“We wanted to write a really fun, 90s pop punk song influenced by the bands we grew up listening to," shares vocalist Shaun Diviney, "blink-182, NOFX, Good Charlotte kind of vibes. We really wanted it to be fast and energetic, I love Bradie’s drums just powering through the whole song.”
NEW ALBUM REFLECTIONS OUT AUGUST 11 VIA SHARPTONE RECORDS
Yorkshire melodic metallers Caskets, who recently announced their new album Reflections for an August 11 release on SharpTone Records, have today released an affirming new single "Better Way Out."
Watch the video below.
Speaking of the track, frontman Matt Flood says, "'Better Way Out' is a song that relates to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. It's a song about noticing and understanding the trials and tribulations of life, about rising above the feelings of depression and anxiety and knowing your self-worth. To have somebody say that they see you and they hear you, or to have a community by your side while you go through these daily battles, isn't something afforded to everybody. So many of us can blindly walk through the barriers that we build inside our heads, alone without a shoulder to cry on or a friend to lend an ear."
He continues,"No matter what you've been through and might still be going through... there are always routes out of your situation. You are strong, you are beautiful, you are loved, and you are enough. Don't walk that road alone. We all need each other."
There's an art to looking back. For Caskets, it could have been easy to plough forwards regardless, riding the wave of success from their breakthrough debut Lost Souls (over 80 million streams to date), that opened tours up across the United States and mainland Europe, and secured appearances at landmark festivals Download and Slam Dunk. But having swapped the bedrooms that fostered album number one for countless hours on the road, reflecting on that journey and the decisions that led them down certain paths quickly became unavoidable.
If Lost Souls was primarily driven by Flood's personal experiences, Reflections delivers a wider picture of Caskets as a whole, borne out of the usual interpersonal differences that all bands face at least once in their career. For some it marks the end, but for others, it fosters a collaborative environment that pushes the music well beyond what has come before.
The result reflects each individual member of Caskets, with Matt joined by guitarists Benji Wilson and Craig Robinson, bassist Chris McIntosh, and drummer James Lazenby. The record has more upbeat moments that carry impactful melodies, upping the ante from Lost Souls with considered force, while the powerful ambient moments play out with real finesse.
In a step away from the singular retellings of Lost Souls, the Dan Weller (Bury Tomorrow, Enter Shikari, Holding Absence)-produced Reflections is a series of individual lessons, looking back at a specific moment in one of the band member's lives; a thought, feeling, or events, and how that moment shaped the present.
"Reflections shows how much more we can get out of the band musically if we all put our heads together a bit more," Flood beams, positive about a record that not only showcases Caskets as a full entity but represents the impressive range of influences that have soundtracked the five piece's times on the road and in the studio, helping to rapidly expand their sound. "It's always about the music, that’s the whole point of being in a band," he concludes. "If we can fit as much into our sound but it still sounds like us, that's my lifelong goal with Caskets."
Pre-order Reflections here.
With the succesful Spring run of their 2023 EVIL EYE TOUR disrupted by GROOVIE MANN's injury and subsequent hospitalization in Texas, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT has announced that they will be returning to those missed cities with their Summer run starting in August! Starting in San Jose, CA at The Ritz, previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled shows where indicated below, and the band has added a handful of new dates as well.
“Somewhere along the road between Las Vegas and Texas, Groovie Mann acquired a serious staphylococcus infection in his hand, which quickly spread up his left arm. Initially, he wasn’t responding to antibiotics and ended up in a Dallas hospital where he underwent numerous tests, IV drips and medications. Luckily, the doctors were able to contain the infection and were able to release Groovie with oral antibiotics after spending 9 days in the hospital. Unfortunately this caused the band to postpone over a weeks worth of shows and most of the dates have now been rescheduled for August."
EVIL EYE 2023 Tour Dates:
08/13 @ The Ritz - San Jose, CA
08/16 @ Crocodile Showroom - Seattle, WA *
08/17 @ Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR *
08/18 @ Volcanic Theatre - Bend, OR
08/20 @ Goldfield - Roseville, CA
08/22 @ Soundwell - Salt Lake City, UT ^
08/23 @ Mesa Theater - Grand Junction, CO
08/24 @ Oriental Theater - Denver, CO *
08/26 @ Artifice - Las Vegas, NV
10/19 @ Turner Hall Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI
10/20 @ Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN
10/21 @ Wildwood - Iowa City, IA
10/23 @ Vogue - Indianapolis, IN
10/24 @ King Of Clubs - Columbus, OH
10/25 @ Mr Small's - Pittsburgh, PA
10/26 @ SoundStage - Baltimore, MD
10/27 @ Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
10/29 @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre - Somerville, MA
10/31 @ Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
11/01 @ HMAC - Harrisburg, PA
11/02 @ TempleLive - Cleveland, OH
11/03 @ Crofoot Ballroom - Pontiac, MI
11/04 @ Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
* Rescheduled Show - Previous Tickets Honored
^ Rescheduled Show - New Tickets Required
Buy 'Sinister Whispers IV: The Bedroom Tapes (1987-1988)' Physical CD
Purchase / Stream 'Sinister Whisperz IV: The Bedroom Tapes (1987-1988)' Online
Hailing from Chicago’s renowned Wax Trax! Records stable of artists, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT have been conjuring up sonic tales of sex, blasphemy and kitschy horror since 1987. The band helped develop the industrial music genre, yet have continued to expand their style, creating one of the most diverse repertoires in modern music. Electronic rock, heavily influenced by both disco and funk can best describe their sound, while spoken-word samples lifted from B-movies gives the band their signature mark. They have released 14 studio albums, a slew of remix compilations, and have contributed to a variety of soundtracks and film scores, including a cameo performance in the 1994 cult movie classic The Crow.
Artist Franke Nardiello and musician Marston Daley, two Chicago neighbors who enjoyed late night binges watching trashy exploitation films and horror flicks, wanted to make their own movie to be called “My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult”. While the project never came to fruition, they wrote some music to be the accompanying soundtrack. Both worked at the Wax Trax record store, and when label founders Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher heard the songs, they were intrigued. Using the film title as the name of the band, they released a 3-song EP in early 1988. The response was overwhelming, and it was clear fans wanted to hear more.
Taking the stage names Groovie Mann (Nardiello) and Buzz McCoy (Daley), the duo began to focus on music full time. They created an occult meets leather biker image to compliment the band’s name which included enlisting a bevy of voluptuous back-up singers / dancers known as the BOMB GANG GIRLZ. In June of ’88, they flew to label mate Luc Van Acker’s studio in Belgium to record their first album, I See Good Spirits and I See Bad Spirits. It was recorded in just ten days, and mixed in another ten days at Southern Studios in London. The fans ate it up! They followed up with two hard-hitting dance floor 12” tracks - Kooler Than Jesus (1989) and Cuz It’s Hot (1990), which features no-wave chanteuse Lydia Lunch on vocals. The New York Times wrote, “Sex, blasphemy, big beats and go-go dancing; they’re all in a day’s work for My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult”. This attracted the attention of indie fans, as well as the ire of the PMRC and conservative religious groups in practically equal measure. By the time of their sophomore release, Confessions Of A Knife (1990), they were far and away one of the biggest selling acts on the label.
1991 saw the release of their third album, Sexplosion!, a calculated sonic and visual departure from their previous work. 1950’s pin-up models replaced the demonic imagery, while sleazy stripper horns, disco beats and house diva vocals (provided by artist Shawn Christopher) took prominence over the more abrasive musical elaments.They put together a provocative stage show, complete with spinning police lights, mirror balls and a stocked bar with bartender to serve the scantily clad musicians and dancers while they performed. Alternative Press reviewed the show as “Sin-sational!”, while Melody Maker described it as “A Cabaret from Hell”. It was a huge success, and the album sold so well (fueled by the phenomenal radio hit “Sex On Wheelz”) that the group signed a deal with Interscope Records shortly afterwards and released two more albums - 13 Above the Night (1993), and Hit & Run Holiday (1995).
Hollywood also embraced the KULT, recognizing the unique cinematic aspect in their sound. Most notably, the band scored five songs for animator Ralph Bakshi’s Cool World (1992) and wrote the lap dance song for director Paul Verhoven's saucy Showgirls (1993). Comedies BASEketball and The Flintstones Movie prominently feature songs from the Hit & Run Holidayalbum. They have been roasted by MTV’s Beavis & Butthead, and were written into the story line of the film Sexy Evil Genius which also features the song "A Daisy Chain 4 Satan”. Most recently the club hit “Kooler Than Jesus” can be heard blasting in Season 3 of the Netflix series Narcos.
The band moved to Rykodisc in 1997 and re-released their entire remastered / repackaged catalog, along with five more studio albums, including an homage to 70’s disco era called Gay Black & Married, and the sultry and decadent Filthiest Show In Town (2007). They also formed their own label, SleazeBox Records, in 2001, enabling the release of a growing number of side-projects in addition to new TKK material.
Today SLEAZEBOX.com boasts the complete THRILL KILL KULT catalog, in addition to related works such as Mann’s DARLING KANDIE, and McCoy’s self titled projects. They continue to work with Wax Trax! Records for the purpose of re-issuing special limited edition vinyl. Buzz and Groovie still record and perform live along with veteran band mates Mimi Star (bass) and Justin Thyme (drums), all the while making a reputation for themselves as one of the most notorious and controversial cult bands of their generation.
INTRODUCING... ASINHELL
BAND FEATURES VOLBEAT'S MICHAEL POULSEN, MARC GREWE (INSIDIOUS DISEASE, EX-MORGOTH), + MORTEN TOFT HANSEN (RAUNCHY)
DEBUT ALBUM IMPII HORA OUT SEPTEMBER 29 VIA METAL BLADE RECORDS
BAND SHARES "FALL OF THE LOYAL WARRIOR" LYRIC VIDEO
For more than 20 years, vocalist/guitarist Michael Poulsen has been spearheading Danish rock and roll machine Volbeat, releasing eight full-lengths, selling millions of albums, and filling stadiums worldwide. Before fronting Volbeat, however, Poulsen formed death metal band Dominus, which recorded four fast, brutal albums in the mid '90s. When Poulsen was putting together songs for Volbeat's 2021 album, Servant of the Mind, he wrote a bunch of death metal riffs and saved them on his phone. Then, when he was done with the Volbeat record, he reopened the rusty gates to Armageddon and started putting together songs for his new death metal band Asinhell, whose debut album Impii Hora (Latin for Ungodly Hour), is a tribute to Poulsen's favorite old-school groups. The songs are rooted in crushing riffs yet injected with strong guitar hooks and shout-along refrains.
Impii Hora will be released September 29 via Metal Blade. Pre-order it here.
"We're very excited to share the first taste of Asinhell with 'Fall of the Loyal Warrior,'" says Poulsen. "The song is kind of a tribute to bands I love, like Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Autopsy, Grave, and Darkthrone. They're the reason why we can do this in the first place, and we're proud to wear our influences on our sleeve. The album was inspired by late '80s and early '90s old school death metal, and one of our brightest points of inspiration was the mighty Death, fronted by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner. There's a lot of Death in there. Schuldiner is one of my favorite death metal vocalists, the other being our vocalist Marc [Grewe]. So to me, this song is the combination of two of my favorites. 'Let the metal flow,' as Chuck would have said!"
While Poulsen sings in Volbeat and sang for Dominus, he didn't want to front Asinhell. So, in March 2022, he called his old friend, ex-Morgoth singer Marc Grewe (Insidious Disease) and invited him to join the party. "I had known Michael quite a long time and he always mentioned that we should do a death metal project one day, but I never took him too seriously because he was so busy with Volbeat," Grewe says. "Then he called for real and said, 'Yeah, I want to do it now. Are you up for it?' Immediately, I was 'Yes, of course!'"
After considering drummer friends from established bands, Poulsen asked Morten Toft Hansen from Danish group Raunchy to join. Not only does Morten play like a fiend possessed, his and Poulsen's six-year-old daughters are good friends… and, it takes just 10 minutes to drive to Morten's place.
The two veteran musicians started practicing and completed a full song almost every time they got together. Grewe was tied up at home in Germany when it came time to write the vocals, so Poulsen sent the singer phone recordings from rehearsals to start the process. Through Poulsen and Toft Hansen's years of experience and renewed hunger to destroy, they captured a firestorm in a bottle.
Asinhell went from being a mere idea to recording the piledriving full-length Impii Hora in about a year. Poulsen asked Volbeat's management to help find a home for Asinhell and was thrilled when they mentioned that Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel would love the band. As soon as he heard Impii Hora, Slagel made Asinhell a top priority. "It's such a dream come true for me to get to be on fucking Metal Blade Records," Poulsen exclaims. "When they said they wanted to put out the album, I felt like I was 17 years old again. I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm making a deal with Metal Blade! How cool is that?' It was like I was finally getting the record deal I dreamed of when I was a teenager."
The album will be available in the following formats:
*Jewel case CD
*180g Black Vinyl (Europe excl.)
*Crimson Red Marbled Vinyl (Europe excl.)
*White Vinyl (Europe excl., ltd. 1000)
*Gold/Black Dust (EMP excl., ltd.300)
*Clear w/ Red/White Splatter Vinyl (Europe Band store excl., ltd. 500)
*Silver Vinyl (US excl.)
*Silver w/ Red Splatter Vinyl (US. excl.)
*Black & White Melt Vinyl (US excl.)
*Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (US Band store excl., ltd. 500)
ASINHELL ARE:
Michael Poulsen — Guitar
Marc Grewe — Vocals
Morten Toft Hansen — Drums
THEODOR BASTARD have been polishing up their impressive record collection. Over the past year, they've reissued two of their most-acclaimed albums, starting with 'Vetvi', followed by 'Oikoumene', which arrived earlier this month and included three unreleased songs and a re-imagined tracklist.
But you really need to see them live. While they're often recognized for the mystic melodies of vocalist Yana Veva or Fedor Svolotch, who started Theodor Bastard 20 years ago, the seven-piece band are known around the globe for weaving Nordic strings, primeval flutes, dark wave, trip-hop, tree roots and even human bone into an otherworldly performance of Karelian neofolk.
This summer, Theodor Bastard are celebrating the reissues of 'Vetvi' and 'Oikoumene' with two special outdoor concerts. They'll start by visiting Menshikov's Garden in their native St. Petersberg on July 20, before gracing the VK Summer Stage in Moscow on July 27. Both shows will feature new choreography and songs that the band has never performed live, including "Mama Terra".
07/20 St. Petersburg @ Menshikov Garden [TICKETS]
07/27 Moscow @ Summer Stage [TICKETS]
Order 'Vetvi' HERE
Order 'Oikoumene' 10th Anniversary Reissue HERE
THEODOR BASTARD’s music is set out to take listeners to unexplored and other worlds. From the cold and twilight realms of the marshy swamps of taiga and mossy tundra, to unexplored places where the earthly plane and the spiritual world are separated only by a thin ghostly veil. For over twenty years THEODOR BASTARD have been known for their amazingly serious attitude to the world beyond that very frontier.
THEODOR BASTARD is one of Russia’s most unusual bands representing the electronic Karelian neofolk genre. Also elements of dark wave and trip hop are present in the band’s music. The message doesn’t carry out everyday problems and is mainly focused on mythology and shamanism. The hallmarks of the band are the unique and bewitching lead vocals of multi-talent Yana Veva and the impeccable sound producing skills of Fedor Svolotch, founder of the band who created the band 20 years ago.
From album to album, THEODOR BASTARD carefully and masterly combine many different exotic and traditional instruments. The special northern atmosphere of their albums is created with Nordic nyckelharpa and jouhikko, primeval flutes created from tree roots and shamanic percussion.
“We live in the north of Russia in Karelia, which has a difficult fate” states band leader Fedor Svolotch. He continues: “This is a harsh northern region with unpredictable nature, with spruce and pine forests. Bears are found here. Moose and hare come straight to my house. In Karelia there are beautiful cliffs and clear lakes with fresh water. These are our personal places of power, the places where stones and winds are talking to us. Singing for us a songs of the northern harsh nature”.
THEODOR BASTARD consists of 6 musicians, turning their performances into a dark magic act that sends the audience back to Northern musical traditions, to the Karelian and the Russian folk. The musicians use a lot of electronic devices and ethnic instruments, but also use their own hand-made instruments from stones, human bone and the roots of Karelian birch.
Line up
Fedor Svolotch: dulcimer, samplers, vocal
Yana Veva: vocal, bawu, ocarina
Kusas: percussion, winds
Alexey Kalinovsky: keyboards
Sergey Smirnov: drums
Ekaterina Dolmatova: back vocal
Slava Salikov: cello, morin khuur
Links:
https://theodorbastard.com/
https://theodorbastard.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2PQ9UX4kWDE3mf2fYGRzqF
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/theodor-bastard/204585292
https://www.youtube.com/theodorbastard
https://www.instagram.com/theodor_bastard/?hl=en
Just a year after conquering North America for the 45th anniversary of 'Suspiria,' Claudio Simonetti's Goblin is returning to the states! This time, the collective will be performing the score to the chilling and grotesque 1985 horror flick, Demons, as well as a comprehensive "best of" set. The full itinerary and tickets can be found HERE.
Composer Claudio Simonetti has written and recorded some of the most influential soundtracks in horror, including Dawn of the Dead, Deep Red, Suspiria, Tenebrae, and countless others, with his seminal work still informing the genre to this day. Simonetti and his collective will perform the haunting and tense score to Demons. The film was produced by master of horror Dario Argento (Suspiria, Tenebrae, etc.) and was directed by Lamberto Bava, son of iconic cinematographer Mario Bava. Enter the screening with caution and don't touch any props, lest the demons possess you...
In 2022, Simonetti's Goblin celebrated the 45th Anniversary of Dario Argento's iconic picture, Suspiria with this modern progressive update to the iconic soundtrack. Suspiria - Prog Rock Version is available HERE.
In addition to standard admission tickets, there is a VIP Sound Check Party / Meet & Greet Add-On option available to ticket holders for certain shows as indicated on the ticketing page HERE. The VIP Add-On by itself does NOT serve as a ticket for entry. The package includes a private soundcheck party, a meet and greet and a VIP laminate as well as first access to merchandise and front of the line access where applicable. Tickets are limited per show. You will receive an email three days before the show with instructions and times for the meet and greet.
North American Tour Dates:
09/26:Franklin, IN @ Artcraft Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
09/27: Lexington, KY @ Lexington Opera House [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
09/29: Ashland, VA @ Ashland Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
09/30: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer [TICKETS // VIP ADD-ON]
10/02: Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/03: Somerville, MA @ Somerville Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/04: Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe [TICKETS] *
10/05: Ottawa, ON @ Mayfair Theatre [TICKETS]*
10/06: Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/07: Erie, PA @ Eerie Horror Festival @ Warner Theatre [TICKETS] ^
10/08: Pittsburgh, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/11: Grand Rapids, MI @ Wealthy Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/12: Cleveland, OH @ Capitol Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
11/03: Detroit, MI @ Redford Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/15: Chicago, IL @ Copernicus Center [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/16: St Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/17: Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/18: Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/22: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/23: Vancouver, BC @ Rio Theatre [TICKETS]
10/24: Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/25: Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/26: Sacramento, CA @ Colonial Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/27: San Francisco, CA @ Castro Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
10/29: San Diego, CA @ Music Box [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
11/01: Houston, TX @ Heights Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
11/02: Dallas, TX @ Texas Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
11/03: San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
11/06: St Louis, MO @ Red Flag [TICKETS // VIP ADD ON]
* performing Suspiria
^ performing "Best of" set only
"[Simonetti's] electronic score proved to be the perfect counterpoint to the rock songs, often oozing with menace and certainly adding to the fear factor... And, as usual with Simonetti, it makes for a great listen outside the film." - Horror Cult Films
"Simonetti acting as a solo composer here rather than as part of Goblin replicates this in his pulsating electronic score... It’s got a sense of stalking malevolence about it right up there with the film itself and is horror music personified." - Ave Noctum
"...a fascinating snapshot of a composer in transition, moving from a band setting to a solo career, expanding his range and creating some of the most stirring music of his career. We treasure Demons for withstanding the test of time, but the real gem here is Simonetti." - Popshifter
"Argento’s eye for filmmaking was still razor-sharp in those days; combined with the like-father-like-son style of Bava and a nightmarish synth score from Goblin’s Claudio Simonetti the film had all the necessary elements to satisfy horror fans. And truly, it’s a blast from start to finish with little time wasted." - Dread Central
"This soundtrack perfectly captures the growing tension created by the film as the main characters are transformed into demons, leading the way with the electro metal of Killing, the percussively cruel Demon, and the now classic cult hit Demon. 30 years later the music still shines with timeless quality thanks to the eclectic talent of composer Claudio Simonetti." - Rustblade
Lineup:
Claudio Simonetti: Keyboards
Daniele Amador: Guitar
Cecilia Nappo: Bass
Federico Maragoni: Drums
Links:
FirstBank Amphitheater’s Director of Operations, David LaVanne, Honored by the
International Association of Venue Managers: 30 UNDER 30 Class of 2023
Current Concert Season Underway w/ Upcoming Shows by Tears For Fears,
John Fogerty, Jason Mraz, 5 Seconds of Summer, Willie Nelson,
Chicago, Shinedown & More; FirstBankAmphitheater.com for Ticket Info
THOMPSON'S STATION, Tenn. – On the heels of the Academy of Country Music’s Outdoor Venue of the Year Nomination (presented in August at ACM Honors in Nashville), David LaVanne, Director of Operations for “Music City in the Country®” FirstBank Amphitheater, has been recognized by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) as a 2023 30 UNDER 30 honoree. Designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the venue management industry, the 30 UNDER 30 program recognizes emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future. LaVanne, along with the entire Class of 2023, will be presented their honors at VenueConnect in Pittsburgh, PA, July 31-August 3.
"The 30 Under 30 designation has been a professional goal of mine for many years, but it would not have been possible without my time at FirstBank Amphitheater" LaVanne reflects. "Our team's continued efforts to elevate the guest experience, increase fan safety, and expand production capabilities make FBA a very special place to visit, perform and work. If you haven't visited us yet, come out for a show to experience the most incredible atmosphere for live music!"
“David brings best practices from years of experience running large event and amphitheater operations to FirstBank Amphitheater. He’s already made a big impact leading several projects that improve the guest experience and journey on concert nights from arrival to departure at the end of the night,” shares CEO/GM Rick McEachern. “This is well-deserved industry recognition and we’re glad he’s part of this world-class team.”
FirstBank Amphitheater is a world-class 7,500 capacity outdoor amphitheater, sitting on a sprawling 150 acres at the Graystone Quarry in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. After discovering the property on Google Earth from their home in San Jose, California, husband and wife Rick and Nancy McEachern became enthralled by the potential the location held. The land, which was abandoned at the time, served as a dump for the area and originally housed over an estimated 900 tons of trash. After undergoing an extensive restoration and beautification, recycling and repurposing nearly all the trash on the property, the McEacherns built the amphitheater within the rock quarry. The result: an intimate, natural landscape and a proudly plastic-free venue.
Recognized in 2022 as a Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award recipient for their “exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect the environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law,” FirstBank Amphitheater continues to stand apart from other venues for its beauty, innovation and amenities offered.
Visiting guests never face added parking costs, with onsite parking included in their ticket purchase, and receive top-notch, quality dining options. With an executive chef on-location, fresh food is always available with a variety of dietary choices – including vegan and vegetarian options – available to fit every need.
To learn more, visit FirstBankAmphitheater.com or follow @FirstBankAmp on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
FirstBank Amphitheater Remaining 2023 Season Lineup:
July 11 Tears For Fears The Tipping Point Tour Part II with special guests Cold War Kids
July 13 Dwight Yoakam with special guests The Mavericks
July 25 John Fogerty The Celebration Tour with special guest Hearty Har
July 28 2023 KIDZ BOP
July 29 Peso Pluma - Doble P Tour
July 30 Jason Mraz and His Super Band - The Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride
Aug. 16 Incubus with special guests Badflower and paris jackson
Aug. 25 Goo Goo Dolls The Big Night Out Tour with special guest O.A.R.
Aug. 31 The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour
Sept. 1 5 Seconds of Summer - THE 5SOS SHOW
Sept. 3 The Australian Pink Floyd Show – Darkside 50 Tour
Sept. 7 Tenacious D - The Spicy Meatball Tour
Sept. 8 Smashing Pumpkins The World Is A Vampire Tour with special guests Interpol and Rival Sons
Sept. 10 Outlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson & Family with special guests Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack and Particle Kid
Sept. 25 Chicago
Oct. 3 Shinedown The Revolutions Live Tour with Special Guests Papa Roach and Spiritbox
“J Mascis style guitar works alongside sharply defined songwriting, with elements of The Cure in their late 80s pomp” ~ Clash Magazine
"The embers of Arcade Fire and The Mission with a more pop bent... Listen on repeat to invigorate your day" ~ Big Takeover Magazine
"Superior in their own-right without reinventing the wheels of the past" ~ Skope Magazine
"Captivates immediately and guides you through the theatric, robust vocals"~ Imperfect Fifth
Alternative rock / post-punk duo Para Lia once again please our earbuds with their new single 'Yellow Rose', along with its new video. Conveying reverence for life, this melodic dreamy rock composition is the second taste of their album 'In Clash With The Zeitgeist', which is slated for release on August 25 via the Berlin label About Us Records.
Para Lia is multi-instrumentalist René Methner and vocalist Cindy Methner - for this duo, symbolism and lyricism are of importance. 'Yellow Rose' is an ode to losing a loved one who can never be forgotten and keeping a piece of them in your heart. The yellow rose stands for loyalty, close friendships and the circle of trust. Here, Para Lia creates the perfect symbiosis of these - melancholy with warmth, sadness with joy, and the prospects of hope - all at the same time.
This album sees them blend their love for late 80’s and early 90’s indie rock with 60’s influences, psychedelic, garage rock and early prog rock elements. This follows up the lead single 'Sunchild' - a driving, guitar-laden indie rock lead track that is accompanied by a fun-filled nostalgic self-directed video.
"This is a song about the loss of a loved person, a very emotive track and an attempt to mirror the fragility of life in the song's arrangement. Para Lia is joined here by two fantastic musicians – Fady Haddad from Baltimore, who provides beautiful synth parts and also joined us on our last album for two tracks. And Christian Georgi - a classical musician, who has been part of the staff at the Staatstheater Cottbus for many years - who plays the E-piano on this track," says René Methner.
Cindy Methner adds, "What is the best way to express emotions? Spoiler: there are not so many ways. Whether it’s joy, excitement, melancholy or sadness. Often you can feel several things at once and you don't even recognise what you‘re dealing with. This is especially the case when you lose somebody important in your life - whatever the reason, wherever it takes place. this applies to friends, soulmates as well as family - people who have grown dear to you.
Ignoring the zeitgeist of this day and age, Para Lia creates music that is far from mainstream. Debuting with the 'Soap Bubble Dreams' album in 2019, followed by 'Gone With The Flow', which involved artists from the USA, Canada and the UK, as well as a collaborative interactive art exhibition with painter Louis Renzoni.
Mastered by Thommy Hein (Die Ärzte, Nina Hagen, Udo Lindenberg) at Tonstudios Berlin and self-recorded and produced at their home studio in Cottbus, Germany, 'In Clash With The Zeitgeist' sees Para Lia grow on yet another level with the band expanding from two members to six with an eye towards upcoming live performances.
'Yellow Rose' is out now and available digitally across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. As of August 25, 'In Clash With The Zeitgeist' album will be released on vinyl and digitally.
ALBUM CREDITS
René Methner - guitars, bass guitar, keys, drum programming, vocals
Cindy Methner - vocals
Fady Haddad - synth on 'Yellow Rose‘
Christian Georgi - e-piano on 'Yellow Rose‘ and 'Sunchild (Reprise)'
Andreas Jäpel - vocals on 'Mr. Perry'
Lyrics and music by René Methner
Recorded and produced by Para Lia
Mixed by Para Lia and Thommy Hein
Mastered by Thommy Hein at The Thommy Hein Tonstudios Berlin
Cover artwork by: Georgia Moschogianni
P&C 2023 Para Lia under exclusive license to About Us Records GmbH
Videos by René Methner
Keep up with Para Lia
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“Purity and honesty in his approach that gets more and more intense with each track... like you’re riding a wave of energy” ~ Higher Plain Music
“Thoughtful, minimalist. The ghost of Syd Barrett watches over everything... ‘another sonic leap forward” ~ Real Gone Rocks
“An almost painful intimacy to his words despite the oblique phrasing and imagery he conjures” ~ Isolation Records
“An ascent out of singer-songwriter folk territory into something bordering on punk and psychedelia” ~ Fatea Magazine
“Beautifully raw, uncluttered and quite cinematic... Melodically infectious and lyrically mysterious ~ Newport Naked
Singer-songwriter / indie rock artist Fred Abong presents 'My Way', the second singe from his forthcoming 'Fear Pageant' album, slated for release in late summer via Seattle-based label Disc Drive. Earlier, Abong released the record's lead track 'Father'.
This is Abong's seventh album (most were self-released, as were his two EPs), following up his 'Yellowthroat' album, released in mid-2022 and recorded together with Rob Ahlers (50FOOTWAVE, Kristin Hersh Electric Trio). On this release, Abong - a Filipino-American alternative singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist - upholds his reputation for creating a blend of “ragged Replacements and lyric-driven Bob Dylan” and as “Elliott Smith with balls”.
A musical and geographical wanderer, he grew up in the Northeast, has lived in Southern California, and currently calls New Orleans home. His songs are existentially and romantically focused, poetic, and slightly off-kilter. Detuned guitars, unconventional song structures, and a raw and unpolished production aesthetic characterize the overall sound. Fred’s hypnotic, sometimes gravelly voice adds to the effect.
"Unlike the Sinatra song of the same name, this is not a manifesto of self-determination or a reflection on individualism and world-beating fearlessness. It’s also not a send-up of that attitude or sentiment. My ‘My Way’ is, accidentally, closer to the subject matter (but not the sentiment) of the original French version of the Sinatra song. In the French version, of which I only recently became aware, the gradual erosion of marriage and love by the crushing boredom of mundane life is the focus," says Fred Abong.
"While I may be able to relate to both versions on some level, they were neither the inspiration nor the reference for my song. That said, ‘My Way’ is definitely a kind of self-portrait and a meditation on love and marriage. But it is not triumphant or regretful. It’s more about the mixing of romance and resignation than anything else. It also recognizes the omnipresence of death, both physical and spiritual. And it explores the longing, conscious or unconscious, for wholeness and 'completion' present in intimate relationships. Given that these things are universal, I probably should've called the song 'The Way' rather than 'My Way'. You can call it that if you want."
Getting his musical start in 1980’s Rhode Island as a drummer, bassist and guitarist in an array of hardcore punk bands, Abong spent the early 1990s playing bass for Throwing Muses and then Belly. He then put music as a profession on hold for academic pursuits, earning a PhD in Humanities and serving as a professor at various universities for eight years before returning to music.
Continuing to write songs as a solo artist, Abong's music has a raw and unpolished production aesthetic with an overall direct, though deceptively imaginative and oblique, presentation. Apart from his work as a solo artist, Fred Abong is also currently bassist in the Kristin Hersh Electric Trio and has also been a practicing Vedic astrologer for the past 20 plus years.
'My Way' is available from fine music platforms, including Bandcamp, where his 'Yellowthroat' record is also available in all formats. The full 'Fear Pageant' album will be released (digitally and on vinyl) on July 20.
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Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, extreme metal powerhouse Atoll has announced their new upcoming record 'Human Extract' out on Friday, August 25 (via Unique Leader Records). In celebration of the news, the band has unleashed their bone-shatteringly heavy titular track "Human Extract" from the new album. When asked about the creative inspiration behind the forthcoming full-length, vocalist Wade Taylor shared:
"We wanted to create a sonic experience that would engulf listeners in an eerie atmosphere, where the boundaries between reality and the unknown blur. With 'Human Extract,' we aimed to capture the essence of fear and vulnerability, delivering a musical journey that mirrors the horrors of alien abduction and the horrors of earth and man. It's an intense, cathartic exploration of the human condition."
Speaking to the "Human Extract" single, the band commented:
"This song delves into the realm of alien abduction, deliriously describing the process of extracting the essence and energy of the human form. The track offers a harrowing narrative, painting a grotesque picture of dissection and the cold detachment of otherworldly beings."
Pre-save 'Human Extract' at the link here, watch the music video for "Human Extract" below, and stream the track here.
Atoll fans also have the chance to see the band on the road this summer with Pyrexia, Cerebral Incubation, and Reeking Aura. For ticket information, please click on the links listed below and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more Atoll news coming soon.
Upcoming Atoll Tour Dates
July 30 - Little Rock, AR @ Heath's Hideaway** (tickets here)
July 31 - Nashville, TN @ The Cobra** (tickets here)
August 2 - Providence, RI @ Dusk**
August 3 - Frederick, MD @ 611 Cafe (tickets here)
August 4 - Richmond, VA @ Another Round (tickets here)
August 5 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone (tickets here)
August 6 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero (tickets here)
August 7 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Purgatory) (tickets here)
August 8 - Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug (tickets here)
August 9 - Orlando, FL @ Conduit (tickets here)
August 10 - TBD
August 11 - Newark, DE @ Halftime Sports Bar (tickets here)
August 12 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz (tickets here)
August 14 - Dallas, TX @ Reno's Chop Shop** (tickets here)
**Atoll only
Emerging from the scorched desert wasteland in 2014, the Phoenix, Arizona-based death metal quintet, Atoll, has been aggressively serving up their unique style for nearly the last decade. Brilliantly blending groove-based slamming brutal death with more traditional death metal elements, grind, and at times even a sprinkle of ‘core, funk, and thrash. Their composition favors a "riff piling" approach rather than the more common and simplistic verse-chorus-verse arrangement, giving the music something of a progressive element with very few repeated riffs, and less predictable movements. Atoll has remained a staple in the metal fest scene, and you may have caught them live playing with the likes of Skinless, Gorgasm, Ingested, and Aborted. Their love of the tour bus life and an importance placed on always having the highest quality, high-energy performances have gained them a reputation for being a consistent, unrelenting live force.
April 2014 birthed this bulbous abomination that has grown into the mighty Atoll when they conspired to create percussive, not frills, chugging brutality. The band immediately shot up in the local AZ scene and very quickly began to expand their live performances throughout the southwest United States, building up momentum for their 2016 debut album, and straight up slammer, The Gathering Swarm. Produced by the late Griffin “The Father” Kolinski (Knights Of The Abyss) and Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me) the album was quickly picked up and released by Amputated Vein subsidiary, Ghastly Music.
The initial success of their debut album caught the eye of Gorehouse Productions who went on to release the 2017 sophomore album, Fallout Frenzy. The vocals on this album show significant expanse in dynamic range, incorporating highs, mids, and some of the most nasty gutterals you’ll ever hear. Lyrically Fallout Frenzy expanded further on the origins of the band name, embracing themes of the atom bomb tests of Bikini Atoll in the 1950’s, and the subsequent radioactive fallout and mutations that occurred after the bombings.
The critically acclaimed album, Zoopocalypse is released in 2019 through Gorehouse Productions. This album is in-your-face aggression from front to back. A departure from the more rudimentary slams of their earlier works, Zoo implements more technicality, more tremolo and scaling, mathier leads, and a generally more advanced death metal sound that would represent the direction of the band moving forward. The mix/master was completed by Miguel Tereso of Demigod Recordings (Analepsy, Organectomy), and features a guest vocal spot from Matti Way (Disgorge, Abominable Putridity, Pathology)
During the global limbo of lockdown Atoll was able to strike a deal with the legendary Unique Leader Records, and in 2022 put out the Prepuce EP. The mini-release serves as a taster of things to come as Atoll has completed the production of two upcoming full-length albums, scheduled to drop through Unique Leader in 2023 and 2024. This two-part release will be the most technically ambitious to date. Keep your eyes peeled on the tour front, and ears open because, like an atomic tsunami, Atoll is primed to decimate the masses.
Atoll is:
Andy Luffey - drums
Cameron Broomfield - bass
Chris Nick - guitar
Spencer Ferguson - guitar
Wade Taylor - vocals
Swedish electropop-metal quartet Solence has released their first ever acoustic EP of select tracks off their latest album, '_hope is a cult_' (out via Hopeless Records). In celebration of the release, the band has also unveiled the official music video for "Life Goes On". Speaking about the EP, vocalist Markus Videsäter commented:
"We’ve never done any acoustic versions of any songs before, but with the emotional content on Hope Is A Cult it felt like the perfect match. Working with Sam (Guaiana) was a dream and we’re so happy with how they turned out."
Stream the '_hope is a cult_' acoustic EP here, watch the music video for "Life Goes On" below, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more Solence news coming soon.
No matter where we come from, music draws us together and bonds us. For as much as SOLENCE sonically conjoin elements of metal, electronic, alternative, and pop, the Swedish group also appeal to an expansive swath of personalities with a universal message. Equally suitable for the mosh pit or Coachella, the band—Markus Videsäter [vocals], David “Viking” Vikingsson [drums], David Strääf [guitar], and Johan Swärd [keys]—rally around a familial energy meant to be shared as loudly as possible. After quietly generating north of 200 million streams and counting, they welcome everyone closer on their third full-length offering and Hopeless Records debut, _hope is a cult_, and more to come.
“We want to build up this family around positivity, hope, and the belief you can change things,” notes Markus. “We want you to forget everything that bothers you when you listen to this album. If we’re doing our job, audiences feel like they’re a part of it. When you go to a SOLENCE show, you have a good time, so hope is a cult for us.”
Elle King continues to prove why her music is as genre fluid as her fans’ playlists. The multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and Diplo have teamed on “Without You,” (listen here) a new song out today. The song is also accompanied by a music video that was filmed in Nashville during CMA Fest and can be seen below.
Of the new collaboration, American Songwriter says, “The twangy track marries a fast-picking banjo with a dreamy acoustic pop melody, with King taking lead vocals.”
Announced earlier today, King has joined the Campaign to Preserve Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. The iconic venue has hosted more than 75,000 shows and helped launched the careers of thousands of artists. The benefit concert series will kick-off June 30 with a performance by Sara Bareilles, who is leading the campaign. King will headline a show there on July 31 and the series also includes performances by Chris Thile, Ingrid Michaelson and more. Tickets are available here.
King celebrated the beginning of the summer tour season last night with an hour-long set to a massive festival crowd at Summerfest in Milwaukee. The show also featured CMA Award winning singer-songwriter Eric Church.
On Saturday King takes part in the Boise Music Festival which includes performances by Jelly Roll and Ludacris. On Sunday she headlines the Sun Valley Museum of Arts Summer Concert and Monday she joins Melissa Etheridge in Salt Lake City for the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series.
Earlier this month she hosted CMA Fest, the Music Event of Summer with Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson in Nashville. The three-hour primetime concert special that will air July 19 will include performances by some of the biggest names in music! CMA Music Fest is celebrating its Milestone 50th Anniversary.
Annisokay, the dynamic German rock/metal band, have been captivating audiences since their formation in 2007.
With their blend of heavy guitar riffs, driving drum rhythms, melodic vocals, and aggressive shouts, the band has amassed a dedicated and rapidly growing fanbase across the globe.
Led by vocalist and producer Chris Wieczorek (Sawdust Recording), Annisokay are thrilled to announce their upcoming new EP Abyss Pt I, out September 22 via Arising Empire. They also reveal the video for the new track "Calamity." It's a special take on Leony's hit single "Remedy" but darker
Watch the video below.
"With 'Calamity,' our metalcore take on Leony's 'Remedy,' we've delved into the struggle of being pulled into something that won't let you go," the band says. "The lyrics narrate an intense internal battle and the effort to break free from a daunting situation. We thoroughly enjoyed transforming this upbeat track into a dark, heavy metalcore version and can't wait for you all to hear it."
In 2022, the band released the special edition of Aurora.
Aurora (Special Edition) is still available as CD and colored vinyl option, holding three absolute classics remastered: "Coma Blue," "Good Stories," and the Japan bonus track "Parallel Universe," which has never been released worldwide. It also includes a full live set, completed with new frontman Rudi Schwarzer. Stream or purchase Aurora (Special Edition) as CD or vinyl at the Arising Empire Shop.
Annisokay's unique sound pushes the boundaries of the metal genre, incorporating elements of pop, progressivemetal, and EDM. to create a distinct and unforgettable experience. With a penchant for exploring dark moods and themes, Annisokay's lyrics tackle social issues, human emotions, and the complexities of relationships.
This year, the band has welcomed the talented Peter Leukhardt as their new bassist.
ANNISOKAY ARE:
Rudi Schwarzer | Vocals
Christoph Wieczorek | Vocals/Guitar
Peter Leukhardt | Bass
Nico Vaeen | Drums
THE RETURN OF HOPSIN PERFORMANCES TAKES PLACE IN COLORADO SPRINGS THIS AUGUST
One of the preeminent independent artists of this generation touted by everyone from Eminem to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and streamed 1 billion-plus times, rapper HOPSIN has returned with another new track. A few months after he dropped the video for the single, "Rebirth," fans of HOPSIN are in for a true metamorphosis of the artist.
Upon hitting play on "Single on Singel," loyal listeners can expect the same high-energy Hop whilst ushering in a European-inspired, hopeless romantic that we can all relate to. HOPSIN's pummeling lyrics spat on top of the hauntingly beautiful chorus provided by songstress, Adriana Aslani, reveals a chapter of Hop that we have yet to explore.
A man of the people, HOPSIN has announced his public return to the stage this August in Colorado Springs at Sunshine Studios Live. Never one to waste an opportunity, this show is slated to be 2023's cannot-miss-performances, with Hop locked and loaded with fan favorites and new singles to set ablaze. Out of the shadows and returned from the streets of Amsterdam, it is officially time to clock back in to work as one of the most charismatic, creative, and unique artists hip hop has to offer. Touted by Talib Kwali as “"he type of artist who makes me want to be a better writer," HOPSIN, the Undercover Prodigy, is back.
HOPSIN SHARES VIDEO FOR "SINGLE ON SINGEL" below:
ABOUT HOPSIN:
Continuing a tireless grind as one of independent music's most inspired, impactful, and influential voices, Hopsin continually levels up his signature lyrical mastery. In 2007, the Los Angeles spitter, producer, director, editor, actor, and Undercover Prodigy founder first made his presence known with no-holds barred lyricism, razor sharp rhymes, and fearless creativity. Posting up over 1 billion streams and views outside of the system, he infiltrated the mainstream on his own terms with three gold-certified singles to date, namely "Sag My Pants," "Ill Mind of Hopsin 5," and "Ill Mind of Hopsin 8." After attracting a faithful following with Raw [2010] and Knock Madness [2013], he crashed the Billboard Top 200 at #17 with Pound Syndrome in 2015. Most recently, 2017's No Shame moved 15,000 copies first-week and emerged as his second straight Top 20 entry on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. Beyond selling out shows on multiple continents, he appeared on the cover of XXL as a "Freshman" and garnered plugs courtesy of Complex, Rolling Stone, The Source, Vibe, and Huffington Post, who profiled him as "The Real Best Rapper Alive." Not to mention, Eminem cited him among "the Logics, the Coles, the Seans, the K-Dots, the 5'9"s" on "Fall" from 2018's Kamikaze. After a series of transformative experiences, the rapper born Marcus Jamal Hopson painted the realest and rawest depiction of himself in 2021 with new singles "Your House" and "Alone With Me." He has recently been featured in Ebony, Psychology Today, and Thrasher.
It's getting hot out there: Swedish modern metal heroes AMARANTHE deliver the soundtrack for a fiery festival summer with the release of their new single 'Damnation Flame' today! With its symphonic touch and uplifting chorus, the band once again showcases their outstanding songwriting skills while maintaining their image as Sweden’s most exciting metal export.
Mastermind Olof states about the new song:
"'Damnation Flame' breaks new ground for us in many ways, and in all the best ways possible. This is the very first AMARANTHE song to feature symphonic elements, something we've wanted to do for a long time, and the darkened vampiric theme melds together perfectly with our take on modern melodic metal! AMARANTHE has always been about being boundless and constantly reinventing ourselves, and by now you know to expect the unexpected. This is 100% pure passion poured into music, as you will no doubt experience yourself from the very first second - enjoy 'Damnation Flame', with the promise of much more to come SOON!"
Stream 'Damnation Flame' here:
https://amaranthe.bfan.link/damnation-flame.a01
'Damnation Flame' doesn't only mark the start of some hot live shows this summer but also introduces AMARANTHE's new vocalist Mikael Sehlin to their internationally growing fanbase. Olof continues:
"After a practically global search, and several amazing guest growlers to help us out on shows and tours we finally found just the right person for the job, in our very own Swedish capital of Stockholm! Mikael Sehlin has EVERYTHING it takes to join the AMARANTHE line up, and his versatility and musicality completes and underscores our vision for our new album and the general future for AMARANTHE perfectly. From the deepest guttural grunts to soaring screams Mikael is growling perfection incarnate, so please give a roaring welcome to the new star upon the AMARANTHE firmament!"
Mikael Sehlin himself adds:
Hello everyone, Mike here! I am very thrilled to tell you I will fill the slot as the new Amaranthe growler and I can't wait to meet you guys out there!
I hope you like the upcoming tracks to which I've had the honor recording growls to.
Take care and see you soon!"
The newest member of the AMARANTHE family can be seen in the music video for 'Damnation Flame', the band's newest cinematic masterpiece. Hold your breath and follow the creatures of the night to their vampiric cave to witness the initiation of their latest victim...uhm... member. Watch the video for 'Damnation Flame' here
AMARANTHE is:
Elize Ryd | vocals
Mikael Sehlin I growls
Olof Mörck | guitars, keyboards
Johan Andreassen | bass
Morten Løwe Sørensen | drums
Nils Molin | vocals
Visit AMARANTHE:
www.amaranthe.se
www.facebook.com/amarantheband
www.instagram.com/amarantheofficial
www.twitter.com/amaranthemetal
www.youtube.com/amaranthetv
www.nuclearblast.de/amaranthe
NEW ALBUM HEAVENER OUT NOW VIA UNFD
Progressive metalcore head-turners INVENT ANIMATE — vocalist Marcus Vik, guitarist Keaton Goldwire, drummer Trey Celaya and bassist Caleb Sherraden — released their head-turning new album HEAVENER earlier this year via UNFD. Get it here.
Fresh off a slate of Spring 2023 tour dates in support of Bad Omens, the band will return the road in September on a Fall 2023 headline run. Void of Vision, thrown, and Aviana will serve as support. The tour kicks off at House of Blues in Dallas on September 22 and runs through October 23 in Phoenix. All dates are below.
"We're really excited to finally bring The Heavener tour across North America this fall," says Vik. "It feels very special to finally play these songs for you guys along with some oldies and goodies that haven't seen the surface in a long time. We’'e bringing Void of Vision all the way from Australia to rip these cities with us that we haven't played in a long time. We're also bringing thrown and Aviana along for the ride and these Swedish bands are very close to my heart so come see us in September and October in a city near you!"
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, June 29 at 10am local time. VIP packages are available here.
INVENT ANIMATE ON TOUR:
WITH VOID OF VISION, THROWN, + AVIANA:
9/22—Dallas, TX—House of Blues
9/23—San Antonio, TX—The Rock Box
9/24—Houston, TX—Studio at Warehouse Live
9/26—West Palm Beach, FL—Respectable Street
9/27—Winter Park, FL—The Conduit
9/28—Atlanta, GA—The Masquerade (Purgatory)
9/29—Nashville, TN—The End
9/30—Greensboro, NC—Hangar 1819
10/1—Baltimore, MD—Baltimore Soundstage
10/2—Philadelphia, PA—Warehouse on Watts
10/3—Brooklyn, NY—The Brooklyn Monarch
10/4—Hartford, CT—Webster Underground
10/6—Montreal, QC—Fairmount Theatre
10/7—Toronto, ON—Velvet Underground
10/8—Horseheads, NY—The L
10/9—Lakewood, OH—The Foundry
10/10—Ferndale, MI—The Loving Touch
10/11—Chicago, IL—Cobra Lounge
10/13—Denver, CO—Marquis Theatre
10/14—Salt Lake City, UT—Kilby Court
10/16—Portland, OR—Star Theatre
10/17—Vancouver, BC—Rickshaw Theatre
10/18—Seattle, WA—The Funhouse
10/20—Cupertino, CA—The X Bar
10/21—Fresno, CA—Full Circle Brewery
10/22—Anaheim, CA—Chain Reaction
10/23—Phoenix, AZ—The Rebel Lounge
LISTEN TO INVENT ANIMATE:
"Shade Astray"
"Without A Whisper"
"Immolation of Night"
"Elysium"
“DIO: Dreamers Never Die,” the first-ever, career-spanning documentary on the life and times of the late legendary metal icon Ronnie James Dio, will be released worldwide by Mercury Studios on DVD and Blu-Ray+4K and as a special Deluxe Edition featuring the DVD and Blu-Ray packaged with exclusive merchandise on September 29, 2023. All of these configurations of the film will include a 20-minute selection of deleted and extended scenes restored from the cutting room floor to create a special fan experience.
The limited Deluxe Edition will be packaged in a two-piece lift-off lid box containing both the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of the film plus branded DIO merchandise that will include logoed trading cards, guitar picks, lapel pin, coasters and a fold out poster from the film.
The DVD, Blu-Ray+4K and the Deluxe Edition are now available for pre-orders HERE ahead of the September 29 release date.
Additionally, fans will be able to purchase the film along with bundles of exclusive Dreamers Never Die merchandise, including a Limited Edition Screen Print Movie Poster, Dreamers Never Die T-Shirts, Hoodies, Trucker Hats and Beanies, Etched Beer Stein, Mousepad, Tote Bag, Replica of “Dio Way” Street Sign, and Word Magnet set as well as a Raglan Shirt and Dome Pin celebrating Dio’s first band, Elf.
“DIO: Dreamers Never Die,” which world premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, enjoyed a special event theatrical release in more than 600 cinemas worldwide last fall and is available on SHOWTIME.
Of the film, Reel News Daily wrote: “This film stunned me from the first frames. I expected to like it, but I never expected to fall madly in love with the film and the man. This is truly one of the best music docs I’ve seen. I can’t recommend this film enough.”
“DIO: Dreamers Never Die” delves deep into the singer’s incredible rise from a ‘50s doo-wop crooner to his early rock days in Elf and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, to replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, and finally cementing his rock star status with his own band, DIO. The film incorporates never-before-seen footage and personal photos, as well as offering intimate scenes with his closest peers, family, and friends, among them Wendy Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Glenn Hughes, Vinny Appice, Lita Ford, Rob Halford, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk, and Jack Black, as they bring viewers inside the life of one of rock and roll’s true heroes and most beloved figures.
Dio’s widow and longtime manager, Wendy Dio, who executive produced the film, commented: “I wanted this documentary to be authentic, for the fans to see the roller coaster ride that was Ronnie's life—the good times, the bad times and everything in between, especially including events that even the most diehard fans would not have known about. It’s all in there, right up to the very end.”
In addition to SXSW, the film was showcased at the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto, IFF Boston, DocsLisboa International Film Festival, the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival in Korea, the Athens International Film & Video Festival and Gimme Shelter Film Festival in Athens, Greece. Last October, it won the Audience Award at the In-Edit International Music Documentary Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain.
Fully authorized by the artist’s estate, “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” was directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton (Framing John DeLorean, Believer, Last Days Here), produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, and executive produced by Wendy Dio for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG.
Ronnie James Dio, who died of gastric cancer in 2010, reigns as one of the most influential rock artists of all time and one of the greatest vocalists ever. With an illustrious recording career spanning from the 1950’s through to the 2000’s, the documentary follows his trajectory from sideman into singer, songwriter and frontman of not one, but three, of rock’s internationally-renowned, multi-Platinum-selling arena attractions: Rainbow, Black Sabbath and DIO. Famous for popularizing the ‘devil horns’ hand gesture that is now synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal music, Dio was known for not wavering in his pursuit of his rock and roll dreams and continues to influence a new generation of music artists. His fans the world over remember him not only for his massive talent, but for his kindness, resulting in millions of dollars raised for cancer research in his memory via the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.
Argott and Fenton said, "People who have conviction, talent and heart like Ronnie James Dio are in short supply these days. It is refreshing to share his inspiring story of believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. As life-long DIO fans, it is incredibly humbling to bring Ronnie’s journey to the screen, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences."
ABOUT MERCURY STUDIOS
Mercury Studios is a full-service production studio originating, producing, selling, distributing, and investing in scripted, unscripted, and live content. Editorially independent, Mercury Studios is powered by Universal Music Group and represents the world’s leading catalogue of music-related content.
Current and recent projects include “If These Walls Could Sing,” the untold story of the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, directed by celebrated British photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney for Disney+; “This Town,” a six-part series for the BBC from writer, creator and executive producer Steven Knight; “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop,” a feature documentary from Oscar™-winning director/producer Joseph Patel (“Summer of Soul”), adapted from Vikki Tobak’s best-selling book; “My Life as a Rolling Stone,” a four-part docuseries of intimate portraits of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts; “Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl,” a career documentary about the superstar that is available on Netflix; and “Mars,” a short film based on an original universe and characters created by Yungblud, starring Yasmin Finney, that premiered at the London Film Festival.
Mercury Studios’ “Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool” was recently honored with two Emmys™ for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary and Outstanding Sound. “ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas” also received a 2021 Grammy™ Award nomination for Best Music Film. The feature documentaries are part of the Mercury Studios library, consisting of over 5,000 hours of programming
For pre-orders of “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” DVD, Blu-Ray+4K and merchandise bundles, visit: https://shop.bandwear.com/dio
For more information on Ronnie James Dio and
“Dreamers Never Die:
https://www.diodreamersneverdie.com/
https://www.ronniejamesdio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio/
https://twitter.com/officialrjdio
https://www.instagram.com/_ronniejamesdio/
Lybica, a dynamic instrumental 4-piece from South Florida featuring Killswitch Engage drummer Justin Foley on guitar, have carved out an impressive name for themselves over the last year, persistently winning fans over with their flavorful guitar melody and powerful metallic crunch.
Their self-titled debut album was released last year on Metal Blade Records. Get it here.
Today, they have shared the video for album track "Resonance." Watch it below.
Produced by Vince Edwards, this trippy and quirky visual take on the track features background waves that are driven by the audio amplitude of the song and thus change as the audio changes.
"'Resonance' has become a live favorite of mine," says Foley. "Joey's feedback 'solo' in the bridge is different each night, and he really takes it to some spacey places. Come hear it for yourself when we hit the road with Loss Becomes and Godseyes. Can't wait to see you all out there on the road."
As Foley mentioned, Lybica are touring this summer with Loss Becomes. All dates are below.
Also, watch Foley's appearance on Chef Brain Tsao's YouTube channel to discuss some very important topics, namely pizza, here. Tsao is also guitarist for Loss Becomes, so it's all in the family!
LYBICA ON TOUR:
WITH LOSS BECOMES + GODSEYES:
6/28 — Chapel Hill, NC — Local 506*
6/29 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground
6/30 — Amityville, NY — Amityville Music Hall
7/1 — Hamden, CT — Space Ballroom
7/2 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
7/3 — Hampton Beach, NH — Wally's
7/5 — Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
7/6 — Mechanicsburg, PA — Lovedraft's Brewing
7/7 — Parkersburg, WV — Tracey's Pub
7/8 — Columbus, OH — Big Room Bar
*LYBICA ONLY; HEADLINE DATE
LYBICA ARE:
Justin Foley — Guitar
Joey Johnson — Guitar
Doug French — Bass
James Christopher Lane — Drums
ABOUT LYBICA:
Lybica's origin story can be traced back to 2020 when it became clear to Justin Foley that he wasn't going to be spending much time with his normal bandmates for a while. Quarantine days still needed to be time well spent, and he'd been working on some demos that he finally decided to share with a few local friends in South Florida. "I'd written a bunch of stuff that didn't quite fit into traditional song structures," Foley says. "And I've always been drawn to bands where the instruments provide hooks, rather than relying on a lyric. It seemed like a good time to start something new and see where it could go."
Foley met fellow musicians Doug French (Gravel Kings) and Joey Johnson(Gravel Kings, Barriers Now Bridges, Days Spent) back in 2016, and they had repeatedly talked about jamming together but never actually got around to it. Foley and French — both drummers by trade — often spoke about trying something different that allowed them each to get out from behind the kit. "I've always wanted to play a stringed instrument," French shares. "And bass felt natural, since it is the other half of the rhythm section."
Johnson grew up playing shows all over Florida, heavily influenced by early punk and then both hardcore and metal. "[People at] all the good places to get a beer kept asking me if I had met Justin, since they know I play music," he recalls. "I heard about him in our town for about a year before we actually met through mutual friends. We hit it off when we started talking [about] instrumental music."
When French and Johnson eventually received the demos from Foley, they really liked what they heard. For several months, the three of them emailed music back and forth while learning the parts, especially Foley and French on instruments — guitar and bass, respectively — that they weren't experienced playing. They eventually started playing together with the drum tracks from the demos blasting through the PA speakers. Before too long, they had enough music for a full record and the direction of the band was taking shape.
The band eventually recruited Orlando drummer James Christopher Lane of A Brilliant Lie to fill its "drummer vacancy." Lane, who was born and raised in Chicago and is currently based in Orlando, joined the band in December 2021.
The founding trio soon discovered that they had something else in common besides music. "The three of us are pretty big cat people," Foley points out. "So it only made sense to call the band Lybica." Named after a small wildcat species native to Africa that is widely considered the godfather of the modern house cat, Lybica is the first known feline species to be tamed and domesticated by humans. Fast forward 10,000 years, and today, Lybica the band are as addictive as catnip. Lybica are poised to make some serious noise in 2023 — fur-real.
For genre-bending band Whiskey Myers, who have spent nearly 15 years selling out shows worldwide while amassing a devoted fanbase and a critically acclaimed discography, music is just where their creative spirit begins. From their own coffee line to unique, collectible art created for each show and each album, the multi-Platinum band known for connecting further with fans via their passion projects now unveils their creation of Uncle Chicken’s Sippin’ Whiskey. Breaking free from conventions, Uncle Chicken’s transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul of its diverse fan base, offering a remarkable libation that defies categorization. Uncle Chicken’s Sippin’ Whiskey is a Straight Bourbon Whiskey shrouded in mystery and infused with the untamed spirit of a legendary figure within the Whiskey Myers universe.
Remaining true to their musical philosophy of refusing to be confined by genre, Whiskey Myers guitarist John Jeffers explained on behalf of the band, “Uncle Chicken’s stays true to that notion. We didn't want to create just another mundane bourbon – Uncle Chicken’s embodies that renegade spirit.”
To create the brand-new offering, Whiskey Myers has partnered with Bespoken, the visionary craft whiskey maker with a staggering tally of over 150 medals in just the past three years. Bespoken harnesses the power of their cutting-edge innovation and has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to test over 5,000 unique whiskey variations. This relentless pursuit of perfection leads them to what they believe is a whiskey masterpiece (in Uncle Chicken’s Sippin’ Whiskey), poised to ascend the pinnacle of global accolades and redefine the bourbon market in the years to come. This enigmatic bourbon combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques, resulting in a whiskey that harmonizes complexity and smoothness in every sip.
Peter Iglesias, CEO of Bespoken, expressed his excitement, stating, “Uncle Chicken's Sippin’ Whiskey encapsulates the untamed essence of Whiskey Myers and their relentless pursuit of breaking boundaries. This release expands the possibilities of what a whiskey can be, inviting enthusiasts on an exhilarating journey with every sip.”
Uncle Chicken’s Sippin’ Whiskey | Photo Credit: Margaret Pattillo
Since their emergence in 2007, Whiskey Myers has captivated audiences at more than 2,500 live shows with ever-increasing crowd sizes. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Download and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show in 2019. Their latest self-produced album, Tornillo, available everywhere now via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, features the No. 17 most-played Americana song of 2022, “John Wayne,” and follows their fifth studio album, Whiskey Myers, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts and at No. 2 on the Rock chart. In total, Whiskey Myers have sold more than 1.75 million albums and amassed over 2.4 billion streams while earning six RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications as an independent band. Known for their high-energy live show and unique sound, the band praised by Esquire as “the real damn deal” has also earned sync success with features (and an on-screen appearance) in Paramount’s hit show “Yellowstone” as well as Netflix series “What/If,” Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and CBS series “SEAL Team,” among several others.
Uncle Chicken’s is available online at www.unclechickenswhiskey.com with a suggested retail price of $59.99/750 ML. For more information, follow on Instagram @unclechickens and @whiskeymyers.
As Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour resumed with two back-to-back nights at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the Academy of Country Music Male Artist of the Year celebrated the final night (June 23) at the home of the Chicago Cubs backstage with students from the nearby Baker and Bowen High Schools. The cause for the celebration wasn’t the two-hour set that was about to follow – yet a presentation of a $100k check from Wallen’s charity, The Morgan Wallen Foundation, for the revitalization of South Chicago’s Bessemer Park baseball field.
Wallen’s donation to the field, the home field of Baker and Bowen High School students, complemented a previous $150k donation from Cubs Charities. Altogether, the $250k donated to the park will contribute to a fully upgraded diamond with a new backstop, side wings and dugouts, including extended side wings, and will include rehabilitating the playing surface for multiple levels of play.
“Our mission with the Morgan Wallen Foundation is to support youth programs in the areas of sports and music. We are thrilled to donate $100k to Bessemer Park to give the kids a place to play ball here in South Chicago,” said Wallen. “This donation combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley is a true double header for me.”
“We are pleased that the Morgan Wallen Foundation is working with the Chicago Park District to enhance our Diamond Project commitment to Bessemer Park to completely renovate a baseball diamond,” said Keri Blackwell, deputy director of Cubs Charities. “The goal of our Diamond Project is to help improve the quality, safety and accessibility of playing fields across Chicago, and this donation will support a significant upgrade to the field for the benefit of South Chicago’s youth and families.”
“The Chicago Park District is extremely grateful to the Morgan Wallen Foundation for this generous donation to Bessemer Park,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “This gift will help upgrade the park’s ballfield and existing playing surfaces. These improved amenities will enhance recreational opportunities that families rely on to keep our children and teens engaged in positive activities and build the foundation for healthy living.”
Bessemer Park, which opened in the South Chicago community in 1905, has a strong history of providing crucial resources and amenities to the neighborhood. In its early days, Bessemer park was a haven for new immigrants to Chicago who came to the park as it was a beautifully landscaped ‘breathing space’ that also provided social services including meals, education, health care and recreation. Today, the park continues as a vibrant community space offering summer camp, boxing and, of course, baseball. The park’s baseball fields are utilized by students in the surrounding neighborhoods, allowing them free access to play ball and hone their craft at the sport. With this generous donation, the local kids will soon have a new premiere field for practice and play.
Wallen’s donation comes as his One Night At A Time World Tour is once again underway, with 83,076 fans in attendance across both nights in Chicago, making him the first Country artist to sell out two back-to-back nights at Wrigley Field.
For tour dates and more information, visit MorganWallen.com.
Morgan Wallen presents a $100k check towards revitalization of a baseball diamond at Chicago's Bessemer Park before the show on 6/23/23. (Photo IDs L to R: Jenna Sanchez, Cubs Charities Representative; Morgan Wallen; Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent & CEO of Chicago Park District)
Photo Credit: David Lehr
About Morgan Wallen Foundation:
With a core belief that all children deserve a chance to thrive, play, and create through sports and music, the Morgan Wallen Foundation (MWF) supports programs for youth in these two areas – sports and music. MWF is also dedicated to being there for communities in times of need. Whether it’s providing supplies in the wake of natural disasters, meals for first responders, distributing groceries to food insecure families, we are there to help.
Access to sports and music transformed and enriched Morgan Wallen’s life in ways he never could have imagined growing up as a kid in East Tennessee. They have been a constant presence since the age of three. Playing sports instilled in him the values and benefits of discipline, hard work and commitment. Exposure to music at a young age has led him to become the country artist he is today. For more information go to www.morganwallenfoundation.org
About Cubs Charities:
Cubs Charities is a nonprofit that mobilizes the power of sport to champion youth, families and communities. Cubs Charities’ work is focused on sports-based youth development and academic programming, investments in safe places to play and strategic grantmaking. Since 2009, Cubs Charities has invested more than $49 million in people, places and programs across Chicago. Cubs Charities is a leader among professional sports teams in its creation, execution and delivery of quality, sports-based youth development programming. Today, Cubs Charities’ portfolio includes programs that provide children and youth with skilled coaches, quality programming and safe and accessible places to play the game.
About Chicago Park District:
Celebrating more than 85 years of service, the Chicago Park District is a Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
