Benighted Crawl Under Your Skin on New Album

BENIGHTED weave a writhing tale of psychological horror on their new album, which was recorded at Kohlekeller Studio. Famous for working with bands like Aborted and Powerwolf, producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner helped Benighted twist their brutal brand of death metal into something truly tormenting.  

Ekbom refers to delusional parasitosis, a real-life phenomenon that makes people believe their skin is infested with bugs. Just try not to shiver while watching the  creepy-crawly music video for lead single "Scars".  

Watch Below:

Ekbom comes out April 12, 2024.

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BenightedEkbom
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/benightedekbompresave   

"Scars" will make the hairs on the back of your neck jump. The song blasts straight into Julien Truchan's signature pig squeal. The riffs are as fast as they are nimble, but Benighted compliment their grinding technicality with clever drum breaks and harmonic passages. Creepy, gruesome and still absolutely brutal, the French band are back to crack open the deepest, darkest recesses of our skulls. 

Video created by Kick Your Eye Productions.

Benighted are hitting the road in April for the Hellfest Warm-up Tour. Along with their signature style of brutal death metal, the French band are bringing along the support of Ten56 for these 13 lucky shows. Rise of the North Star, Stinky & KAMIZOL K will also join them on select dates.

Dive into the darkest realms of the human psyche as Benighted, the French purveyors of brutal death metal & grindcore, unleash their tenth full-length album Ekbom in April 2024. The madness that has defined their discography continues with this radical soundtrack to the twisted times we inhabit.

Born from French Death and Black metal bands Dishumanized, Darkness Fire, and Osgiliath, Benighted emerged in 1998 with a mission to explore a more brutal, heavy, and modern form of musical expression. The impact of their first self-produced and self-titled full-length album in 2000 transformed BENIGHTED from a side-project into a main act, quickly amassing a devoted fan base. Subsequent albums like Psychose (2002), Insane Cephalic Production (2004), Identisick (2006), and Icon (2007) further cemented their visceral, skull-breaking sound into extreme death metal history.

After a detour into the realms of Necrobreed in 2017, Benighted celebrated their 20th anniversary by capturing the live madness with Dogs Always Bite Harder Than Their Master in 2018.

With Obscene Repressed, they once again took sadistic pleasure in pushing the boundaries of brutality, delving into the disturbed mind of little Michael. His relentless battle against demons, fueled by unresolved oedipal issues with his mother, provided a grotesque tableau for Benighted's sonic butchery. Not content with merely slaughtering everything in their auditory path, Benighted crafted thematically explorative pieces, each turn in their music revealing new layers of horror and despair.

As the relentless journey continues, Benighted is set to unleash Ekbom in April 2024, an album that draws inspiration from the nightmarish 'Ekbom syndrome.' This rare neurological disorder, also known as Delusional Parasitosis, forms the thematic core of the upcoming release. A feeling of having a vile concoction of parasites, worms, and insects crawling under your skin is an apt description of what BENIGHTED have to offer on this newest release. The auditory assault mirrors the repulsive sensations of the syndrome, a visceral and unsettling journey into the abyss of the human mind.

Madness reigns yet again, this time intertwining with the haunting echoes of Ekbom syndrome. Brace yourselves for another mind-shattering chapter in the Benighted saga as they continue to carve their niche in the putrid annals of extreme metal, leaving a trail of sonic disgust in their wake.

Line-up
Julien Truchan - Vocals
Emmanuel Dalle - Guitars
Pierre Arnoux - Bass
Kevin Paradis - Drums

Recording studio
Kohlekeller Studios, Germany (Powerwolf, Aborted, Crematory)

Producer, Sound, Mixing & Mastering engineer
Kristian Kohlmannslehner

Guest musicians
Oliver Peters (Archspire) on "Nothing Left to Fear"
Xavier Chevalier (Blockheads) on "Fame of the Grotesque"

Biography: Sébastien Gamez

Cover art: Grindesign (Rob Borbas)

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/benightedekbompresave

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BenightedEkbom

Links:
Official Website: https://www.benighted.fr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brutalbenighted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benighted_band/
Bandcamp: https://benighted.bandcamp.com/music
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brutalbenighted
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benighted_band
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@_BENIGHTED
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dUwIwaPc6UukkCZTaaf7J
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/benighted/267088245
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3919180 

Booking Contact:
France: Rage Tour - philippe@ragetour.com
Worldwide: Redback Promotion - ronny@redback-promotion.com

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Yellow & Black Marbled
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Golden
12" Liquid Vinyl Gatefold - Blood Red Liquid-Filled

Poolside At The Flamingo Announce New EP 'Accabadora'; Drop Title Track With Music Video

The world of extreme metal is about to be shaken to its core as Poolside At The Flamingoannounces their new EP 'Accabadora', set for release on May 22nd, 2024 via Blood Blast Distribution. Accompanying the announcement is the release of the EP's title track, complete with a strikingly irreverent music video with some very special cameo appearances from the band members' kids. Listen to the title track HERE and watch the official music video below.

The title track, "Accabadora" is a gloriously brutal slab of grindcore meets deathcore with a hint of death metal and thematically pays homage to Sardinian folklore figure, the Accabadora, also known as The Lady of Good Death, who would visit the homes of the elderly and infirm to put an end their suffering. Shedding light on the depth and intensity of the song, the Poolside At The Flamingo share

"This is the title song of the EP for a reason. It starts out fast and unpredictable but leads smoothly to pit-opening breakdowns. A hint of melody can MAYBE even be noticed in the final closing. This song is about the fabled 'Accabadora' who will come to end the life of those suffering in pain,"

The new EP stands as a bold statement from Poolside At The Flamingo, showcasing their growth as musicians and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme music. With palpable pride in their upcoming work, the band continues

"The Accabadora EP is the first release that we're truly proud of and feel embodies the sound that we're looking to achieve. The songs on this EP were written with more care and attention than any other album/ep we've released. To us, it's the perfect blend of erratic grindcore and soul-crushing breakdowns."

Stay tuned for more from Poolside At The Flamingo soon and get ready for sheer, unbridled brutality on May 22nd when they release the 'Accabadora' EP.

About Poolside At The Flamingo

Poolside at the Flamingo is a 4 piece deathcore/grindcore band based in Colorado, USA. 
Formed in 2005, Poolside At The Flamingo toured extensively in the "Myspace" days playing with the likes of Through The Eyes of the Dead, The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza, See You Next Tuesday and MANY more. 

Their debut album "This Will End Badly..." (2006) was recorded live in a residential basement. Their next official album, "The Sound Below" (2017), was produced by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio and more recently they released "Self Titled" (2023).

Poolside At The Flamingo Are:

Scotty Bohnen: Vocals

Danny Bohnen: Guitar

Rudy Garcia: Drums

David French: Bass

Thy Art Is Murder Announce Spring 2024 Headline North American Tour

Australia's extreme metal titans Thy Art Is Murder will return to North America for a headline tour this Spring. It's the first North American tour in support of the new album Godlike, out now. Get it here.

The tour kicks off on April 11 at L'Olympia in Montreal and runs through May 11 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Support acts are Angelmaker, Signs of the Swarm, and Snuffed on Sight.

"After decimating Europe on our largest headline tour ever, we are incredibly excited to bring our new album Godlike to North America's shores," the band states.

All dates are below.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 9 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.

THY ART OF MURDER ON TOUR:
WITH ANGELMAKER, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, + SNUFFED ON SIGHT:
4/11 — Montreal, QC — L'Olympia
4/12 — Toronto, ON — Opera House
4/13 — London, ON — London Music Hall
4/14 — Detroit, MI — Saint Andrews Hall
4/15 — McKees Rock, PA — Roxian Theatre
4/17 — Harrisburg, PA — HMAC
4/18 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
4/19 — Grand Rapids, MI — Elevation
4/20 — Chicago, IL — House of Blues
4/21 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
4/23 — Denver, CO — Ogden Theatre
4/24 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
4/26 — San Francisco, CA — Regency Ballroom
4/27 — Los Angeles, CA — The Fonda
4/28 — Santa Ana, CA — The Observatory
4/29 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theatre
5/01 — Dallas, TX — Studio at The Factory
5/03 — Baton Rouge, LA — Varsity Theatre
5/04 — Jacksonville, FL — The Underbelly
5/05 — Tampa, FL — The Ritz Ybor
5/07 — Raleigh, NC — The Lincoln Theatre
5/08 — Richmond, VA — The National
5/09 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
5/10 — Worcester, MA — Palladium
5/11 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom

Thy Art Is Murder ascended the ranks of extreme metal's top tier bands with a meteoric underground rise as explosive as humankind's seemingly inevitable descent into doom and death. With their new album, Godlike, Australia's most harrowingly brutal export since George Miller's Mad Max franchise invites audiences worldwide to join them in a fresh Armageddon.  The sixth explosive album in the band's arsenal, Godlike cements Thy Art Is Murder as death metal's modern torchbearers. A soundtrack to a divisive post-modern dystopia, Godlike sees Thy Art Is Murder explore new depths and dynamics without sacrificing an ounce of intensity or urgency the band have staked their career on.

STEVE HACKETT LAUNCHES 'CIRCO INFERNO'; THIRD SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM 'THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE'

Legendary rock guitarist Steve Hackett is set to release his new studio album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ on Friday, February 16th, 2024, via InsideOut Music. A rite-of-passage concept album with a young character called Travla at the centre of it, ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’s’ 13 tracks have an autobiographical angle for the musician who says about his 30th solo release: “I love this album. It says the things I’ve been wanting to say for a very long time.”

With just a week and a half to go till the albums release, Steve has launched the track ‘Circo Inferno’, and you can now listen to it below.

Steve said of the track: “Circo Inferno is the most frenzied point in this album’s narrative… A plea for rescue within the maelstrom of a Dantesque circus, involving swirling Phrygian runs, insistent sax, full on vocals and blistering guitar…”

The albums opening track ‘People of the Smoke’ was released in December. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iujNWzPL0
Watch the video for ‘Wherever You Are’ HERE: https://youtu.be/6LwYc8_orY8

The new album is available to pre-order on several different formats, including a Limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook (including 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit high resolution stereo mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP & as Digital Album. All feature the stunning cover painting by Denise Marsh.
Pre-order now here: https://stevehackett.lnk.to/TheCircusAndTheNightwhale

‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ is Steve’s first new music in over two years. Recorded between tours in 2022 and 2023 at Siren studio in the UK – with guest parts beamed in from Sweden, Austria, the US, Azerbaijan and Denmark, the line-up for ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ includes some familiar faces alongside Steve on electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass and vocals. Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, engineer extraordinaire Benedict Fenner appears on keyboards and Malik Mansurov is back with the tar. Finally, Steve’s brother John Hackett is present once more on flute.

Summing up ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’, Steve says: “It’s a lovely journey that starts dirty, scratchy and smoky and becomes heavenly and divine. How can you resist it?”

Steve Hackett & band will tour the world extensively in 2024, including a brand new UK tour ‘Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo’, which will see him return to the legendary Royal Albert Hall. He will also return to North America early this year, with European shows booked in for the Summer. For the full list of dates, head to: http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html
 

STEVE HACKETT Online:
www.hackettsongs.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Hackett/123101228589
www.twitter.com/HackettOfficial
http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html

INSIDEOUTMUSIC Online:
www.insideoutmusic.com
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
 www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
www.twitter.com/insideouteu

Bryce Leatherwood Announces 11-City ‘Neon Does Tour’

While Republic Records / Universal Music recording artist Bryce Leatherwood works on his first full-length project in 2024, he’ll also carry his neotraditional sound and American Songwriter-celebrated “silky baritone and subtle twang” to fans across 11 cities with his Neon Does Tour. 
 
Kicking off on April 4 in Statesboro, Georgia; Leatherwood’s Neon Does Tour will make additional stops in Knoxville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Indianapolis, Indiana and more. Ticket pre-sales for the Neon Does Tour begin tomorrow, Feb. 7 at 10am local time, while general on-sale starts this Friday, Feb. 9 at 10am local time. To purchase tickets, visit bryceleatherwood.com. 
 
“To start my first headlining tour in the place where my musical journey all started, Statesboro Georgia, is a dream come true. South Georgia fans have built this with me, and I can’t wait for them to hear this new music live,” shares Leatherwood. “When writing and recording these songs we had how they’d play out in the live show in mind, and it’s time to road test what’s ultimately gonna make the record which we’re working on now!”
 
The tour is named after Leatherwood’s recently released single, “Neon Does,” the first song Leatherwood has released as a featured co-writer, further amplifying his versatility as both a singer and songwriter.
 
A Georgia Southern University alum, Leatherwood began honing his craft in college, playing local venues and fostering his country music repertoire. At Georgia Southern, he formed his band in late 2021 and began playing all around the Southeast.
 
After graduating college, he competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on The Voice, Leatherwood began pursuing a full-time music career, signing with Republic Records and Universal Music Group Nashville in October 2023. 
 
Leatherwood is currently recording and will be releasing new music throughout 2024. For the latest news and upcoming tour dates, visit bryceleatherwood.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. 

Neon Does Tour:
April 4 // Statesboro, GA // The Blue Room
April 5 // Knoxville, TN // Open Chord
April 7 // Decatur, GA // Eddie's Attic
April 11 // Columbus, OH // The Basement
April 12 // Charlotte, NC // The Evening Muse
April 18 // Birmingham, AL // Zydeco
April 19 // Athens, GA // 40 Watt Club
April 20 // Tifton, GA // Terminal South
May 9 // Chicago, IL // Carol's Pub
May 10 // Indianapolis, IN // 8 Seconds Saloon
May 11 // Louisville, KY // PBR Louisville

About Bryce Leatherwood:
Bryce Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Bryce was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter, Bryce began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that still inspires him today. Bryce’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Bryce played college venues and continued to hone his stage presence and his country music repertoire. In late 2021 while still enrolled in college, Bryce formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages and audiences. After graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, he competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on “The Voice,” Bryce signed with Republic Records / Universal Music Group Nashville and is currently hard at work on new music.

NITE Announce Shows Around Hell's Heroes

NITE are carrying the torch for Bay Area metal to Houston, Texas for Hell’s Heroes this March. The blackened San Franciscan four-piece are known for galloping riffs and an undeniably heavy rhythmic chug, but along the way, they’re making several pit stops at some familiar haunts.

Pump your fist to the melodic thrashing of “The Trident”, along with other choice cuts from Voices of the Kronian Moon and their recently reissued debut Darkness Silence Mirror Flame. Fans on this tour will also get a first taste of NITE's forthcoming third album, as the band will be road testing some brand new material.  

Don't miss select shows with ice metal masters Persekutor and the trad metal warriors of Intranced. The lineup is especially stacked on March 29 in Palmdale, California, where NITE will also be joined by Fresno heavies Haunt and New York's Tanith, which features members of Satan.  

Get tickets: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/nite-tix

Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/6A51bOclEcCXsNWNGh9nTj
Order : https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/nite-merch

2024 March to Hell Tour
March 16 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1st Street Pool Hall w/ Persekutor, Intranced, Acero Letal. [TICKETS]
March 17 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Dive w/ Persekutor, Intranced. [TICKETS]
March 18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon [TICKETS]
March 19 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive [TICKETS]
March 20 - Tulsa, OK @ The Whittier Bar [TICKETS]
March 21-23 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Hell’s Heroes VI w/  Queensryche, Solitude Aeturnus, Cirith Ungol) [TICKETS]
March 24 - Austin, TX @ The Lost Well [TICKETS]
March 25 - El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill [TICKETS]
March 26 - Albuquerque, NM @  Long Hair Records [TICKETS]
March 27 - Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room (FREE SHOW)
March 28 - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Wayfarer w/ Persekutor, Intranced [TICKETS]
March 29 - Palmdale, CA @ Transplants Brewing Co. w/ Haunt, Tanith, Persekutor, Intranced [TICKETS]

The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal brand barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while keeping one eye on the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satan’s Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakis’ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era.

With Avinash Mittur (Wild Hunt) replacing founding bassist Bryan Coons in early 2021, he and drummer Patrick Crawford (Serpents of Dawn, Older Sun) make up a rhythm section that’s fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of the early days of heavy metal, with a Rickenbacker-powered roar fueling the low end. NITE’s debut full-length Darkness Silence Mirror Flame, released in March 2020 by Creator-Destructor Records, earned widespread praise. It showcased their fist-raising classic heavy metal that nearly every fan of the genre once fell in love with, but with a twisted and shadowy edge that the titans of old could never imagine. NITE is the flame of the past illuminating the darkness of tomorrow.

Lineup
Van Labrakis - Guitar, Vocals
Scott Hoffman - Guitar
Bryan Coons - Bass
Pat Crawford - Drums

Recorded, mixed and masteredby Van Labrakis at 210 Studios San Francisco and The Hoagie Container.

Producedby Van Labrakis and NITE.

Artworkby Misanthropic-Art Illustrations

Order:https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/nite-darkness-silence-mirror-flame

Formats:Digital, CD digipak, vinyl black and colored

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

Recording Studio: 210 Studios San Francisco and The Hoagie Container 

Producer: Van Labrakis and NITE

Mixing, mastering, sound engineer: Van Labrakis

Cover Art: DEIH

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

NeverWake Release Re-Imagined Cover of Creed's "Bullets"; Announces Tour Dates with Silvertung!

Stream/Download "Bullets"

https://ffm.to/neverwake

WATCH "Bullets" (Visualizer) below.

Neverwake just dropped their revamped rendition of Creed's "Bullets" on all major platforms today! The band is currently on tour alongside Silvertung. Plus, mark your calendars because the band has been added to the Saturday lineup at Rockfest on July 20th!

"This is one of the first songs that helped bridge me into heavier music. When you're a young kid in the 2000s listening to the radio you've obviously heard of Creed. So your parents buy you their new album for Christmas. The first song you hear is "Bullets" and something awakens inside of you. That's the only way I can describe it. It was such a mind blowing song to me at the time because I thought I had known who Creed was and what they sounded like.. but apparently I was wrong. In some way it showed me the potential a band has in expanding their arsenal of sound. Years later and that song still resonates with me and I get chills every time I listen to it. The song is already metal as hell so we wanted to give it the full outfit and go to town with our version of it," says Johnny DiCarlo.

NeverWake is a haunting sinew of hard rock and metalcore out of Pittsburgh PA. Captivating melodies are entwined with heavy grooves that refuse to leave the mind. Explosive riffs weave their way over a strong foundation. NeverWake has been capturing the minds of listeners worldwide. They have toured the US, played various national festivals, shared the stage with bands such as Falling In Reverse, All That Remains, and many more.

Just recently they have worked with powerhouse musicians such as John Moyer of Disturbed. There are no signs of slowing as the band is on course to release continually throughout the year and tour mid 2024. NeverWake consists of Johnny DiCarlo on lead vocals/lead guitar, George Scott on bass guitar/vocals and Justin Sanford lead guitar/vocals.

NeverWake is currently endorsed by Schecter Guitars, EMG pickups, DR Handmade Strings,and Splawn Amplification. NeverWake is signed to Melodic Revolution Records.

For More Information Please visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Youtube

TikTok

Reverbnation

Spotify

Apple Music

Google Play

Renowned UK producer Fran Ashcroft presents 'Waiting For The Britpop Revival', teasing new album

"Liverpudlian psychedelia that’s very soft on the ear and gently melodious" ~  Monolith Cocktail

‘Refreshingly analogue, utterly charming and, by the third or fourth listen, has completely wormed its way into your ear... Waiting For The Britpop Revival’ is built on a chuntering pub-piano with Fran Ashcroft’s softly lilting voice bouncing along as a nice counterpoint to the crunchy guitars colliding in the solo" ~ Joyzine

"A sonic bridge between eras... quite simply superb" ~ Liverpool Sound & Vision


Renowned British producer Fran Ashcroft has announced his forthcoming album 'The Songs That Never Were', to be released on January 23 via Think Like a Key Music. While only his sophomore album as a solo artist, Ashcroft's name stands behind dozens of other albums that have come to grace the music plane over the past few decades. Ahead of this, he presents the lead track 'Waiting For The Britpop Revival', a 2-track offering with a traditional A-side and B-side.

Longtime producer for artists big and small, and formerly of British power-pop trailblazers The Monos, Fran Ashcroft has recorded in some of the world's most renowned studios and with some iconic names, including Damon Albarn (Blur), Abbey Road Studios, Thunderbirds Are Go!, PRT Records and Studios, Spin Jupiter Spin (Dandy Warhols), , Darling Nikkie (Lords of Acid) Big Fish Music in Japan, and Fruits Der Mer Records, to mention a few.

A treasure trove of recordings that defies time, Ashcroft describes this album as "a bridge across time" and "a collaboration between myself and me of fifty years ago", made possible by two broken tape recorders and a little bit of AI technology. Here, he ingeniously constructs a sonic viaduct spanning 50 years to allow something novel to take shape amidst the echoes of his past - one where old and new harmonize in a truly innovative yet delightfully vintage experience.

"I’ve never made a record quite like this one. Nobody has. it was like building a bridge of time between my present day self and me from 50 years ago. The song I heard in my head at 5 a.m. that morning reminded me of one I’d written many years before, which I was never quite happy with.  I thought, you could almost put this new tune right over it. So I dug the old tape out of the archives to see if I was right. And I was - the chords were the same, and it was even in the same key! If I could only remove and replace the vocals on the old mono recording, it would be an entirely new song," says Fran Ashcroft.

"Were there other songs that could be treated in a similar way? Of course there were! I expected these new recordings  to be all be about using AI technology - but that was just a convenient tool, like any other. But this actually turned out to be a collaboration between my present-day self and me from 50 years ago - like some kind of bridge of time had been built between us. It sounds weird, I know - here, each song, whether an old recording or a new idea, was developed and transformed into something completely different from what it was to begin with - as if I were working with a co-writer and a quite strange one at times. But  music exists outside of time and this, I think, makes this record what it is."

This new album shows Ashcroft to be an artist in his own right, following up his self-recorded, written and performed album 'A Tour Of British Duckponds', released in 2023. Ashcroft also recently added author to his credits, publishing 'The Analogue Approach to Digital Recording' last year via the Crowood Press. As a record producer, he is best known for his less-is-more approach to recording, using the minimum number of microphones and tracks to get the best sound.

From the tender age of 8, he knew he wanted to make records. After initial encouragement from Apple Records, he first stepped inside a recording studio in 1973, with a band comprising electric guitar, drums and 2 cellists. This led to securing a publishing deal and forming one of the first British powerpop bands, The Monos, who ultimately endured the inevitable major label traumas. After this, he was able to turn his attention towards producing records, which he has done ever since.

As of February 6, 'Waiting for the Britpop Revival' will be available digitally from online music platforms. The album 'The Songs That Never Were' will be released on February 23, both digitally (as MP3, WAV or FLAC) and on 350g CD with a glossy 6-panel digisleeve. It can be pre-ordered directly from the label.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics written and arranged by Fran Ashcroft
Recorded, produced, mixed & mastered by Fran Ashcroft
Album / single outer sleeve photos by John Drazek
B&W inner sleeve photos by Gez Prior and Min Nolan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Artist photos by Rob Clarke


Keep up with Fran Ashcroft 
Website / Store | Book order | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email

Singer/Songwriter/ Multi-Instrumentalist Sierra Levesque Releases NEW Single "WRONG ABOUT YOU"!

Stream/Purchase "WRONG ABOUT YOU":

https://sierralevesque.hearnow.com/wrong-about-you

https://linktr.ee/sierralevesquemusic

Sierra Levesque, the formidable singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, has taken the music scene by storm with the release of her new single, "WRONG ABOUT YOU." The track, a masterful blend of Levesque's distinct artistry and the renowned production expertise of Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, released on February 2, 2024.

“I really wanted to showcase a different side of myself, musically, with this song. It’s a slower rock ballad based on piano, and it showcases a lot of my vocal range and emotion.” says Sierra.

WATCH Sierra Levesque - WRONG ABOUT YOU (Official Music Video) below.

Sierra Levesque is an 18-year-old Rock singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, bassist, and drummer from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Her goal is to help lead the NEW GENERATION of Rock 'N Roll.

Recognized by Guitar.com as being “Gen Z’s Most Ambitious New Guitarist” and one of "10 Young Shredders Shaping Rock and Metal Today", Sierra just had her first full-length feature on the Guitar World Magazine website discussing her career, inspirations, and original music.

Her musical influences throughout the years have been Pop, Rock and Metal acts such as Avril Lavigne, Ghost, Heart and Scorpions.

Having won the 2019, 2022, and 2023 MyFM Spirit Award for "Best Local Musician" in Pembroke, Sierra has just been nominated for “Artist of the Year” at the 2024 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine.

As Sierra continues to grow her social media following, she has already received notoriety from some powerful figures in the Rock music industry including Nancy Wilson (Heart), Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (Sons Of Apollo, Asia, ex Guns 'N Roses), Debbie Gibson, Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles), DJ Ashba (SIXX A.M, ex Guns 'N Roses), and Desmond Child (Songwriter for Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, KISS)to name a few.

Sierra's powerful vocals, hard rocking guitar riffs, and relatable original songs always take every stage by storm!

Upcoming Tour Dates:

February 23, 2024 at Urban Angus Steak and Wine in Arnprior, Ontario
March 23, 2024 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois Opening for Art of Anarchy

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Twitter

"Cranked Up Records" Launches with a Sonic Boom: Curtis McKinney Unveils New Record Label Distributed by Perry Music Group, an Imprint of The Orchard, a Sony Subsidiary

Carlsbad, NM — Curtis McKinney, the acclaimed former nationally syndicated radio host and concert promoter, has officially stepped into the world of music production with the much-anticipated launch of his record label, "Cranked Up Records." Backed by the distribution prowess of Perry Music Group, an imprint of The Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony, the label is poised to make an indelible mark on the music industry.

Curtis McKinney's storied career in radio, with shows spanning over 200 stations worldwide in both Rock and Country music genres, has solidified his status as a tastemaker and influential figure. McKinney's nominations for DJ of the Year in Las Vegas, DJ Personality of the Year in New York, Show of the Year in Los Angeles, and DJ of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards attest to his wide-ranging impact on the music industry.

Among McKinney's numerous accolades are the prestigious titles of DJ of the Year and Interview of the Year in the Rock Genre with "Cranked Up Live," and Specialty Radio Show of the Year in the Country Music Genre with "Cranked Up Country Nights," recognized by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association.

"Cranked Up Records" is set to amplify McKinney's passion for music, ushering in a new era of talent discovery and artistic innovation. Curtis McKinney, renowned for his discerning ear and industry insight, brings a wealth of knowledge to “Cranked Up Records.” Having showcased emerging talents and producing hundreds of live events for almost 20 years, McKinney’s vision is to create a platform that nurtures artistic authenticity while connecting artists with diverse audiences. The strategic partnership with Perry Music Group, known for its commitment to artist development and global distribution, further strengthens the label's position in the industry.

"I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with 'Cranked Up Records,'" says McKinney. "With the support of Perry Music Group, we aim to create a platform that nurtures creativity, empowers artists, and delivers exceptional music to audiences around the world."

Perry Music Group, operating as an imprint of The Orchard, a Sony subsidiary, brings a wealth of experience and resources to the collaboration. Their commitment to fostering talent aligns seamlessly with McKinney's vision for "Cranked Up Records."

McKinney expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture, stating, “Launching Cranked Up Records is a culmination of my lifelong dedication to music. This label is more than a business; it’s a platform for artists to thrive and connect with their audience in meaningful ways. I am thrilled to embark on this journey with great partners to contribute to the ever-evolving tapestry of the music industry.”

Bryan Wayne Perry, Director, Perry Music Group added, "I am honored to welcome Curtis and Cranked Up Records to the family and look forward to collaborating for the greater good of music."

The label's inaugural year promises a lineup of new and established artist releases and collaborations that showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the music landscape in multiple genres. "Cranked Up Records" is set to become a hub for artists seeking a supportive environment that values artistic expression and innovation.

For More Information Please Visit:

Facebook

WAYFARER Announces North American Headlining Tour

GET TICKETS HERE

American Gothic purveyors WAYFARER will be embarking on a full North American headlining tour this spring in support of their critically-acclaimed new album, 'American Gothic.' The trek will kick off on April 26 in Jackson, WY and will make its way around the continent before concluding on May 24 in Lincoln, NE with support from SONJA as well as special appearances by VALDRIN on select dates. Tickets will go on sale today, February 6, at 12:00P.M. EST // 9:00 A.M. PST and can be found HERE while the full itinerary can be found below.

Wayfarer guitarist/vocalist Shane McCarthy comments, "This tour has been a long time coming for us - it will actually be the band's first ever full US headlining tour in our 10+ year history. We are looking forward to hitting some places we have never been before (Wisconsin, Montana), some places we haven’t been in 7+ years (Philly, Boston etc), and of course returning to several of the places that have always brought it in the past. We are thrilled to bring AMERICAN GOTHIC to the stage in a big way, and hugely thrilled to be doing so alongside a band the caliber of SONJA, a Philadelphia crew ripping talents that the world needs more of. It will be an honor to be on the road with them, and exciting as well to be joined by Cincinnati's Valdrin on a stretch of dates as a band that is on the cutting edge of American Black Metal.

"Wayfarer and Sonja are coming to town - join us for North American Gothic 2024."

In addition, WAYFARER recently announced that the band will deliver a one-night-only performance of 'American Gothic' at the iconic Bluebird Theater in downtown Denver, CO. The show will include a solo acoustic performance by Paul Riedl (Blood Incantation) and a performance from Denver Sound legends, Munly and the Lepercalians. Tickets are now available HERE. 

American Gothic was released on October 27, 2023 via Century Media (Europe) and Profound Lore Records (North America). The album is sold out in all formats on both labels and was lauded as one of the best albums of 2023 by Rolling Stone, Decibel Magazine (#3), Metal Hammer UK, and many others! The album can be streamed, downloaded, or ordered HERE.

WAYFARER North American Tour Dates

Album Release Show:

3/29: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater #

(w/ SONJA + Special Guests VALDRIN on select dates)

4/26: Jackson, WY @ Mangy Moose #

4/27: Missoula, MI @ VFW Post 209 #

4/29: Seattle, WA @ Clock-Out Lounge # 

4/30: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios 

5/1: Sacramento, CA @ Cafe Colonial 

5/2: Oakland, CA @ Stork Club 

5/3: Los Angeles, CA @ Knucklehead 

5/4: Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Underground 

5/6: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister 

5/8: Austin, TX @ Mohawk 

5/9: New Orleans, LA @ Siberia 

5/10: Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply 

5/11: Asheville, NC @ Eulogy * 

5/12: Washington, DC @ Atlas Brew Works * 

5/13: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's * 

5/14: Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus * 

5/15: Boston, MA @ Middle East * 

5/16: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar * 

5/17: Toronto, ON @ The Garrison * 

5/18: Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl * 

5/19: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle 

5/21: Chicago, IL @ Reggies Rock Club 

5/22: Milwaukee, WI @ XRay Arcade 

5/23: St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club 

5/24: Lincoln, NE @ Cosmic Eye 

# WAYFARER ONLY 

* WITH VALDRIN

Photo by Frank Guerra

WAYFARER is the pre-eminent Western American Metal band. Comprised of four black clad

players from Denver, Colorado, the band’s sound draws from the deep wells of black metal,

gothic country, and americana - creating a thunderous and uniquely American genre of metal all

to their own.

After ten years of existence, the band presents AMERICAN GOTHIC - a defining statement of

Western heavy music that explores the dark soul of the nation itself. This time working alongside accomplished producer Arthur Rizk (Eternal Champion, Kreator) the band brings an aggressive and expansive vision to life in a new full length LP.

Led by powerful riffing, bleak melodic sensibilities, and pointed songwriting, this record serves

as a funeral for the American dream. Caked in dust, and buried deep in blood and gunpowder, it

paints a brutal and beautiful portrait, and sees WAYFARER elevate their unique and genuine

brand of metal to new heights.

AMERICAN GOTHIC, the band’s fifth official release, is their third album with longtime partners

Profound Lore Records in North America and first for Century Media in Europe. The album was

released worldwide in the fall of 2023, and now the band rides across stages the world round to

tell its tales.

“What we have now is a world full of oil drillers, and railroad barons. Cattle thieves and company men. This is the new American Gothic.”

Lineup:

Isaac Faulk: Drums

James Hansen: Bass, Vocals

Shane McCarthy: Guitars, Vocals

Joey Truscelli: Guitars

MERRIMACK Wrestle with Gravity on New Single

Prepare to delve deep into an abyss of existential turmoil. Today, MERRIMACK are unveiling the third piece of their new album Of Grace and Gravity.

Listen to "Under the Aimless Spheres" below.

Of Grace and Gravity is out March 8, 2024.

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/MerrimackGraceGravit

"Under the Aimless Spheres" is a visceral exploration of existential angst and spiritual dissolution. The new single echoes the French black metal band's enigmatic mastery and captivating lyrical depth.

The lyrics, laden with poetic intensity, evoke a journey through the tormented landscapes of the soul. "We hope in her loins for the assumption, The oath is palavered at her breast". Merrimack tempt the divide between faith and disillusionment, confronting the weight of our cryptic existence. 

With each writhing verse, Merrimack slinks along the contours of existential despair, casting a light on the ferments of stone and sighs of the earth. "Under the Aimless Spheres" is as challenging as it is extreme, a tumultuous dance of divine contempt and mortal longing. Yet it's also familiar, thrilling territory for a band that's always cutting along the fine line between what's sacred and profane.

MERRIMACK are back with their new album 'Of Grace and Gravity'. Their third release for Season of Mist arrives after the re-print of their long sold-out debut 'Ashes of Purification', which followed the sizeable impact that their last album, 'Omegaphilia', had on the Black Metal Scene.

Merrimack can be categorised as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.

Although Merrimack decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’, the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time. With the following albums, ‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009), Merrimack closed ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with MARDUK and NACHTMYSTIUM in 2009.

After recording ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666) again, Merrimack embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons MAYHEM and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze as well as Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada. With their previous album, ‘Omegaphilia’, Merrimack were breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre. While ignoring epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, the French focused on razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements.

The ensemble now presents their latest album 'Of Grace and Gravity', an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious occlusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes at the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols. Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece.

Line-up
Perversifier - Guitars
A.K. - Guitars
Blastum - Drums
Vestal - Vocals
Daethorn - Bass

Recording Studio
Studio Sainte Marthe, Paris, France       

Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
Francis Caste

Artwork Artist
Belial Necroarts - Front cover
Opposition Artworks - Inner illustrations
Adrien Bousson - Layout

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/MerrimackGraceGravity

Links:
Bandcamp: https://merrimack.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrimackofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrimack666/
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/99176
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XWKabUW6Y9pm9vyNGlrhV
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3642745
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/merrimack/41660594
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B000QKG2N8

Booking Contact:
merrimack@satanslegions.com

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Clear
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - White
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent w/ Black Splatters

Photo by Vagus Nox

ERRA Announce Spring 2024 North American Headline Tour

ERRA ANNOUNCE SPRING 2024 NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR

MAKE THEM SUFFER, VOID OF VISION, + NOVELISTS TO APPEAR

Prolific metalcore progressives ERRA recently announced their new album CURE, which arrives on April 5 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.  

Watch the video for the new single "CURE," which Revolver christened as "massive," below.

Additionally, the band has announced its upcoming Spring 2024 headline North American tour, with Make Them Suffer, Void of Vision, and Novelists as support. The tour kicks off on April 23 in Philly and runs through June 2 in NYC. All dates are below.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 9 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.

ERRA ON TOUR:
WITH MAKE THEM SUFFER, VOID OF VISION, + NOVELISTS:
4/23 — Philadelphia, PA — TLA
4/24 — Baltimore, MD — Soundstage
4/26 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl
4/27 — Atlanta, GA — Masquerade (Heaven)
4/28 — Birmingham, AL — Iron City
4/30 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Revolution
5/01 — Tampa, FL — Jannus Live
5/03 — Houston, TX — Rise Rooftop
5/04 — Dallas, TX — South Side Music Hall
5/05 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center
5/07 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine Theater
5/08 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
5/10 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater
5/11 — Santa Ana, CA — Observatory
5/12 — Los Angeles, CA — Echoplex
5/13 — Santa Cruz, CA — Catalyst
5/15 — Sacramento, CA — Ace of Spades
5/17 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
5/18 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
5/20 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
5/21 — Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall
5/23 — Lawrence, KS — Granada Theater
5/24 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
5/25 — St. Louis, MO — Red Flag
5/26 — Chicago, IL — House of Blues
5/28 — Detroit, MI — Saint Andrews Hall
5/29 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall
5/31 — Montreal, QC —  Beanfield Theatre
6/01 — Boston, MA — Paradise
6/02 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza

ERRA ARE:
J.T. Cavey — Vocals
Jesse Cash — Vocals + Guitars
Conor Hesse — Bass
Alex Ballew — Drums
Clint Tustin — Guitar

Borknagar Drop "Moon" Video — WATCH / New Album Out "Fall" 2/23!

NEW ALBUM FALL OUT FEBRUARY 23 VIA CENTURY MEDIA

BORKNAGAR, Norway's pioneers of avant-garde/progressive black metal, will release their monumental 12th studio album Fall on February 23 via longtime record label partners Century Media Records.

Pre-order it here.

Today, a third single off the upcoming Fall album is being released.

Check out "Moon" in a stunning animated clip created by visual artist Costin Chioreanu/Twilight13Media below.

Øystein G. Brun states, "Hi all! We are extremely proud to present you with the third single 'Moon' from our upcoming album Fall. 'Moon' is written by ICS Vortex and adds yet another step to our always evolving musical adventure. As with 'Up North,' we are thrilled to be able to work with our friend Costin Chioreanu/Twilight 13 Media once again for a profound and sophisticated visual completion of the song. We sincerely hope you enjoy the song/video as much as we do! We truly love it!"

Videographer Costin Chioreanu, who also created the single's artwork as pictured above, says,"When I am working with a band with a respectful fanbase who have very high expectations, the pressure over the shoulders is of course more intense than any other daily project. But when it also is the second collaboration with a band like that — a few years ago I already illustrated the song 'Up North' for BORKNAGAR — the pressure gets at least double. I am extremely grateful to these amazing musicians and also Century Media for trusting my skills unconditionally, as this is the drug which keeps me high on bringing into this dimension such unique manifestations of visual art as the animation video I created for 'Moon.' Feeling also very connected with the theme of the song, being at a time in my life completely drowned in the surreal nectar of this type of poem, I could dress it honorably into the right images. I think this video is pushing by all means the limits of heavy metal aesthetics into a new and fresh fruitful zone."

Previously, the album's opening track "Summits" was made available in a visualizer clip created by Wanderley Perna/W Designer here and furthermore the song "Nordic Anthem" was launched in a video created by Marius Martinsen, Kenneth Williams and Lars A. Nedland via the production company High & Low here.
 
Fall includes eight majestic tracks across 54 epic minutes of playing time, once again brilliantly mixed by Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Kreator), and featuring stunning album cover artwork by Eliran Kantor (Testament, My Dying Bride, Sodom), which can be seen below.
 
Fall is the follow up to 2019's widely acclaimed True North studio album and will be available as limited first-pressing Digipak CD, Gatefold 2-LP on 180gr vinyl and as a Digital Album.

The vinyl edition of Fall will be available in the following variants:
*Gatefold black 2LP

*Ltd. Gatefold neon orange 2LP (300x copies, available from cmdistro.de + various other retailers) (SOLD OUT)

*Ltd. Gatefold transp. bottle green 2LP (300x copies, available from EMP + Nuclear Blast)

Fall into BORKNAGAR, share the grand struggle against the wild in all of us...

BORKNAGAR ARE:
(FROM L-R IN PHOTO ABOVE)
(Photo Credit: Jørn Veberg)
ICS Vortex — Bass, Vocals + Choirs
Lars A. Nedland — Keys, Vocals, + Choirs
Øystein G. Brun — Guitars 
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow — Drums and Percussion
Jostein Thomassen — Guitars

LAINEY WILSON TAKES HOME HER FIRST GRAMMY® FOR BEST COUNTRY ALBUM WITH BELL BOTTOM COUNTRY

Broken Bow Records/BMG Nashville's Lainey Wilson reached a new pinnacle in her record breaking career when she was awarded the Best Country Album GRAMMY®for Bell Bottom Country.  The album, which features #1 hits "Heart Like a Truck" and "Watermelon Moonshine" alongside her current single "Wildflowers and Wild Horses", has served to be a truly life-changing record for the Louisiana native as it is the reigning Album of the Year for both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) & Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. 

On the CBS televised broadcast, an emotional Lainey Wilson fought off tears as she accepted stating: "This is absolutely wild y'all. This is my very first GRAMMYS®. Thank you so much for my collaborators: Jay Joyce, Jason [Hall], the cowriters, musicians, anybody who had anything to do with this record. It has truly changed my life. I am from a farming community in NE Louisiana. A little town of 200 people. I'm a fifth-generation farmer's daughter and I would consider myself a farmer, too. And everybody that I surround myself with, I think they are farmers, too. They're story farmers. It's about getting up every single day and planting those seeds and watering them and watching them grow. And sometimes, when you find the right farming community, you can have a harvest of a lifetime. I truly believe that. I think that is exactly what this is tonight. God bless every single one of y'all. Thank you Jesus. Thank you so much to the Recording Academy. Thank you to my fans. I love y'all so much."

Coming off of a monumental 2023, Lainey won five CMA Awards including the top honor of "Entertainer of the Year", four ACM Awards, two CMT Music Awards, three People's Choice Country Awards, completed a 28-date sold-out headlining tour, and made her Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Lollapalooza debut. Wilson was also honored as Billboard Women in Music’s 2023 “Rulebreaker”. Fans can catch Lainey on the road this year as she embarks on the highly anticipated "Country's Cool Again" and “Lainey Wilson: LIVE” tours in 2024. 

BMG Publishing was also proud to see writer Dan Wilson and co-writer Chris Stapleton land an industry coveted GRAMMY® for Best Country Song for "White Horse."

Photo Credit: Maarten de Boer 

About Lainey Wilson:

Entering the 2024 GRAMMYS® with two nominations, Lainey Wilson would earn her first GRAMMY® for Best Country Album for Bell Bottom Country.  This milestone comes on the heels of a monumental 2023 where she was the most nominated artist at the CMA Awards with a record-breaking nine nominations, and five wins including Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry. Critically acclaimed and touted as a top “artist to watch,” to being the leading female nominee and winner at the 2023 ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards, the Louisiana native has made a name for herself in the industry as one of music’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Calvary, Ashley McBryde, Jackson Dean, Ashley Cooke, Mackenzie Porter, and more). With a rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, and more. Last year she achieved her third and fourth No. 1 songs with “Heart Like a Truck” and HARDY collaboration “wait in the truck”. Her most recent singles, “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Save Me” with Jelly Roll topped the Country charts marking her fifth and sixth No. 1’s, making her the lead female artist with the most No.1’s this decade. Her critically acclaimed album, Bell Bottom Country, rose up Billboard’s Top Album Chart and Country Albums Chart, amassing over 700 million streams to date and has earned her the title of CMA and ACM Album of the Year.  Wilson made her acting debut in Season 5 of the smash hit series “Yellowstone” as a musician character named Abby, where she premiered her original “Smell Like Smoke” as well as showcased other hits off her recent album including “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Hold My Halo”. Adding to her growing list of endeavors, Wilson was honored at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards with the Rulebreaker Award, and most recently joined forces with Wrangler as the face of their 2023 fall/winter women's collection.

KEEP UP WITH LAINEY WILSON
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Craig Morgan sworn in as Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve

Country music star and soldier Craig Morgan received his appointment to Warrant Officer 1 in the Army Reserve on Saturday, February 3. The swearing-in took place at Huntsville, Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal with Chief Warrant Officer 3 William R. Green, along with John Clement (Deputy State Director/Military Advisor, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn) and Craig’s wife, Karen Greer, officiating the ceremony while surrounded by family and friends. 

Having previously served seventeen years in the Army and Army Reserve with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, the country music star, author and patriot returned to service last year. Craig was again sworn-in to the Army Reserve on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry on July 29, 2023. Watch the historic moment HERE. 

Following his swearing-in as Warrant Officer 1 on Saturday, Craig then traveled to Orlando, Florida where he performed the national anthem in uniform at 2024’s NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday, February 4 from Camping World Stadium. Watch the performance HERE.

In addition to his service to our country in the Army Reserve, Morgan has continued to tour and release new music, including October’s Enlisted  (Broken Bow Records). Just as the Army has called on Morgan, the Tennessee native has recruited some of his talented friends to contribute to his latest project, available now. Appropriately titled Enlisted, the six-track release offers new takes on four of his biggest hits along with two new tracks and includes appearances by an all-star group of performers including Trace Adkins, Luke Combs, Gary LeVox, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, and Lainey Wilson. 

Listen now at craigmorgan.lnk.to/Enlisted

Morgan just wrapped his headlining “God, Family, Country Tour 2023,” in partnership with Operation Finally Home. The tour and his recent record follow last fall’s release of his personal memoir — God, Family, Country, which he wrote with Jim DeFelice, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of American Sniper. The book chronicles Morgan’s road to success, from his humble childhood in Tennessee to his years as an elite military operative to his country music stardom. Country music fans and thrill seekers alike will love this intimate look at his remarkable life. Learn more HERE.

Photo ID (L-R): CW3 William R. Green, Karen Greer (wife of Craig Morgan Greer), WO1 Craig Morgan Greer, John Clement (Deputy State Director/Military Advisor, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)

Photo credit: Nate Griffin

About Craig Morgan:
A multi-faceted entertainer, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV personality, author, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. One of country music's best-loved artists, Morgan has amassed more than 1.5 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard, thrilling massive crowds with signature hits including “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” “This Ole Boy,” “Soldier,” “That's What I Love About Sunday” and his faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry, “The Father, My Son and The Holy Ghost.” Craig just released his newest project Enlisted, a six-song collection of reimagined hits and brand-new songs featuring collaborations with Trace Adkins, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Gary LeVox, Blake Shelton, and Lainey Wilson.

Craig received one of country music's highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan served seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserve and in 2023 enlisted in the Army Reserve, continuing his military career as a Warrant Officer. Morgan remains an avid supporter of America's military personnel and has made more than sixteen overseas trips to perform for our troops. He is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame and recipient of the USO Merit Award. In 2018, he was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, in recognition of his significant dedication to our military men and women around the world. He remains committed to supporting active duty and veteran members of our military through work with Operation Finally Home, the USO and more.  

Craig just wrapped his popular “God, Family, Country Tour 2023,” in partnership with Operation Finally Home, headlining run, which played thirteen theater and auditorium dates. God, Family, Country, Craig’s gripping new memoir, released last fall in partnership with Blackstone Publishing. He details all aspects from his inspiring life, revealing never-before-heard stories including how he worked alongside the CIA as a soldier in Panama, fought sex traffickers as an undercover agent in Thailand, forged his own path to country music stardom, and lives his life by the deepest values: God, family, country.  

KEEP UP WITH CRAIG MORGAN
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE 

BLANCO BROWN TO RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EP "HEARTACHE & LEMONADE" FEATURING STANDOUT TRACK "SUNSHINE SHINE" AVAILABLE NOW

GRAMMY® nominated vocalist, producer, songwriter & global smash Blanco Brown, pours out the new generation of his signature “Trailer Trap” sound with the release of his upcoming EP, Heartache & Lemonade via Wheelhouse Records/BMG Nashville on April 5. This highly anticipated project promises to deliver a fresh and dynamic experience showcasing Blanco Brown's versatility as a singer, songwriter and producer. Download Heartache &   Lemonade HERE. With first sneak peek into the project available today, “Sunshine Shine” features his signature 808 & sets the 11x Platinum star up for another viral moment paralleling his worldwide hit "The Git Up" which has nearly 4 billion views across all platforms.

“This EP feels a bit different for me," said Brown. "I’ve now traveled the world, looked death in the eyes and somehow made it back alive. Bitter moments never lasted, sweeter moments brought me back to purpose…Heartache & Lemonade brings about a new chapter. Try turning some of your worst moments into a smile every once in a while.” 

“Sunshine Shine” is a feel-good anthem that radiates positivity and resilience, offering a perfect blend of catchy melodies that will undoubtedly resonate with fans across the globe. Leaning into his branded "Trailer Trap" sound, the EP Heartache & Lemonade will solidify why Billboard named him the "Top New Country Artist" (2019).

Blanco Brown, known for breaking barriers and pushing the boundaries of country music, brings his distinctive style and charisma to every track on the EP and the project is a testament to Blanco's ability to seamlessly fuse various genres, creating a sound that is uniquely his own.

About Blanco Brown:
Blurring the lines between Country, Hip-Hop & Soul, Blanco Brown makes a southern sound that he proudly calls "Trailer Trap." Honing in on his unique sound, Blanco balances both the metropolis and country settings in which he grew up. His viral hit “The Git Up” (certified 11x PLATINUM across three countries) took the world by storm, claiming the top spot in charts across the globe and spawning nearly four billion views across social platforms. It claimed the No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 12 weeks and was the top-selling digital Country song in the US for 13 weeks, resulting in Billboard naming him as their No. 1 Top New Country Artist for 2019. Apart from being a Grammy-nominated engineer who has worked with the likes of Fergie, Childish Gambino, Kane Brown and Chris Brown, the multi-talent’s multi-national Platinum-certified collaboration “Just the Way” with Parmalee garnered more than 500 million on-demand streams, earning Brown his first No. 1 hit on Country radio (in the US and Canada). More recently, he doubled down on his genre-bending collaborations, teaming with Nelly on the funky, country inspired track “High Horse,” T.I. for “Trap Still Bumpin’,” LOCASH and the late Leslie Jordan for the funky “Let It Slide,” while pairing with Diplo for “Do Si Do” and Lee Brice and R3HAB for the remix of Brice’s hit song, “Soul.” In 2021, Blanco Brown also lent soaring vocals to the song “Never Gonna Tame You (Original Song from “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses”),” written by Diane Warren. Recovering from a life-threatening accident and leaning on music to heal, Blanco released “Nobody’s More Country” in 2021. Then, while hitting the road hard last summer, he instantly captured the attention of festival audiences across the nation opening his set with a breathtakingly powerful cover blend of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” Showcasing his world-class vocal talent and captivating stage presence throughout 2023, Blanco released emotionally charged track “I’ll Never,” unlike anything the No. 1 hitmaker has ever released, followed by a momentous tribute to the late, great John Denver with Brown’s release of "Take Me Home, Country Roads.” With forthcoming release of Heartache & Lemonade, this A-Town resident’s branded “Trailer Trap” sound amplifies the stories & arrangements on this EP. Blanco’s dripping-with-soul vocals also sonically shine throughout as displayed in the lead focus track "Sunshine, Shine.”

KEEP UP WITH BLANCO BROWN
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

THE HALO EFFECT - drop video for brand new single ´Become Surrender´

Gothenburg´s Finest are back! THE HALO EFFECT present a brand new single to their fans with ´Become Surrender´. The track has been a staple of their live shows for a while now, and has quickly become a fan-favourite. 
It´s a multi-faceted song with neck breaking riffs, grooving drums and beautiful melodies which will leave you spellbound.

Mikael Stanne comments: "´Become Surrender´ was written and recorded during theDays Of The Lost sessions, but for some reason we left it out of the album. It has been something we have played during festivals and on our tours and the response has been nothing short of fantastic, so we decided to release it in the interim before we start rolling out singles for the second album. The video was shot during our sold out show at Pustervik here in our hometown of Gothenburg in front of a few of our closest friends and hopefully the joy and love we felt in the room that night shines through.
It's a song about perseverance over distance and not giving in to despair or doubt. Turn it up!”

Check out the video below.

Listen to the song on all platforms: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/bssg.ema

photo credit: Markus Esselmark

THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/thehaloeffectse
https://www.instagram.com/thehaloeffectse/
https://twitter.com/thehaloeffectse

ORIGIN | RELEASE TRACK VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE 'DISEASE CALLED MAN'

In anticipation of the '40 Years Of The Apocalypse' North American tour with labelmates VADER, ORIGIN is proud to offer fans the single 'Disease Called Man'. Originally written for their 2000 self-titled debut album, the single was re-recorded and is now available for the masses.

ORIGIN's Paul Ryan comments, "Excited to present a song that was written 25 years ago with our current lineup of Origin in coordination with our upcoming tours in 2024! The Doomsday Clock ticks closer to the extinction of humanity!"

Check out the track video for 'Disease Called Man', below.

Stream 'Disease Called Man', here: https://origin.bfan.link/disease-called-man

ORIGIN will join headliners VADER, who are celebrating their 40th year as a band, on the 28-date North American tour. The trek kicks off tomorrow in Atlanta and will make stops in Montreal, Chicago, and Portland before ending in Tampa on March 3rd. Joining the package as openers is INHUMAN CONDITION.

Confirmed dates for ORIGIN on the '40 Years Of The Apocalypse' North American tour with headliners VADER as well as openers INHUMAN CONDITION are:

02/03/2024 U.S.    Atlanta, GA - The Loft 
02/04/2024 U.S.    Knoxville, TN The Concourse 
02/05/2024 U.S.    Greensboro, NC Hangar 1819 
02/06/2024 U.S.    Harrisburg, PA Stage on Herr 
02/07/2024 U.S.    Brooklyn, NY Monarch 
02/08/2024 U.S.    Providence, RI Alchemy 
02/09/2024 U.S.    Montreal, QC Le Studio TD 
02/10/2024 U.S.    Quebec City, QC La Source de la Martinière 
02/11/2024 U.S.    Toronto, ON Lee's Palace 
02/12/2024 U.S.    Detroit, MI The Sanctuary 
02/13/2024 U.S.    Chicago, IL Reggies 
02/14/2024 U.S.    Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theater - Studio B
02/15/2024 CAN   Winnipeg, MB - Bull Dogs 
02/16/2024 CAN   Regina, SK - The Exchange 
02/17/2024 CAN   Edmonton, AB Starlite Room 
02/18/2024 CAN   Calgary, AB - Dickens 
02/20/2024 CAN   Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater 
02/21/2024 U.S.    Seattle, WA - El Corazon 
02/22/2024 U.S.    Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom 
02/23/2024 U.S.    San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge 
02/24/2024 U.S.    Los Angeles, CA - 1720 
02/24/2024 U.S.    San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick 
02/26/2024 U.S.    Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
02/27/2024 U.S.    El Paso, TX - Rockhouse Bar & Grill 
02/28/2024 U.S.    Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
02/29/2024 U.S.    Houston, TX - Scout Bar 
03/02/2024 U.S.    Miami, FL - Gramps 
03/03/2024 U.S.    Tampa, FL - The Orpheum 

ORIGIN is:
Mike Flores | Bass & Backing Vocals
Jason Keyser | Lead Vocals
John Longstreth | Drums
Paul Ryan | Guitars & Backing Vocals

More information:
www.instagram.com/originband
open.spotify.com/user/origin_official
www.youtube.com/@origin
www.twitter.com/originband
www.originofficial.com

Royal Tusk release new song 'Hated'

Alberta rock trio Royal Tusk have released a new song 'Hated,' from their third full-length album, 'Altruistic,' due February 23, 2024.

Spending nearly a year writing throughout the pandemic, the trio eventually hunkered down in Alberta’s Audio Department recording studio where they self-produced Altruistic. In the midst of the process, Carriere wound up in the throes of a year-long battle to get healthy after suffering from a blood clot in his lung. He lost over 20lbs and could barely speak
 

“Sandy [bassist] and Quinn [guitarist] helped me through the entire experience,” Carriere said. “These songs were written prior to this life-changing event, but they still tell a story of struggle, suffering, uncertainty, courage, and watching your back. It’s bizarre how that happened. When I think of them now, they definitely illustrate what we all went through.”
 

With an unwavering determination, the band faced highs and lows that pushed them to the brink, including an almost career-ending illness that threatened to shatter their dreams. Throughout their trials and tribulations of friendships, brotherhood and tenacity prevail. In the documentary, witness the raw emotion, sweat, and imaginative determination as they pour their hearts and souls into creating what is undeniably one of the most powerful rock albums of the decade.
 

It's a story of passion, triumph over adversity, and the creation of a musical Tour de force that will redefine your perception of rock 'n' roll and the human spirit.

ABOUT ROYAL TUSK

The Alberta trio consists of Daniel Carriere [vocals], Quinn Cyrankiewicz [guitar], and Sandy MacKinnon [bass]. They fuse hypnotic hooks to hard-hitting riffs offset by untethered rhythms and undeniably honest lyrics.

In 2014, the band buzzed out of Edmonton with the Mountain EP. They evolved across releases such as DealBreaker[2017] and Tusk II [2018]  which Billboard proclaimed, “The LP steps beyond what fans heard on DealBreaker.” Among many standouts in their catalog, “Curse The Weather'' generated 11 million Spotify streams followed by “Aftermath” with 7 million Spotify streams. They toured with Pop Evil, Monster Truck, Slash, and Big Wreck, and performed on the 2020 ShipRocked Cruise with Beartooth, Halestorm, and Alter Bridge to name a few. One moment, they’ll serve up an earthquake barrage of distortion only to incite a bold stadium-size singalong in the next breath.