Recorded in early 2023 at the band’s biggest Dutch headline show to date, Live at The AFAS Live captures the electrifying stage energy of symphonic metal titans EPICA with some of their biggest hits. Released today on all digital platforms, this will be the final sign of life, before the band returns to the studio to write their new album.
You can watch the live video for ‘Code of Life (Live At The AFAS Live)’ here.
Stream the full EP on all platforms now here.
Guitarist Isaac Delahaye comments: “It’s always a pleasure to play this fan-favorite track, and to take the crowd with us while we build up to the massive groove and have a headbang party together. Enjoy listening & watching Code of Life as performed earlier this year in Amsterdam!”
In case you missed it, on October 13th, EPICA will be re-issuing their fifth album Requiem for The Indifferent on transparent red double vinyl. Initially released in 2012, the album which has been out of print for 10 years, features fan-favourite ‘Storm The Sorrow’. Pre-order the reissue now from: https://bfan.link/requiem-for-the-indifferent
Myrath Announce "Karma" + Share "Heroes" Video — WATCH
Myrath will release their new album Karma on February 2 via earMUSIC. Pre-order it here.
They also shared the video for "Heroes." Watch it below.
Myrath have consistently pushed the boundaries of metal, winning the hearts of fans around the world with their distinctive sound and lyrical depth. With Karma, they are poised to continue their musical journey and captivate audiences in a way only they can.
Their brand-new song "Heroes" is an anthem of empowerment and self-belief, showcasing Myrath's signature blend of progressive metal, infused with Middle Eastern elements. The song features intricate guitar work, soaring vocals, and a compelling narrative that invites listeners to embrace their inner strength.
"Myrath from Tunisia might just be the most underrated band ever. Their new album really excites me — they have something fresh and back it up with a great stage show. They played a tiny stage at Wacken where nobody brings more than guitars and amps, and brought a two-truck production. It was amazing!," says Pär Sundström of Sabaton fame.
As the sands of time continued to shape their journey, Myrath's relentless dedication led to the creation Karma, which will arrive as a limited transparent red LP, black LP, and Digipak. The forthcoming opus promises to be a testament to their evolution, delivering a sonic tapestry woven from passion and innovation.
Myrath offer a powerful and captivating blend of Eastern melodies and Western heavy metal. From the epic opening track "To The Stars" to the hauntingly beautiful "Child Of Prophecy", this album will take you on a theatrical journey through a world of myth and legend.
Featuring soaring vocals, intricate guitar riffs, and complex percussion, Karma showcases the virtuosity and creativity that have made Myrath one of the most exciting and innovative bands in the genre. With its stunning production and lush soundscapes, this album is sure to be a classic for years to come.
Tulipomania teams up with the iconic Martyn Ware & Charles Stooke on 'You Had To Be There' Remix
Tulipomania’s unique take on post-punk boasts gritty guitars underpinned by a brooding rhythm section to provide a backdrop for compelling and atmospheric vocals" ~ Louder Than War
"All the hallmarks of fine Cold War electronica: a brain-searing synth line, and an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia and bubbling anxiety" ~ Electronic Sound
"Between post-punk influenced synth pop and lush chamber pop... with visually distinctive videos" ~ WIRE Magazine
"Reverberating, rippling riffs are more soothing and spacious, replicating deep-sea sonar devices and lulling lap steels... mystery-laced lyrics" ~ Big Takeover Magazine
Trust the teller – or the tale – when only fragments exist?
You had to be there… maybe.
Philadelphia-based art-rock duo Tulipomania has teamed up with the legendary Martyn Ware and Charles Stooke on a new remix, along with an intriguing animated music video, featuring lip sync, original footage and vintage found footage – some vibrantly tinted in pastel – all collaged on sheets of black paper, shot frame by frame.
Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 and The Human League fame is otherwise renowned for lifetime achievements in innovative musicianship, including as a record producer for artists such as Tina Turner, Terence Trent D'Arby, Chaka Khan, Erasure and Marc Almond. On this remix, Ware is joined by Charles Stooke, co-composer for the Illustrious Company, which Ware founded with Vince Clark in 2001. Apart from being released digitally, the ‘You Had to Be There (Martyn Ware & Charles Stooke Remix)’ is also be featured on WIRE Magazine’s cover-mounted Wiretapper CD compilation for October.
The animated music video is an official selection at the CutOut Fest International festival of animation and digital art taking place November 16-19 in Querétaro, Mexico.
Alternately categorized as cult synth punks, glam-leaning, post-punk, art-rock and muscular chamber pop, Tulipomania is made up of Tom Murray (lead vocals, synthesizer, electronic percussion) and Cheryl Gelover (synthesizer, background vocals), who first began their collaboration through projects for experimental film and animation classes. The duo now known as Tulipomania has evolved from those experiences.
Cheryl Gelover notes, “We reached out to Martyn and Charles and were so glad they were interested in remixing the track – they kept the original mood but added additional orchestration – especially in the intro and outro – and took the song’s groove in a totally different direction – which we really love.”
'You Had to Be There' is the first taste of Tulipomania’s album 'Dreaming of Sleep'(out November 17 via Sursumcorda Records). Establishing the conceptual viewpoint of this record – that embracing contradiction invites accountability – the Dada-esque stance channels a hopeful innervating energy. When navigating the morass – trust the teller – or the tale? You had to be there... maybe. Exploring varied states of disintegration and recombination, the accompanying video involves the painstaking assembly of thousands of individual images.
On ‘Dreaming of Sleep’ – their fifth album – Tulipomania immerses themselves fully in electronic means of creation – the exception being a sole accent played on electric guitar. Featuring cover artwork by Michael Speed, senior designer at Beggars Group London, this record involves Executive Producer Howard Thompson, renowned for his contributions as a record industry executive (Elektra, Island, Almo Sounds), having discovered and/or worked with such artists as Adam and the Ants, Billy Bragg, MC5, Mötorhead, PiL, Psychedelic Furs, Robyn Hitchcock, The Sugarcubes, Suicide, among others.
"There has been an overwhelming sense of dread and mistrust obviously brewing for a long time. In the post-Trump post-pandemic now - if it is or ever will be possible to be post either of those cataclysmic events – I wonder what the future will ask about it all," says Tom Murray.
"I wonder what the future will not understand and want to clarify about the self-serving lies, liars and grifters, and the foolishness of many who were here but not present in any real sense – unable or unwilling to see what was and is happening as everything rolls up to the very well placed few. I don't know what we can tell the future that can make this recent history any clearer. Maybe it is and has always been – and will always be this way. Maybe, you had to be there."
Described as ‘artistic and inventive’ and ‘gorgeous', Tulipomania's animated music videos have been featured in film festivals worldwide. Numerous such festivals have already showcased this new video as an official selection, including the Leeds International Film Festival (UK), StopTrik (Croatia, Poland), AniFilm (Czech Republic), Insomnia (Russia) and Malatesta (Italy) with the Montreal International Animation Film Festival - Animaze awarding it an Honorable Mention.
The pair also recently created two animated music videos - 'Hush' and 'Shock To The Body' - for Cabaret Voltaire co-founder and frontman Stephen Mallinder in support of his solo album 'tick, tick, tick', released last year on Dais Records.
On October 6, 'You Had To Be There (Martyn Ware & Charles Stooke Remix)’ is available everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. On November 17, the full 'Dreaming of Sleep' album will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally. It can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Music and lyrics written by Tulipomania
Remix created by Martyn Ware and Charles Stooke
Cheryl Gelover - keyboards and vocals
Tom Murray - bass, drums, keyboards and lead vocals
Produced and recorded by Tulipomania and Richard Hartline
Original version mixed and mastered by Richard Hartline
Howard Thompson - Executive Producer
Film directors / animators - Cheryl Gelover and Tom Murray
Cover artwork created by Michael Speed
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Tulipomania
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Vimeo | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Email
Boys Like Girls Share "THE OUTSIDE (OUTSIDER'S VERSION)" — LISTEN
SONG FEATURES TOURMATES 3OH!3, STATE CHAMPS, THE SUMMER SET, + THE READY SET
BOYS LIKE GIRLS are gearing up to release their first full length album in 11 years, SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS, on October 20, 2023 via Fearless Records.Pre-order it here.
However, they've pivoted by releasing a new version of the song "THE OUTISIDE."
"THE OUTSIDE (OUTSIDER'S VERSION)" features tourmates 3OH!3, State Champs, The Summer Set, and The Ready Set. Listen below.
It's an arena-sized jam that would sound as awesome billowing throughout as a sold-out stadium as it would from the DJ speakers at a wedding. It will invite you to dance the night away with its huge and harmonized choruses. It's the alt pop band's most rockin' anthem of its new era and you won't be able to escape its hooks.
"Putting together the 'SPEAKING OUR LANGUAGE TOUR' was unlike any other we have ever done," says BLG's Martin Johnson about how this version came to be. "We wanted to personally ask bands we were fans of and friends with to join and create a mini festival experience we would want to watch ourselves. I had written 'THE OUTSIDE' with Sean Foreman from 3OH!3 some years back and loved the idea of making a version with them on it. After booking the tour and becoming friends with Derek [DiScanio] from State Champs, we also talked about doing a feature. So when Brian and I from The Summer Set started texting and Jordan from The Ready Set jumped on a couple shows, we knew what we had to do."
He continues, "Already an underdog anthem dedicated to the music scene we grew up in…'THE OUTSIDE' was the perfect song for a full-on circus version with all the boys. Making this version was one of the most rewarding projects I've ever worked on. Hearing all the different voices, approaches and styles on the same song and puzzle piecing it all together was a massive musical gift. We all enjoyed working with these bands so much and can't wait for you to catch the tour this autumn and hear this new take on the song. We're BOYS LIKE GIRLS and this is 'THE OUTSIDE (OUTSIDERS VERSION),' featuring 3OH!3, STATE CHAMPS, THE SUMMER SET and THE READY SET."
BOYS LIKE GIRLS ON TOUR:
10/6 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic†
10/8 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom†
10/10 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom†
10/11 — Seattle, WA — Paramount Theatre†
10/13 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot†
10/14 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium†
10/16 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore Minneapolis†
10/18 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee†
10/19 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom@
10/21 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues Cleveland@
10/22 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit@
10/24 — Toronto, ON — HISTORY^
10/26 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway†
10/27 — New York, NY — Hammerstein Ballroom†
10/30 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia†
10/31 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring†
11/1 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz†
SUPPORT KEY:
† – The Summer Set, LOLO
@ – The Summer Set, LOLO, Every Avenue
^The Summer Set, LOLO, SayWeCanFly
Plain White T's Share "You Plus Me" — LISTEN
SELF-TITLED ALBUM OUT NOVEMBER 17 VIA FEARLESS RECORDS
BAND APPEARING AT SECOND ANNUAL WHEN WE WERE YOUNG FESTIVAL
PLAIN WHITE T'S — Tom Higgenson [vocals], Tim Lopez [lead guitar, vocals], Mike Retondo [bass], and De'Mar Hamilton [drums] — recently announced their new, self-titled album, out November 17 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.
The band has shared the lyric video for "You Plus Me." Watch and listen below.
With its gentle, acoustic guitar strumming, lilting melodies, and talk-sung vocals that deliver relatable, journal-honest lyrics, "You Plus Me" has a delightfully retro vibe. It's a simple, pretty, and resonant ode to finding and loving your person through good times and bad. Ultimately, this song could have a second life in a montage in a movie where a starstruck couple is trying to find its way back to one another.
"'You Plus Me' is a song about finding that person who is just as weird and nerdy as I am," says Higgenson. "It's our flaws and our uniqueness that brings us together. There's kind of an 'us against the world' mentality in this song and I love that! We purposely left the recording very raw and stripped down to let that spontaneity and misfit charm shine through."
As for the album, the band took its time and truly tapped into the essence that is the Plain White T's.
"We were trying to hark back to sounds we've used in the past with a freshness," Higgenson says. "This one came from a really authentic place of understanding who we are and what we do. I'm more excited than I've been in a long time. As musicians, we're always trying to outdo ourselves or go somewhere we haven’t gone before. Somehow, we figured out how to go to a fresh spot and still sound like Plain White T's."
Mission accomplished with the new album!
The band will also appear at the second annual When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas later this month.
PHOTO CREDIT: Austin Cieszko (@theonlymang)
ABOUT PLAIN WHITE T'S:
Since emerging in 1997, Chicago quartet Plain White T's have remained visible and viable. They have consistently delivered unforgettable pop rock anthems that take up real estate in your brain for months at a time. They have amassed over 2.7 billion total global streams, earned two Grammy nominations, and collected several Platinum-plus and Gold certifications across their impressive catalog. Their signature single "Hey There Delilah" went quadruple-platinum, topped the Billboard Hot 100, and earned the pair of aforementioned GRAMMY® nominations in 2008 — for "Song of the Year" and "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal." They have made their pop culture mark by appearing on highly visible shows such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Sesame Street, iCarly, 90210, Beavis & Butthead, and Frankenweenie, all the while nabbing press accolades from TIME, Billboard, ESPN, Rolling Stone, AV Club, MTV, MSNBC, and more. Plain White T's have proven to be a reliable musical force, as well as a career band that shows no signs of stopping or slowing down. Their self-titled album arrives in late 2023.
JASON ALDEAN PREVIEWS “WHISKEY DRINK” OFF OF 11th STUDIO ALBUM, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, OUT NOVEMBER 3
With 27 number one singles, 17 billion streams and 20 million albums sold, reigning ACM Artist of the Decade Jason Aldean today released another new track from his highly-anticipated 11th studio album, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, ahead of its November 3rd release. Released today as another preview of new music to come and written by Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, and John Morgan, “Whiskey Drink,” is available here. HIGHWAY DESPERADO features fourteen total tracks, including Aldean’s breakthrough Hot 100 chart-topping single and current Top 5 Country radio hit, “Try That In A Small Town.” In addition to today’s new track, the album also features the newly released track “Let Your Boys Be Country,” as well as three tracks co-written by Aldean. The 3X ACM Entertainer of the Year winner first introduced new music from the album in May with the release of the fan-appreciation anthem, “Tough Crowd,” at this year’s ACM Awards, where Aldean was an Entertainer of the Year nominee. The album is available for pre-save/pre-add now, including exclusive pre-order packages here.
The album marks the first new music since Aldean’s 10th studio project, the double album MACON, GEORGIA, which earned praise from Rolling Stone, Stereogum, The Tennessean, Entertainment Tonight, E! News and more. The album earned Aldean his 27th career-charting #1 single, "Trouble With A Heartbreak,” as well as a Billboard Music Award nomination for “Top Country Song” and awards from ACM, CMT, iHeart, and a GRAMMY nomination for “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood. Since making his chart debut in 2005, the Georgia native has earned the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - more than any other artist - his “songs of small-town living, love and loss have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard) and have “vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). His current tour of the same name continues through October 27th. For more information on Jason Aldean including additional tour dates and new music, visit www.JasonAldean.com.
Photo Credit: Brian Higbee
REMAINING HIGHWAY DESPERADO 2023 TOUR DATES:
Thu Oct 05 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Fri Oct 06 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Sat Oct 07 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Thu Oct 12 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Fri Oct 13 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Sat Oct 14 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Thu Oct 19 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Fri Oct 20 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
Sat Oct 21 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
Fri Oct 27 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sat Oct 28 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
KEEP UP WITH JASON ALDEAN
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | X
Indie Pop-Rock Artist, Harley Luck, Releases "Stay"
Emerging indie pop-rock artist, Harley Luck, has re-released his debut single, "Stay," under his new moniker. The re-mastered track was originally penned in Harley's bedroom during April of 2020, and carries the emotional weight of those early days of the pandemic. As the world grappled with isolation and uncertainty, Harley turned to music as a means of expression. This song, one of his earliest works, emerged as a testament to his songwriting and production skills.
"Stay" paints a vivid picture of the struggle to hold on to someone when the world was forcing everyone apart. The onset of the pandemic forced Harley to confront the reality of distancing from friends, connections, and a fleeting crush. Those two weeks of infatuation, coinciding with the pandemic's emergence, served as the song's primary inspiration. Harley describes "Stay" as a song that may seem like a heartfelt love ballad written by a 17-year-old, but it holds profound personal significance as a benchmark of his growth as an artist. He emphasizes his commitment to embracing change and personal evolution through his music, stating, "My songs are a method to verbalize the emotions that are difficult to express so that I can move past them and continue to grow."
Musically, "Stay" incorporates a diverse array of instruments, prominently featuring guitars, drums, and brass instruments. The infectious instrumental arrangement mirrors Harley Luck's taste in indie pop rock music, with influences drawn from Harry Styles's album "Fine Line." While Harley took on the role of sole lyricist for"Stay," he enlisted help for the instrumentation, incorporating loops from Splice while playing most of the guitar parts himself. “Something about this song that only I relate it with is Hawaii.” Harley expands “I had just gone to visit three days before lockdown started, so most of my songwriting had undertones of my experiences there. This song is super bright and energetic, and to this day I still think of Hawaii. I think having such a happy place in my recent memory during the initial period of quarantine helped me cope with everything going on, so Hawaii is always going to be special for me.”
The re-release of "Stay" marks an exciting chapter in Harley Luck's musical journey, as he unveils his work under his new moniker. Harley Luck, a name chosen for its enigmatic and gender-neutral quality, reflects Harley's commitment to embracing his unique identity.
Stream STAY : https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/harleyluck/stay
MORE INFO:
Harley Luck's musical odyssey began in his bedroom, offering solace for his anxiety. Using music as his therapy, he merged beats and poetry, forging a love for storytelling through song. His ability to convey emotions, even those inexperienced, grants him creative freedom, while his diverse musical palate shapes songs that stand apart. After years of musical exploration, Harley is poised to unveil his latest project, underlining his unwavering commitment to authenticity and growth. Influenced by Harry Styles' bold self-expression and inspired by brands like Converse that champion individuality, Harley envisions a community around his music that radiates self-acceptance. Rooted in rock but open to exploration, his music draws from a blend of influences, evolving from charming youthful compositions to descriptive narratives exploring a wide spectrum of emotions and experiences. Harley Luck's music is not just an artistic
journey but a personal one, an exploration of identity, and an embrace of change in the pursuit of self-discovery.
NIGHT CROWNED Unveils Music Video For Second Single "Flickan Som Försvann"; "Tales" To Be Released November 10 On Noble Demon!
Swedish blackened death metallers Night Crowned have released the second single "Flickan Som Försvann", taken from the band's upcoming album Tales. Following the successful launch of their first single "De Namnlösa", the band keeps captivating listeners with their mesmerizing blend of dark and atmospheric soundscapes.
Vocalist K. Romlin states: ''Flickan Som Försvann was the first demo I wrote lyrics for. I was inspired by an old Swedish punk song, but I wanted the words to be more graphic, more horrific, almost provocative, and I think I managed to do that. This is by far the darkest lyrics I have ever written."
The track is accompanied by a brand new music video, which you can watch below.
Stream the single HERE
Night Crowned's upcoming album, Tales, promises to be a sonic journey that pushes the boundaries of the genre. With their masterful musicianship and evocative storytelling, the band aims to create an immersive experience for listeners, transporting them to a world of darkness and introspection. The band's first single "De Namnlösa" already received widespread acclaim from both fans and critics alike, setting high expectations for the upcoming album. Night Crownedconsists of seasoned musicians who have made their mark in the metal scene. The band features members from renowned acts such as Dark Funeral, Nightrage, and Cipher System, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to their craft. With the release of "Flickan Som Försvann" Night Crowned continues to solidify their position as one of the most exciting and innovative bands in the melodic blackened death metal genre and fans can expect a captivating and immersive experience when Tales is unleashed upon the world.
Tales will be coming out on November 10 on Noble Demon and is available for pre-order at
THIS LOCATION
CARNIFEX - RELEASE NEW ALBUM NECROMANTEUM + REVEAL TRACK VIDEO FOR 'INFINITE NIGHT TERROR'
After existing as a band for over 18 years, CARNIFEX continue to experiment with fresh song arrangements, and adding a unique sense of atmosphere to their inherently deathcore foundation. Nourished by nightmares and the throbbing pulse of pragmatic terror, CARNIFEX return with their ninth full-length studio album, Necromanteum, which is out today via Nuclear Blast Records. Accompanying the release, the band delivers the track video for the single, 'Infinite Night Terror'.
CARNIFEX's Scott Ian Lewis comments, "This record is for the fans, I hope they enjoy it."
Purchase Necromanteum on various formats and stream now at
https://carnifex.bfan.link/necromanteum
Watch the track video for 'Infinite Night Terror' below.
Next week, CARNIFEX will head across the U.S. on their 'Necromanteum Tour'. The 24-date trek will kick off on October 11th in Arizona and will make stops in Dallas, Columbus, and Denver before concluding on November 11th in Los Angeles. Joining the band each night are SIGNS OF THE SWARM, TO THE GRAVE, and THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE.
Tickets for the tour can be purchased at http://carnifexmetal.com/.
Confirmed dates for CARNIFEX's 'Necromanteum Tour' with SIGNS OF THE SWARM, TO THE GRAVE, and THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE are:
10.11.2023 U.S. Tucson, AZ – The Rock
10.13.2023 U.S. San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box
10.14.2023 U.S. Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
10.15.2023 U.S. Dallas, TX – Gilley's (Monster Mosh Fest)
10.17.2023 U.S. New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
10.19.2023 U.S. Murfreesboro, TN – Hop Springs Beer Park
10.21.2023 U.S. Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Heaven
10.22.2023 U.S. Orlando, FL – Level 13
10.24.2023 U.S. Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
10.25.2023 U.S. Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
10.26.2023 U.S. Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
10.27.2023 U.S. Patchogue, NY – Stereo Garden
10.28.2023 U.S. Reading, PA – Reverb
10.29.2023 U.S. Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
10.31.2023 U.S. Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance
11.01.2023 U.S. Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
11.02.2023 U.S. Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
11.03.2023 U.S. Joliet, IL – The Forge
11.04.2023 U.S. Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
11.06.2023 U.S. Omaha, NE – Slowdown
11.07.2023 U.S. Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
11.09.2023 U.S. Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
11.10.2023 U.S. Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
11.11.2023 U.S. Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
The recording process took place over the course of several weeks with producer Jason Suecof in Florida and saw the return of live drums since COVID-19 restrictions made doing so on Graveside Confessions impossible. Mastered by Mark Lewis in Nashville, TN, the album was also co-produced by vocalist Scott Ian Lewis and drummer Shawn Cameron. The cover artwork glows with an emerald and lavender fog; a ghostly energy erupting from the depths of a cemetery. Designed by renowned comic book artist E.M. Gist, this gateway represents the questions we ask about what lies on the other side of reality.
Decades ago, wealthy intellectuals began installing psychomanteum in their homes; a secret room completely filled with mirrors, or a single mirror, and in complete darkness, in order to speak to the dead in other dimensions, and gain their knowledge. It was often used as a healing tool to help dissolve grief or considered a form of prophecy. Necromanteumpresents the concept: What if you could use that kind of room to speak with death, itself? What secrets of the world could you uncover from a direct conversation with the grim reaper? Not a monster, but a fellow intellect.
Necromanteum is available digitally and in the following formats:
CD Jewel
Vinyl
Neon Green w/ Purple Splatter
Darius Rucker's 'Carolyn's Boy' Available Everywhere Now
DARIUS RUCKER DELIVERS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM
CAROLYN’S BOY, OUT NOW
Watch Rucker Discuss His Late Mother’s Influence & His Role in Country Music with Jan Crawford on “CBS Mornings” HERE
Tune in to NBC This Weekend as He Joins Willie Geist for a “Sunday TODAY” Exclusive
& “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Next Thursday, Oct. 10 for a New Music Performance
PEOPLE Feature on Stands Now:
“He’s won three GRAMMYs and sold millions of records, but when Darius Rucker was growing up in Charleston, S.C., he wasn’t the best singer in his house—his mother, Carolyn, was.”
Having continuously teased new music as he put the finishing touches on his first solo project in six years, three-time GRAMMY winner Darius Rucker now unveils the highly anticipated final project with today’s release of Carolyn’s Boy. Praised by People in the issue on stands today for having “never left his humble roots in the rear view,” Rucker named the album as an homage to his late mother, a woman he celebrates as the sole reason for “who I am, how I am, what I am.” Listen HERE.
“She believed in me more than I believed in myself,” he shared with Jan Crawford on today’s “CBS Mornings.” “She’d tell me all the time, ‘you’re gonna make it; you’re gonna live your dream. I know you are. I can’t wait.’”
Rucker will further discuss the album and his mother’s influence on this weekend’s episode of “Sunday TODAY” via an exclusive interview with Willie Geist on NBC (check local listings), before bringing a feel-good performance of album track “Have A Good Time” to CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11:35 p.m. / 10:35 p.m. CT.
The series of television appearances continues what has already been a celebratory week for Rucker, including his induction on the Music City Walk of Fame this Wednesday, Oct. 4, and an intimiate performance that evening at Analog at the Hutton Hotel, taped to air as part of PBS’s “Recorded Live at Analog” series debuting in early 2024.
Captivating audiences with what Billboard praises as “one of the most distinctive voices of country’s modern era” Rucker describes the album six years in the making as his favorite he’s ever released, as Garden & Gun declares, “Carolyn’s Boycontains some of the most emotional, vulnerable music of Rucker’s career” with MusicRow adding that it offers “a beautiful blend of feel-good, fun tunes and deeper, moving numbers.”
From recent No. 1 hit “Beers And Sunshine,” his 10th to top the Country charts and what he describes as a perfect summary of Carolyn’s joyful personality, to current single “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” lauded by Billboard for “the impressive vocal control and power in his lower register,” and his latest release, “Southern Comfort,” described by Garden & Gun as “evok[ing] a wistful nostalgia that has become one of Rucker’s calling cards,” the project features 14 tracks, 11 of which boast Rucker as a cowriter.
Some of the notable cowriters joining him on the project include global superstar Ed Sheeran for the reflective “Sara,” penned during a trip to London and celebrated by People as “a mid-tempo rumination on the hopes of seeking friendship and comfort in a long-lost connection;” reigning ACM Artist/Songwriter of the Year HARDY for the longing “3am in Carolina;” and longtime friend and Lady A vocalist Charles Kelley for the despairing “7 days.”
In addition, the album sees Rucker join forces with Chapel Hart for the collaborative “Ol’ Church Hymn” while also offering his take on Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from blockbuster film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with MusicRow summarizing his rendition as “beautifully produced, spiritually uplifting and soul stirring. It builds to anthem-level intensity before receding into an intimate prayer. Essential.”
The album offers vulnerably insightful songs such as “Sure Would Have Loved Her,” “Stargazing” and “Never Been Over,” lauded by Garden & Gun in yesterday’s exclusive premiere as “[one] of the album’s highlights,” while also offering uplifting reminders to a divided world on tracks such as “In This Together,” “Same Beer Different Problem” and “Have A Good Time.”
In all, the album demonstrates what the Tennessean praises as Rucker’s “Southernness and soulfulness [which] occupy a uniquely American creative identity. His material caresses, not straddles, the intersections of pop’s unique variants.”
Rucker will also celebrate the release of his new album during the second year of his personally curated Riverfront Revival Music Festival this weekend in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. In addition to Rucker himself, fans will be treated to performances by Turnpike Troubadours, Lainey Wilson, Band of Horses and more. View the full lineup and daily schedule HERE.
Having shared the new music with fans across the country all summer on his Starting Fires Tour, Rucker is also gearing up to take his wide-ranging catalog of hits across the pond with a recently announced run of European tour dates in early 2024.
For more information and to purchase tickets to all upcoming shows, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.
About Darius Rucker
Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers,plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. He topped the charts at Country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021 and his latest single, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” off brand-new album Carolyn’s Boy is available everywhere now.
As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $3.6 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics apparel line available at Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.
STRIGOI Announce New EP
Strigoi were already plenty unsettling on their debut album. But the UK death-doom band's follow-up pushed their grinding asphyxiations to such vile extremes, that it produced an abundance of putridity.
'Bathed In A Black Sun' includes four unreleased or exclusive songs from 'Viscera'. Get re-acquainted with the pure, unadultered filth of the title track, which is slimed with sludge riffs and a crusty drum groove.
Watch the horrifying new video for "Bathed In A Black Sun" , Below.
The 'Bathed In A Black Sun' EP comes out November 3.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/strigoi-bathed-in-a-black-sun
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/strigoibiabspresave
"We are pleased to finally do this, as ultimately 'Bathed In A Black Sun' as a track is lamentably all the more relevant today than it was when it was written", says bassist Chris Casket. "We also wanted to release this EP as a companion to the album 'VISCERA', so finally all the tracks recorded during that studio session are available for all to 'enjoy' the extra cuts of raging spite and cold despair."
Greg Mackintosh already had one side project from his main gig as the guitarist for Paradise Lost. But when Vallenfyre ran its course, he started Strigoi with bassist Chris Casket in hopes of dragging death and doom metal even further afield.
'Bathed In A Black Sun' proves that Strigori can mold nasty blackened death doom from anything – even their own remains.
When Paradise Lost guitarist Greg Mackintosh put to rest his Vallenfyre side project in 2018, he closed a difficult, but ultimately cathartic period in his life. Created as a tribute to his father John, who passed away in 2009, Vallenfyre originally served as a sounding board for Greg’s grief, but then delved into his nihilistic take on the world. Vallenfyre’s brief existence was intentional — the band always knew they could go no further than the three studio albums that bore their name.
A mere few days after Vallenfyre played its last live show in September 2018, Mackintosh announced the formation of a brand-new band with Vallenfyre bassist Chris Casket (Ex. Extreme Noise Terror), Strigoi. The English twosome released their debut album Abandon All Faith on 22nd November 2019 which was met by widespread critical acclaim and support. From this success, the band began preproduction to take the project live, recruiting to the line-up drummer Guido Zima (Ex Implore / The Secret) and live guitarist Sam Kelly-Wallace (Ex Vallenfyre) to begin spreading their foreboding gospel throughout the European festival circuit.
Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic that hit Spring 2020 Strigoi were unable to perform live as planned, and realising this situation was going to be a long-term constraint Greg and Chris decided to begin writing for a second album. This 18-month process culminated in Strigoi signing to Season Of Mist records, then heading to Orgone Studios UK to track 14 brand new songs under the watchful eye of award winning producer Jamie Gomez Arellano.
The bands line up, now set with the addition of guitarist Ben Ash (Satyricon / Ex. Carcass) completed the recording of the album ‘Viscera’ in October 2021, subsequently mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity Studios and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Studios. ‘Viscera’ represents the further evolution of Strigoi as a band, a concept fully realised as a statement of terror, malaise, and ultimately a record representing what Greg and Chris wanted to achieve from the band’s inception.
Their new 'Bathed in Black Sun' EP includes five unreleased songs from the recording sessions for 'Viscera'. The title track is pure, unadulterated filth, slimed with sludge riffs and a crusty drum groove.
Recording Studio: Oregon Studios
Producer/Sound engineer: Jamie Gomez and Strigoi
Additional recording and production: Gregor Mackintosh at Black Planet Studios
Mixing studio/engineer: Kurt Ballou - Godcity Studios
Mastering studio/engineer: Brad Boatright – Audiosiege
Recording line-up:
Greg Mackintosh: Vocals and Guitar
Chris Casket: Bass
Guido Zima: Drums
Ben Ash: Guitar
Ross White - Guitar (Live)
Cover artwork: Brian Sheehan - Legerdemain Art
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/strigoi-bathed-in-a-black-sun
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/strigoibiabspresave
Booking contact:
Andy Farrow: andy@northernmusic.co.uk
Follow Strigoi
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/strigoi/1477641031
https://strigoiofficial.bandcamp.com/album/viscera
https://www.facebook.com/strigoibandofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/strigoi_official/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BUcX21YlCyGOUKXrNutei
https://twitter.com/OfficialStrigoi
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTUjPPERTRxYCMOYDbzMSAA
Formats:
CD Digipack
Digital Download
SVALBARD - new album 'The Weight Of The Mask' is out now
Today, Svalbard are proud to release their breathtaking new studio album, The Weight Of The Mask. Uncompromising and highly charged, the record spans themes intrinsic to humanity, such as emotional strength and depression, to unrequited love and vulnerability.
The Weight Of The Mask is Svalbard’s most devastatingly raw and beautiful work to date, overflowing with mesmerizing performances from Serena Cherry, Liam Phelan, Mark Lilley, and Matt Francis, transcending boundaries across shoegaze, post-hardcore, black metal, and more.
Serena Cherry stated:
"It feels pretty surreal to be releasing our fourth album today, after spending 2 years writing and recording it. It's so exciting for these songs to be out in the wild, we can't wait to see everyone's reactions to this album!"
Order The Weight Of The Mask HERE
Listen to The Weight Of The Mask in full on YouTube below.
Watch the 'How To Swim Down' video HERE
Watch the 'Faking It' video HERE
Watch the 'Eternal Spirits' video HERE
The Weight Of The Mask was recorded at The Ranch Production House, UK. The record was produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, with mastering by Grant Berry. Engineering was handled by Lewis Johns, assisted by Matt Janke, with additional editing by Kel Pinchin and Sebastien Sendon.
Svalbard's intention with their music is to make people feel less alone and to be there for people in their darkest times. The Weight Of The Mask bravely lays out experiences of mental illness and depression, hoping to help destigmatize these topics.
SVALBARD will be returning to the EU mainland for six headline show dates this month, which will be followed by a performance at the Cult Of Luna curated Beyond The Redshift event in London and a headline date at The Key Club in Leeds.
Formed in Bristol UK, Svalbard have previously released three studio albums, three EPs and several split releases. Their exceptional last studio album, 2020's When I Die, Will I Get Better? was dubbed by Metal Hammer UK as "the most important British metal record of 2020", with both Metal Hammer and Kerrang! lauding the record as a top 10 album of the year. A career milestone, it cemented Svalbard as a powerful and vital component of our global music scene.
Whilst refining their distinctive blend of euphoric black metal, post-rock, and d-beat, Svalbard have incorporated a few more surprising influences along the way. From soft, mournful singing to progressive guitar leads, it showcases a sensitive dynamic that lends impact to their most crushing moments - of which there are undoubtedly many. There’s no poetry, no ambiguity - just direct, raw honesty as the quartet tackles some very uncomfortable subjects head-on. This is heavy in the most evocative sense of the word. The blunt lyrics are equally as important as the music.
Svalbard are:
Vocals/Guitar - Serena Cherry
Vocals/Guitar - Liam Phelan
Drums - Mark Lilley
Bass - Matt Francis
After decades with Trashcan Sinatras, Scottish singer-songwriter John Douglas releases debut solo album via Reveal Records
"Fantastic album... a unique gem within each and every track... A sheer delight – recommended for everyone suffering from sensory overstimulation. This will calm your mind and ease you into healthy listening" ~ Amplify Music Magazine
One of Scotland’s finest songwriters - John Douglas of Trashcan Sinatras fame - presents his debut solo album, released via Scotland's Reveal Records, along with a self-filmed nostalgic video for the album's opening track 'Lost'.
This record presents an intimate snapshot of the talent, charisma and depth of this celebrated Scottish indie songsmith - the start of a new chapter in Douglas' creative life as he simultaneously looks back at a lifetime of musical adventures and accolades and moves forwards.
The album 'John Douglas' features new recordings of some of John's favourite Trashcan Sinatras material, alongside new songs he has written and his own rendition of the Prefab Sprout classic ‘We Let The Stars Go’.
The eleven songs on this record were performed solo, recorded live at Kyoti Studio in Glasgow (with no overdubs) by producer Mark Freegard (New Model Army, Lush, The Breeders, Del Amitri, Marillion), who also mixed and mastered the album.
“I’ve often been encouraged by friends over the years to make a solo album, but the timing or inclination didn’t flow. Last year - out of nowhere - everything suddenly felt right and the process was quick and natural. Mark just set the mics up and I played my songs. No other musicians or overdubs. Me and my guitar. That way, I became the songs and they became me. The finished record, though varied in song styles, has a mood to it… it’s warm, thoughtful and quiet.. as I generally aspire to be," says John Douglas.
About this latest focus track 'Lost', he notes, "Hard to be precise about this lyric. It all came to me in one go. Could be about getting lost in the past… letting it take over… I have felt disoriented when I’ve found myself dwelling on the past too much. RD Laing once said “Why let yesterday affect today ?” I know life can be more complex than that phrase allows, but it’s not a bad thought to mull over."
Hailing from Irvine on Scotland’s west coast, John has a rich history, making music with Trashcan Sinatras for over thirty years. Apart from his role as a songwriter (and guitarist) there, John has been playing live gigs across the UK and Ireland as part of his partner Eddi Reader’s band.
Lately, John Douglas has been performing solo sets at shows with musical friends, such as Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Jill Jackson and James Grant (Love & Money). Whilst visiting Irvine recently, John was invited to guest with Martin McAloon (Prefab Sprout), the two artists having first met in 1990 when the Trashcan Sinatras' were touring with Prefab Sprout in support of their album ‘Jordan - The Comeback'.
As of October 6th, the 'John Douglas' album is available on CD, as well as digitally from a wide selection of fine music outlets, including Bandcamp, where supporters can download two exclusive bonus digital tracks ('Last Orders' and 'The Drink'). To mark this release, John Douglas will be supporting the fabulous Withered Hand on their Scottish tour this October.
CREDITS
Written by John Douglas (1, 2, 4, 6, 11), Trashcan Sinatras (3, 5, 7, 8), Trashcan Sinatras / Dine (9) and Paddy McAloon (10)
All songs published by MCPS/PPL, except Track 10 (published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)
Recorded, mixed & mastered in Glasgow by Mark Freegard
Photographs taken on the Old Largs Road by Susie Lowe
Cover photo by Janette Ayachi at The Strand Club, Glasgow
Design by Martin Rowsell Simply Marvellous: Music
Thanks to Edna, Charlie, Sam and all my family, all the Trashcan Sinatras, Tom Rose, Boo Hewerdine and Jill Jackson
CD - REVEAL195CDX - 7427137071599
Digital Album - REVEAL195DDX - 7427137071605
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Bandcamp https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/john-douglas-2023
Album order https://revealrecords.lnk.to/JohnDouglas
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/08oykWwqbE7yvlHbUmG7gr
TOUR DATES (get tickets)
Oct 25 STIRLING, UK - Tolbooth
Oct 26 GALASHIELS, UK - MacArts
Oct 27 GLASGOW, UK - Saint Luke's
Oct 28 ABERDEEN, UK - The Lemon Tree
Keep up with John Douglas
Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Reveal Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email
NYC-based BLACK ROSE BURNING brings post-punk into futuristic sci-fi with new 'Ad Astra' video
"A compelling blend of ominous Goth atmospheres, dark, but dynamic dancefloor anthems, New Wave ’80s tunefulness, and electronics-embedded tech tracks, all draped with the silky, reflective, and longing vocals of George Grant" ~ Big Takeover Magazine
"Leaning towards Ultravox and Colourbox on the new wave spectrum, they sometimes channel vibes from Phantasmagoria-era The Damned and Butterfly on a Wheel-era The Mission" ~ Amplify Music Mag
"Space might be the final frontier but Black Rose Burning are already stellar" ~ Onyx Music Reviews
"Smoulders from the ashes of goth-rock, whilst emerging from the dry-ice ambience of 80s nostalgia. Like a noir-new romantic, Black Rose Burning peacock preens from the underworld of art-pop, whilst intermixing its post-punk palette" ~ The Manc Review
NYC alternative rock outfit Black Rose Burning presents 'Ad Astra', the title track from their invigorating third album 'Ad Astra', along with a clever new sci-fi video, announced as follows: "We travel into the microverse. We leave a dying planet there. We discover a new place to live. We're the light that shines amongst the stars at night... Love Won, Love Lost and Outer Space."
As with their previous album 'The Wheel', this album was mastered by ACTORS' own Jason Corbett at Jacknife Sound. Earlier, the band released the singles 'Fight!', 'Night Terrors' and 'Sing to Me'.
Formed in 2018 by instrumentalist, producer and engineer George Grant, Black Rose Burning also involves guitarist Frank Morin (World Inferno Friendship Society) and drummer Luis Infantas (Monster Zero).
Grant explains, "I was always intrigued by the Latin phrase Ad Astra Per Aspera (to the stars with difficulty) - even when I was a kid. I have also spent a great amount of time in my life pondering a question - why are we all fighting and destroying the planet earth instead of reaching for the stars together? The way mankind is at this moment in history, I’m not even sure we deserve the greater universe. I’m hopeful that one day we will".
In 2021, Black Rose Burning released their second album 'The Wheel', one year after debuting 'The Year of the Scorpion'. George Grant's soulful vocal delivery, instantly recognizable voice and solid instrumentation are standout features of this music. Roughly 40 years of songwriting across various genres has helped George embellish on clever hooks, drive and the gothic-pop sensibilities of The Cult's early years.
'Ad Astra' was recorded in George’s own studio, PV Recording Company, which has hosted notable artists over the years, including Emelio Zeff China (Peter Murphy), Knox Chandler (Siouxsie And The Banshees), Chibi (The Birthday Party Massacre), Nellie McKay, Julia Marcel, Paul Bakija (Reagan Youth), Ego Likeness and Voltaire (with whom Grant also played bass for 10 years).
“’Ad Astra’ is the result of the real first time collaboration of the musicians who have been playing with my project in a live setting and myself. On previous records, I recorded them solo – playing and programming all of the instruments. It only made sense to take it to a whole new level by taking a slight back seat and letting the fantastic musical brains I have surrounded myself with, to step into some spotlight and show their talent. Sonically it’s a major leap forward in the ever-growing sound of Black Rose Burning in every way. Letting experts do what they do has resulted in - a lush soundscape that’s better than I could have ever hoped for. And even though I again wrote all the material, having partners who understand my vision is both invaluable and awe inspiring,” says George Grant.
“Lyrically, I approached this record, from the standpoint of my pseudo-motto ”Love Won, Love Lost and Outer Space”. Interlaced with technical and futuristic themes are also stories of broken hearts, broken dreams as well as songs about hope. I quite honestly took my love, as an avid Sci-Fi fan, and poured it into quite a few of these songs and into the overall feel of the record. But don’t get me wrong - there’s plenty of both love and heartbreak written into it as well. The artwork by Antonella at Eshmoon DM brilliantly reflects the feel also - from the colors to the design and the themes - of my infatuation with Science Fiction.”
The 'Ad Astra' album is out now, available on CD and also digitally from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. On Friday, October 6, Black Rose Burning will play Absolution Fest, performing at Crobar in Tampa, Florida. On October 13, they play Richmond, Virginia's Fallout, together with Empathy Test.
CREDITS
Music and lyrics written by George Grant
George Grant - bass guitar, vocals, synth programming
Luis Infantas - drums and triggers
Frank Morin - all guitars
Recorded by the band @ PVRCo (Putnam Valley Recording Company)
Mastered by: Jason Corbett (Actors)
Cover Art by Antonella Di Mattei @ Eshmoon DM Design
Artist photos by Shane K. Gardner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/3jyscmMdC2yThQrOAl3JMB
'Ad Astra' album order / Bandcamp https://blackroseburning.bandcamp.com/album/ad-astra
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/43wKBQqYqskY08jkYjnk7T
Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/ad-astra/1705466602
Keep up with Black Rose Burning
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube| Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email
Tropic Gold Release "Maniac" Video — WATCH
Suffolk-via-Essex quartet Tropic Gold will release the What A Wonderful Experience EP, via UNFD.
Today, they share the video for "Maniac." Watch it here.
"Maniac" follows recent singles "ADRENALINE" and "DTTTH," and shines a light on "a generation of undiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions," share the band. "The song lays out how people often think they're going insane and that they're not normal. There's a constant struggle people live with, not knowing why they feel differently to others, and 'Maniac' talks about the attempt to find the alternate inner version of yourself that feels hopeless."
Teasing What A Wonderful Experience, the band explains that the title "can be interpreted in so many ways; it's our most cohesive release yet and we're eager to see how people relate to the songs in different, individual ways."
Get it here.
Tropic Gold offer up a sleekly modern meld of alternative, metal, pop, and electronica, cajoling their passions for a dynamic culture pool of music and production styles into a single sonic petri dish. Though originally formed in 2019, the quartet have spent years in the lab, developing their sound and strong aesthetics behind the closed doors of a bespoke, self-built multi-media studio. The Tropic Gold method is truly hands on, with guitaristJoshua Leehandling all production and recording duties, as well as diving into the weeds on their visual curation, manning the camera and edit suite as often as the production chair.
Today, with their vision firmly in grasp, the band are ready to move beyond the prologue, and have struck up a partnership with UNFD to bring their soaring, infectious soundscapes to a global audience.
Pairing swathes of moody atmospherics with soaring, ear worm choruses, the band’s songs feel like they would be equally A Vibe™ pulsing across sticky, cramped dance floors as soaring atop airy arenas.
Coming on like a new romantic Bring Me The Horizon or a post breakup Don Broco, who just discovered their parents copy of The Cure'sDisintegration or a 45rpm copy ofSing The Sorrow playing at 33rpm… tl;dr: Tropic Gold are as gloomy as they are catchy.
Sharing a sonic space with the likes of the aforementioned BMTH and Broco, PVRIS, (latter day) Architects, Caskets, Spiritbox's plaintive moments and even Enter Shikari (albeit on Valium), Tropic Gold are just getting started in figuring out how to weaponise their cocktail of slap and swag.
TROPIC GOLD ARE:
Jacob Parris — Vocals
Joshua Lee — Guitars + Programming
Bradley Lawrence — Bass
George Southernwood — Drums
Mavis Share "Furry Tongue" Video — WATCH
German band MAVIS, featuring vocalist Phil Donay, guitarist Manu Weller, bass player Mo Amrein, and drummer Jakob Schulz-Klein, dropped the video for new single "Furry Tongue," out now via Arising Empire.
Watch it below.
This latest masterpiece is a harmonious chaos, elegantly flitting between time signatures while maintaining a fluid, danceable rhythm.
"The complexity of 'Furry Tongue' didn't compromise its groove," says singer Phil Donay. "Achieving a song you can dance to was a pinnacle for us."
The song dances on the edge of intuition and overanalysis, exploring the tenuous balance that exists between the two and the exploitation that can arise from either extreme. Donay equates this delicate balancing act to the uncomfortable yet familiar sensation of a furry tongue.
Earlier this year, the band debuted its first single "Tortured Land." Watch the video here.
If "Tortured Land" was an introduction to Mavis' dynamism, "Furry Tongue" solidifies their position as forerunners in innovative metalcore.
The visual component, a collaboration with Danny Jakov (deadapefilms) oscillates between cerebral choreography and instinctive movement.
MAVIS ARE:
Phil Donay — Vocals
Manu Weller — Guitar
Mo Amrein — Guitar
Jakob Schulz-Klein — Drums
Chat with Alkaloid about their New Album on Bandcamp
Alkaloid Go Deep into 'Numen' with Bandcamp Listening Party
Alkaloid contain more than just multitudes. Their new album 'Numen' compresses meteoric riffs, seductive flurries of jazz and flamenco, and a multi-part saga about a godlike galactic civilization into a dizzying, thrilling 70 minutes.
"Songs like the ones you'll encounter on 'Numen' couldn't be conceived without highly active imaginations", says No Clean Singing.
Lambgoat: "Everything hits in a big way; big enough to be an Outer God of the genre".
That's a lot for any metalhead to unpack. But lucky for us, Alkaloid are hosting a Bandcamp listening party to chat with fans about their new album. Join the metal mad scientists tomorrow at 5 pm EST, when they go behind-the-music into everything from 7/16 time signatures, Stygian choirs and roughly four billion years of multicellular evolution.
Tomorrow happens to be Bandcamp Friday. Purchase 'Numen' or other Alkaloid merch during the listening party and the bulk of your money will go directly to supporting the band!
RSVP for the Bandcamp listening party tomorrow, October 6 @ 5 pm EST.
https://alkaloidsom.bandcamp.com/merch/numen-listening-party
Order 'Numen': https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/alkaloid-numen
Stream the whole album: https://orcd.co/numenpresave
Alkaloid are still bonded together by their love of extreme metal. After all, they are a super group that's assembled from foundational members of Obscura, Dark Fortress, Triptykon and other genre heavyweights. But Numen finds the band playing around with all kinds of experiments. "Shades of Shub Niggurath" brings back the band's chaotic signature death metal to conjure the titular goat-like outer god.
Take a cosmic trip through Lovecraftian space lore by watching the song's new visualizer, which was made by Scott Rudd Film.
Watch it below.
Progressive extreme metallers Alkaloid prepare to unfurl their new many-tentacled full-length, 'Numen' via Season of Mist. Featuring members of Triptykon, Obscura, Dark Fortress, and Obsidious, the Germany-based quartet of Morean (vocals, guitars, concepts), Hannes Grossmann (drums), Christian Münzner (guitars), and Linus Klausenitzer (bass) construct upon, expand away from, and journey between previous full-lengths The Malkuth Grimoire (2015) and Liquid Anatomy (2018) on Numen. In every respect, Alkaloid recommence the purposeful warp of various metallic genres they dimensionally blur. Tracks like the video single for "Clusterfuck,” “The Cambrian Explosion,” and “Numen” posit heavy cosmological/Lovecraftian theoretic themes on top of musically-adept songs that are accessible yet undeniably intricate.
“We’ve all been around the block a few times by now as metal musicians,” says songsmith Morean. “The feeling that we’ve outgrown the narrow niche of pure extreme metal was a main motivator to start this band in the first place, ten years ago. The ‘prog’ tag is handy for us because, per definition, it already encompasses a wider range of possible styles and influences we can get away with than any one specific metal genre. This means we could ensure from the beginning that we’ll always be able to write whatever we want, no matter how crazy our ideas become. The heart of this band is always the songwriting, and we all like complex and virtuosic music in all its diverse manifestations. However, we do share a love for death metal as the smallest common denominator in the band, and we wanted to make sure no one thinks that just because we include melodies, clean guitars, and influences from other genres, we’d automatically sacrifice the brutality and relentless esthetic of extreme metal.”
'Numen' was written during the pandemic, but it was planned long before the scourge of disease wracked humanity. As a result, the songwriting sessions were predictably not "in the room" but over the Internet after the band members had isolated and worked on their constituent parts. Demos flew back and forth. Then, Tunker left amicably for personal reasons. Alkaloid could’ve folded, but the close-knit group soldiered on. They intensely relied on the professionalism and dependability of the collective to drive 'Numen' to completion. The complications of the two years it took to sonically inscribe the album into aeonic vastness didn’t fragment the end result. Instead, the process accelerated Alkaloid’s lambent, eldritch explorations. “Clusterfuck,” “The Cambrian Explosion,” “Numen,” and “A Fool’s Desire” expertly bridge the past to the future, where Alkaloid’s originative, daedal storytelling captures (and holds hostage) the imagination.
The title, 'Numen', got its start at the dawning of Alkaloid. It’s a word that Morean fell in love with immediately, and he knew it had a place in his creative endeavors. Whereas The Malkuth Grimoire talked about combining existing elements into new structures, and Liquid Anatomy dealt with the creation of new elements, 'Numen' tries to look at the universe from a kind of meta-perspective from an imaginary god, as if the space that everything happens in was given a voice and a role as observer and shaper of everything that happens. In it, sentient panspermic mycelia are swathed in Lovecraftian nastiness—like Shub-Niggurath and the Fungi from Yuggoth—while the new Dyson chapters interpret the aspiration to reach divinity rather literally, reshaping the entire galaxy by manipulating spacetime itself. Desperate to escape their doom, the Cephalopods from previous songs have returned, too. 'Numen' is dense but not impenetrable. In fact, from the first moments of opener, "Qliphosis," to the final contemplation of closer "Alpha Aur,” Alkaloid prove to be more charismatic than ever.
Line-up
Morean - guitars, vocals
Christian Münzner - guitars
Linus Klausenitzer - bass
Hannes Grossmann - drums
Recording Studio: Mordor Sounds, Nürnberg, Germany.
Producer: Hannes Grossmann & Alkaloid
Recording & mixing: Hannes Grossmann
Mastering: Alan Douches at West West Side Music studio in Hudson Valley, NY.
Guest musicians
Adam Wallis, Cydney McQuillan-Grace, John Schaffer, Lauren Gill, Sara Robalo, Shannon Bedford
Additional choir tracks on "The Cambrian Explosion" and "Shades of Shub-Niggurath"
Former Alkaloid guitarist Danny Tunker contributed to "The Cambrian Explosion"
Artwork & photos: Christian Martin Weiss
Biography: Chris Dick
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/alkaloid-numen
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/numenpresave
Format
Digital download
CD Digipak w/mediabook
Black Vinyl (Gatefold)
Coloured Vinyl (Gatefold)
Links
https://alkaloid-band.com/
https://www.facebook.com/alkaloid.metal
https://www.instagram.com/alkaloid_metal/
https://twitter.com/AlkaloidBand
https://www.youtube.com/c/Alkaloidbandmetal
https://alkaloid-band.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KMQDFaAsPEKcqKzdvkYKc
SUFFOCATION | RELEASE VIDEO VISUALIZER FOR SECOND SINGLE 'PERPETUAL DECEPTION'
New York death metal legends SUFFOCATION unleash their ninth full-length album Hymns From The Apocrypha on November 3rd via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to ...of the Dark Light (2017) and the first release featuring the new vocalist Ricky Myers, pushes the band to the very edges of extremity and is arguably the group's strongest-sounding, most sonically punishing album yet. SUFFOCATION have achieved death metal perfection.
Check out the second single from the album entitled, 'Perpetual Deception'. The track revisits the Son of Man (Jesus) and his continuous deceit, a nod to the classic SUFFOCATION track, ‘Jesus Wept.’
Stream the new single 'Perpetual Deception', here:
https://suffocation.bfan.link/pdsg
Watch the video visualizer for 'Perpetual Deception', below.
SUFFOCATION took about a month and a half to record Hymns from the Apocrypha. They holed up at Hobbs and Boyer's InLine Studio in Long Island. The duo engineered and co-produced with Christian Donaldson (BENEATH THE MASSACRE, INGESTED), who was also re-enlisted to mix and master, with Dominic Grimard (CRYPTOPSY, SHADOW OF INTENT) assisting. With stunning cover art by Greek illustrator Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design (VOMITORY, THE CROWN), Hymns from the Apocrypha is characteristically SUFFOCATION. It's uncompromisingly brutal, artistically gutsy, and aurally heavy. Clearly, SUFFOCATION, as they head into their 35th Anniversary, are at the peak of their potential. Death metal or die!
Hymns from the Apocrypha will be available digitally and in the following formats:
CD Jewel
Vinyl
Brown w/ White Splatter
White w/ Brown Corona (Mailorder exclusive, limited to 600)
Cassette
Smoky Tint (Band exclusive, limited to 200)
Gold (Mailorder exclusive, limited to 500)
SUFFOCATION has exclusive Hymns from the Apocrypha merch available at www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/suffocation.
SUFFOCATION are staying busy this fall with their 6-date 'Darkness Within Mexico Tour 2023' followed by their 'Ancient Unholy Rising Tour 2023' with co-headliners legendary death metal band INCANTATION. The 26-date trek will kick off on November 7th in Baltimore and makes its way across North America with performances in Montreal, Seattle, and Houston before its conclusion in Greensboro on December 4th. Joining the bands as openers are SKELETAL REMAINS and STABBING.
Purchase tickets here: www.suffocationofficial.com/tour
Photo credit: Jason Carlson
'Ancient Unholy Uprising' Tour 2023
with co-headliners INCANTATION and support SKELETAL REMAINS and STABBING
11.07.2023 US Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
11.08.2023 US Reading, PA - Reverb
11.09.2023 US Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
11.10.2023 US Providence, RI - Alchemy
11.11.2023 CA Trois-Rivières, QC - Amphithéâtre Cogeco
11.12.2023 CA Montreal, QC - Studio TO
11.13.2023 CA Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace
11.14.2023 US Detroit, MI - The Sanctuary
11.15.2023 US Chicago, IL - Reggies
11.16.2023 US Madison, WI - The Annex
11.17.2023 US Lawrence, KS - The Granada
11.18.2023 US Denver, CO - HQ
11.20.2023 US Richland, WA - Ray's Golden Lion
11.21.2023 US Seattle, WA - El Corazon
11.22.2023 US Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
11.24.2023 US San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
11.25.2023 US San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
11.26.2023 US Los Angeles, CA - 1720
11.27.2023 US Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge
11.28.2023 US Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
11.29.2023 US Oklahoma City, OK - 89th Street Collective
11.30.2023 US Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
12.01.2023 US Houston, TX - Scout Bar
12.02.2023 US San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
12.03.2023 US New Orleans, LA - Southport Music Hall
12.04.2023 US Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819
SUFFOCATION line-up:
Terrence Hobbs | Guitar
Derrek Boyer | Bass
Eric Morotti | Drums
Charlie Errigo | Guitar
Ricky Myers | Vocals
More Information:
www.facebook.com/suffocation
www.instagram.com/suffocationofficial
www.twitter.com/suffocation
www.tiktok.com/@suffocationofficial
www.youtube.com/suffocationofficial
open.spotify.com/user/suffocation_official?si=617347e88d9e423c
www.twitch.tv/suffocationofficial
BLACKLITE DISTRICT Announces November Dates for The XL Tour 2!
South Dakota-based alternative rock artist KYLE PFEIFFER, better known as BLACKLITE DISTRICT, has announced the second wave of his XL TOUR! Launching November 3rd at Beach House in Omaha, NE, the tour will wind through the Midwest before wrapping up November 12th at Lefty's in Des Moines, IA.
Tour Dates:
11/03 @ Beach House - Omaha, NE
11/05 @ The Wave - Wichita, KS
11/07 @ Twisted Spoke - Pekin, IL
11/08 @ The Canopy Club - Urbana, IL
11/09 @ Studio 301 - Portage, WI
11/10 @ WC Social Club - Chicago, IL
11/11 @ Smokestack - Dubuque, IA
11/12 @ Lefty's - Des Moines, IA
“I am beyond excited to kick off the second leg of The XL Tour! It seriously blows my mind to see all of these young kids coming out and experiencing their first rock show, and it’s even cooler to see the parents that have become fans as well. It’s not a Disney show by any means, but it’s definitely an event the whole family can attend. It’s rock and roll for the digital generation, and I’m confident we will deliver nights to remember on this tour!” - KYLE PFEIFFER
JOHN MORGAN RELEASES DEBUT EP – REMEMBER US? – AVAILABLE TONIGHT
#1 HIT SONGWRITER JOHN MORGAN RELEASES DEBUT EP – REMEMBER US? – AVAILABLE AT 11 PM/CT
Performing at TONIGHT’s Whiskey Jam,
Watch the Livestream HERE
Tomorrow (10/6) Catch Him LIVE on WSM 650 AM at 9 am/CT;
RFD-TV at Noon pm/CT
Multi #1 hit songwriter and seasoned performer John Morgan - best known for writing the GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning #1 “If I Didn’t Love You” for Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood – tonight releases his six-song debut EP Remember Us? Available HERE.
“I’m proud to put out this project, so people can really see what I’ve been doing the last couple of years,” says John. “I haven’t just been writing songs for other people. I hope they see the time that’s put into the details. A lot of these songs are two or three years old. They’ve stood the test of time and are still some of my favorites. They are special to me in different ways. I hope the EP really gives people an opportunity to see me establishing myself as an artist and not just a songwriter. These songs are true to me, and I hope people connect with them.”
Praised by People as “a solo artist intriguing enough to watch,” the six-song debut mixes John’s signature “sad boy country” heartbreakers with lively up-tempo barn burners, effortlessly flowing between romantic relatability and nostalgia to crank-it-to-10 singalongs. “Standing apart from the rest of the Country crowd as he brings a more traditional Country flair to the Pop-Country sounds of today’s genre” (Songwriter Universe), John co-wrote each song and enlisted his mentor Jason Aldean and Aldean’s bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy to help produce the project’s heart-stirring title track “Remember Us,” along with “Ain’t Been There Yet” and the previously released party-start “Friends Like That”, which has earned over 12.5 million on-demand streams to date.
Declared by Country Swag as “one of Morgan’s best to date,” the EP also includes the just-released “Cold Summer in San Antone” that depicts the isolation and coldness a broken heart can inflict, even during the most brutally hot season in Texas. Likewise, the anguished “It Ain’t the Leavin’” dials in on the turmoiled chaos felt after goodbye, while the fun-loving, up-tempo anthem “Won’t Be As Good” admits life isn’t as worthwhile without that certain someone in it.
With emotive and dynamic lyrics that bring his innate storytelling prowess to the forefront, Remember Us? truly embodies why John Morgan is a multi #1 hit songwriter and artist to watch. “Oozing with validity, Morgan's subtle twang is undeniably fresh and is a swift and welcomed return to the traditional sounds that he grew up on, but that fans also crave” (All Country News).
Having just made his Grand Ole Opry debut, John has been out on the road all year with ERNEST, Riley Green, Jameson Rodgers, Conner Smith and Rodney Akins and has been hitting renowned music festivals such as Headwaters Country Jam, Utah’s Country Fan Fest, WE Fest, Voices of America Country Music Festival, Tidalwave Music Festival and more.
Photo Credit: Nate Buchanan
About John Morgan:
With a style that’s defined by melodic grit and a craftsman’s approach to songwriting, John Morgan brings a blue-collar toughness to Country that’s pulled straight from the only life he knows. Hailing from a tiny town called Sylva, deep in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, John grew up immersed in Bluegrass tradition and even toured the festival circuit each summer in a family band, before diving into songwriting, inspired by six-string legends from Tony Rice to John Mayer. More than a year after selling everything he had to follow his dream, an only-in-Nashville story involving Uber drivers and impressive demos led to a writing session with Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy—two incredible songwriters and longtime bandmates of Country superstar Jason Aldean. That session led to the superstar cutting eight songs written by John, including his recent No. 1 “Trouble With A Heartbreak” and the GRAMMY® nominated, ACM Single of the Year # 1 smash hit with Carrie Underwood “If I Didn’t Love You,” and Aldean signing John to Night Train Records, his imprint with BBR Music Group. The sought-after songwriter – who has toured with Jason Aldean, ERNEST, Riley Green, and James Rodgers – has released a slew of “Sad Boy Country” songs including his latest “Cold Summer in San Antone,” “Coldest Beer in Town,” “Right In The Middle,” and “Good With Goodbye.” Having recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut, John pivots from heartbreak to party starter territory, dropping the smash hit “Friends Like That,” the unapologetic “Sorry Not Sorry,” the confident “Man of Few Words,” and his anthemic debut EP Remember Us?.
KEEP UP WITH JOHN MORGAN