Sonic Universe (Feat. Corey Glover of Living Colour) To Release Debut Album "It Is What It Is" + Share Video For "I Am"

COREY GLOVER ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF SONIC UNIVERSE

DEBUT VIDEO "I AM" OUT NOW

Vocalist Corey Glover (Living Colour) has teamed up with guitarist Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob) to form Sonic Universe. Bassist Booker Kingand drummer Taykwuan Jackson complete the line up. The band has signed a worldwide deal with earMUSIC for their debut album It Is What It Is scheduled for release on May 10. The 10-song album was produced, engineered, and mixed by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios.

Preorder It Is What It Is HERE

The debut video from the album "I Am" premieres today. The video was directed by Tom Flynn (whose credits include videos for Lamb of God and Buckcherry) and shot in Toms River, NJ.

The video can be seen below.

"I Am" is available for streaming and download HERE

Alternative rock duo LOVELORN DOLLS 'Happy Valentine’ single marks 10-year anniversary with new video

Female-fronted Brussels-based dark gothic synth-rock duo Lovelorn Dolls presents a new music video, for their iconic track ‘Happy Valentine’. With profound impact, this gripping anthem has resonated with fans worldwide for the past decade of haunting melodies. The song that brought the duo acclaim, now offers them the chance to give back to those in need.

With its appealing theme, catchy chorus, penetrating goth rock guitar, and tortured electronic arrangements, ‘Happy Valentine’ was one of the most popular songs from the band’s second album ‘Japanese Robot Invasion’. Most importantly, this song is a somber reminder that not everybody’s love story has a happy ending.

Harnessing the power of music to create positive change, all profits from Bandcamp downloads will directly go towards supporting CVFE (Collective against Family Violence and Exclusion), a Belgian association combating domestic violence. €10 can accommodate a victim for 1 night in the CVFE Shelter. €60 can improve the quality of accommodation for victims (hygiene, cooking, textiles, children's toys, etc.), €100 can feed 5 mothers with 2 children for a day, and €300 provides shelter to a victim for one month.

Just recently, Lovelorn Dolls also released 'Beautiful Chaos', previewing their fourth album 'Deadtime Stories'. An ode to love stories gone wrong, here they inject some beautiful chaos into our lives, with the accompanying video thrusting their tiny girl protagonist into a descent towards a darker world, trapping her in an padded asylum room haunted by beautifully chaotic characters.

Lovelorn Dolls is Kristell Lowagie (lyrics, vocals, arrangements) and Bernard Daubresse (music, programming, guitars, production). Their sound blends the sound of Evanescence, Theatre of Tragedy, Lacuna Coil and The Birthday Massacre.

Produced, mixed and mastered by producer Maxx Maryan, known for his work with electro-goth metal duo Helalyn Flowers and IMJUDAS, the 'Deadtime Stories' album will be released this summer via Alfa Matrix / SPLEEN+, whose catalogue includes Front 242, Ayria, Recoil, Leather Strip and Alien Vampires.

‘Happy Valentine’ can be obtained via Bandcamp. The 'Beautiful Chaos' EP is also out now, available everywhere, including Apple MusicSpotify and Bandcamp. The full ‘Deadtime Stories’ album will be released on May 24.

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IN FLAMES - Release Digital Bonus Version Of Foregone Including Bonus Track 'Become One'

In celebration of the first anniversary of the band's latest studio album Foregone, Swedish melodic death metal icons IN FLAMES have released a digital bonus version of Foregone today on all streaming platforms.
The anniversary edition of this highly lauded part of the group's discography comes accompanied by alternative artwork as well as including a new bonus track, 'Become One'.

The band states:
"Foregone was a very special record to make and time for our band.
We normally don’t have any extra material leftover but this time we had “Become One” and want to share it with you all.  Hope you enjoy!!
See you out on the road this year!"


Stream Foregone (Bonus Version) including 'Become One' here:
https://inflames.bfan.link/fgbslp

Watch the visualizer for 'Become One'

IN FLAMES released their fourteenth studio album Foregone on February 10th last year via Nuclear Blast. The record combines the greatest aggressive, metallic, and melodic strengths of their landmark records with the seasoned song writing of their contemporary era.
Order the album here:
https://inflames.bfan.link/foregone-newalbum.ema

IN FLAMES will be on tour with label mates GATECREEPER this spring. Catch the band live:

OFFICIAL US TOUR DATES:
May 1 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
May 2 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
May 3 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
May 4 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
May 5 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
May 7 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
May 8 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall
May 9 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead
May 10 - Daytona, FL - Rockville
May 12 - Huntsville, AL - Mars Music Hall
May 14 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
May 16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
May 17 - Buffalo, NY - The Town Ballroom
May 18 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple
May 19 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest
May 21 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews
May 22 - St. Louis, MO - The Hawthorn
May 23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
May 24 - Austin, TX - Emo's
May 25 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
May 26 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues

AboutIN FLAMES
IN FLAMES are one of the biggest metal bands in the world - never shying away from pushing their artistic boundaries, crafting music that's as catchy as it is crushing. Formed in 1990, the band is considered one of the forefathers of melodic death metal and the purveyors of the ‘Gothenburg sound'. With now fourteen studio albums under their belt, countless successful tours around the globe playing with the likes ofBlack SabbathMetallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest andSlayer - with millions of records sold and a massive fanbase worldwide, IN FLAMES have proven to be an unstoppable force. From their 1994 debut Lunar Strain onwards, the band's intricate twin guitar attack, melodic vocals and superb arrangements have given them a signature sound that has evolved throughout the years.

IN FLAMESare
Anders Fridén | Vocals
Björn Gelotte | Guitar / Vocals
Chris Broderick | Guitar
Tanner Wayne | Drums
Liam Wilson | Bass

Breaking Benjamin's Keith Wallen Shares "Headspace Holiday" Video

NEW SOLO ALBUM INFINITY NOW ARRIVES MAY 3 VIA RISE RECORDS

WALLEN SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "STRINGS" —
WATCH

BREAKING BENJAMIN guitarist KEITH WALLEN will drop his latest solo album Infinity Now on May 3 via Rise Records. Pre-save it here

Today, Wallen has shared the video "Headspace Holiday." Watch it below.
 

"Life can stress you out and there's a lot of bad news on the TV more often than not, so 'Headspace Holiday' is about just that, the need for a mental escape from all of life's noise," Wallen shares about the song's inspiration.


As for the videol, he states, "It can be a challenge to find the right visual representation for your music sometimes, but we were able to get some cool performance and artsy silhouette shots. The director Jake Johnson was awesome to work with and I really like how it turned out. Plus, there was a Trans Am in it so that was cool!"

ABOUT KEITH WALLEN:
Keith Wallen is a prolific songwriter responsible for soaring melodies and hypnotic hooks heard across modern rock radio. The West Virginia-born troubadour uses his solo work as a vehicle to explore his multifaceted passions, moving seamlessly from the smart pop of '80s favorites like The Police and Depeche Mode to the big moody riffs of '90s grunge heroes like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots. 
 
His co-writing collaborations include compositions with Saint Asonia, Fuel, We Came As Romans, Red, Dorothy, and Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's Love And Death. Wallen bares his soul as a solo artist with earnest resolve, powering his honest anthems with commanding vocals. 
 
A former member of Adelitas Way, Keith was among his first calls when Benjamin Burnley decided to reform and reconfigure his band. Dark Before Dawn, Breaking Benjamin's powerhouse comeback, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200Ember followed in 2018. 
 
Keith's self-produced acoustic and piano-driven Allies EP arrived in 2014. His debut solo album, 2021'sThis World Or The Next, featured "Dream Away," a song streamed 1.4M times on Spotify alone. His second solo album, Infinity Now, includes production and co-writing contributions from Kevin Thrasher (RIVALS, Jelly Roll) and work with Dan Braunstein (Spiritbox, Dayseeker) and Andrew Baylis (Sleeping With Sirens, Jelly Roll, Brantley Gilbert). 
 
Produced by Kevin Thrasher (Jelly Roll, RIVALS) and mixed by Joel Wanasek (Rain City Drive, Scott Stapp), Keith's sophomore solo album, Infinity Now, extends a warm invitation into the singer/songwriter's heart and mind. Hard rock bombast meets intimate pensiveness via engaging songs like "Blackout," "Strings," and first single, "Headspace Holiday."
 
As guitarist for Breaking Benjamin, a solo artist or songwriting collaborator, the common threads through Keith Wallen's work are honesty, authenticity, and heartfelt spirit. 

Timelost Share Claymation Music Video For "Wet J" — WATCH + New Album "Drained" Out In 2 Weeks!

Today, Philadelphia alt-rock/grunge band Timelost have shared the third and final single "Wet J" before the release of their new album Drained, out 2/23 via Church Road Records. The album is set to bring joy to fans old and new with its energetic blend of garage rock and nostalgic nod to the alternative rock sounds of the 90's.

In addition to the song the band has shared a claymation music video done by the album artist Perry Coker. Watch it below.

"Wet J is about the frustrations of continuously falling into the same mistakes. Wanting to give up and just be left alone to wallow in our own failures. We tried to portray this continuous beating of life with the beautifully made claymation / stop-motion video by Perry Coker (who also did our album art!). Our new album Drained drops in 2 weeks!" - vocalist/guitarist Shane Handal.

Pre-order Drained here.

Born out of a dispersed network of friends collaborating digitally, Timelost has undergone a remarkable evolution since their inception. The band has since found its footing in a sound that pays homage to the great alternative rock bands of the past while incorporating a contemporary influence.
 
Drained represents the latest chapter in Timelost's musical pilgrimage. Recorded and mixed by the skilled hands of fellow Philadelphian Scoops Dardaris (known for his work with Prince Daddy & The Hyena, They Are Gutting A Body Of Water, Another Michael), the album boasts a rich and dynamic production that brings the band's sound to new heights. Mastered by Matt Poirier, a luminary in the field whose portfolio includes The War On Drugs, The National, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
 
With influences reminiscent of iconic bands like Wavves, Weezer, and Dinosaur Jr, Timelost invites listeners to embark on a journey through the raw, unapologetic energy of Drained. The album's tracks, laden with infectious hooks and introspective lyrics, weave a narrative that reflects the band's growth and exploration of new musical territories.
 
About the album, Handal says "Drained is about the continuous beating of life. The state of the world, personal responsibilities, socializing, being in a band, all of it just being exhausting and wanting to burn it down or run away.
 
We originally wrote 7 songs and it felt tired and too similar to our previous stuff, so we dropped almost all of them and started new. We leaned into a more simple and fun approach to songwriting and ended up writing 18 songs over 2+ years. Drained is the best 10."

TIMELOST ARE:
Shane Handal — Vocals/Guitar
Grzesiek Czapla — Drums
Tony DiDonato — Bass

PROFANATICA Unleashes NSFW Music Video for "Take Up The Cross," Kicks Off Headlining U.S. Tour

USBM legends PROFANATICA are now unleashing a gory, NSFW music video for the song "Take Up the Cross," which is taken from the band's latest offering, 'Crux Simplex.' The clip was created by garlix and can be found at THIS LOCATION.

In addition, PROFANATICA is now embarking on an East Coast U.S. headlining tour with support from NUNSLAUGHTER + TOMBS! The trek kicks off tonight, February 13, in Providence, RI and will conclude on March 3 in Brooklyn, NY. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found at THIS LOCATION.

The band will also be appearing on the 2024 edition of Milwaukee Metal Fest on Friday, May 17, in which the full lineup and tickets can be found HERE.

'Crux Simplex' was released on September 22, 2023 via Season of Mist. The record can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

PROFANATICA U.S. TOUR 2024 (w/ NUNSLAUGHTER + TOMBS):

02/13: Providence, RI @ Alchemy

02/14: Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet

02/15: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

02/16: Chesapeake, VA @ Riff House

02/17: Greensboro, NC @ The Pour House

02/18: Piedmont, SC @ Tribbles

02/20: Orlando, FL @ Conduit

02/21: Pompano Beach, FL @ Pipers

02/22: Cape Coral, FL @ Nice Guys

02/24/: Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn

02/25: Louisville, KY @ Portal

02/26: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary

02/27: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground

02/28: Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey

02/29: Quebec City, QC @ L'Anti

03/01: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar

03/02: Boston, MA @ Sonia

03/03: Brooklyn, NY @ Market Hotel

03/17: Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest*

*Profanatica only

PROFANATICA are at the vanguard of the first wave of American black metal. Founded and led by infamous master of black perversion Paul Ledney (drums/vocals), they have purveyed primeval blasphemy for nigh on thirty-three years.

Ledney formed the band from the ashes of the first INCANTATION lineup when he split and took with him all of the members sans John McEntee. That early trio of ex-INCANTATION members reeled off three ground-breaking demos of some of the most extreme and blasphemic metal of its time in rapid succession. The band flyers that permeated the tape-trading circuit were no less shocking and featured the trio bloody and naked and in the throes of what was most certainly a primeval summoning of some kind. In short order, they had inked a deal with the fledgling Osmose Productions for what became one of that labels first releases (Osmose release #5); a legendary split with Colombia's MASACRE.

Something so volatile could only last briefly, and after another brief recording session the band collapsed under the weight of its own extremity. but the recordings made in this two year window went on to see dozens of reissues in the coming decades, in a testament to how formidable and formative they are to the black metal scene worldwide.

After almost fifteen years spent with his equally polarizing solo project HAVOHEJ, Ledney reignited the flames of PROFANATICA in 2006. Reemerging with a new deal from Hells Headbangers, Ledney and his new band released 'The Enemy of Virtue', a collection of that vaunted early material, and a new fulllength, 'Profanatitas de Domonatia'. A triumphant return, 'Profanatitas de Domonatia' picked up right where these Kings of US Black Metal left off, delivering a savage stream of chainsaw guitars and relentless battery upon which they desecrated everything sacred.

This set-in motion another frenetic burst of work for PROFANATICA. The next decade saw them

unleash four new full-length albums of blasphemous perversions, sacrilegious incantations, and furious black metal. In addition, the band issued six mini-albums and EP's, a full DVD of early footage, and began touring internationally in Europe and in Central and South America. For the first time PROFANATICA were appearing near or at the top of the bill at festivals like Maryland Death Fest, Messe Des Mortes, Hells Headbash, Prague Death Mass (Czech Republic), Chaos Descends (Germany), Black Sun (Spain), Tyrant Fest (France), SWR Fest (Portugal) and many more.

In fall 2018, PROFANATICA joined forces with Season of Mist and undertook their biggest tour to date supporting WATAIN and ROTTING CHRIST across Europe. And a year later, the trio vomited forth a most vulgar strain of black metal ejaculate with their SoM debut album 'Rottng Incarnation of God.'

The band embarked on an extensive twelve-country European headline tour in the album's wake. Shortly after returning home that winter, the world ground to a halt in 2020. Save a live-streaming concert production for the legendary Rock al Parque in conjuncton with BATUSHKA, little was heard from PROFANATICA.

That is until spring 2023, when PROFANATICA emerged from their den of iniquity on a European headline tour to promote a new album. 'Crux Simplex' is a ten-track offensive of sin and sacrilege, a nasty affront that bastardizes the first 10 stations of the cross. As per their legacy, PROFANATICA deals in bestial, first-wave black metal barbarity, and their eighth album unveils ungodly levels of bile and blasphemy. 

Live Lineup:

Mayhemic Slaughter of the Heavens – Drums / Vocals

Destroyer of Holy Hymen – Guitar

The True Perversion of the Heavenly Father – Bass 

Follow Profanatica here:

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SYMPHONY X ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH HEATHEN

New Jersey’s progressive metal masters, SYMPHONY X, are hitting the road this Spring for their North American 2024 tour with special guests and labelmates, HEATHEN. The 19-date trek will kick off on May 16th in Cincinnati and make stops in Pittsburgh, Quebec, and Jersey City before its conclusion in Baltimore on June 8th.

General admission tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, February 16th at 10 AM local time. Purchase tickets here: https://bnds.us/zwnq7z

Confirmed dates for the SYMPHONY X North American Tour 2024 with special guests HEATHEN are:
05/16/2024 U.S.   Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's
05/17/2024 U.S.   Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest
05/18/2024 U.S.   Des Moines, IA - Wooly's
05/19/2024 U.S.   St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
05/20/2024 U.S.   Indianapolis, IN - Vogue Theater
05/21/2024 U.S.   Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Music Hall
05/23/2024 U.S.   Westland, MI - Token Lounge
05/24/2024 CAN   Toronto, ON - Opera House
05/25/2024 CAN   Montreal, QC - Studio TD
05/26/2024 CAN   Quebec, QC - Theatre Capitole
05/29/2024 U.S.   Boston, MA - Paradise
05/30/2024 U.S.   New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
05/31/2024 U.S.   Stroudsberg, PA - Sherman Theater
06/01/2024 U.S.   Jersey City, NJ - White Eagle Hall
06/02/2024 U.S.   Wantagh, NY - Mulcahy's
06/05/2024 U.S.   Charlotte, NC - The Underground
06/06/2024 U.S.   Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
06/07/2024 U.S.   Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
06/08/2024 U.S.   Baltimore, MD -  Baltimore Soundstage

ABOUT SYMPHONY X

A distinct murmur went around the world in 1994 when a certain six-string guitarist from New Jersey named Michael Romeo of the prog band Gemini recorded THE DARK CHAPTER demo and sent it out to record labels.  It seemed the new guitar messiah of the coming 21st century had made himself known to the world and he’d soon launch a new band that would stir up the prog genre! With an innovative mixture of heavy metal, progressive rock and (neo) classical hard sounds, Romeo and his men in SYMPHONY X recorded a debut album (released in Japan in '94; released worldwide in 1995) that began their journey to create a blueprint for the young generation of prog-metallers to follow.
 
Having been through the wars, voluntarily made tougher by insisting on playing intellectually and technically challenging music for fans that demand it—and then made harsh again by the evolving contours of the music industry, most notably the shift to singles and single songs— SYMPHONY X have triumphed, creating a panoramic old school “rock album” experience in an era cursed with shorter and shorter attention spans.
 
SYMPHONY X is:
Michael Romeo | Guitar
Russell Allen | Vocals
Jason Rullo | Drums
Michael Lepond | Bass
Michael Pinnella | Keyboards

More information:
http://www.symphonyx.com/site/
https://www.facebook.com/symphonyx
https://www.instagram.com/symphonyxofficial
https://twitter.com/symphonyx
https://www.youtube.com/symphonyx

Photo Credit: Gabriel Rosa

ABOUT HEATHEN
Heathen is an American Thrash Metal band originating from the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite never achieving commercial success, the band is often credited – alongside Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Forbidden, and Vio-Lence – as one of the leaders of the Bay Area Thrash Metal scene of the mid-to-late 1980s. To date, Heathen has released four studio albums: Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991), The Evolution of Chaos (2010), and Empire of the Blind (2020). During 2022 and 2023, the band toured extensively, performing in 5 continents, 28 countries, and 121 cities during the Empire of the Blind tour. The band is currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records and is working on the follow-up to Empire of the Blind.

HEATHEN is:
David White | Vocals
Kragen Lum | Guitar
Kyle Edissi | Guitar
Jason Mirza | Bass
Ryan Idris | Drums

More information:
https://heathenthrash.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heathen.official
https://www.instagram.com/heathenthrash
https://twitter.com/heathenmetal
https://heathenthrash.bigcartel.com/

ANTICHRIST SIEGE MACHINE To Embark on North American Run, Supporting 1349 + SPECTRAL WOUND🚐 Aol

Richmond war metal duo ANTICHRIST SIEGE MACHINE will be laying waste to North America on a spring run in support of 1349 and label-mates SPECTRAL WOUND along with SPIRIT POSSESSION. The trek will kick off on May 20 in Toronto, ON and will conclude on May 30 in Grand Rapids, MI. The full itinerary can be found below and tickets are now on sale!

Prior to the tour, ASM will be performing in Portland, OR on April 19 and Seattle, WA on April 20.

In addition, ASM will be blessing fans with an unholy onslaught of new music very soon! The upcoming offering will follow up the band's devastating 2021 full-length, 'Purifying Blade.' Stay tuned...!

ASM comments on the forthcoming trek, "We are excited to set back out on the road in support of and in conspiracy with 1349, Spectral Wound, and Spirit Possession. Our promise to deliver uncompromising, hateful black metal to the masses of North America and Canada will be fulfilled." 

ANTICHRIST SIEGE MACHINE North American Tour Dates:

04/19: Portland, OR @ High Water Mark (w/ Spite, Porphyion, Cystic)

04/20: Seattle, WA @ Clock Out Lounge (w/ Spite, Enthronement, Cystic)

(w/ 1349, SPECTRAL WOUND, SPIRIT POSSESSION):

05/20: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace

05/21: Montreal, QC @ Le Studio TD

05/22: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs

05/23: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

05/25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

05/26: Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply **

05/28: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop

05/29: Cincinnati, OH @ Legends Bar & Venue

05/30: Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme

** No Spirit Possession

Photo by Dan Wagner

ASM Lineup:

SB: Drums, Vocals

RZ: Guitars

Follow // Like // Stream:

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Jeff Rouse’s THE GEMINI AFFAIR Release New Single “But You Keep Drowning”

What They’re Saying:

"The members of Seattle's The Gemini Affair are not only incredible musicians, but they are dear friends of mine. I've been fortunate to share the stage with Jeff Rouse & Keith Ash countless times, and I'm stoked to release a single with them!”
~ Mike McCready, Pearl Jam

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

“I love the melodies and the EP’s interesting take on the concept kept me totally engaged!”

~ Josh Todd, Buckcherry

Jeff Rouse’s Dark, Post-Punk Project THE GEMINI AFFAIR drop new single, “But You Keep Drowning.” Said Rouse, “Immerse yourself in the new song by The Gemini Affair, where modern melodies intertwine with dark new vibes, evoking a mysterious and captivating sonic journey."

Described as “The Cult meet The Cure in a back alley Seattle street fight!,” The Gemini Affair have received strong praise from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, Buckcherry’s Josh Todd and radio stations like KJR 950 AM and KISW 99.9 FM, The Gemini Affair have a new six-song EP To… cut, mixed and mastered for fans, and set for release from G4L Records. Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready debuted the EP’s first single, “You’re Perfect,” on his boutique vinyl record label Hockeytalkter, and on Sirius XM Radio Pearl Jam Channel. All songs and upcoming EP To… are being released digitally by G4L Records.

The Gemini Affair – “But You Keep Drowning” Stream HERE

The Gemini Affair are a Seattle based band founded by Jeff Rouse. Members include: Jeff Rouse: Vocals, Guitar (Member of Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Alien Crime Syndicate, Fozzy, Vendetta Red) -- Keith Ash: Bass (Star Anna, Guessing Game) -- Donn Gunn: Drums (Death Cab for Cutie, Peter Frampton, Soundgarden, King Crimson) -- Ryan Waters: Guitar (Sade, Heart, Liv Warfield) -- Davey French: Guitar (Everclear).

The Gemini Affair Online:

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BandCamp

G4L Records Online:

Official Website

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MNRK Heavy Signs A Killer's Confession, feat. ex-Mushroom Head's Waylon Reavis

MNRK Heavy has signed Cleveland, OH-based alternative metal band A Killer's Confession, led by former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis, to a worldwide deal.  

The first single, "Greed," will be released on March 15th, with a full-length studio album slated for the fall. Fans can pre-save the track here.

Scott Givens, MNRK's SVP of Rock & Metal, says, “I watched Waylon build AKC from the ground up, and when the opportunity for MNRK Heavy to become involved presented itself, we jumped at the chance.  We are all looking forward to unleashing the new record this fall.”
 
Reavis says, "I am super excited to be joining the MNRK Heavy family!  I would like to thank Scott Givens and everyone else on the MNRK team for believing in the AKC (A Killers’s Confession) project.  I truly feel like this is the right home for AKC.  A special thank you to Andrew Goodfriend for his guidance and focus.  He has helped me achieve so much over the last year. Lastly, I could not have done this without my team, consisting of Dusty Boles and Evan McKeever, as they helped me create our new album, 'Victim 1.'  I’m very excited to see the growth of AKC under the MNRK banner.”

AKC has previously released three studio albums and has worked with Brian "Head" Welch (Korn) and Chad Gray (Mudvayne, HELLYEAH).

Connect with A Killer's Confession:
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BRODEQUIN Release Torturous New Single

After 20 years of relative silence, last month, Brodequin returned with the announcement of their long-awaited fourth album. Today, the Brothers Bailey and their punishing new drummer are releasing the second torturous single off Harbinger of Woe.

Listen to "Suffocation in Ash" below.

Harbinger of Woe comes out March 22, 2024.

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe

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

There's a reason why metalheads from every underground fiefdom recognize Brodequin as the most brutal band in all of death metal. After all, they did take their name from the most wicked torture device that any peasant has had the misfortune of receiving. 

Brodequin's whole discography is culled from the bloody annals of medieval history, but the source of inspiration behind their new single dates all the way back to ancient Persian history. "Basically, the victim, who's held in a tower that's specifically designed for this sort of thing, is immersed in ash", explains Jamie Bailey, who honed his morbid curiosity for the Middle Ages as a college history student.   

But don't just take his word for it. "Suffocation in Ash" treats unsuspecting spectators to an unflinching account of this real life torture chamber. Mike Bailey churns the riff like a giant wooden wheel, condemning even the sorriest of sinners to a hail of ash. Fellow executioner Brennan Shackelford continues to reign down a merciless torrent of blast beats and pinging cymbals long after their prisoner has been brought begging to one shredded knee.

"Silence. Liar", Jamie gurgles, as if echoing the guilty conscience inside their poor beaten skull.

"I sought to shed light on an execution method rooted in antiquity", Jamie says about the concept behind "Suffocation in Ash". "This specific technique often escapes the attention of those intrigued by these kinds of historical practices. Lyrically, my aim was to transport the listener into the vivid depiction of the scene I attempt to portray". 

"Among the myriad methods employed, a prominent example was the affixing of an individual to a pillar, or, more commonly, a tree trunk through the use of long iron nails".

That's Jamie Bailey, talking in true Brodequin fashion about the very first single from Harbinger of Woe.

"Of Pillars and Trees" is classic Brodequin. Mike's riffs churn like severed limbs through a meat grinder. Brennan pings his cymbals with all the murderous intent of a spiked mace. Heck, the death growls are nasty enough to make you think that Jamie is sucking the blood of his enemies through a straw.

Watch the medieval video for "Of Pillars and Trees", which was created by Matti Way of From the North Films: https://youtu.be/yh7awqeuZJQ    

Photo by Jacob Smith

After signing with Season of Mist in 2022, Brodequin re-issued their entire discography on LP and CD.

"Relentless, barbaric intensity" - John Gallagher (Dying Fetus), who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal albums ever.  

"Kicks in like a sledgehammer" - Metal Rage raved over Methods of Execution

"A merciless massacre" - Power Metal praised Festival of Death

Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BrodequinReisssues

Stream:
https://orcd.co/brodequin-methods
https://orcd.co/brodequin-festival
https://orcd.co/brodequin-torture

The Middle Ages might’ve brought the world out of The Dark Ages. But for every compass or printing press, those enlightened thinkers were also responsible for inventing the most torturous devices in human history. None were more brutal than the brodequin. Not only did the French use this instrument to cripple their victims, but to squeeze their legs to the point where bone marrow would spill out of their wounds.    

You could say the same about Brodequin. The band come with their own long and sordid history. Brothers Jamie and Mike Bailey have been playing brutal death metal since 1998. Putting his history degree to good use, Jamie’s lyrics are inspired by real historical events, staying true to death metal’s core thematic pillars of dismemberment, torture, abuse and murder. But their artwork broke from genre’s generic splatter illustrations by digging into intricate period woodcuts and beautifully grotesque oil paintings. 

“There simply was no point in history that was more brutal than the medieval period,” says Jamie. “At the same time that such barbarity was deployed, there was also an explosion in fine art, architecture and music. It all comes to feed our identity as a band”.   

Brodequin’s first album catapulted them far beyond their kingdom of Knoxville. “This band has stuck out in the underground with relentless, barbaric intensity”, says Dying Fetus’ vocalist and guitarist John Gallagher, who named Instruments of Torture one of the most brutal death metal albums ever. Festival of Death put another flesh-tearing arrow in their quiver (“Some of the fastest, most brutalizing death metal ever recorded” - Sputnik Music). But after sieging festival stages across Europe with Methods of Execution, the band had to be put on ice.  

“We had a series of deaths in our family”, Jamie explains. “Mike and I knew we had to step away until we had the time and were at a place mentally to give Brodequin the attention it deserved.”  

Now, after 20 years of peaceful silence, Brodequin have returned with fresh instruments of torture. The Brothers Bailey are back with a new drummer, a new label and their long-awaited fourth album.

“Brodequin had been away for so long that I was stunned by the level of interest from fans and record labels”, Jamie says. "Before playing Hellfest, the band was approached backstage by a metalhead rocking a Brodequin t-shirt who happened to work for Season of Mist. Soon enough, they were hitting it off with Michael Berberian. The rest, as they say, is history. 

“We all hung out for hours”, recalls Jamie. “The extraordinary level of enthusiasm shown toward our music made Season of Mist the obvious choice”. 

As has been the case with this band for their entire career, Harbinger of Woe lives up to its name. Lead single “Of Pillars and Trees” is classic Brodequin. Mike’s distorted guitar chords churn like limbs through a meat grinder. The way Brennan Shackelford pings, blasts and flays his snare through “Suffocation in Ash” with the all encompassing speed of a sandstorm. Jamie’s growls are so phlegmy, so rotted, that to drag them out from whatever dark bowel movement spawned them would make an executioner sick to their stomach. And yet — somewhere deep inside all that carnage hides a terrifying beauty. The title track leaves you deaf, dumb and blind, begging on your knees in the face of a punishing, almighty riff.    

“This album is a journey into this lost period of history where brutality and beauty coexist. Beauty, in the arts the were created, but also the beautiful brutality that was needed to engineer deadly devices like the brodequin”.  

With Harbinger of Woe, Brodequin reclaim their throne as the most brutal band in all of death metal.


Line up:
Jamie Bailey: Bass/Vocals
Mike Bailey: Guitar
Brennan Shackelford: Drums

Recording
Drums recorded at Brennan's Drum Room in Dallas, Texas.

Guitar, bass and vocals recorded at Navarre 24 in Harriman, Tennessee

Producer and sound engineer
Mike Bailey

Mastering studio and engineer
Brad Boatwright

Mixing studio and engineer
Josh Welshman

Artwork
Original artwork done by Jose de Brito.
Additional elements by Jamie Bailey.

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe

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

Links:
www.brodequinofficial.com
www.facebook.com/brodequinTN
www.brodequin.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/brodequintn

Portland-based Sun Atoms present 'Ceiling Tiles' 7" single and haunting monochrome video

"Sun Atoms is a tripped-out opus packed with droning electronics, shimmering guitars, dayglo melodies and a deep, whispered delivery" ~ Brooklyn Vegan

"Ebbing and flowing like Love and Rockets under a Spiritualized raga; the spirit of Bowie’s classic Moonage Daydream echoes through the band’s astral fabric” ~ First Look

"Thoroughly enjoyable. We appreciate their artistic leap into an enthralling intersection of post-punk, indie rock and new wave. Worthy of your “put on repeat” playlist, this music opens a gateway for your consciousness to coast into fascinating sonic realms" ~ Spill Magazine

“Sun Atoms give first rate performances that bend and blend song to song through luminary influences Leonard Cohen, The Cure, Moon Duo, and Nick Cave in a resulting amalgamation that combines psychedelic, dark wave, and post-modern pop” ~ The Big Takeover

"Sun Atoms fuses styles and sounds like a long lost Basquiat painting found in deep space among comets and stars” ~ Maximum Volume

Portland alternative pop / postmodern rock outfit Sun Atoms present their new single 'Ceiling Tiles', released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7" vinyl. The video follows ghosts on a velvety caper through an endless maze, arriving at a house of cards on the verge of metaphysical collapse. The B-side complements chills with thrills with a unique rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic, here dubbed 'Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)'.

Written around a compelling baseline by Peter G. Holmström (The Dandy WarholsPete International Airport), who also produced this single, the single was mixed by the iconic Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage). This is the first taste of the band's sophomore album, to be released in late spring.

Vocalist Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine) is joined by Holmström on bass, multi-instrumentalist June Kang, Mars de Ponte (LoveBomb Go-Go), L.A. drummer Eric Rubalcava and Boise native Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez (Hi Hazel). 2021 brought the band's debut album 'Let There Be Light', also produced by Holmström and mixed by the iconic Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries), involving performances by the likes of The Vandelles' Jasno Swarez, The Black Angels’ Alex Maas and Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper).

"When I was a child, I saw a being made of light climb through my bedroom window, they stood at the foot of my bed and reached out to touch my foot," explains Jsun Atoms. "Mesmerizing and haunting, much like the new Sun Atoms single 'Ceiling Tiles', which reveals a story of characters living under a faux sky being manipulated to make it appear that the stars are aligning, when in fact, above this tiled Truman Show, the stars are doing just that. The characters in the song go about their day-to-day dance while the globe they are spinning on becomes an eye."

Filmed by Brady Tuazon, this video follows several characters, who come to life from of a deck of tarot cards. An amalgamation of new colors in psychedelic, dark wave, and post-modern pop, 'Ceiling Tiles' explores a dreamy netherworld peeling away under the heartbeat like a synthesized glove. A cautionary tale of a dystopian future, some of which is already materializing before our eyes now, we follow the characters into a mirror, where they live outside of the lines under a faux sky, only to find that the planet itself is an eye, crying rain. Do they make it through the maze of plastic plants and security guards and get the message out in order to light up the world?

As Sun Atoms kicked off 2024 by playing three sold-out shows at Portland’s historic Revolution Hall, opening for Dinosaur Jr., this presented the perfect chance to shoot this video. With its long stairways and iconic brick facade as the ideal backdrop for this monochromatic video, here unfolds a mysterious tale of characters living between worlds and connected by Jean Cocteau’s famously mirrored portal.

As Sun Atoms roams this 113,000+ square foot state-of-the-art concert venue, Brady reveals two worlds, weaving through each other’s transparent personas and disappearances like white light on black attire. The band members appear like rare birds in the roles of madcap non-conformist odd fellows living outside of the lines.

“I wanted to conjure the same feelings I had the first time I saw Sun Atoms perform this song. Jsun and I were in lockstep as we discussed the vision for the video. We pulled in inspiration from Jean Cocteau and other noir films like “The Killing” by Kubrick," explains the video's director, Brady Tuazon.

"Working within the boundaries of black and white let us emphasize the theme of two worlds in a psychedelic noir manner. Portraying each member as their normal selves and as a ghost version adds another layer to the duality. It makes us ask the questions, “If our own ghosts saw us today, would they be kind and encouraging to us? Or would they be spirits signaling their existence as a cautionary tale?  Filming the video was a true testament of the grit and creative solidarity at the core of Portland creatives. We had limited time and resources to pull this off”.

Apart from Dinosaur Jr., Sun Atoms has played shows with Modest Mouse, Fishbone, Besnard Lakes, The Veldt and New Candys, in addition to performing at Seattle’s Freakout Fest and Portland’s Lose Yr Mind Fest with Allah Las, Broncho and Night Beats. The band will be touring this spring, starting at Treefort Festival, along with Ty Segall, A Place To Bury Strangers, Neko Case and Built To Spill

As of February 23, the 'Ceiling Tiles' is available on beautiful 7" vinyl and from fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Sun Atoms will be releasing a new album in late spring.

CREDITS
'Ceiling Tiles' written by Peter G. Holmström, Jsun Atoms, June Kang, Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez, Mars de Ponte, Eric Rubalcava
Produced and Engineered by Peter G. Holmström at Air Traffic Control
Recording (additional drums) by Gregg Williams at The Trench Studio
Recording (add. vox) by Tommy Dietrick / Joshua Tree Recording Studio
Initial tracking by Eric Crespo at Red Lantern Studios
Mixed by Jagz Kooner at Stone Circle Studios
Mastered by Keith Tenniswood at Curve Pusher
Peter G. Holmström - bass, guitar, sequencers, keys
June Kang - MPC, synths, percussion
Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez - guitar, vocals
Mars de Ponte - guitar, keys, vocals
Eric Rubalcava - drums, percussion
Jsun Atoms - vocals, guitar
Cover artwork by James Coffman. Layout by Sean Gothman
Video directed and Edited by Brady Tuazon
'Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)' written by Leonard Cohen
Released by Little Cloud Records 2024
'Ceiling Tiles' video directed by Brady Tuazon with support from Nigel Coutinho, Ryan Gamo, Erik Meharry and Hannah Glavor 
Artist photos by Erik Meharry 

TOUR DATES
March 23  BOISE, ID - Treefort Festival, In-store at Record Exchange
March 24  BOISE, ID - Treefort Festival, Shrine Social Club
March 25  SACRAMENTO, CA - Old Ironsides
March 27  LAS VEGAS, NV - The Usual Place
March 28  LOS ANGELES, CA - The Moroccan Lounge
March 29  PIONEERTOWN, CA - Red Dog Saloon
March 30  SAN FRANSCISCO, CA - Kilowatt
April 5  PORTLAND, Oregon - Star Theater
April 6  SEATTLE, WA - Seagaze Festival, Tractor Tavern Seattle


Keep up with Sun Atoms
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | BandsInTown | SongKick | Booking contact | Press contact

Keep up with Little Cloud Records
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Whiskey Myers Victory Lane Awaits Each High Limit Racing Night for 2024 Sprint Car Season

Multi-Platinum chart-toppers Whiskey Myers have joined the soundtrack of the 2024 High Limit Racing season, with the genre-bending band signing on as the sponsor of Whiskey Myers Victory Lane
 
With the lyrics “Put me back in the saddle out on the road; The way I make a livin’ is the only way I know” epitomizing the spirit behind High Limit Racing, Whiskey Myers’ high-energy song “The Wolf” will be the official victory song played as the victor rolls into Whiskey Myers Victory Lane each race night. Check out the full version of the song on High Limit Racing’s Spotify Playlist (a “clean” version will be used in all FloRacing broadcasts and at-track). 

“We loved getting to know Rico Abreu with our partnership last season – seeing our name on his sprint car was something we never imagined when we started a band,” shared Whiskey Myers drummer Jeff Hogg. “With Rico joining High Limit Racing full time in 2024, we knew we wanted to follow his lead.”

In addition to the at-track and in-stream partnership, the Whiskey Myers Minute, a one-minute compilation of that week’s High Limit Racing highlights, will be posted to High Limit’s Instagram account following each race week with various Whiskey Myers songs being featured. 

“Not only does Whiskey Myers produce great music that fits the grassroots racing brand, the members of the band are also genuine race fans,” said Kendra Jacobs, Chief Marketing and Events Officer at High Limit Racing. “From support of our series to their partnership with Rico (Abreu), Whiskey Myers invests in sprint car racing and truly sees the value of the sports’ fan base and its growth potential.”
 
Whiskey Myers Victory Lane and “The Wolf” will be featured starting with the High Limit Racing season opener at East Bay Raceway Park on February 12 and 13. The 59-race nationwide season will conclude with a two-day finale at The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway on October 11 and 12. Tickets for select events, including the season-opening “Battle at the Bay” are now available here
 
Like High Limit Racing, Whiskey Myers will tour the country this year playing dozens of concerts from coast-to-coast. The current tour schedule can be seen here, with more dates being added. To learn more about Whiskey Myers, visit www.whiskeymyers.com, follow @whiskeymyers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
 
Make sure to follow @HighLimitRacing on XFacebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with series information including news, event updates, ticketing information, and more.

For fans unable to attend the track, every High Limit Racing event will be streamed live on FloRacing, the series’ exclusive streaming partner. If you’re not a FloRacing subscriber, you can sign up today here

About Whiskey Myers 
Genre-bending band Whiskey Myers have played more than 2,500 live shows to ever-increasing crowd sizes since their emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Download and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show in 2019. Their latest self-produced album, Tornillo, available everywhere now via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, features the No. 17 most-played Americana song of 2022, “John Wayne,” and follows their fifth studio album, Whiskey Myers, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts, at No. 2 on the Rock chart and No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart (No. 3 among new releases). In total, Whiskey Myers have sold more than 2 million albums and amassed over 2.8 billion streams while earning six RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications as an independent band. Known for their high-energy live show and unique sound, the band praised by Esquire as “the real damn deal” has also earned sync success with features (and an on-screen appearance) in Paramount’s hit show “Yellowstone” as well as Netflix series “What/If,” Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and CBS series “SEAL Team,” among several others. USA Today describes their sound as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country that has earned comparisons to the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin,” with Rolling Stone noting “it’s the seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot.”

Photo Credit: Khris Poage

Messina Touring Group Ups Three to VP: Lauren Caire, Keena Cheatham & LeeAnn Rotondo

Messina Touring Group is synonymous with the biggest names in music including: Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Eric Church, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift and The Lumineers. Today, the preeminent group announces the elevation of three key team members to vice president roles as Lauren Cairerises from Director of Finance to VP of Finance, Keena Cheatham rises from Promoter Rep to VP of Touring and LeeAnn Rotondo rises from Director of Ticketing to VP of Ticketing.
 
“It thrills me to see our MTG team grow – these individuals are just another example of the incredible MTG team,” shares CEO Louis Messina. “Watching them grow and achieve makes me so happy; the success of our team is my biggest accomplishment.”
 
Caire first joined MTG in 2015 as a Senior Accountant and has since managed finances for the company and all of its tours, including a marquee year in 2023 anchored by Taylor Swift’s headline-dominating Eras Tour, Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics World Tour which broke attendance record in over half of the 21 NFL stadiums he played, George Strait’s record-breaking stadium run and more. Additionally, Caire managed the design and opening of MTG’s first office outside of its Austin homebase in 2019, expanding the promoter’s presence into Nashville with a permanent footprint in her native city, and she is currently overseeing MTG Nashville’s upcoming move to Nashville Yards.
 
Cheatham, a 2023 Music Row Magazine Next Big Thing honoree who joined MTG in 2013 as a Promoter Rep on Swift’s Red Tour, has had a role in over half of the MTG roster in both the pop and country music sectors. Cheatham leads the charge for some of the promoter’s biggest clients, including serving as the point person for Sheeran since 2014 and playing an instrumental part in Eric Church’s The Gather Again Tour which reported over 860,000 in ticket sales, grossed over $100 million and took home the award for Top Country Tour at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
 
Rotondo joined MTG in 2015 as a Ticket Manager, primarily to assist with ticketing for Swift’s 1989 Tour. Nine years later, she spearheads all ticketing for Swift’s tours, as well as many other MTG clients including Church, Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton. Under her direction, ticketing at MTG has evolved from an isolated process led by each touring team into an innovative model with a centralized department that leads all tours at the forefront of the quickly-evolving ticketing industry.
 
Congratulate Caire via lauren@messinatouring.com, Cheatham via keena@messinatouring.com and Rotondo via leeann@messinatouring.com.

L to R: Lauren Caire, Keena Cheatham, LeeAnn Rotondo

Blackbird Presents Announces 'Mavis Staples 85th: All Star Birthday Concert'

Thursday, April 18, 2024 at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, CA
Via
Ticketmaster.com, More Info at http://Mavisstaples85.com

Blackbird Presents and Live Nation are thrilled to announce a very special concert celebration honoring a generational icon, Mavis StaplesMavis Staples 85th: All-Star Birthday Concert will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the YouTube Theater, featuring once-in-a-lifetime performances with Mavis Staples and an incredible lineup of superstar artists, including Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Grace Potter, Hozier, Jackson Browne, Jeff Tweedy, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, The War And Treaty, plus more to be announced.
 
Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at 10 AM PT at http://ticketmaster.com. For complete show details, visit http://mavisstaples85.com.
 
Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a three-time GRAMMY Award winner (and a GRAMMY lifetime achievement award); a chart-topping soul, gospel, and R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; named to Rolling Stone’s Top 200 Singers of All Time at No. 46; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. Over the past few decades alone, she’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan, to Arcade Fire and Bon Iver, blown away countless festivalgoers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury, to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and graced the airwaves on FallonColbertEllenAustin City LimitsJools Holland and the Grammys.  
 
“At the end of last year, I was talking about retiring,” says Mavis Staples. “But after sitting with it for a while, I stopped myself and thought, 'Well, what would I do?' I asked the Lord, 'Why am I still here? What do you want of me? Have you kept me around for a reason?' And the only reason I could see is to sing my songs. That's why I'm still here, and I'm looking forward to this show with my friends singing my songs, too!”
 
“Producing this show is the honor of my life, as we all come together to celebrate a woman whom has given so much to so many over the years through her actions, her music, and her magic,” says Blackbird Presents CEO and Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman.
 
For complete show details, please visit http://mavisstaples85.com #mavisstaples85

EKOH Drops "Mayday"

Emerging artist EKOH has dropped his latest. banger in the form of "MAYDAY." Listen here

"'Mayday' is a song about having difficulty opening up to the ones closest to you," the artist explains. "It's about my tendency to avoid any kind of vulnerability until my entire world is crashing down around me and I'm finally willing to speak up. By that time, it feels more like an emergency call than anything else, so 'MAYDAY!'"

Additionally, he is performing tonight, Friday, February 9 at The Roxy in Denver. Beloved lifestyle + sneaker brand Vans will be on site. Fans can get in free if wearing a pair of Vans. If not, a simple $10 donation to MusiCares is all that is required for entry. MusiCares provides a safety net of financial and critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas: Mental Health + Addiction Recovery; Health Services; and Human Services.

If you've not yet heard of Ekoh, well, consider this your intro.

Get to know him now, because the stratosphere is in his future, thanks to his deft rap x rock hybrid style.

Ekoh' breakout track "Hole In Your Head" was released in November 2023 and stays in steady rotation on SiriusXM Octane and was a crowd favorite during his first rock tour where he supported From Ashes to New on the Blackout Tour. Additionally, the single "Hurt Myself" continues to roar, still consistently streaming over 25,000 times per day.

Tzarina Release New Single "Borrowed Time" via TLG/Virgin Music Group

Tzarina, the dynamic post-hardcore ensemble, unveiled their latest single, "Borrowed Time," today, February 9th via TLG/Virgin Music Group. Immerse yourself in the powerful soundscape as Tzarina pushes musical boundaries with their compelling release. The band will be holding their album release show at the iconic Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY on March 20, 2024.

"'Borrowed Time' is more than a song; it's our origin story, and a statement about fighting for a glass half-full,” says the band's vocalist, Craig William.

For songwriter Craig William, the crux of the musical endeavor powered by the band Tzarina has always been to explore the more ethereal themes evident in the mixture of metal, post-rock and post-hardcore genres expressed in their music. This is evident in Tzarina's trail of singles, which have been seeing their release since October of 2020.

It has been almost two years since the full LP was recorded, so they are slated to release their first complete work later this year. This has been a long-awaited moment for the band, who have been hard at work perfecting their sound and experimenting with various elements of their live performance.

Tzarina is composed of Craig William on vocals and guitar, Mark Ayesh on guitar and backup vocals, Robert Scott Abrams on drums, and Michael Forsyth on bass. With the constraints resulting from the COVID pandemic, the band was forced to have a bit more of a DIY ethic, with William handling the brunt of the songwriting, and recording, while in isolation. This did not stop the rest of the members from contributing where they could and the result is nothing short of a sound that is distinctly their own.

This is a group that takes great pride in its artistry, and it shows in the level of care put into every aspect of its music. It is this dedication that has allowed them to continue to evolve and grow as artists.

They are known for their aggressive live shows juxtaposed with beautifully textured music and thought-provoking lyrics that explore the human experience. With heavy, driving riffs and powerful vocals, Tzarina is poised to become one of the most exciting acts coming up in the Brooklyn area.

Tzarina is a band that is constantly striving to push themselves creatively, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. With a new album on the horizon and an ever-growing live show, there is much to be seen and heard from this talented group of musicians. Whether you're a post-hardcore fan or just appreciate great music in general, Tzarina is definitely a band to keep your eye on.

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

OCEANS - Release New Single 'Slaves To The Feed'!

OCEANS are back with their first new music of 2024! The German nu-metal band proudly presents their latest single 'Slaves To The Feed', which provides another strong message towards the importance of mental health and raising awareness on this topic. The new song sees OCEANS collaborate with Australian keyboardist MISSTIQ as well as Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER.
 
To coincide with the release of 'Slaves To The Feed', OCEANS are unleashing a second new single! 'Breed Consume Die' sees the Germans once again prove their musical versatility as they let their heavier side come to the fore. Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER is also featured on this song, which serves as a social wake-up call.

As if the release of two new singles wasn't enough, OCEANS have also delivered a brand new music video for their single 'Slaves To The Feed', which you can watch below.


Timo Rotten comments: 

"Social media makes us sick. It makes me sick, I'm fucking addicted to my smartphone. Even though it has made my life miserable to a certain extent, I still keep scrolling. And why is that? Because people tell me it's part of the business. We as a band are both part of the solution and part of the problem."

Stream the new singles here: https://oceans.bfan.link/slavesttfeed

Get your copy of  OCEANS' last album Hell Is Where The Heart Is here:
https://oceans.bfan.link/hell-is-where-the-heart-is

Watch the previously released visualizer video for 'Chop Suey' here:
https://youtu.be/hfv9crPEPS0

TOUR DATES

Just in time for the release of the two new singles, OCEANS are going on tour. As support for OUR MIRAGE, the nu-metallers will be playing several shows across Germany in February and March. In addition, OCEANS will play two more shows in April as special guests for ANCHORS AND HEARTS

Make sure to grab your tickets now: https://bnds.us/0ibwu7

About:

Ever since their inception, up and coming German outfit OCEANS have dropped jaws everywhere they went. With a unique sound that sits somewhere between nu-metal, progressive, post and death metal and putting mental health at the top of their agenda, the four piece quickly became a known constant in today’s metal landscape. OCEANS have become known for their inclination towards innovation and experimentation within their genre; covering songs by the likes of Alessia Cara and collaborating with prominent musicians such as MACHINE HEAD’s Robb Flynn and CALIBAN’s Andy Dörner amongst others. Having released two EPs in 2019, their debut album in 2020 and another EP in 2021, the band featuring visionary mastermind Timo Rotten can easily be described as one of Europe’s hardest and fastest working bands in the genre. Enter 2022 and OCEANS have already proved that they’re set to continue on their upwards trajectory with the release of their trilogy Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part I: Love, it’s follow-up Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part II: Longing and Hell Is Where The Heart Is - Part III: Clarity, which together form their second album Hell Is Where The Heart Is. 

OCEANS is:
Timo Rotten | vocals, guitar
Patrick Zarske | guitar
Thomas Winkelmann | bass
J.F. Grill | drums

More info:
www.oceansofficial.com
www.facebook.com/oceansofficialde
www.twitter.com/ocnsofficial
www.youtube.com/oceansofficial
www.nuclearblast.de/oceans

Listen to Royal Tusk's 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...

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen Release New Single "Worth The Hurt" via TLG/Virgin Music Group

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen released their new single "Worth the Hurt" today, via TLG/Virgin Music Group. Co-written by Monroe, Jared Weeks and Scott Wilson of Saving Abel, and multi-Grammy and multi-Dove award-winning producer and composer, Skidd Mills (Skillet, Third Day, Saliva, Katie Arminger), "Worth The Hurt" is an antithetical Valentine's Day song that highlights the addictive qualities and unhealthy co-dependence of a love gone wrong. The single impacts radio on February 13th.

The single serves as a tantalizing preview of the exceptional content that awaits fans in the group's highly anticipated full-length vinyl project, SIX GUN SOUL, scheduled for release on April 12. This album features previously acclaimed singles such as "World's Gone Crazy" and "God’s Ear." The latter has garnered praise from discerning critics like Robert K. Oermann (Music Row) and respected musicians, including Shawn Drover (formerly of Megadeth).

Stream / download "Worth The Hurt" at https://ffm.to/worththehurt

World-class entertainers Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have no desire to trace the trail of every trend. Instead, they serve up a “poly-jam-orous” recipe they call “Blue Jean Rock”--artistically organic, and spiced with heavy blend of their musical influences to reflect country sensibilities with a rock and roll beat.

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have built a solid legion of fans across the globe and recently surpassed over 4.3 MILLION logged views on YouTube and over 1 MILLION captured streams without the benefit of ever appearing on a core editorial playlist.

Monroe is no stranger to the stage: he’s performed in 17 countries – and every U.S. state including Washington DC & Puerto Rico. The seven-time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador has toured with Queensrӱche, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Lee Bice, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Pat Green, and Randy Houser, as well as has opened for Country Music Legends like Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless and more. He has entertained the USO, AFE, U.S. troops in Vietnam, and former Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev. His brother called him “Elvis Gump” because of all the amazing people and places his career has led him.

For those who aren’t familiar with his music, Rick advises them to come to the show for a good time and to be ready for “just about anything.” “I love to play,” the singer notes. “And I want everyone to play along. I like to think of my shows as an interactive sport"--one that he will now play with the help of his permanent bandmates, Bobby Perkins (guitar), Alan Beeler (bass), and Jason Bohl (drums), also known as The Hitmen because "they kill it every single night!"

Rick enjoys sponsorships and/or endorsements with NOS/Full Throttle energy drink, Number Juan Tequila, Tony Chachare Cajun Seasonings, GHS Strings, SE electronics, Roper Western Wear, Shubb Capos, Speakeasy Original, Westone Audio & Fishman Audio.

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