HIRAES Drops Second Single, Melodic Death Metal Onslaught “Solitary"

Firestarters HIRAES (ex-DAWN OF DISEASE) Drop Melodic Death Metal Onslaught and Official Video for Title Track “Solitary”

Highly Anticipated Debut Album, Solitary, out June 25, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order NOW!

“Future turns to history

What's your chosen misery?”

German melodic death metal demon HIRAES is set to release its first sonic onslaught to the masses with the long-awaited, fearless debut offering, Solitary, on June 25, 2021 via Napalm Records.

Today, after unleashing their raging first single, “Under Fire”, the unit - comprised of members of the disbanded Dawn Of Disease and with the powerful Britta Görtz (Critical Mess, ex-Cripper) on vocals - sets free their second offering and title track “Solitary”, along with an exciting official video. Heavy-driven riffs evoke a dark and explosive melodic death metal storm fueled by a fierce growling attack, dropping jaws and leaving a long-lasting impression.

Watch the official video for “Solitary”

HIRAES already established its own remarkable identity built upon a smashing femme vocal attack, intense melodies and charging guitars, led by guitarist Lukas Kerk as main songwriter. An atmospheric, instrumental intro introduces the album opener “Shadows Break'', whilst showcasing the impressive vocal onslaught of seasoned frontwoman Britta Görtz shortly after. “Grain Of Sand” sets the next exclamation mark while delivering an unrelenting attack of smashing riffs along with an inexorable vocal performance, followed by standouts such as brutal “1000 Lights”, razor-sharp “Eyes Over Black'' and fast-twitching title-track “Solitary”, proving that HIRAES don’t decelerate for a second.

This massive melodic death metal assault leaves no scope for weakness and serves an exciting take on the genre with hymnlike melodies, enthralling drums and guitar riffing as well as breathtaking hooklines. Topped with the distinctive and versatile performance of Britta Görtz, this powerful new formation and its debut, Solitary, is a must have for fans of bands like INSOMNIUM, AT THE GATES, ARCH ENEMY and AMON AMARTH.

HIRAES say about the album:

“Our debut album Solitary is the result of the collaboration of five musicians who burn with passion for melodic death metal. With its incredible emotional energy, it will captivate fans of the genre in no time. Hymn-like melodies and catchy riffing meet versatile drumming and the very varied growls of our singer Britta. The result is a unique blend of the best that melodic death metal has to offer. Rounded off by stunning sound, refined at Fascination Street Studios under the direction of Jens Bogren, and strong artwork by Costin Chioreanu, we are really more than satisfied with our first album. We can't wait to finally present Solitary to the metal community on June 25, 2021!”

Order the hard-hitting debut album Solitary NOW!

Solitary will be available in the following formats:

- 1 LP Gatefold SILVER

- 1 LP Gatefold BLACK

- 1 CD Jewel Case

- Digital Album

HIRAES are:

Britta Görtz - vocals

Lukas Kerk - guitars

Oliver Kirchner - guitars

Christian Wösten - bass

Mathias Blässe - drums

MAGNOLIA BAYOU Releases Official Music Video for Heavy Rock "Train Don't Stop"!

Mississippi based, Southern Blues / Rock Band MAGNOLIA BAYOU has released the official music video for their new, heavy rock single, "Train Don't Stop". Recorded at Natchez Sound Studio, produced by Burne Sharp, and mixed by Jacquire King/Nashville, "Train Don't Stop" premiered on ROCK & BLUES MUSE.

“A couple of years ago, we had some issues with band personnel. We promptly had a meeting to rectify the issues. During that meeting, our manager made the statement “This train don’t stop for anyone or anything.” Being floored by that statement, singer Drew Fulton jotted it down in his notes for potential use in a future song. Fast forward to 2020 and a worldwide pandemic took the world by storm. The lyric “This Train Don’t Stop” just kept knocking on our door. This song is the 2021 anthem for the people who have just had enough. Despite the odds, we won’t stop.” - MAGNOLIA BAYOU

“'Train Don’t Stop' proves that rock and roll is still very much alive, at least in the hands of Magnolia Bayou. When these four plug in and play, you can’t help but believe in them. If you live for loud, passionate blues/rock, you’re going to want to get behind this band and this song. Do yourself a solid and get onboard right now!" - ROCK & BLUES MUSE

Click to Download / Stream "Train Don't Stop" Online

Click to Purchase / Stream "Strange Place" Online

Forged in the heart of a Mississippi swamp, Magnolia Bayou’s sound is appropriately reminiscent of the golden age of Rock N Roll, and it is simultaneously flavored with a heavy, southern swagger that is distinctively theirs. Their bluesy aura can be traced back to the group’s origins, where they submerged and steeped themselves in their home state’s profound musical wealth; covering the likes of Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Son House and so many more.

Like their musical forefathers, the band spent three years blazing their way through juke joints along the Mississippi Blues trail, before independently recording their debut album in 2018. After its release, they spent the last three years extensively touring the surrounding south, traveling as far as the midwest and the pacific northeast. In that time, they’ve supported many acts such as Whiskey Myers, Wet Willie, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Fantastic Negrito, Tyler Childers, Ian Moore, Aaron Lewis, Bishop Gunn, Black Stone Cherry and most recently Buckcherry. They are set to open for Nightranger at the annual HWY 30 music fest in Filer Idaho on June 24th, of 2021.

In May of 2019, Magnolia Bayou set out to record their follow up album, Strange Place, at Natchez Sound Studio with Bishop Gunn’s very own Burne Sharp at the helm. The record is now available everywhere.

“Echoes of The Rolling Stones, Hendrix & early Aerosmith that come roaring out of your speaker... Strange Place is a transcendent blast of Rock & Roll with Southern Swagger and by any measure, Magnolia Bayou is one of the most crucial bands blowing up in the USA right now” - Rock & Blues Muse

SUNBOMB'S "EVIL AND DIVINE" OUT TODAY!!!

SUNBOMB'S "EVIL AND DIVINE" OUT TODAY!!!

NEW METAL PROJECT FEATURING TWO LEGENDARY MUSICIANS, TRACII GUNS & MICHAEL SWEET

Sunbomb's 'Evil and Divine' cuts NWOBHM stylings with ominous doom, marking an adventurous and completely fresh direction for the L.A. Guns and Stryper veterans whose creative wells have yet to run anywhere near dry.

-Loudwire-

"I think power metal peeps would eat this band up with a spoon. Their second single, “Life,” is even more epic and anthemic than their first single, “No Tomorrows.” It’s got serious Somewhere in Time-era Maiden vibes."

-Metal Sucks-

SUNBOMB is the highly anticipated new musical alliance between two steadfast warriors of the U.S. hard rock/metal scene, Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) and Michael Sweet (Stryper). They have put together an absolute blinder of a heavy metal album, melding influences of classic metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Judas Priest with Tracii's love of metal subgenres, specifically doom metal. The band's debut album, "Evil And Divine" is OUT NOW!

Stream/Purchase "Evil And Divine" HERE: https://orcd.co/sunbomb

Watch the lyric video for the song 'No Tomorrows' HERE: https://youtu.be/s9qF1ehswQI

Watch the video for "Life" HERE: https://youtu.be/mY672AJDa80

Watch the video for "Better End" HERE.

Available on CD/LP/Ltd. Ed. Color LP/Digital. Standard Black vinyl is available from all physical retailers. Limited Edition Red vinyl is available exclusively from the Frontiers' U.S. and EU webstores. Limited Edition Yellow vinyl is available exclusively from Newbury Comics.

Initialized and conceived after Serafino Perugino, President and A&R director of Frontiers Music Srl, reached out to Tracii about working on a new musical project for the label, the idea of a classic heavy metal sounding album was born. The music style on "Evil And Divine" is much heavier than what one would expect from these two musicians and is firmly planted in the 'metal' category. While Tracii wrote the music for the album, the fact that Michael Sweet has been writing/playing in an increasingly heavier style in the latter era, and extremely well-received, Stryper albums made him a very logical choice to sing for the band. And since doom metal, often known for having powerful singers like Messiah Marcolin from Candlemass, was a massive influence on Tracii's songwriting here, Sweet's ability and range were a perfect match.

Line-up:

Tracii Guns - Guitars

Michael Sweet - Vocals

Adam Hamilton - Drums

Mitch Davis - Bass

Johnny Martin - Bass (We Fought)

Follow the Band:

https://www.facebook.com/SunbombMetal

https://www.instagram.com/sun_bomb/

Don't Believe In Ghosts Release New Album SOLUTIONS to all digital outlets via Imagen Records today!

The album is available at

https://songwhip.com/dontbelieveinghosts/solutions

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.

In April, DBIG released their single "Put Your Head Back" that was mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons). The single was at #72 at Alt Radio in its first week with early love from KROQ, KITS, WRRV, KRXP. The band will be featured on a new scripted Apple TV series this summer and was an Alternative Press band to watch for May 2021.

The video for "Put Your Head back" is at over 68k views and can be seen here.

“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

JOURNEY Leading single from the debut album ,from Frctrd

The time has finally arrived. Are you ready? It's been a long wait, but in some cases it's beneficial to not rush perfection, and that applies heavily here with the entity that is FRCTRD. 

The band saw a lot of initial buzz from their self titled EP released back in 2017 featuring hit single "Negative" that is approaching 1 million streams on Spotify alone. Following up a year later with the massive single "Tyrant", the band is back in action to start the rollout of their first every full length project and the first single title is quite the fitting one, as we begin...

"Journey" is the first official installment as we begin, the first stop on this long and treacherous road to the end. Jam packed from start to finish, the track sets the mood entirely for what the listener can expect to come in the next 9 songs on this tracklist to follow. The track is also accompanied by the first of many music videos as well, the band made o goal to make sure to keep fans interested for the remained of the year and certainly met that goal. 

Follow the link right below this to find out for yourself if you're even ready to hear the rest of this masterpiece. Let us know what you think in the comments!

STREAM HERE

ON MY LIFE Newest single from Five AM

Five AM has been keeping up quite the steady pace the past few months ever since the release of their cover "So Done" by one of the highest critically acclaimed millennial pop stars of the newest generation in The Kid LAROI. The cover began to gain traction on their featured spot of the label's annual Got You Covered compilation release, this one being the 5th year in a row successfully and continue to feature a spotlight for incredibly well performed hit tracks of the modern era by bands and artists both singed and unsigned that don't get the attention they deserve. 

Hailing from the Northern Midwest hotspot in Illinois, the band has been steadily capitalizing on each single release up until this point, and continuing to roll of their big bang of a debut release including newly acquired fan favorites in single tracks Wrong and I Can Tell featuring Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Siren and Braden Barrie of SayWeCanFly respectively. 

Hit the link below to be on of the first to hear the sweet sounds of the newest single "On My Life" available everywhere now!

Misplaced releases their debut EP with label We Are truimphant

Misplaced is one of the newest additions to the roster and one with some serious long-term potential in the scene. The 4 piece band resides in the absolute depths of gloomy Glasgow, Scotland all year round, unfortunately. With not much else to do otherwise, they dedicated themselves to spending many hours traveling the country down south for visits with their beloved producer Ian Sadler (ROAM, Homebound) and even more hours in the studio perfecting what is to be the first 5 track release of their career. 

Their debut EP "fell in love with a lie" is live wherever you stream music now. The release consists of singles "ffs" and "fate & fairytales (with SayWeCanFly)" and a handful of music videos for your viewing pleasure on Youtube. 

Dive in deep and get in lost in what is to be a long and fruitful journey with the gang. It all starts here. Click the link below for easy consumption. 

STREAM HERE

Melodic Death Metal artist PLAGUESTORM shares brand new & animated lyric video! "Purifying Fire" to be released June 4th on Noble Demon

Founded by Sebastián Pastor in early 2014, and with two releases that have taken the heavy scene by storm (featuring well known guest musicians such as Björn Strid / Soilwork, Mikael Sehlin / Engel, Fabio Bartoletti / Fleshgod Apocalypse and more), Argentinian solo artist PLAGUESTORM is about to get set for the release of his highly anticipated brand new studio album, out on June 4th via Noble Demon. With a wide range of furious and raging melodic death metal and featuring nine tracks full of anger, desolation and sadness, the upcoming record Purifying Fire is in fact Pastor's most mature release to date.

After the previously- released single “Evolution Towards The Edge”, today PLAGUESTORM has unleashed an animated lyric video for the epic album- title track.

Watch the lyric video for "Purifying Fire" here

"The title track of the album is a song with many changes of rhythm and full of melodies. It begins with quite an epic introduction, but soon everything gets out of control and the speed and blast beats arrive. It is a fast and aggressive song, but at the same time quite emotional, since it's packed with melancholic melodies and many clean, but also fierce vocals. The lyrics are about the fires that have occurred in recent years in many parts of the world. Sometimes I do think that those who cause these great fires will make everything burn, burning ourselves, some people do not understand that their own actions are counterproductive for ourselves. Beyond all the damage, nature always prevails." Sebastián Pastor comments.

RISING INSANE Share New Single & Video for "Meant To Live"

RISING INSANE Share Music Video for

New Single "Meant To Live"

New Album Coming Fall 2021

German metalcore band RISING INSANE have shared their new single "Meant To Live",along with an accompanying music video. It's the first single taken from the band's new studio album, coming Fall 2021 via Long Branch Records.

Listen to "Meant To Live" here: https://orcd.co/risinginsane_meanttolive

Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/2u-HyHM2SiE

Rising Insane commenting on their new single:

"'Meant to Live' is the mental empowerment, the kick-start song to take up the fight against our burdens and depressions. We cannot wait to feel the energy of this song on stage and connect with our audience."

Stream "Meant To Live" Here

Rising Insane is not just the name but also what happened literally to these five guys from northern Germany over the last few years. After their self-released debut album, 'Nation' in 2017, the band gained attention quickly in the German metal scene on shows with Stray From The Path and For Today, as well as a support slot for Annisokay on their 2018 headline run.

In 2019 they played at the Impericon Festival and got signed by Long Branch Records. This led to the band's first label release, 'Porcelain' in November 2019, which received outstanding reviews from around the world and accelerated them into international attention. In the aftermath of the album release, the band kept busy and recorded a well-received cover version of "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd. This cover got the band even more worldwide attention and spread their name even wider. Due to the pandemic, their first headline run had to be cancelled in 2020 and the band decided to stay active, recording an EP named 'Recovered' with even more cover songs, including "Blinding Lights".

Now Rising Insane are back with new music and ready to elevate into an even higher stratosphere. They stay true to their post-hardcore and metalcore roots, but have clearly grown as a band and as individual musicians. The sound is more mature and the songs will not leave any questions as to whether these guys can stay true to their name and keep rising insane!

RISING INSANE Lineup:

Aaron Steineker - Vocals

Sven Polizuk - Guitars

Florian Köchy - Guitars

Ulf Hedenkamp - Bass

Robert Kühling - Drums

RISING INSANE Online

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

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

FORGETTING THE MEMORIES Announce Details For New Album 'Vemod'

FORGETTING THE MEMORIES Announce Details

for New Album 'VEMOD'

New Single & Video for 'The Solstice Rebirth' Out Now

Swedish metalcore five-piece Forgetting The Memories have announced their new studio album 'Vemod' for September 24th, 2021 via Long Branch Records.

'Vemod' is the second LP by the band and has been mixed and mastered by Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Humanity's Last Breath). The 10 new tracks are lyrically haunting and deal with personal setbacks, world-weariness, anger, and melancholy or wistfulness.

Following the album news Forgetting The Memories released their new single "The Solstice Rebirth" along with a music video. The song is the first new track taken from the album 'Vemod' and available now via all digital platforms.

Listen to "The Solstice Rebirth" and pre-order the new album 'Vemod' here:

http://smarturl.it/ftm_vemod

Watch the video for 'The Solstice Rebirth' here.

Forgetting The Memories about the new single 'The Solstice Rebirth':

"This song is about manipulative behavior that occurs more often than it should. We try to put ourselves in the perspective where you are being manipulated into doing things for others' cause. With that, you'll live in that mindset until the darkness has swallowed you whole. You'll become self-destructive and dangerous to others but mostly to yourself."

About FORGETTING THE MEMORIES

Forgetting the Memories combine intricate, head-bang worthy rhythms with melodic choruses that will have you singing along in no time, constructing a unique blend of deathcore and metalcore that is unparalleled in complexity and intensity.

"Monophobia," their first self-released full-length in 2016, was a sprawling labyrinth of ferocious, hard-pounding breakdowns and catchy choruses, peppered with meaningful lyrics detailing deeply personal journeys through issues like battling cancer, losing a friend, and heartbreak. The band continued on this path on their first release with their new label "Long Branch Records". The EP "Known Darkness" was released in 2019 and featured 6 songs, further confirming the band's rapid growth and potential.

Now "Vemod", the second LP of the five Swedes, is a clear further development of the already known trademarks of the band and thus comes across even more intense than its predecessors. The 10 tracks on the new album, which were mixed and mastered by Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Humanity's Last Breath), are lyrically haunting and deal with personal setbacks, world-weariness, anger, and melancholy or wistfulness (="Vemod" in Swedish).

Over the years, Forgetting The Memories have remained true to their particular style, yet have constantly evolved and defined themselves as a truly essential force within the genre.

Forgetting The Memories Lineup:

Bastian Kempe - Vocals

Gustav Holst - Guitars

Adrian Lyxell - Guitars

Lukas Löken Olsson - Bass & Vocals

Johan Blomberg - Drums

Forgetting The Memories Online:

https://www.instagram.com/forgettingthememories

https://www.facebook.com/Forgettingthememories/

SINIESTRO Release New Studio Album 'VORTEXX'

Today marks the release of the new album from Swedish-Chilean blackened thrashers SINIESTRO. The new record, 'VORTEXX', is packed with Siniestro's patented, uncompromising mix of razor-sharp thrash metal riffage, black metal blasting, GG Allin-stained punk brutality. VORTEXX also features guest appearances by Erik Grawsiö from Månegarm and Jens Järvinen of Järnblod on the track "Blod Eld Död".

Buy/Stream VORTEXX Here

VELVET INSANE Ink Deal With Wild Kingdom - Announce New Album 'Rock n' Roll Glitter Suit' for July 16

Swedish rockers VELVET INSANE go wham bam glam and wring the clock back to 1973 in the new music video for “Backstreet Liberace”. With guest appearances from Dregenand Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters on the track, the Swedish glam rockers are in good company.

The band comments:

"We feel very proud about this song and that it breathes and swaggers like it was made in London 1973, but with the modern sound of today. Smooth pop harmonies pumped up by heavy drums and barbed wire guitars, and with a chorus that hits you right where it hurts. On top of it all, we got Dregen and Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters to jump in the back seat, giving us a helping hand in our purpose to keep rock ‘n’ roll alive. It can't get any better than that!"

The track was written by the legendary Sulo Karlsson of the Diamond Dogs who also has produced and wrote the tracks together with the band on the upcoming album 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Glitter Suit'. The eleven-track album manifests Velvet Insane as a rock act to count on for years to come.

'Rock ’n’ Roll Glitter Suit' will see a July 16 release via Wild Kingdom.

Pre-order the album: https://orcd.co/rock-n-roll-glitter-suit

The new, 11-track offering from VELVET INSANE, 'Rock ’n’ Roll Glitter Suit'sounds, breathes and swaggers like it was made in London 1973. Smooth pop harmonies pumped up by heavy drums and barbed wire guitars and singers that wear it well. It brings back memories of a time when Slade, TREX, Bowie & Roxy Music were topping the charts.

From the catchy singalong choruses of the pop gems “Velvet Tongue”, “Riding the Skyways” & “Sound of Sirens” to the frantic boogie energy in barroom stompers “Driving Down the Mountain”, “Backstreet Liberace” & “Spaceage DJ”, it’s the real thing. You also get a glimpse of Ziggy Stardust in the acoustic ballad “Midnight Sunshine Serenade”.

Velvet Insane are a band that plays with their hearts on their sleeves and its satisfaction guaranteed. Dregen and Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters jump in the backseat on “Backstreet Liberace”, and just like Rolling Stones honored the tradition of Muddy Waters blues, Velvet Insane takes on the job to keep rock ’n’ roll alive.

VELVET INSANE Online:

https://www.facebook.com/velvetinsane

https://www.instagram.com/velvetinsane

CHRIS CONNELLY and MONICA QUEEN announce collaborative album, preview 'Tae The Poets' single

"A feel good rating of 10... this track is brilliant and a delightful surprise. It has us eager to hear more from this duo, willing to learn as the reveal these highly relevant personalities in Scotland’s recent history" ~ The Spill Magazine

"A perfect performance... The sauntering beat follows Connelly down the street as he confidently unfurls his storytelling spoken word vocals. The chorus is punctuated with his enthusiastically exclaimed vocals, even as the instrumentation maintains its swaying rhythm" ~ Big Takeover Magazine


Scottish alternative music legend Chris Connelly and vocalist Monica Queen have announced their collaboration for a new album 'The Birthday Poems', a fictionalized account of the romance between Scottish personalities Stella Cartwright and George Mackay Brown and their friendship with Stanley Roger Green.

'Tae The Poets' is the first song to be revealed from this album, to be released on June 15 via Jnana Records. While Stella’s voice is sung by the incomparable Monica Queen throughout the album, this first taster features vocals by Connelly. The clever video for this song was filmed on location at Chicago’s GMan Tavern and created by Derick Smith, who also handles photography, and Matt Walker.

“A very shy George would visit the Rose Street bars of Edinburgh and nurse a pint, hoping to meet his poetic heroes. When invited to join the throng one night by Sydney Goodsir Smith, George, cripplingly shy, did not accept the offer. It would take a little time, and a few more pints of McEwan’s Heavy, before George became a part of the group himself,” explains Chris Connelly.

Named for the poems that George would write for Stella every birthday until she died, 'The Birthday Poems' is a song cycle based on the relationship between celebrated Scottish poet and author George Mackay Brown and his muse Stella Cartwright. It also addresses the platonic relationship between Stella and the Edinburgh born poet Stanley Roger Green, spanning three decades (from the mid 1950s until Stella’s tragic and untimely death in 1985).

With 2021 being the 100th birthday of Orkney-born poet George Mackay Brown, this album represents a sometimes overlooked but very important part of Scottish culture.

Stella started going out with Mackay Brown, with whom she had a deep relationship that turned into a friendship that endured from the 50’s until her death in the ’80’s. It was not always a happy one - neither of the pair were particularly happy, and their love of whisky did not help.

"While she had relationships with many of the poets who would haunt the bars of Edinburgh's Rose Street during the ’50s and ‘early ’60s, her love of literature, art and culture was insatiable, she was never given credit or encouraged in her own art and expression. I hope that this album illuminates the beautiful treasure that she was, and how hugely significant she is to Scottish literature of a certain era. As a child and younger man in Edinburgh, I walked the same streets, drank in the same bars and walked the same hills. I was also lucky enough to be close friends with Stanley Roger Green’s children, who, highly creative in their own ways, greatly informed and inspired my life," says Chris Connelly.

This album was produced by 30-year Connelly collaborator Chris Bruce, a long-time musical partner and band member of Meshell Ndegeocello, who has also worked with Seal, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan, The Waterboys, My Brightest Diamond, Cheryl Crow and Sam Phillips, amongst others. This album also features strings by Dave Eggar and sax by Levon Henry, as well as contributions by Blake Collins and Phil Faconti.

While Monica Queen ronted early 90s band Thrum and released a couple of mellow, introspective albums under her own name with her partner John Smillie, she has gained a reputation as Glasgow's guest vocalist of choice. Her formidable voice is now widely familiar thanks to her vocal turn on Belle & Sebastian's much-loved 'Lazy Line Painter Jane'.

For Chris Connelly, art only moves forward. For almost forty years, he has completed creative pieces ranging from the triumphant to the tragic, from the humble to the hilarious - each time promptly moving on to seek his next inspiration.

Since his nascent beginnings with FiniTribe in his native Edinburgh, Connelly has in excess of twenty solo releases, impressing with their beauty, diversity, earnest intent and wit. He is also a frequent and keen collaborator with other musicians, building on long-established projects with Ministry, The Revolting Cocks and Pigface by evolving and contributing to newer collectives such as Cocksure and The Joy Thieves.

As an explorer of art as a broader endeavour has also issued four books, encompassing the realms of poetry, autobiography, and fictional narrative. For Connelly and Queen alike, 'The Birthday Poems' project feels like the beginning in such an exciting way.

As of May 14, 'Tae The Poets' will be available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music and Spotify. The full album 'The Birthday Poems' will be released on June 15, and can pre-ordered at www.thebirthdaypoems.com.

To celebrate the release of this album, Connelly will perform a short run of limited-seating shows in Chicago, two of which have already sold out. 'An Evening with Chris Connelly' will feature performances of songs from ‘The Birthday Poems’, as well as stories associated with Connelly’s discovery and investigation of the relationship which inspired the album. An online event is also in the works. Links to all events can be found at www.thebirthdaypoems.com.


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

Keep up with Monica Queen
Facebook | Twitter | Press contact

Keep up with Jnana Records
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discogs

Jeff Rouse’s THE GEMINI AFFAIR New Song "You're Perfect" Out Now + Watch The Official Music Video

Jeff Rouse’s dark, post-punk project THE GEMINI AFFAIR released their first single titled "You're Perfect" from The Gemini Affair’s upcoming EP release To…. The single “You’re Perfect” with bonus single track “Whisper To A Moan” are being released on vinyl by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready’s HockeyTalkter Records. All songs and upcoming EP To… are being released digitally by G4L Records. The song dropped April 9th with a premier on Sirius XM Radio Pearl Jam Channel. The live version of “You’re Perfect” recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle will be released May 6th on YouTube.

Founded by Jeff Rouse, The Gemini Affair project began to take shape in 2017. Fresh off the road as a touring musician, Rouse began to write his own songs. He recruited a handful of standouts to get the music on tape. Within weeks, Rouse had a number of songs built out by Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees), Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), Ryan Waters (Sade) and longtime Emerald City rocker, Keith Ash (Star Anna). The self-titled The Gemini EP was produced by Don Gunn and was one of the best-selling records in Seattle upon its release.

With praise from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, Buckcherry’s Josh Todd and radio stations like KJR 950 AM and KISW 99.9 FM, The Gemini Affair has a new six-song EP To… cut, mixed and mastered for fans, and set for release from G4L Records. Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready debuted the EP’s first single, “You’re Perfect,” on his boutique vinyl record label Hockeytalkter, and on Sirius XM Radio Pearl Jam Channel. Part U2, part Foo Fighters, part Soundgarden, the record is all torch, lighting fans forward.

The Gemini Affair is:

Jeff Rouse: Vocals, Guitar (Member of Duff McKagan’s Loaded (Bass, Backup Vocals), Alien Crime Syndicate, Fozzy, Vendetta Red). He has also shared the stage with Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Corey Taylor (Slipknot/ Stone Sour), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, QOTSA, Mad Season), Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart) and many more at major festivals and shows worldwide. 
Keith Ash: Bass (Star Anna, Guessing Game) 
Donn Gunn: Drums (Death Cab for Cutie, Peter Frampton, Soundgarden, King Crimson) 
Ryan Waters: Guitar (Sade, Heart, Liv Warfield) 
Davey French: Guitar (Everclear)

From MIKE MCCREADY, PEARL JAM 
"The members of Seattle's The Gemini Affair are not only incredible musicians, but they are dear friends of mine. I've been fortunate to share the stage with Jeff Rouse & Keith Ash countless times, and I'm stoked to release a single with them! The songs "You're Perfect" and "A Whisper To A Moan" exhibit a modern take on their classic rock influences! Enjoy the songs and look for them live sometime down the road!" 
~ MIKE MCCREADY, Pearl Jam

From DUFF MCKAGAN, GUNS N ROSES/ LOADED 
“Jeff worked very hard to find his sound on this brilliant record. The confluence of his post-punk heroes 'The Cure" and ' Killing Joke', mixed with the straight-up rock n roll motherfucker that he is, makes for the really godamn epic 'Gemini.” 
~ DUFF McKAGAN, Guns N Roses/ Loaded

From JOSH TODD, BUCKCHERRY 
“I love the melodies and the EP’s interesting take on the concept kept me totally engaged!” 
~ JOSH TODD, Buckcherry

“The Gemini has traces of New Order and Depeche Mode, but it’s not a throwback or nostalgic. It hits harder and it carries the torch forward, rocking in a way that it’s influencers never quite did” ~ NABIL AYERS, US Label manager at 4AD

“The Gemini has an incredibly dark and powerful vibe to it, while also being catchy throughout. I instantly fell in love with the songwriting on this EP!” ~ STEVE MIGS, BJ & Migs, Mornings, 99.9 KISW, Seattle

“The Cult meet The Cure in a back alley Seattle street fight!” ~ “Iron” Mike Savoia

For Media Inquiries, contact Shauna O’Donnell at sobandpromos@gmail.com.

The Gemini Affair Online:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

BandCamp

G4L Records Online:

Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

HockeyTalkter Records Online:

Official Website

Facebook

It's A "Catastrophe" For Atreyu + Their Famous Friends — WATCH💥

NEW ALBUM BAPTIZE OUT JUNE 4

"Haters gonna hate. Potatoes gonna potate."

Wait, what?

Tune in and find out HERE.

What do Nothing More,Trivium, Ice Nine Kills, Hyro the Hero, Bad Wolves, and Silverstein have in common?

Tune in and find out HERE.

Atreyu will release their new album, the John Feldmann-produced Baptize, on June 4 via Spinefarm Records.

Pre-order it here.

BAPTIZE TRACK LISTING:

"Strange Powers of Prophecy"

"Baptize"

"Save Us"

"Underrated"

"Broken Again"

"Weed"

"Dead Weight"

"Catastrophe"

"Fucked Up"

"Sabotage Me"

"Untouchable" Feat. Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach

"No Matter What"

"Oblivion" Feat. Matt Heafy of Trivium

"Stay"

"Warrior" Feat. Travis Barker

ATREYU ARE:

Brandon Saller — Vocals

Dan Jacobs — Guitars

Travis Miguel — Guitars

Portner McKnight — Bass + Vocals

Kyle Rosa — Drums

STORMRULER Announces Free "Under The Burning Eclipse" Album Release Performance

St. Louis Black Metal Duo STORMRULER Announces Free Under The Burning Eclipse Album Release Performance

Stream HERE via Black Metal Promotion on Release Day, May 28, at 12pm PDT/3pm EDT/9pm CEST!

Debut Album, Under The Burning Eclipse, out May 28, 2021via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

The banners of imperial black metal brigade STORMRULER are flown high!

Fast-rising St. Louis, MO, USA based black metal export STORMRULER will release their infernal, fantasy battle-inspired full-length offering, Under The Burning Eclipse, on Friday, May 28 via Napalm Records, and are thrilled to announce that fans will be able to experience their sinister mastery in all its glory on the very same day - from their own homes!

On May 28 at 12pm PDT/3pm EDT/9pm CEST, Black Metal Promotion will stream the band's very first performance virtually, for free, in celebration of the new album's release. STORMRULER says about the stream:

"We’re incredibly excited for everything to finally make it to this point and we can’t think of a better way of saying thank you for the all the support this early on.

We’ve got two very close friends of ours helping fill out the live lineup - Marcus Newstead (Fister, Daybringer) doing a bang up job on second guitar duties, and Tim Kutterer (Bastard, Lightning Wolf) crushing it on the low end. We’ve all been grinding hard as hell to get these songs ready to show everyone, and I think it shows. This might be the inaugural STORMRULER set, but it will be just a sample of what’s to come.”

Watch the stream HERE on May 28 at 12pm PDT/3pm EDT/9pm CEST!

STORMRULER – featuring the dark lyrical genius and deft skill of guitarist/vocalist Jason Asberry and drummer Jesse Schobel – have built a noteworthy subterranean following since their formation, leading to their recent signing with Napalm Records. Combining unrelenting black metal atmosphere and vision from varying metal genres with a brutal, modernized twist of inspiration, careful listeners may just be able to identify themes from some of their favorite stories, games and more…

Featuring 19 tracks alternating between ominous instrumental ambience and incendiary black metal riffs and fury, the album tells harrowing tales of war, death, victory and defeat, and delivers an unmatched, hellscaped auditory experience. Creeping in like menacing sonic smoke, instrumental ambient intro track “Shine Of Ivory Horns” launches directly into opener “Reign Of The Winged Duke”, instantly careening into a cascade of pummeling drums and charred riffage. Under The Burning Eclipse evenly ebbs and flows between warning mystical atmosphere and ghastly action, evident on the likes of blackened headbobbers “Age Of Steel & Blood”, “Dawn Of The Eternal Fire” and unrelenting 8+ minute title epic “Under The Burning Eclipse”. Standout burner “Of Hollowed Souls & Distant Flame” looks to the north with archaic screams and memorable, colossal progressions, while combat-ready tracks like “At The Cliffs Of Azure City” incorporate ruminations of classic heavy metal combined with scorched, war-torn percussion. The album traverses desolate musical peaks and valleys before closing with the otherworldly brutality of “Fear The Old Blood” – a non-stop onslaught of black metal attack – and ambient, acoustically-driven finisher of olde “Fields Of Mortal Shame”. Under The Burning Eclipse is a solid hour of fantasy-laden, grim fables transfixed in blackened scourge. Fans of extreme metal will not want to miss this debut offering from the mighty STORMRULER!

Pre-Order Under The Burning Eclipse HERE

Under The Burning Eclipse will be available in North America in the following formats:

-CD Digipack

-2LP Gatefold Vinyl Black

-Limited DieHard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Vinyl Orange/Black Splatter + Slipmat & Logo Patch (Napalm Mailorder Only – only 200 copies worldwide)

-2LP Gatefold Transparent Orange (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 300 copies worldwide)

-Digital Album

STORMRULER is:

Jesse Schobel - Drums

Jason Asberry - Vocals & Guitars

NEW AUDIO ALERT! Brother Against Brother "Deadly Sins"

SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT JUNE 11, 2021

We have loved seeing all the great feedback for the upcoming self-titled debut album from Brother Against Brother, which features co-lead vocalists Nando Fernandes and Renan Zonta (Electric Mob). The band has just released a third single, 'Deadly Sins'. Awesome melodic metal!

Listen to “Deadly Sins” on YT: https://youtu.be/qg2kM8ANkAA

Pre-order/save "Brother Against Brother" HERE: https://orcd.co/brotheragainstbrother

Watch videos from the album below:

“Valley Of The Kings” (music video) https://youtu.be/EzCyF45qsMw

“Demons In My Head” (lyric video) https://youtu.be/N7JN2WQ2ccw

Conceived by Serafino Perugino, President and A&R director of Frontiers Music Srl, Brother Against Brother is meant to showcase these two amazing vocalists to a larger global audience outside of their homeland of Brazil. Nando Fernandes is one of the most established, popular rock/metal singers in Brazil and he is paired here with one of the hottest vocal talents of the new wave of hard rock bands from the Frontiers label, Renan Zonta of Electric Mob. Together, they are on fire on this magnificent melodic metal album written for them by none other than Alessandro Del Vecchio (JORN, Revolution Saints, Edge Of Forever).

While Brazil is quite obviously rich in musical talent in the rock and metal world, these two singers are some of the best on the planet and are ready for the world stage. Get ready for one of the most exciting releases of the year in the self-titled debut from Brother Against Brother! Fans of rich, powerful melodic metal and powerful rock and metal vocals will want to have this on their 'must hear' list for 2021.

Line-up:

Renan Zonta: vocals, backing vocals

Nando Fernandes: vocals, backing vocals

Alessandro Del Vecchio: bass, keyboards, backing vocals

Jonas Hornqvist: guitars

Michele Sanna: drums

VALENCE Premiere “If You’re Not Into the Whole Brevity Thing"

New York instrumental prog-metal outfit VALENCE has partnered with the folks at Metal Injection to premiere their new music video. Fans can check out the video for their new single "If You're Not Into the Whole Brevity Thing" at the link found here. The new video is the first from the band since the release of their 2019 full-length 'Cognitive Dissidents', which PopMatters praised as "relentlessly intricate and unpredictable"

Speaking about the new, 'Big Lebowski' inspired video, Geoff Schaefer (guitar/keys) comments, “Obviously we’re all Big Lebowski devotees—I’m actually a Dudist priest—so it only felt right to make an homage to what’s clearly the greatest movie of all time.”

Chris Romano (drums) adds, “If anyone was wondering if we're into the whole brevity thing, the answer is no.”

About VALENCE

New York's VALENCE takes instrumental progressive metal to new heights through their eclectic compositions and energetic live show. The band joins disparate styles in a fusion of metal, jam, classical, jazz, and more. Heavy Blog is Heavy describes their music as "well made, passionate, and considerate instrumental progressive metal, very obviously indebted to the classics but also dedicated to sounding like its own thing." They won an Independent Music Award for "The Reckoning," off of their 2014 EP, Laser Baron, the follow up to their 2012 debut Sleepwalker.

Between the awards and rave reviews, the band has developed a reputation as a crushing force in the New York music scene and beyond. They’ve played music festivals including ProgDay and NXNE, official after-parties for Dream Theater and Clutch at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY, as well as opening for acts such as Scale the Summit, Consider the Source, Black Crown Initiate, and Car Bomb.

The band released their latest full-length album, Cognitive Dissidents, on April 12, 2019. In its premiere of the second single, “Preferred Nomenclature,” Gear Gods wrote “there are no moments that make you wish this track had vocals, which says something about both the melodic content of the song and Valence’s ability to craft a well-thought-out and substantial piece of music.” PopMatters described the full album as “relentlessly intricate and unpredictable—yet remarkably unified and welcoming—a bit of wordless storytelling that will captivate fans of progressive rock.”

VALENCE Lineup

Chris Romano - Drums

Geoffrey Schaefer - Guitar/Keyboard

Michael Buonanno - Guitar

Will 'WilHelmus!' Sapanaro - Bass

VALENCE Online:

www.valence.band

www.facebook.com/valencemusic

www.youtube.com/valenceband

www.instagram.com/valenceband

AXEL RUDI PELL to Release New Covers Album "Diamonds Unlocked II" in July!

German hard rock guitar wizard AXEL RUDI PELL has finished recording and mixing his latest album “Diamonds Unlocked II”, set for release on July 30th 2021 on Steamhammer/SPV. The successor to last year’s top 5 album “Sign Of The Times” is the follow-up to his 2007 cover recording “Diamonds Unlocked”. Pell’s carefully considered decision not to release brand-new material for the first time in almost 15 years is mainly based on the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions on live concerts. The 61-year-old explains that “it makes no sense at all to put out new songs that we will not be able to perform live.”

AXEL RUDI PELL had been flirting with the concept of “Diamonds Unlocked II” for two or three years, and he’s also aware of the vast number of cover versions currently floating on the Internet, which he sees as a challenge. Of course it depends on the selection and variety of the material, but first and foremost it is the transformation of each individual track that matters. The result is so outstanding that he is justly proud of his latest offering. “Without patting myself on the back too loudly – this is an album worth listening to from start to finish.” Instead of delivering every single note so that it sounds exactly like the original, a cover album should, above all, be fun. And entertain and inspire the listener, an audio algorithm which makes you get out the original versions or the whole back catalogue of the artists presented. In this respect, “Diamonds Unlocked II” is an offer that no self-respecting hard rock fan can refuse.

"Diamonds Unlocked II" will be released on July 30th, 2021 through SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations:

=> DigiPak incl. poster

=> 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, black vinyl, printed inner sleeves

=> Download / Streaming

Pre-Order Link: smarturl.it/ARPDiamondsUnlocked

=> 2LP Gatefold exclusive coloured editions only at the Napalm shop

Pre-Order Link: https://napalmrecords.com/english/axel-rudi-pell

=> Exclusive CD/LP Bundle with a T-shirt only at the Steamhammer shop

Pre-Order Link: https://shop.steamhammer.de/artists/axel-rudi-pell/store

Line Up:

• Johnny Gioeli - Lead and Backing Vocals

• Axel Rudi Pell - Lead and Rhythm Guitars

• Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards

• Volker Krawczak - Bass

• Bobby Rondinelli - Drums

ERDVE Unveils New Album Details, Shares First Single

Experimental Sludge outfit ERDVE will be releasing their new album 'Savigaila' via Season of Mist on July 23! The band has also revealed the album art, tracklist, and additional details, which can be found below. In conjunction with the announcement, ERDVE has shared the first single, "Lavondėmės," along with an official music video that was created entirely by the band! Watch and listen here.

The band comments: "'Lavondėmės' in the Lithuanian language is a word describing Livor mortis, also known as hypostasis, which is an accumulation of stagnated blood causing a purplish red skin colour of a deceased body. This song and video is a metaphor for inner stagnation and an overwhelming effort to overcome it. The idea is closely related to the main theme of the album 'Savigaila' which translates as 'self-pity.' The visual is portraying a sense of helplessness in a search for meaning through an endless mind clutter. Being obstructed by senseless actions, it is difficult to maintain directional movement and therefore even more difficult to accept responsibility for your own self, being able to create your own meaning to break free from stagnation and therefore achieve happiness."

Pre-orders are now liveHERE

Style: Experimental Hardcore Sludge

Crushing insanity drips atmospherically out of every crack on 'Savigaila', experimenting with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal.

When ERDVE formed in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in 2016, the band had a clear aesthetic vision of creating a unique heavy sound that experimented with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal – yet was not bound by any unwritten “rules” surrounding those genres. ERDVE’s members had already been active in their local scene and performed in various acts such as NYKSTA, SRAIGĖS EFEKTAS, and SPIRALE. A self-made tape version of their debut made its rounds in underground circles and the Lithuanians received the rare honour of being picked straight out of the dreaded demo pile by virtue of their musical strength and compelling quality.

The core ideas behind ERDVE are translated into lyrics, visuals, and sound by in-depth reflection on concepts such as domestic violence, utmost disgusting behaviour, crimes against humanity, and extremism. Their debut album 'Vaitojimas', released in 2018 by Season of Mist, delivered exactely that!

The new offering 'Savigaila', which translates as "self-pity", revolves around overcoming the numbness within the great challenges of unsettling reality, and accepting them as they are. Regret, envy, self-regard, love, care and togetherness. From completely understandable to the most unreasonable sense. This idea is turned into melodies, rhythm, and sound by ERDVE on the bands upcoming sophomore album.

But make no mistake, ERDVE successfully transformed these melodies into a new unnerving experience on how THEY perceive life and with 'Savigaila', you may find that enjoying life, can be entirely implausible...

Join ERDVE on their next journey into the Baltic darkness!

Line-up:
Vaidotas Darulis – guitar, vox, recording, visuals
Valdas Voveraitis – drums, visuals
Karolis Urbanavičius - bass, piano

Producer / sound engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced
Mixing studio and engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced
Mastering studio and engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced

Cover artwork artist: Vaidotas Darulis

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/ErdveSavigaila

Available formats:
Digital
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold Black
12" Vinyl Gatefold Crystal Clear & Black Marbled (250 copies)

For more on ERDVE, visit the band's official FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and BANDCAMP.