’ AND ‘GOD DAMN NEW YORK’!

The three founding members of legendary New York hard rock/proto-punk rockers – singer/bassist/songwriter Andy Shernoff, rhythm guitarist Scott Kempner, and lead guitarist/Manowar icon Ross the Boss – are back, with legendary Blue Oyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard on board! New single “God Damn New York” out now!

Called by critic John Dougan as "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth.” the Dictators are releasing their first new music in 20 years. The groups’ three founding members, Andy Shernoff, Ross Friedman and Scott Kempner are joined on drums by founding Blue Öyster Cult member Albert Bouchard, the man who played the infamous cowbell on ”Don’t Fear The Reaper”. The Dictators and the Blue Öyster Cult have known each other since the early days when they both shared the patronage of producer/manager Sandy Pearlman.

“Scott and I had lost touch with Ross but we were brought together by some Dictators business”, explains Andy. “Once it was settled, Ross suggested we play together again. It was literally the last thing on my mind, but Scott was enthusiastic, so I sat on it and eventually said ok and damn, I am so glad I did as it's kept me busy during the pandemic”.

“I wrote ‘God Damn New York’ with my wife before we got married for a video that never got made. When I was presenting new song ideas to everybody, this one got a thumbs up. So I changed the key, re-wrote the lyrics to give it some Dictators swagger, and voila, the first new Dictators song in 20 years. It’s sort of a love/hate letter to New York City”.

And the band’s next single will be released on April 21st (with a music video for the track here:https://tinyurl.com/bdk789bs.

“My buddy Jesse Bates had a song called ‘Let’s Get The Band Back Together.’ I thought it was really clever and funny so I asked him if I could fool around with it and put my spin on it. He said go for it, so I made few changes and recorded it on my own a few years ago but it was just so perfect for the Dictators that we couldn’t resist.”

“For me, ‘Let’s Get the Band Back Together’ has the same exuberance and joy ‘Go Girl Crazy’ has!” adds Ross.

Known for their sarcastic lyrics and aggressive sound, The Dictators released what Uncut Magazine called “the first punk rock album”, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, in 1975 – a full year before The Ramones. Having played shows early on with the Stooges and New York Dolls, they became regulars at CBGB’s, while influencing bands around the world.

The Dictators released 2 more records (Manifest Destiny and Bloodbrothers) in the 70’s before breaking up. Ross went on to found heavy metal overlords Manowar, while Scott started roots rock pioneers The Del Lords. Andy worked as a producer and songwriter while also performing with Joey Ramone and The Fleshtones.

An early ‘80s get-together produced the classic live album Fuck ‘em If They Can’t Take a Joke, and the band performed sporadically until 1995 when, realizing the extent of its fan base and influence, once again reformed full time. Numerous international tours culminated in 2001’s D.F.F.D., the band’s last studio album. After playing the final weekend of CBGB’s in 2006, they once again went their separate ways.

It took a worldwide pandemic to once again unite the band. After a socially distanced recording session, the band finished the new recordings by trading files over the internet. The first release is “God Damn New York” – a love/hate song to the band’s home town. The reunited Dictators’ second single release, “Let’s Get The Band back Together”, had its debut on Little Steven’s Underground Garage Radio show on April 12. More music will come out later in 2021 and the band looks forward to touring in 2022!

“We have a song ready to be released in July and a special seasonal song about the holidays set up for December. We hope to record 4 more tracks in June and just keep on releasing cool new tunes and videos, until things are completely open.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

thedictators.com

facebook.com/thedictators/

THE CONTORTIONIST ANNOUNCES CLAIRVOYANT

A FULL ALBUM PERFORMANCE
TAKING PLACE ON MAY 15, TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

FIND TICKETS & VIP PACKAGES HERE

April 20, 2021 - The Contortionist, the champions of progressive rock, announced their virtual performance experience, Clairvoyant - A Full Album Performance, taking place on May 15th. The band’s latest full-length album, Clairvoyant, was originally released in 2017 to critical acclaim and marked their highest charting effort to date. Since releasing their 2019 EP, Our Bones, The Contortionist has been quietly working in the background, until recently when they headlined eOne Heavy’s virtual concert earlier this spring. On May 15th, the band’s performance of Clairvoyant in its entirety will air at 7pm ET and be available to view on-demand for 48 hours afterwards. Tickets are on sale now alongside a very limited number of VIP tickets that include a pre-show hang with the band via Zoom. Find tickets and VIP here.

Speaking on the upcoming event, vocalist Michael Lessard commented:
"I can't explain how thrilled we are as a band to be able to stream this live performance of our album 'Clairvoyant.' This set is the first time in the band's history playing one of our records in its entirety, and we're all beyond excited for everyone to experience it!"

The Contortionist is fearless in their musical expression, creating progressive rock that is anchored in the heavy sounds that first drew the individual players to the stage, yet unmoored by convention or expectation. On the band’s fourth full-length, Clairvoyant, their distinctive fingerprints remain, even as their atmospheric flourishes broaden to encompass ever-richer textures and mine the beauty of simplicity. The 2017 release reunited the band with producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me), and took the best elements of The Contortionist’s past and reshaped them as the band followed their individual creative muses toward the future. The breakout album was praised by fans and critics alike, noted as a milestone in broadening the horizons of heavy music. Metal Injection praised Clairvoyant for its “impactful, ambitious, and unified” sound, likening the band’s creative and stylistic evolution to that of Opeth and TesseracT. In an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 review, MetalSucks called it “a perfect album” and rightfully declared, “The Contortionist have thrust themselves into the conversation for being one of metal’s all-time greats.”

KHANDRA Premieres Title Track from New Album, 'All Occupied by Sole Death'

Belarusian black metal entity KHANDRA will be releasing the new full-length, 'All Occupied by Sole Death,' via Season of Mist Underground Activists on May 28! The band is now premiering the title track from the record.

'All Occupied by Sole Death' is available for pre-orders at the Season of Mist shop HERE.

"The only horrible thing in the world is ennui… That is the one sin for which there is no forgiveness." – Oscar Wilde

Shrouded in a veil of mystery and death, Belarussian black metal act KHANDRA will soon unleash their new offering, ‘All occupied by sole Death,’ upon mankind. Characterized by aggressiveness, dissonance and by creating a strong sense of atmosphere, the band’s third assault seamlessly fits in with the wave of black metal fronted by MGŁA and BLAZE OF PERDITION.

KHANDRA’s first revelations were perpetrated in October 2017 under the banner ‘All is of no avail,’ which subsequently merged with its successor ‘There’s no division outside existence’ in October 2018. These seeds sprouted even more fatal progression of metastases which transformed into ‘All occupied by sole Death.’

"Khandra" [xɐnˈdra] is a term that describes the feeling of crippling listlessness or melancholy that takes one over when in a state of boredom. However, the band's overarching concept challenges this notion of ennui, attempting to exceed the limits of the imagination, utilizing music as a vessel of expression that has no emotional or logical confines.

Genre: Black metal

Artwork: Chris Kiesling (Misantropic Art)

Recording studio: Cavum Atrum Studio

Producer / sound engineer: Dmitry Romanovsky

Mixing and mastering: Studio Forz, Dmitry Haladko

Line-up:
Uladzimir B: vocals
Dmitry R: guitars
Pavel V: drums
Anton S: bass
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/khandraofficial/
https://khandra.bandcamp.com/

Pre-orders: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/khandra-sole-death

For more on KHANDRA, visit the band's FACEBOOK and BANDCAMP.

Cypress Hill's B-Real Releases Double A-Side Today: “Mother Mary” and “Triple OG”

Cypress Hill Live Stream Concert and Mr. Cartoon Original Artwork NFT Collaboration with Ark Labs & Blockparty Today

Music download offered with curated cannabis pre-roll
at B-Real's Dr. Greenthumb stores

Listen to “Mother Mary” here
Listen to “Triple OG” here.

(April 20, 2021) B-Real, aka Dr. Greenthumb and one of the lead rappers of multi-platinum West Coast Cypress Hill fame, drops a new double A-Side release today via eOne. The tracks "Mother Mary" ft. DJ Paul and "Triple OG" ft. Freeway are available now on all DSPs. Both tracks were produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Scott Storch and will be featured on B-Real's forthcoming solo album, due out this summer. More details to be announced shortly.

B-Real unveils a new, exclusive collaboration with Wonderbrett x Dr. Greenthumb x High Hopes Supply Co. A limited-edition curated cannabis pre-roll is now available for purchase, along with a download of one of his new tracks, "Mother Mary," at all of B-Real's signature Dr. Greenthumb stores in California. The Pineapple OZK genetics were meticulously developed between B-Real and famed California cannabis brand Wonderbrett through a year-long pheno hunt, curated for the “Mother Mary” aural experience. “I wanted to provide my fans with a special experience while listening to my new music and I can’t think of a better way for my fans to experience something very special,” B-Real says. “We took the time to develop the flower and now, it can be enjoyed with my music as a collaborative effort.”

Future singles and curated strains will be dropped leading up to the album release this Summer.

B-Real has also partnered with world-famous tattoo artist Mister Cartoon from SA Studios for a collection of NFTs set to drop on Blockparty through Ark Labs. The collaboration features original artwork by Mister Cartoon, created specifically for B-Real’s new single “Triple OG."  The drop begins TODAY at 4:20 PM PST during Cypress Hill’s performance live stream from The Roxy on the world-famous Sunset Strip.  It will feature a live auction and Cypress Hill will be performing their greatest hits with some special surprises.

NFT DROP WILL CONTAIN:

-limited edition 3D animations based on Mister Cartoon’s artwork

-a full animated music video for “Triple OG” that will be released exclusively as a limited series of NFTs

-an auction for a 1 of 1 NFT redeemable for an exclusive Smoke Session with B-Real

-backstage passes to B-Real’s Dr. Greenthumb Festival this upcoming summer.

More details on the NFT drop will be available soon at www.blockparty.co.

B-Real will also be busy curating the launch of a new music experience, The Dr. Greenthumb Festival, which will feature live performances, moderated panels, and limited edition merchandise drops. Recently, B-Real was chosen as a celebrity flower judge for the prestigious Emerald Cup competition and will be celebrating Cypress Hill’s 30th Anniversary this fall as well.

Listen/Get “Mother Mary” here.

Listen/Get “Triple OG” here.

Follow B-Real:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

BRealTV

Tongue-in-cheek metal-punk rockers Arsenic Tea Party launch 'The Really Not Good Times EP'

"Imagine Metallica thrown in a sonic blender with Ween, Queen and Rush, it’s possible that what you might get is punk-metal mavericks Arsenic Tea Party,... raucous adrenaline overdrive... talented and entertaining offering" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"A loaded feast of extreme sounds (metal, punk, alternative rock) rolled into one hot tamale of a sonic offering" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

Punk-infused avant metal rock outfit Arsenic Tea Party are back with a new aptly-titled release - 'The Really Not Good Times' EP. They also present a lyrics video for lead track '12 Gauge Exit Strategy' (created by Jacob Glover), and a proper video for 'Tommy The Cop' (by Amanda Meade).

Formed in Flint, Michigan in 2019 as a solo project, Arsenic Tea Party today revolves around the duo that is Richard Cynic (vocals, drums, keys, guitar, lyrics) and Ron (Ryan Szewczyk) of Downtown Brownfame on guitar and bass.

An apolitical Rock and Roll outfit dedicated to "poisoning" the minds of honest folk with positive, nihilistic cheer, Arsenic Tea Party exists to make noise and make it fun for everyone - to make things less painful. There's a certain level of whimsy,and levity in this avant-garde metal. At times sardonic in subject matter, this simple but high-energy music has got hooks, and utilizes a wide range of instruments and styles.

Debuting with their eponymous LP in mid-2019, it's been a full year since they released their next single 'Homesick For Hell'.

"Personally, we both have gone through a lot of very strange and terrible things the past two years. From struggling with health issues, losing homes and livlihoods, getting shot and basically coming back from the dead, the pandemic, missed opportunities then, and now, major depression...you get the picture," says Richard Cynic.

"This release, and its future sister release, is an attempt to make sense of the fact that there is no good sense in any of this - and I guess to poke fun at serious issues to minimize their power. Kind of like how a mother bird will regurgitate food for her offspring. This EP is just a sardonic outlook on the absurd nature of everything that is the present or that could be the present - I don't like to date things, haha."

We recorded this release in our homes respectively. Just a homegrown record. I handle the Vocals, Drums, Keys, and Guitar, and Ron handles both Guitar and Bass. For a brief period, ATP had live players, but that was short lived. We aren't in much of a hurry to play live given the circumstances, but we do have prospects and interested parties who are practicing our songs as we speak.

As of February 14, 'The Really Not Good Times' EP is available digitally across all platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be ordered directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Richard Cynic - vocals, drums, keys, guitar, lyrics
Ron (Ryan Szewczyk) - guitar, bass
'12 Gauge Exit Strategy' video by Jacob Glover
'Tommy The Cop' video by Amanda Meade
Album artwork by Erin Kaltrider

TRACKLIST
1. 12 Gauge Exit Strategy
2. Milk of Tragedy
3. Daddy Delicious's Kum Klub
4. Tommy the Cop


Keep with with Arsenic Tea Party
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music |

Liverpool's music mavericks Ernest Moon return with 'Big Wow' single

"Pop punk full of spunk. These Liverpudlians make a great entry, full speed ahead in overdrive and wetting sonic appetites for more of their awesome nonsense... lyrical wit as entertaining as the Sultans of Ping at the best of times" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Hypnotic... Poignant... wholly addictive and reaching back to old-school punk for its influence" ~ Peek-a-Boo Magazine

"Blend of the profound and the profane, the witty and the wise, this sonic route that swerves between belligerent pop, post-punkery, warped indie and the sort of uniqueness that only seems to come from their fair city that makes their music so great" ~ Dancing About Architecture

Liverpool-based outfit Ernest Moon presents 'Big Wow', a short whimsical single they describe as a "throwaway tune about the ways of a working class young'un from round our way sometime in the not too distant past."

In 'Big Wow', the language is straight out the gob of the protagonist....Johnny B.. a sixteen year old skally....with starlit dreams of cars and girls and toilets on every floor.

Ernest Moon are Steven Doran and Brian Murphy, two English no-marks of limited musical ability, brought together by a liking for eggs on toast. Hailing from Liverpool, they offer lush lyrics, heavy hands and a rat-arsed sincerity. Somewhat punky, their sound has been described as pushy pop, "filling the gap between pretentious lyrical art and bog standard pop music".

"The music in this song is the most obvious stuff a couple of crappy musicians of our generation from Liverpool could produce. In Liverpool there is a tradition for poppy rock'n'rolly guitar music so its natural this kind of tune comes out the other end when you start playing. But there is a diversion from the obvious in the song in that the lyrics are more crafted and worked than one would normally encounter in Pap music. Even if we say so ourselves," says Steve.

In the three years of Ernest Moon's existence, they've released two heart-stopping EPs. Their songs are as meandering in style and sound as their musical taste, drawing on influences such as The Blockheads, Arab Strap, Talking Heads and The Specials.

Previously, Brian and Steve supplied the guitars and words for a now-defunct band called Betty Backskuttle, a band they say was infamously vain and famously unfriendly.

'Big Wow' was recorded during the lockdown at Liverpool's Ark Recording Studios by Steve Powell (Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band) and Rory Ballantyne. Several years ago, the band debuted with their 'Ba-jesus' EP, recorded at Orphan Recording in Dublin with Peter Ashmore and Gavin Glass (Paul Brady, John Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Mundy), foreshadowed by the witty drunken single 'Satdeenight Ready'. They followed up with their 'Uh' EP in July 2019.

'Big Wow' is a prelude to the band's impending 8-track release with Violette Records this coming summer "It's a taster of what that release will not sound like. A bit of careless crack while waiting," says Brian.

As of April 29, 'Big Wow' will be available digitally via iTunes and for Spotify. It can already be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Recorded during the lockdown at Ark Recording studios (Liverpool)
Recorded by Steve Powell and Rory Ballantyne
Copyright BoBo records

Steven - guitar and voice

Brian - bass and blowhole

Jake Woodward - drums

Cover photo by Dave Jones

Cover design by Mark Jordon

Blond girl photo by Mickey Rimmer

Girl close up photo by Stuart Lee

Boy and girl kissing photo by Ernest Moon

Keep up with Ernest Moon
Bandcamp | Soundcloud | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | iTunes

DANKO JONES SHARE NEW 'FAN ONLY' SINGLE "FLAUNT IT"

NEW ALBUM 'POWER TRIO' OUT AUGUST 27th on SONIC UNYON

PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE HERE

Canadian power trio Danko Jones are proud to share their new 'fan-only' single "Flaunt It", as well as a lyric video to commemorate the band's 25th Anniversary.

The track follows the lead single "I Want Out" released mid-March. Currently the single has seen success as it hits Top 20 at Canadian Rock Radio. It was also added to The Strombo Show, CBC Music and featured at the likes of Exclaim! Magazine, Louder Sound, and Bravewords among others. Both singles come off of the band's upcoming album, 'Power Trio', out August 27th via the Canadian-based record label Sonic Unyon. Album pre-orders are available HERE!

The album sees Danko Jones delivering each engine-revving riff, soul-shaking stomp, and shout-it-loud hook with a sniper’s precision. It's such a simple, self-evident title, but one loaded with significance, as it speaks to the special triangular alchemy Danko shares with his trusty bass-slinging accomplice JC and drummer Rich Knox. It also stakes out the band’s place on a storied lineage of three-piece titans Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, Rush, Motörhead, Venom, Dinosaur Jr., and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, to name a few.

'Power Trio' follows the band's electrifying, world charting album, A Rock Supreme, released in 2019. It also sees the band once again tapping into the production prowess of Eric Ratz, who previously amped up the bone-breaking boogie of 2017's full-throttle rocker Wild Cat and 2015's bloodlusty Fire Music.

DANKO JONES ONLINE:

Website // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

SONIC UNYON RECORDS ONLINE:

Website // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Mudvayne Reunites After A 12-Year Hiatus

Band To Exclusively Perform At All Four Danny Wimmer Presents 2021 Festivals,

Including Headlining Set At Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival,

As Well As Performances At Louder Than Life, Aftershock & Welcome To Rockville

Mudvayne--one of the most creative and distinctive bands in the aggressive music world--has announced that they’re reuniting after a 12-year hiatus, and will be performing at all four Danny Wimmer Presents U.S. festivals in 2021: Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival (a headlining performance) in Ohio, Louder Than Life in Kentucky, Aftershock in California and Welcome To Rockville in Florida. These dates mark the band’s first shows since 2009 and their only dates this year.

Mudvayne formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning Gold certification for three albums (L.D. 50, The End Of All Things To Come, Lost and Found). The band is known for their sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms. Mudvayne is Chad Gray (vocals), Greg Tribbett(guitar, backing vocals), Matthew McDonough (drums, synthesizer) and Ryan Martinie (bass).

Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents recalls, “In our fan surveys, Mudvayne has consistently been one of the most requested bands – even though they weren’t an active band! We’ve been working for years to make this happen, so when I got the call that they’d finally take a meeting, [DWP Executive VP & Talent Buyer] Gary Spivack and I jumped at the chance to fly to Vegas. We sat down for dinner with Mudvayne, their lawyer Eric German, manager Diony Sepulveda and agent Ryan Harlacher – the band hadn’t even been in the same room together for 10 years – and pleaded our case for why the time was right for this to happen. We were hoping to announce this in 2020, we’re fortunate enough to be able to do it in 2021, and DWP is super pumped to have Mudvayne exclusively at all four of our festivals this year.”

The full list of Mudvayne performances at 2021 DWP festivals is as follows. Specific show dates and performance times will be announced later.

- Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, which takes place September 10-12 at Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. Early bird passes are on sale now. Full lineup announcement coming Tuesday, April 20 at Noon ET.

- Louder Than Life, which takes place September 23-26, 2021 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Early bird passes are on sale now.

- Aftershock – revealed as the “mystery reunion band,” performing on Saturday, October 8 at Discovery Park in Sacramento, California. Weekend passes are sold out, but a very limited number of single day passes are still available.

- Welcome To Rockville, which takes place November 11-14 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Early bird passes are on sale now.

Danny Wimmer Presents is known worldwide for their stellar portfolio of music and lifestyle events, which includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville. DWP recently entered the digital content curation space, promoting pay-per-view concert streams and creating the popular digital series Offstage with DWP and Beyond the Barrel, with new episodes debuting this spring.

For more information on the Danny Wimmer Presents festivals, visit:

www.DannyWimmerPresents.com

www.AftershockFestival.com

www.Inkcarceration.com

www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com

For more information on Mudvayne, visit:

www.facebook.com/mudvayne

www.instagram.com/mudvayne

THE DEAD DAISIES GO LIVE TO AIR WITH A RADIO SHOW LIKE NO OTHER!!!

HOLLYWOOD, CA –APRIL 19, 2021–MONSTERS OF ROCK®, the gold standard of hard rock for over 40 years, welcomes The Dead Daisies to the radio airwaves. Their first radio show entitled “LIVE FROM DAISYLAND” with host Doug Aldrich is live this Wednesday April 21st at 3PM PST.

MONSTERS OF ROCK® RADIOis home to music's greatest hard rock& heavy metal! If Rock & Roll is your religion, this is your house of worship. MONSTERS OF ROCK® is currently heard by over 600,000 listeners a day on the Dash Radio Network.

Influenced by 70’s rock, THE DEAD DAISIES have gone from strength to strength since their debut album in 2013 releasing five studio albums and playing live to a growing army of fans worldwide. With the likes of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Country Communion), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake/Dio), Tommy Clufetos (Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne) and David Lowy (Red Phoenix/MINK), this band is up there alongside the pantheon of legendary rock bands.

“LIVE FROM DAISYLAND” will be nothing short of amazing! Listeners will get insider accessto all things Daisies with a band member or twobeing in-studioeach week. You’ll be able to listen to some amazing rock tunes along with some great stories, the latest Daisies news, new releases, tour gossip, all live from either the studio or out on the road...

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Monsters of Rock Radio and I’m honoured to be the show's debut DJ. This is a first for us, there’s lots of surprises andkick ass playlists every week !! We really hope you enjoy listening and as always, thanks for all your support !” - Doug Aldrich

“I’m excited to bring one of the most authentic bands in rock to the biggest and most authentic brand in live digital radio”. Our partnership with Dash Radio gives rock fans global access to the best rock for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and unencumbered by commercials.”- Harlan Hendrickson, CEO of Monsters of Rock Radio

“Giving brands as iconic as MONSTERS OF ROCK® and The Dead Daisies a 24/7 home to deliver the best audio programming live directly to fans is why we built Dash, I can’t wait to welcome the members of The Dead Daisies to Dash Radio and expand both brands.”- Scott Keeney, CEO of Dash Radio.

So, tune in and turn it up for the first show featuring Doug Aldrich with two hours of rock and fun. The partystarts at 3pm PST Wednesday April 21st and then every Wednesday same time same bat channel! “LIVE FROM DAISYLAND” will re-air on Sunday nights from 8PM to 10PM PST immediately following Rudy Sarzo’s award winning show, “Six Degrees of Sarzo”.

You can listen here: https://www.themonstersofrock.com/ or tune into your local radio station here, get the App and/or Google Play: https://dashradio.com/monstersofrock

German Acapella Metal Innovators VAN CANTO Reveal Energizing New Single and Official Video for “Falling Down”

New Album, To The Power Of Eight, to be Released on June 4, 2021

Pre-Order NOW

The world's most exciting acapella metal masters VAN CANTO return with their energetic and unique Rakkatakka-power and are set to release their highly anticipated, eighth inimitable offering, To The Power Of Eight, on June 4, 2021 via Napalm Records. Prepare for an outstanding vocal attack as the unit has just dropped the new, rousing single “Falling Down”, along with an official music video today!

Since 2006, VAN CANTO have delivered pure vocal power to the metal world and prove that heaviness does not necessarily need riffs and bass lines. “Falling Down” takes off at full speed as a stomping, heroic power metal anthem that leaves no muscle inactive. Both male and female vocals are given space to shine, but also harmonize together as one entity.

VAN CANTO on “Falling Down“:

"'Falling Down' is a VAN CANTO powerhouse, a composition with powerful vocal riffing, endless harmonies and a dramatic arrangement. The lyrics describe the timeless moment of creativity when you feel a melody entering your brain to then materialize into music.

We put our focus on all the details in the vocal arrangements, tying together Sly's heroic lead voice together with Hagen's rough power and Inga's epic smoothness like an eight-knot. 'Falling Down' combines VAN CANTO's trademarks and brings them to life by a combination of a rock'n'roll stage environment, on- and off-stage visuals and a lot of Power of Eight and more, thanks to all the people involved! It is inspired by all work Robert Naumann has done in all previous videos of VAN CANTO. Robs, we love you and we miss you."

German acapella metal at its best!

Bringing pure vocal power to the metal world since 2006, VAN CANTO set the stage for their very own genre and never failed in surprising their fans and beyond, while showcasing that metal can be heavy as hell without any riffage. With their previous full length, Trust in Rust(2018), the German rarity reworked its lineup, consisting of seven members since then. For To The Power Of Eight, the unit once again joined forces with Philip Dennis “Sly” Schunke, who had been the lead singer on their first six studio records. Sly joins lead vocalists Inga Scharf and Hagen Hirschmann on all twelve flawless tracks as third vocalist and special guest. It’s clear that this peerless piece of music was written with three voices in mind: To The Power Of Eight embodies a special sense of common bond and presents VAN CANTOin undeniable peak form!

VAN CANTO on the new album:

“Being able to present an album after 15 years of band history, where three lead singers share the microphone hand in hand, makes us incredibly proud. Due to the pandemic situation we had a lot of time to work on To The Power Of Eight and put all our heart and soul into the compositions, the arrangements and the production. Originally we planned to have Sly as guest vocalist for one song – but it turned out to be twelve in total in the end. If someone would ask for one record to present VAN CANTO the most suitable way, we would choose To The Power Of Eight.”

Pre-order the new album, To The Power Of Eight, NOW

From their own original speed driven tracks, like flaring “Dead By The Night”, raise-your-fist animated “Heads Up High” or mid-tempo, heart-warming “Turn Back Time”, to anthemic heavy metal covers such as Amon Amarth’s “Raise Your Horns”, Iron Maiden’s “Run To The Hills” or AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”, VAN CANTO always manages to easily serve their own unique take with every output. On the one hand, To The Power Of Eight reflects a well experienced collective that has gathered several top 50 entries on the German album charts and played numerous shows around the globe and festivals like 70k Tons Of Metal, Wacken and Masters of Rock. But at the same time, it presents these energetic visionaries of acapella metal, who are far from resting on what they’ve achieved so far.

To The Power Of Eight will be available in the following formats:

-1 CD Digipack

-Digital Album

VAN CANTO is:

Hagen Hirschmann - Lead Vocals

Inga Scharf - Lead Vocals

Ross Thompson - Higher Rakkatakka Vocals

Stefan Schmidt - Lower Rakkatakka Vocals

Jan Moritz - Pad und Backing Vocals

Ingo Sterzinger - Bass and Backing Vocals

Bastian Emig - Drums and Backing Vocals

UPPER LIP SIGNS WITH PRIDE & JOY MUSIC, READIES RELEASE OF DEBUT ALBUM ‘DEEP WITHIN’ + NEW MUSIC VIDEO “KEEP GOING”

German heavy metal/hard rock label PRIDE & JOY MUSIC is happy to announce the signing of the Maltese hard rock group UPPER LIP! Hailing from Gozo (the land of the Megalithic Temples in the heart of the Maltese Archipelago Islands), UPPER LIP spurs nostalgic, groovy hard rock music with a passion to its genre! Their main influences derive from the splendid nature surrounding the beautiful Island and Rock acts such as Rush, AC/DC, Rory Gallagher to the Smiths, Captain Beyond, and even Waylon Jennings!

Since their inception in 2013, the band has played several gigs and festivals on the Islands to a very warm welcome from the rock music fans which swiftly translate to more gig invitations. Fast-forward to 2019, the band embarked on a massive project to work on their first studio album. The recordings took place at Temple Studios (where the likes of Rammstein, Philip Boa, Mike Hedges, and Siouxsie and the Banshees had previously worked).

UPPER LIP recorded 11 original tracks which portrays the groove and live energy that the band is so much noted for.

The album entitled 'DEEP WITHIN' will be released world-wide on May 21st, 2021 via PRIDE & JOY MUSIC, and a music video has already been released for the standout track, “Keep Going,”

The band also has offered insight into each of the albums tracks:

1.Keep Going

The first track on the album ‘Deep Within’. Starts with an energetic raunchy guitar riff and proceeds with the blistering raw vocal verses and the catchy chorus (Let’s keep going on). The lyrics speak about the spur of the moment, the electric connection between two people with all its ups and downs.

2. Marble Arch

A deep and personal song that focuses on the pain that is left behind when things go awry. The bridge and the melodious guitar solos lift the song and paint this picture of love gone by.

3. Skinny Jeans

The Zeppelinesque inspired riff, sets the mood for some old-fashioned blistering rock ‘n’ roll. The song has a good time feel, typical of a crazy Saturday night out!

4. Eyes On Fire

The song speaks about the magic of a rock ‘n’ roll show and the crazy people that sometimes are present. In this case a particular girl who with a kind of sinister stare. She surely enjoyed the show it was as if her eyes were literally on fire!

5. What Makes You Smile

‘What makes you smile’ is a ballad that makes you reflect about moments in our life which are difficult and troublesome. It is also a song which gives hope and courage. Indeed the song takes two perspectives one that reflects on loneliness, “When you feel the pain inside, When you’re lonesome feeling angry” and the other that encourages us to take comfort in things which help us lift our spirits and that we should hang on when life becomes unbearable.

6. Deep Within (Instrumental)

The instrumental track situated right in the middle of the album! Is a guitar oriented track that started by an improvised guitar riff between songs during one particular concert. People loved it and it became a staple anthem during our shows.

7. Mirrors & Masks

The punkish vibe portrayed in this song reflects on some of the down sides of human nature, namely on people who wear a mask, who lie and who deceive and end up driving other people mad.

8. Hide

Another ballad within the album. Hide is an emotional song that reflects on the connection between two people who deeply care about each other, yet destiny brought them apart.

9. Be Free

Be Free is reminiscent of some of the 80’s anthemic rock songs. It is about moving on, being free from the things that drag you down. Thus, the motivational lyrics give a sense of hope and encouragement.

10. Desert Song

This song is a tribute to the Rock music legends of the past who still survive in the songs we write and in the music we play. Despite the current lack of appreciation (desert) that sometimes our genre faces it will still keep going strong.

11. Never Lose Hope

The longest and the final track of the album. The song is a sort of journey which ripples through time. Its long harmonious guitar solos evoke this sense of forlorn yet also create a sense of hope and courage.

To order, download and stream the new ‘Deep Within,’ please visit: https://li.sten.to/upperlip

UPPER LIP consists of Chris Portelli (vocals), Joseph Azzopardi (lead guitars and main songwriter), Paul Cini (rhythm guitar), Marcel Paul Grima (bass guitar), and Silvio Cini (drums).

For more information, please visit:

Band: www.upperlipmusic.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/upperlipband

Instagram: www.instagram.com/upperliprocks

Label: www.prideandjoy.de

Turkish/German symphonic metal band DREAM OCEAN have released the first single off their upcoming studio album.

Fans can check out the dazzling music video for "The Great Silence" here.The track is featured on the band's new album 'The Missing Stone', which they will release independently later this year. Fans who want to know first about all the forthcoming details on Dream Ocean's new album will want to sign up for the band's Indiegogo, which will be launching soon. For more info, visit https://dreamocean.net/landing/en/

Speaking about their new single "The Great Silence", lead singer Basak Ylva shares,

"We’re happy to release our first single 'The Great Silence' which, like the rest of the upcoming album, is not a silent song at all. 'The Great Silence' is one of the latest songs that we created for our next album “ The Missing Stone” and our bass guitarist Sebastian wrote this song within a few hours. I was instantly inspired by the powerful composition that he created so I immediately wrote the vocal lines and the lyrics and we finished the song in a day."

She goes on to add:

"It was the beginning of the lockdown and we were very disappointed by the fact that all concerts had to stop. We musicians had to wait in silence for a long time and we were heading into an unsure future. So I wanted to support the amazing and powerful melodies of the song with a powerful positive mantra. 'Love born among the ruins within the great silence', because we and also many other musicians believe that this hard worldwide situation will give birth to a new normal. We all will be free again and come back even stronger within this new order. We hope our listeners will have the same feelings as us and the song will fill them with hope and positivity."

About DREAM OCEAN:

Dream Ocean is a Symphonic Metal band born in Turkey and now based in Germany. After the successful release of their first album 'Lost Love Symphony', which featured great collaborations with many amazing artists from the Symphonic Metal Scene. The group has chosen to continue on the independent path for their second album 'The Missing Stone,' and leave their distinct fingerprint on it. 'The Missing Stone' showcases both Dream Ocean’s growth as musicians and a band. Since the last album, the band has grown even closer together, and every member’s personal touch can be heard on these new songs.

DREAM OCEAN Lineup:

Basak Ylva – Vocals

Fred Denuell – Guitars

Sebastian Heuckmann – Bass Guitars

Tim Kirchhoff – Keyboards

Patrick Klose - Drums

DREAM OCEAN Online:

Website: http://www.dreamocean.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamoceanband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamocean_symphonicmetal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dreamoceanband

YouTube: http://youtube.com/dreamoceanband

First official single release for out newest addition to the roster. Bitterwood are a hardcore/beatdown/punk influenced 4 piece from Scotland.

Watch the music video streaming live on the Slam Worldwide Youtube channel through the button below and let them know what you think in the comments!

Listen on all streaming services here: https://orcd.co/wh1teno1se

Alternative rock band Don’t Believe In Ghosts released their first single "Put Your Head Back"

Mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons)today via Imagen Records / ADA Warner.

"Love this band and this song ! Very talented group and one to watch" says 
Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Elton John).

The band's full album Solutions will arrive this spring on May 14, 2021.

Pre-Order Solutions at https://dontbelieveinghosts.bandcamp.com/

The night the world shutdown in 2020 Don’t Believe In Ghosts was set to headline Brooklyn's Knitting Factory. This on the heels of two sold-out headline shows at New York City’s Iconic Bowery Ballroom and the band's first U.S. tour, 2020 was lining up to be a breakout year for the band. With touring put on hold just as the band's single "Living Like This" began taking off at radio, singer Steven Nathan and his family were dealt a direct hit as his brother Robert Nathan passed away from COVID 19.

"This band has always been about seeing the light in the darkness. It’s always been about optimism, growth, and lifting people up. There were a few months there where I couldn’t even lift myself up anymore, it became very hard to focus. ‘Put Your Head Back’ is a defiant statement about no longer going down that path and re-aligning who you are and where you are going’ says vocalist Steven Nathan when describing the motivation for the bands new single.

“We have so much new music that is ready to be released and we couldn’t be happier to have Imagen supporting us with their experience in the Music Industry” concludes the bands Bassist Alex Goumas.

A compelling state-of-the-art indie pop band with an eclectic New York City sound. Don't Believe in Ghosts, led by singer/producer and writer Steven Nathan, rose from his home studio in 2017. The band is rounded out by Dan DelVecchio on Guitar, Alex Goumas on Bass, and Ken Yang on Drums.

The bands’ achievements include song features on many TV shows including ‘Ink Master’ and The U.S. OPEN. Don’t Believe In Ghosts teamed up with 8-time Grammy-winning mixer Ken Lewis for their single "Don’t Wake Me Up". The song's video featured famed comedic actor Gilbert Gottfried. "Don’t Wake Me Up" earned more than one million retail and radio plays. In 2019 Don’t Believe In Ghosts sold out their first headlining show at New York City's Bowery Ballroom. In the summer of 2019, the band embarked on their first U.S. tour. "Living Like This," the band's single in 2020 quickly became their most popular, receiving hundreds of radio plays across the U.S. while the music video gained critical acclaim.

“Don’t give energy to the ghosts of your past.” Says Steven Nathan when describing the meaning behind the bands' name. “Worrying about what other people may think can be draining and debilitating.” Don’t Believe In Ghosts amplifies this theme throughout their music.

For More Information Please Visit:

Facebook

Official Website

Argentinian Melodic Death Metal artist PLAGUESTORM has announced the release of his highly anticipated, brand new full length album. Purifying Fire

Purifying Fire will be out on June 4th via Noble Demon!

Founded by Sebastián Pastor in early 2014, PLAGUESTORM delivers a wide range of furious and raging Melodic Death Metal. Sweeping melodies, heavy, dark and melancholic arrangements, mixing the old and new Scandinavian sound of Death Metal, as if it were based on a Swedish manufacturing standard. With 9 brand new tracks full of anger and rage, desolation and sadness, Purifying Fire is in fact Pastor's most mature release to date.

"The new album is a very varied one compared to Mother of Plagues. I have added some elements or compositions that I had not used before and you may notice a sadder atmosphere in some songs“ Sebastián Pastor says and continues: "I suppose that my mood and some situations that I had to go through last year influenced my way of composing and writing."

But not only musically, also thematically, Pastor offers a work full of depth. Just like the stunning artwork (by Artmorfate), several songs on the album share a conceptual connection about how the evolution of humanity negatively interferes with nature, as he explains:

"We have all witnessed how hundreds of forests and jungles in many parts of the world have been devastated by fire. These fires are intentionally started, for commercial gain, whether for real estate, to install nuclear plants, for mining, for the sowing of soybeans or for the installation of hydroelectric plants. I think some people are unaware that all the damage they are causing will soon affect themselves. But nature always prevails."

As on his previous releases, Sebastián Pastor was in charge of composing and writing all the lyrics and music (as well as recording the acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drum prog, and keyboards / synthesizers / strings), while the vocals do come from Mikael Sehlin (Engel). For the guitar solos PLAGUESTORM got the support of Diego Martinez, as well as Pablo Roman, and a wonderful orchestral arrangement for the song "Purifying Fire" was made by Sebastián Nuñez Szymanski.

Purifying Fire will be out on June 4th via Noble Demon and is now available for pre-order HERE

Get PLAGUESTORM's latest releases here:

"Mother Of Plagues"

"Everything’s Gone Wrong"

PLAGUESTORM is: Sebastián Pastor, Guitars/Bass/Drum Programming/Music/Lyrics/Mix/Mastering

Find Plaguestorm online:

Facebook

Instagram

BandCamp

Find NOBLE DEMON online:

Official Website

Facebook

BandCamp

Twitter

YouTube

TikTok

Spotify