Jenna Paulette Releases Debut Single on Leo33, “Darlin’”

March 2, 2024

With the release of her debut album The Girl I Was last March, Lewisville, Texas native Jenna Paulette detailed her journey overcoming the heartbreak of a toxic relationship and rediscovering her identity – ultimately returning to the girl she was prior. Emerging stronger than ever, Paulette is now turning toward a chapter of redemption and newfound love with “Darlin,’” her first release on Leo33, available now.

Reflecting on her personal journey of healing, Paulette shares, “It’s easy when you’re young to meet someone who tells you things that aren’t true about yourself and to believe him until, slowly, he chips away at who you are. If that’s you, I hope this song provides comfort knowing you’re not alone, stirs the courage inside of you to walk away, and offers the reassurance that something better awaits you.”

Written by Paulette alongside Jess Cayne and Matthew Morrisey, “Darlin’” juxtaposes the manipulation of a past relationship with the restored confidence that comes with true love.

He calls me pretty
And I believe him
Tells me he loves me
And God, I can feel it
His prayer that was answered
When I was your problem
Yeah it’s really something
The way I keep fallin’
When he calls me darlin’

“Darlin’” offers the first taste of new music to come from Paulette on the heels of her record deal with Leo33, as she returns to the studio to prepare her sophomore record for 2024. Paulette’s musical journey has been defined by impactful storytelling, exemplified most recently in the official music video for “You Ain’t No Cowboy” which was released on World Mental Health Day. The video, inspired by the true story of her own cowboy, Ross, challenges mental health stigma in the agricultural community and has over 177,000 views.

Paulette’s debut album, The Girl I Was, was released in March 2023 and has amassed over 30M on-demand streams. She swiftly earned her critical acclaim including media coverage from People Magazine, Grammy.com, and more. Additionally, Paulette has been named an Apple Music Country Riser of the Month as well as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

Paulette is currently on the road with Aaron Watson as part of his The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour, and recently performed to a packed crowd at the Mercury Lounge in New York City. Additional upcoming shows include a performance of the National Anthem at The American Rodeo on March 9 and her return to the Grand Ole Opry on March 20. For more information, visit jennapaulette.com or follow @JennaPaulette on all social platforms.

Jenna Paulette Upcoming Performances:
March 9 // Arlington, TX // The American Rodeo Tailgate Party
March 9 // Arlington, TX // National Anthem at The American Rodeo
March 20 // Nashville, TN // Grand Ole Opry
March 22 // Katy, TX // Mo's Place*
April 11 // Lubbock, TX // Cook's Garage*
April 12 // Midland, TX // The Tailgate*
*Dates with Aaron Watson

About Jenna Paulette:
A CMT Next Women of Country in 2022 and Apple Music’s Country Riser of the Month for March 2023, singer-songwriter Jenna Paulette — a cowgirl who came of age amid the gritty realities of ranch life — is part of Nashville’s growing wave of female artists who are rewriting the rules and charting their own paths. Paulette settled in Nashville in 2015, where she struck up a mentorship with Ashley Gorley – a veteran songwriter with 60+ No. 1 tunes under his belt – which ultimately led to her publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music in June 2021. Since collaborating with songwriters Will Bundy, Rhett Akins and Jessie Jo Dillion, as well as opening for Mason Ramsey, Parmalee, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and most recently Aaron Watson, Paulette has landed brand partnerships with Justin Boots, Boot Barn, Ely Cattleman and Ranch Water.

Her debut album The Girl I Was, is available now, showcasing Paulette’s finely calibrated blend of toughness and sensitivity in tracks like “Country In The Girl” and “Pretty Ugly.” Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Grammy.com remarked it as “transformative,” noting “fuses the sounds of Twain and Miranda Lambert, tackling mental health with the somber ‘You Ain't No Cowboy’ and waxing philosophical on ‘Country In The Girl.’ Paulette continued to spotlight her authentic western lifestyle, performing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, making her Grand Ole Opry Debut and performing in multiple festivals including CMA Fest. As Paulette readies her sophomore album in 2024, she recently signed with independent label Leo33. For more information, visit www.jennapaulette.com.

Scotty McCreery Announces Fifth Studio Album 'Rise and Fall' for May 10

March 2, 2024

Triple Tigers recording artist Scotty McCreery announces his fifth studio album Rise and Fall, featuring 13 tracks that find him exploring themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, resulting in a project full of insightful storytelling that includes last night’s surprise release, “Slow Dance.” McCreery co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs on the album, which will be released digitally as well as on CD and vinyl. In addition, Amazon will release a limited edition, forest green vinyl version of the album.

Pre-order/pre-save Rise and Fall HERE
Pre-order autographed vinyl and CDs of Rise and Fall HERE
Listen to “Slow Dance” Below.

“I know every artist says it, but this is truly my favorite album I’ve made so far,” shares McCreery. “I wanted to create an album that reflected the music I grew up on and wasn’t chasing trends. So, I brought several of my songwriting buddies to the mountains of North Carolina to sit down and write a full-on country album that told a story, start to finish, and spoke to my soul. We’ve been performing most of the album live on the road and the response from the audiences has been overwhelming. I can’t wait for everyone to hear Rise and Fall when it comes out May 10th.”

The North Carolina native knows all too well there’s a rhythm to life and a cycle of ups and downs. And right now, he’s on the upswing.

Now 30 years old and a seasoned country music veteran selling out concerts across the globe with five consecutive No. 1 hits under his belt, McCreery is also a dedicated husband and father, welcoming a son named Avery in 2022 whose impact on the singer is highlighted in several songs on the album. Recently, he even celebrated the milestone of all milestones for a guy who grew up on Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Ronnie Milsap; he was invited by his musical hero Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry. McCreery’s induction will take place on April 20 with another of his heroes, Josh Turner, officially welcoming him into the Opry family.

But folks like McCreery know it means more when you’ve seen the other side. For him, each highlight has come in contrast to a challenge – things like the loss of his first record deal and the year of naysaying uncertainty that followed before he built himself up again, brick by brick. As a result, Rise and Fall, produced by longtime collaborators Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis and Derek Wells, comes from an artist who knows to appreciate the ride – no matter where it leads.

“I feel like we’re on the rise now, but I’ve fallen pretty low as well,” McCreery admits. “I learned from every little part of that, and it helped me to know who I was as a person – let alone an artist. The rises and the falls helped craft these songs. They made this album what it is.”

With last night’s release of “Slow Dance,” written by McCreery with Brent Anderson, Derek George and Monty Criswell, McCreery looks for an exit to life in the fast lane, dropping everything to focus on what matters most. After teasing the song on social media a few months back, fans have consistently urged him to drop the track, as the romantic ballad can turn a kitchen floor into a ballroom with its ‘90s-country sway and deep, heart-melting vocal:

Baby, you’re my slow dance
To Whitley in the kitchen
Taking my hand, and all of my attention
Cheek to cheek across the floor
When I need to shut the door
On a world that’s always moving so fast
Baby, you’re my slow dance

“I am not the greatest at doing social media, but my team encourages me to do it,” explains McCreery. “A few months back, I was waiting on some hibachi takeout and listening to the new tracks in my truck. I filmed a quick video of me singing along with ‘Slow Dance’ and posted it on my socials, picked up my takeout food, and went home to eat dinner with Gabi. I looked at my phone that evening and the song had blown up; it’s now my most watched TikTok video to date. Over the last few weeks, anytime I post a photo on social media, the response I get back is ‘that’s great…so when are you putting ‘Slow Dance’ out?’ I’m excited to finally put it out!!”

“Slow Dance” is the fourth song released from the album, following lead single “Cab in a Solo” and tracks “Can’t Pass the Bar” and “Love Like This.”

As the album’s lead single “Cab in a Solo” steadily climbs the charts (currently Top 12 on both Mediabase and Billboard), McCreery’s 2024 Cab in a Solo Tour continues tonight in Boston, MA at MGM Music Hall at Fenway with an additional stop in Syracuse, NY at the Landmark Theatre tomorrow, March 2. He will be joined by Anne Wilson as direct support along with Noah Hicks. The tour, produced by Live Nation, kicked off with three consecutive sold out shows and will continue to trek across the U.S. through mid-March.

Tickets for the Cab in a Solo Tour are on sale now at ScottyMcCreery.com.

Cab in a Solo Tour Dates:
3/1/2024 Boston MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
3/2/2024 Syracuse NY Landmark Theatre
3/14/2024 Johnstown PA 1st Summit Arena
3/15/2024 Wallingford CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre
3/16/2024 Schenectady NY Proctors Theatre

McCreery recently launched a campaign with Tunespeak where fans can earn points to gain chances to win a variety of prizes. The ultimate prize winner will receive two tickets and airfare to this year’s ACM Awards in May. Other winners will receive merch packs, signed vinyl, and more. No purchase is necessary. Interested fans can enter the campaign and learn more information at http://tnspk.co/nqwrra.

About Scotty McCreery:
Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. With his forthcoming album Rise and Fall set for release May 10, featuring current single “Cab in a Solo” along with 12 additional tracks, McCreery explores classic themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, and through it all, felt comfortable being himself, resulting in a project full of electrified twang, rich baritone vocals and insightful storytelling. The 30-year-old has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 5 consecutive No.1 hits: the RIAA Platinum-certified “Damn Strait,” the RIAA Gold certified “You Time,” the RIAA Gold certified “In Between,” the RIAA Platinum certified “This is It,” and the RIAA Triple Platinum certified ‘Five More Minutes.” The North Carolina native has earned one Triple Platinum, five Platinum and four Gold singles; one Platinum and two Gold albums; won the 10th season of “American Idol” in 2011 at age 17; was named the ACM New Artist of the Year in 2011; won the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (“The Trouble with Girls”) in 2012; and BMI Awards for writing One of the Top 50 Country Songs of the Year five times (in 2015 for “See You Tonight,” in 2018 for “Five More Minutes,” in 2019 for “This is It,” in 2021 for “In Between,” and in 2022 for “You Time”). He was awarded Pandora Billionaire status in 2021 in recognition of his music achieving more than one billion streams on Pandora. His song “Five More Minutes” inspired two popular holiday movies which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network: “Five More Minutes” in 2021 and “Five More Minutes: Moments Like These” in 2022. He released his first book Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream in 2016. His most recent album is Same Truck: The Deluxe Album. This fall McCreery was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and was most recently invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks. The singer/songwriter married his high school sweetheart Gabi in 2018, and the couple had their first son Avery in October 2022. For more information, visit ScottyMcCreery.com.

Country Star Drake Milligan Announces First-Ever UK Headline Tour and Scandinavian Shows For "Jukebox Songs World Tour"

March 2, 2024

Breakout Country star and actor, Drake Milligan has announced his return to the UK & Europe for a run of headlining shows and festival appearances this summer, following his upcoming appearances at C2C Festival. Milligan will also be returning to the United States for a string of headlining shows and as support for Cody Johnson on his “The Leather Tour.” Find tickets HERE.

Full tour dates below - tickets for all shows are on sale now:

March 2 – Berlin, DE – C2C Berlin

March 3 – Rotterdam, NL - C2C Rotterdam

March 5 – Zurich, CH – Mascotte

March 8 – Belfast, UK – C2C UK

March 9 – Glasgow, UK – C2C UK

March 10 – London, UK – C2C UK

March 10 – London, UK – C2C UK Afterparty

March 14 – Ipswich, AU - CMC Rocks – Tailgate Stage

March 16 – Ipswich, AU - CMC Rocks – Stampede Stage

March 21 – Jordan, NY – Kegs Canalside

March 22 – Worcester, MA – DCU Center*

March 23 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena*

April 5 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joes

April 6 – Greenville, SC – Blind Horse Saloon

April 11 – Gainesville, GA – Boot Barn Hall

April 12 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena*

April 13 – Memphis, TN – Fedex Forum*

April 19 – Royse City, TX – Southern Junction

April 20 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn

April 25 – Boise, ID – Extra Mile Arena*

April 26 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena*

April 27 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome*

May 1 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post

May 3 – San Diego, CA – Moonshine Beach

May 12 – Conroe, TX – Bis As Texas Festival

May 17 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena*

May 18 – Fargo, ND – Fargo Dome*

May 31 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Arena*

July 3 – La Crosse, WI – Riverfest

July 7 - Calgary, AB - Ranchman's Cookhouse & Dancehall

July 11 – Fort Laramie, OH – Country Concert

July 12 – Bloomington, IN – The Bluebird

July 19 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall

July 20 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy

July 22 – Glasgow, UK – St Luke’s

July 24 – Stockholm, SE – Grona Lund

July 25 – Helsinki, FI – On The Rocks

July 27 – Seljord, NO - COUNTRYFESTIVALEN

*Support on Cody Johnson’s “The Leather Tour”

This news follows on the heels of his recently released and critically acclaimed EP, Jukebox Songs. A nostalgic and one-of-a-kind record rooted in timelessness, Jukebox Songs features the Texas native’s "Don’t Leave Me Loving You" and "I Got A Problem." Listen HERE.

In conjunction with the EP, Milligan also released a short film titled Drake Milligan - Girl Problems. Most recently, Milligan appeared on the finale of NBC’s America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League to perform his brand-new song, "What I Couldn’t Forget." Watch HERE.

About Drake Milligan:

Drake Milligan burst onto the national music stage entering the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart at #5 after dominating iTunes with his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, charting back-to-back #1 hits on the iTunes Country Songs Chart, #1 on iTunes All-Genre Chart and reclaimed the #1 spot on iTunes Country Albums Chart, all while simultaneously holding positions #1, #2, #3 and #5 on iTunes Country Video Chart. In the UK, Milligan’s debut album spent 11 consecutive weeks in the Top 20 of the Official Country Artists Albums Chart. A student of classic Country music with the swagger of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Fort Worth, Texas native is an electrifying entertainer who cites George Strait and Elvis Presley – the King of Country and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – as musical heroes, and his unique twist of traditional Country has been embraced by fans, peers and the media alike. Milligan has performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival, and earned high praise from People, BBC, USA Today, Parade, American Songwriter, CMT.com, Billboard, ET, Access Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, Cowgirl Magazine and Taste of Country. Following his Dallas/Fort Worth debut – named “One of the Best Country Albums of 2022” by Billboard and others – Milligan uncorked a Canadian Country Radio #1 in 2023 (“Honky Tonkin’ About” with The Reklaws), garnered 5 million views in just a few months with “Cowgirl For Christmas,” and headlined the massive New Year’s Eve celebration at the famed “World’s Largest Honky Tonk,” Billy Bob’s Texas, where he had also delivered two sold-out homecoming shows in the previous year. Looking ahead, the Stoney Creek Records phenom has dropped “Don’t Leave Me Loving You” – a timeless heartbreak ballad with a modern edge. His latest EP release titled, Jukebox Songs, features four all new tracks and was released on Friday, February 16. The acclaimed “Artist to Watch” (CMT, Pandora, etc.) also returned to his primetime TV roots for the America’s Got Talent spin-off show, America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League and hits the road alongside Cody Johnson on his 2024 U.S. arena tour.

ELVIE SHANE RELEASES THE REVIVAL ROUSING “DOES HEAVEN HAVE A CREEK” –

March 2, 2024

BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records singer/songwriter Elvie Shane today releases “Does Heaven Have A Creek,” available to listen HERE. Written solo in the days before recording his imminent album DAMASCUS, “Does Heaven Have A Creek” came from a question Shane once asked himself following the passing of his grandmother, about what really matters, and what comes next. His alluring vocals take you to church, with the heartland hymn serving as another reminder of how the Kentucky native "forces you to rethink anything you think you know, or assume, about the genre’s Music Row bros” (Stereogum).

“‘Does Heaven Have A Creek’ is simply the wondering mind of a believer,” said Shane. “A testimony of hope that Heaven has a few of the simple pleasures we enjoy here on earth. Is Heaven only for A-List Christians? Is there room for a prodigal ‘Good Ole Boy’ from Kentucky just trying to live a decent life and be a good man?”

The track comes as the sixth release from Shane’s sophomore album DAMASCUS, releasing April 19th. Full of unflinching honesty rooted in compassionate clarity, each track steps into the shoes of another, with Shane taking pieces of each character he’s met on his path, melding them into one beautifully woven work. The album is available for pre-order/pre-save/pre-add HERE.

One of Nashville Scene’s “2024 Artists to Watch,” Shane has already garnered buzz for the project, with releases of “Baptized,” “Jonesin’” and “Forgotten Man,” with the latter dubbed “an ode to blue-collar workers that exposes the heart-aching realities of the working class,” (Billboard), and with his track “Pill,” critics praised its gripping honesty as it “further cements Shane as a new voice of the damaged, addicted, and lost in country music,” (Rolling Stone). Shane also recently released “What Do I Know,” along with a moving video to accompany the track featuring a cameo by John Carter Cash, available to watch below.

About Elvie Shane:
With a gritty-yet-gracious fusion of heartland rock and modern country, Kentucky native Elvie Shane has made the conscious decision to aim for impact with his upcoming sophomore release DAMASCUS out April 19. The dynamic project of extremes and deep empathy, sharp-edged fusion of country, rock, hip-hop tells the deeply-layered tale of Shane’s journey – one that countless others struggle to navigate each day. Shane "bravely wrote" (American Songwriter) the album’s lead track “Pill” as a love letter to those struggling with addiction, a reminder that it’s never too late to come back home. It was another shared life experience that earned Shane his Platinum-certified Number One debut, “My Boy.” The tender tribute to the unconditional love of stepparents took Shane from a country road to the top of the charts, touring the country’s biggest stages as well as overseas and racked up over 400 million streams and counting. The track helped launch Shane’s debut album BACKSLIDER, which was hailed by critics from Billboard and Rolling Stone to the Nashville Scene and beyond, earning spots on many "Best Of” lists alongside new artist nominations from the ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. For more information, visit www.elvieshane.com.

CHAYCE BECKHAM ANNOUNCES HEADLINING 2024 “BAD FOR ME TOUR” KICKING OFF MARCH 9

March 2, 2024

2024 CMT Listen Up artist and 2024 Amazon Music “Breakthrough Artist to Watch” Chayce Beckham today announces his headlining “Bad For Me Tour” to kick off next week in Australia, as his entirely self-written, RIAA-certified PLATINUM hit single “23” that earns over 4.6M on-demand streams per week surges toward Top 5 at country radio.

“I have a brand new show, and I’m beyond thrilled to be back on the road and touring again this year,” says Beckham. “With a new set and new music coming very soon, I’m itching to get in front of some crowds and sing these songs with my band. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done to create this experience for the fans of country music.”

One of only three singles on the country radio chart in 2023 that was self-penned by the artist, his smash debut “23” has become an anthemic staple in his live shows, having racked up over 358M on-demand streams and topping numerous viral charts, including #1 on iTunes All-Genre and Country charts.

“Chayce Beckham’s debut single is thought-provoking and personal. Frankly, it’s the kind of songwriting country music needs more of.” - Taste of Country

Having been in the studio all winter, Beckham’s upcoming tour will give fans a sneak peek into his highly anticipated and soon-to-be-announced debut project. Hitting the road with country superstar Luke Bryan on his 2024 “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” this summer, this “full-fledged Country star” (CMT) has steadily been releasing new music since his historic American Idol win in 2021, including the rugged “This Ol’ Rodeo,” the gripping “Whiskey On The Wall” and “Till The Day I Die” along with the heart-pulsing “Little Less Lonely,” continuing his rise as “one of the best new country artists to watch out for” (PopCulture).

Upcoming "Bad For Me Tour" Dates:

3/9 - Toowoomba, Australia - Meatstock Festival (Toowoomba City Centre
3/16 - Bendigo, Australia - Meatstock Festival (Bendigo City Centre)
3/23 - Alpine, CA - Country Fest
3/28 - Rootstown, OH - Dusty Armadillo
4/4 - Catoosa, OK - Track 5
4/5 - Pocola, OK - Choctaw Casino
4/6 - Manhattan, KS - The Hat
4/11 - Ft Worth, TX -Tannahill's Tavern and Music Hall
4/12 - Grant, OK - Choctaw Casino
4/13 - Stillwater, OK - Tumbleweed Dance Hall
4/19 - Vancouver, BC - Coastal City Country Fest
5/2 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
5/3 - Warrendale, PA - Jergels
5/4 - Winchester, VA - Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival (Discovery Museum)
5/9 - Schenectady, NY - Frog Alley
5/10 - Binghampton, NY - Touch of Texas
5/11 - Jordan,NY - Kegs Canalside
5/16 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station
5/17 - Barco, NC - Morris Farm
5/18 - Charlotte, NC - Coyote Joe's
5/23 - Bishop, CA - Mule Days
5/24 - Apple Valley, CA - HillTop Tavern and Inn
6/6 - Fargo, ND - Happy Harry's Ribfest @ Fargo Dome
6/9 - Greenwood Village, CO - Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre/KYGO
6/18 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
6/21 - Buffalo, NY - Taste of Country (Sahlen Field)
6/27 - Cadott, WI - Country Fest 2024
6/29 - Brainerd, MN - Lakes Jam
7/12 - Rhinelander, WI - Hodag Country Festival
7/18 - Ankeny, IA - The District at Prairie Trail
7/19 - New Berlin, IL - Danenberger Family Vineyards
8/9 - Oro Station, Ontario - Boots and Hearts
8/16 - Montréal, Québec - Parc Jean-Drapeau/ Lasso Fest
10/20 - Sacramento, CA - Discovery Park

About Chayce Beckham:

American Idol winner, Amazon Music 2024 Breakthrough Artist to Watch and CMT 2024 Listen Up artist, Chayce Beckham is “no doubt a force to be reckoned with, while proving he will leave a scorching mark on the Country music genre for years to come” (PopCulture). “One of the most buzzed-about newcomers in Country music today” (Parade), Beckham’s debut EP Doin’ It Right skyrocketed to #1 on iTunes All Genre and Country charts and received critical acclaim from E! News!, Billboard, People, CMT, PopCulture, American Songwriter, Sweety High and more. The first to ever win the competition show with an original song, his semi-autobiographical, self-written track “23” instantly shot to the top of numerous viral charts. Currently Top 6 at Country radio, Beckham’s “23” resonates so deeply with fans that it earns over 4.6 million on-demand streams per week, having amassed over 358 million thus far. A triple threat artist, Beckham is an incredibly captivating performer, powerhouse vocalist and sought-after songwriter who just made his Grand Ole Opry debut and will hit the road on his own headlining 2024 “Bad For Me Tour” as well as join Luke Bryan on his “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” this summer. The rising country star, whose voice Katy Perry said “sounds like the heart of America,” went from working as a fork-lift driver to winning American Idol to appearing on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel, and Live with Kelly & Ryan to becoming a truly prolific songwriter in the room with some of Nashville’s best. Recognized as one of 10 new Country artists “destined for killer careers” (Country Swag) and the “Next Big Thing” by MusicRow, the “full-fledged Country star” (CMT) - who is readying his highly anticipated debut album - has released several new tracks this year including the rugged “This Ol’ Rodeo,” the gripping “Whiskey On The Wall” and “Till The Day I Die” along with the heart-pulsing “Little Less Lonely,” continuing his rise as “one of the best new country artists to watch out for” (PopCulture).

KEEP UP WITH CHAYCE BECKHAM

ENSLAVED | announce Jo Quail special appearance at London show + release 'Congelia' feat. Jo Quail

March 2, 2024

One year ago, cosmic pioneers Enslaved released their latest avant-garde creation Heimdal. To celebrate the studio album's first year of existence, the band announced the Heimdal (Deluxe) digital album, which is out today! As well as a UK and European tour with British post-hardcore quartet Svalbard and US metallers Wayfarer this month.

Also today, Enslaved are thrilled to announce that internationally acclaimed composer and virtuoso cellist Jo Quail will make a special appearance at the first show of the tour, on March 6th at London's Islington Assembly Hall.

To celebrate this news, Enslaved have released an electrifying alternative version of their track 'Congelia', featuring Jo Quail, alongside a beautiful lyric video created by Kolibri Media.

Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson commented,
"London has a very special place in the history of our band, since the very first live shows we ever did outside of our home town(s) - the city has supported us through it all. We have a huge part of our extended family and tribe here; it is always like coming home. Just with better Indian food and worse traffic. This time London seems set on outdoing its welcome of us; Jo Quail will join us on stage to perform 'Congelia' with us! We are so proud and eager to show you how absolutely crushing that sounds. See you very soon. Baah!"

Jo Quail commented,
"I am thrilled to be joining forces with Enslaved once again on stage! It was such a wonderful experience in Bergen last year and I am honoured to be able to do this again in London - I hope you'll enjoy this moment as much as I will."

STREAM HEIMDAL (DELUXE): https://enslaved.bfan.link/heimdal-deluxe.ema
WATCH THE 'CONGELIA - FEAT. JO QUAIL' LYRIC VIDEO BELOW;

Heimdal (Deluxe) includes the studio album in full, as well as alternative versions of two album tracks 'Forest Dweller' and 'Congelia', both with sublime performances from renowned cellist Jo Quail, bonus track 'Gangandi', plus the entirety of 'The Otherworldly Big Band Experience' - Enslaved's stunning 2022 streaming event featuring fellow psychedelic Norwegian prog band Shaman Elephant.

Enslaved's latest studio album Heimdal (released March 2023) is both a departure and a communion with roots forged over three decades ago in the turbulent birth throes of Norway’s black metal scene. It's a record that points towards new beginnings, and a dawn that’s on the other side of the apex of the land. A psychedelic journey through arcane Norse folklore, connecting with one's ancient ancestors and our future selves.

'The Otherworldly Big Band Experience' was an Enslaved show like none other, their biggest, boldest project to date - a colossal, kaleidoscopic stage show featuring a stellar setlist covering their career, both past and present. Including some tracks never previously performed live.

Enslaved will be touring the UK and Europe this month. The 16-date run will take the band across 10 different countries, with support coming from Svalbard and Wayfarer.

Tickets are on-sale now from https://enslaved.no/

Never faltering, Norway’s iconic Enslaved continue to exist as one of the most original and dependable components in our scene's indestructible backbone. Possessing the reputation as one of the most riveting live acts around, they never fail to offer us talent of the highest calibre, always doing justice to their signature black/progressive sound. Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, releasing their first demo Yggdrasill in the summer of 1992, their legendary mini-album Hordanes Land coming out in 1993, and with their debut full-length Vikingligr Veldi arriving in the spring of 1994.

Enslaved are a band in stellar form - a band at its most existentialist and self-conscious, proud Bergeners bearing the torch of their hometown’s extraordinary musical history. Their most recent material shows Enslaved at their most unleashed and thought-through - a lethal combination unfurling a potential that’s easily rekindling the furor of their early works while dancing gracefully through their most ambitious, most haunting and most musical tunes yet. A contradiction? Life itself is a contradiction. And yet we all live to prove it wrong.

Enslaved are:
Ivar Bjørnson | guitars
Grutle Kjellson | vocals
Arve 'Ice Dale' Isdal | guitar
Håkon Vinje | keyboards, clean vocals
Iver Sandøy | drums

New ‘Ride or Die’ single from Scandinavian post-punk outfit Then Comes Silence out now.

March 2, 2024

"Then Comes Silence are everything a band should be - good tunes, good playing and singing, and good looking. Their songs are ear-worms, once heard difficult to forget, as catchy as gonorrhea but far better for your health" ~ Wayne Hussey

”I can see them being huge” ~ Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth)

"Capturing the alluring intersection of 1980s Post-Punk, New Wave and College Rock in one fell swoop, this music feels organic and fresh, with ample drive, clever songwriting and a killer melody, along with crisp production" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Truly love it" ~ She Past Away

"Hellacopters of Gothic Rock" ~ Jyrki 69 (The 69 Eyes)

"The only band that have been voted in as album of the month three times!" ( 'Blood' in 2017 / 'Machine' in 2020 / 'Hunger' in 2022) ~ Sonic Seducer Magazine

Swedish post-punk outfit Then Comes Silence has unleashed their new single ‘Ride or Die’, along with an adrenaline-filled trip of a video, co-directed by Gözde Duzer. The first taste of their seventh album ‘Trickery’, forthcoming via Metropolis Records, it has already reached #3 in Germany's authoritative DAC Charts.

Hailing from Stockholm, Then Comes Silence was founded by Alex Svenson in 2012, originally inspired by frequent touring with A Place To Bury Strangers and an attraction to horror and the occult. Today he is joined by drummer Jonas Franssonand Hugo Zombie (Los Carniceros del Norte) on guitar.

This album celebrates friendship, unity and the feeling of belonging to a group, a tribe. Being a part of what most people would call the goth and post-punk community is, according to the band, a great privilege. Of course, there are dark sides to everything, but after being on the road and meeting people from the music scene for so many years, the band have experienced a caring and welcoming community.

"No one is free from apprehension and fear. Everyone feels some kind of alienation in certain degrees. You might often think you need to camouflage yourself to be part of a context. Make a change to fit in the group. The need for friendship is strong so you adapt. Maybe not always the way you hoped. But then... there are moments when we unite and harmonize with other people and feel an incredible community together. That feeling is priceless and a blessing. Friendship is love. It is important and worth fighting for," says Alex Svenson.

Recorded by Jörgen Wall (Jay-Jay Johanson, The Hellacopters) over three days at Stockholm's Kapsylen Studio and mixed by Tom van Heesch (Rammstein, Apocalyptica, Backyard Babies), this album was mastered by Svante Forsbäck / Chartmakers (Rammstein, Amaranthe, Ville Valo, The Rasmus, Apocalyptica).

Following up their 2022 album 'Hunger', released via Nexilis Records / Schubert Music (Europe) and Metropolis Records (North America), these sessions capture the heart and essence of alternative rock. With electronic elements essential to the new recordings, 'Trickery' is also a salute to punk music, to which Then Comes Silence traces their roots.

After debuting with their eponymous album in 2012, Then Comes Silence put out two more albums before releasing 'Blood' via Nuclear Blast in 2016. Their subsequent 'Machine' album was jointly released via Oblivion/SPV and Metropolis Records in 2020.

Then Comes Silence has toured and played live with The Fields of the Nephilim, The Chameleons, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Bellwether Syndicate and Vision Video, as well as performing at Wave Gotik Treffen, M'era Luna, Amphi Festival, Castle Party and W-Festival.

'Ride or Die' is out now everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. On April 5, the 'Trickery' album will be released on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally. Then Comes Silence will be touring North America extensively with Vision Video from late April through May.

CREDITS
Music & Lyrics by Alex Svenson
Published by HaHa Musikförlag
Alex Svenson - vocals, bass, synthesizer
Jonas Fransson - drums
Hugo Zombie - guitar
Video directed by Gözde Duzer & Then Comes Silence
Starring Johnny Nattsjö as Nebelmeer on synthesizer,
Bengii, Lord Of All Possible Pain and Mischief, and El Pseudo as themselves
From 'Trickery' album, released via Metropolis Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Then Comes Silence
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Keep up with Metropolis Records
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ARISING EMPIRE ALERT: Venues Share New Video

March 2, 2024

NEW ALBUM TRANSIENCE OUT MARCH 29 VIA ARISING EMPIRE

The sparrows have been chirping it from the rooftops for a while, but now it's official certainty: in 2024, VENUES will unfold to their full size for the first time. And we're all here to witness it live. In short: Their third album Transience arrives worldwide on March 29 via Arising Empire!

Watch the video for new single "Godspeed, Goodbye" Belo.

After the two strong benchmarks with Aspire and Solace, which oscillated somewhere between post-hardcore, alternative metal, and metalcore, the Stuttgart-based band definitively tears down all barriers, boundaries, and bulwarks. Transience unleashes an emotional cascade full of grand melodies, visionary soundscapes, and raw, unfiltered emotion. This album = catharsis; it's medicine for a sick world and the antidote to dreariness, indifference, and coldness.

You hear it, you feel it: The 10 songs of Transience are about farewell, new beginnings, and the inevitability of change. They are they emotional projectiles that hit exactly where they hurt the most: In our wounded hearts.

Recorded in three creative and harmonious sessions with their regular producer Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay) at the Sawdust Recordings in Halle, the Stuttgart band's third album carries all the pain of a wounded world within it.

VENUES do not look away. They repress and sugarcoat nothing. Yet, they also do not give up on themselves or this world and sing, scream, play against the feeling of powerlessness. They do not close their eyes to toxic relationships ("Unspoken Words"); they channel emotional baggage ("Godspeed, Goodbye").

But VENUES are most moving in their most intimate moments. Robin addresses his mother's cancer in "Braille" or Lela sings about captivity in the oppressive "Coming Home." She softly says, "I have yet to manage to sing this song without crying."

Pre-order the new album Transience as CD, limited colored vinyl and special fan box, together with unique merch options at the Arising Empire Online Shop, here.

VENUES ARE:
Lela — Clean Vocals
Robin — Shouts
Valentin — Guitar
Dennis — Drums

MILWAUKEE METAL FEST 2024 Adds DORO, ROSS THE BOSS + ATHEIST to Lineup

March 2, 2024

GET PASSES + TICKETS HERE

Upon revealing what was supposed to be the final lineup for Milwaukee Metal Festival 2024, the festival still has a surprise up its sleeves and is now welcoming DORO, ROSS THE BOSSand ATHEIST to the already stacked lineup!

Doro "The Metal Queen" Pesch got her start as the singer for Warlock, which was formed in her hometown of Düsseldorf in 1983. Since then, she has solidified her place among the greatest figures in rock and metal, slaying audiences around the globe under her eponymous banner. This will be her first appearance in Milwaukee in several years and she will be replacing Destruction, who can no longer make it.

Ross The Boss is one of the crown jewels of the New York City punk and metal scene. Known for his role as a founding member of both Manowar and The Dictators, Ross has always displayed an impressive, multi-faceted ability to adapt as a guitarist and keyboardist to any genre. His eponymous metal band will now grace the stage at Milwaukee Metal Fest and lay down their vicious brand of heavy metal.

Atheist is among the purveyors of Florida death metal, known for their jazz-laden technicality that appeals to both fans of the progressive and the extreme. As the band works diligently on their long-awaited fifth studio album, which will follow up 2010's critically-acclaimed full-length 'Jupiter,' Atheist is back on the road and is set to take the stage for a spirited performance at Milwaukee Metal Fest.

The daily lineup is now as follows:

Thursday, May 16 (Free w/ 3 day Pass):

Jasta and Friends set Featuring Bobby Blitz, Zetro, Bobby Hambel & more.

W/ Special Guests

Toxic Ruin

H1Z1

Friday, May 17:

Blind Guardian

Kamelot

Symphony X

Autopsy ('Severed Survival' 35th Anniversary Set)

Doro

Marduk

Hammerfall

Incantation

Profanatica

Macabre

Havok

Nunslaughter

Eternal Champion

Heathen

Visigoth

UADA

Night Demon

Bewitcher

Lords Of The Trident

Necrofier

Hellwitch

Backlash

Silva

Ancient Entities

Illusion of Fate

Engineered Society Project

Saturday, May 18:

Mr. Bungle

Testament

Hatebreed

Municipal Waste

Katatonia

Death to All ('Sound Of Perseverance' Set)

Deicide

Possessed

Terrorizer ('World Downfall' 35th Anniversary Set)

Ross the Boss

The Red Chord

Soilent Green (Reunion)

Skinless

Martyr AD

Devourment

Internal Bleeding

Cenotaph

Belushi Speedball

Cloak

Morbikon

Death Ray Vision

Hatriot

Embryonic Autopsy

Eyes of the Living

Time To Kill

Sunday, May 19:

Slaughter To Prevail

Avatar

In Flames

I Am Morbid (35th Anniversary of 'Altars Of Madness' + the hits set)

Death to All ('Scream Bloody Gore' + hits set)

Lacuna Coil

Gatecreeper

Atheist

Paleface Swiss

Bleed From Within

Exhumed

It Dies Today

Alluvial

Skeletal Remains

Casket Robbery

Creeping Death

Viogression

Upon Stone

Stabbing

Errors of Humanity

Monochromatic Black

Dead By Wednesday

Amerakin Overdose

Beyond Threshold

After a successful return of Milwaukee Metal Festival in 2023, the iconic midwestern, multi-day event will kick off with a pre-party on May 16 while the main festival will run May 17 - 19 at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, WI. The event promises to have more food, vendors, live podcasts and other surprises!

The festival returned to prominence in 2023 under the watchful eye of Hatebreed frontman and podcaster Jamey Jasta and Sound Talent Group's Tim Borror, as well as the team at The Rave / Eagles Club, where so many of the original festivals took place.

Single day tickets and passes are available at Etix.com.

Fans can visit the official Milwaukee Metal Fest site and sign up for the mailing list for first access to information and exclusive content HERE.

Follow Milwaukee Metal Fest:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Party Cannon Announce Unique Leader Records Signing + New Album 'Injuries Are Inevitable' Out April 26th

March 2, 2024

Hold on to your seats as Party Cannon, purveyors of brutal party slam, have today announced their new signing with Unique Leader Records. In celebration of the news, the band announced their new upcoming album 'Injuries Are Inevitable' out on April 26th and unleashed their new track "Weird, But Not Illegal" along with the accompanying music video. When asked about signing with ULR, Party Cannon commented:

“We are hyped to announce UNIQUE LEADER RECORDS are joining the party – a label that should know much better. It’s amazing to be working with the label that put out such classics as GORGASM, DISGORGE, INVERACITY, DISAVOWED as well as current favourites such as WAKING THE CADAVER, DISENTOMB, and KRAANIUM and we can’t thank them enough for having us onboard. Now I know what all you fellow death metal mega virgins are thinking, an underground brutal band signs to a bigger label, have they gone soft? I can assure you that we’re not the type of band to get a bigger advance and start making the softest music imaginable under the guise of ‘good songwriting’, Unique Leader encouraged us to make the most sonically offensive album we could. This is pure, 1000% Party Slam in its most concentrated form.”

Speaking about today's 'Injuries Are Inevitable' album announcement, the band shared:

“’Injuries Are Inevitable’ is our first concept album, the main influence being the documentary ‘Class Action Park’ about the iconic Action Park. The park was an infamous landmark in the 80s due to its complete disregard for any kind of rules or safety. Park guests were free to do as they please and staff were undertrained and often very drunk – most of the rides were designed and built by people who had no idea what they were doing. All this plus a massive party atmosphere resulted in ridiculous antics, serious injuries, and a number of deaths. We felt this really embodied the Party Cannon spirit and was the perfect subject matter for a concept album.

Instruments were tracked with Mike Bew at Foel Studios in Wales which is a converted farm in the middle of nowhere. We spent most days tracking until 2 am and petting the large number of meerkats that were onsite. Steve Wright (DYING FETUS, VISCERAL DISGORGE) handled mixing and mastering. As always, we kept it sounding like you’re in the room with real humans playing real music real badly. Musically this album focuses more on shorter songs this time around so we can pack more nonsense into our live sets. Each song is still full of blastbeats, guttural vocals, and of course – a variety of physically punishing, sex drive raising, IQ lowering slam riffs.”

Party Cannon also stated when asked about "Weird, But Not Illegal":

“We chose "WEIRD, BUT NOT ILLEGAL" to be the first single and to open the album as it is the perfect example of what Party Slam is – if someone asked you to define our sound, you’d blast this song. Hitting that sweet spot between slamming brutal death metal and goregrind, it’s packed full of fast blasts, inhuman noises, and repulsive slime this is exactly the song you need to hit a PR today. The last minute of the song is some of the most offensively danceable stuff we’ve ever written so we better see you getting dumb in the pit. The title covers the moral and legal grey area that Action Park operated in and how a lot of their practices only just fell in line with the law.

We really wanted to avoid the normal ‘band plays in front of background’ style video for this song and put out something ridiculous and entertaining. The video was filmed by Calum McMillan in Glasgow and is a tribute to our love of B-move horror films and stupid early 2000s stoner films. It is full of ridiculous gags, greenscreen effects, and tributes to some of favourite films.”

Pre-save 'Injuries Are Inevitable' here, stream "Weird, But Not Illegal" here, and watch the music video below.

EU fans who are ready to get their party on have their chance to see the band on the EU VOMITOUR 2024 run with Cognitive as support. Grab your tickets at the link here and stay tuned for more Party Cannon news coming soon.

PARTY CANNON are BACK with their HEAVIEST, SLAMMINGEST, and DUMBEST album yet; an overwhelming helping of the henchest and most nauseating Party Slam. The band have doubled down on their signature Party Slam style to bring you an experience so IQ-lowering, so soul-crushing, so life expectancy-reducing that we recommend you wear a helmet while listening for your own safety. 'Injuries Are Inevitable' takes us on a deep dive of the infamous Action Park; the world’s un-safest theme park. Through the medium of guttural vocals, rapid blast beats, and anabolic slam riffs you will be taken on an immersive 4D experience of the debauchery, partying, and downright irresponsibility this iconic park had to offer.

No admission for cowards, big dumb party riffs only.

"Guilty Pleasure" Is Kenny's Latest Gratification

February 29, 2024

Grat Track Drops Tonight at 11 p.m. CT / Midnight ET as the Polemic to “Thinkin' Bout”

Kenny Chesney knows everybody has had that one person who triggers a “Thinkin' Bout” situation; it’s why he wanted it as the third grat track from BORN, his first new music in four years. Already cited as one of Spring’s most anticipated albums in any genre by Esquire and one of Holler’s “Country Albums to Look Forward To,” the 15-track project reflects the myriad facets of the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar’s enduring appeal.

Beyond the swirling tension that makes “Thinkin’ Bout” so deadly accurate about the tangled emotions that make letting go so complicated, there is the notion of how people tumble into things to begin with. And then, beyond both realities is the space where the theoretic hunter is happy and game to the “the game.”

The hands-in-the-pocket ambling ramble, co-written with longtime collaborators Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, sweeps through a series of professions that make it easy to be the number dialed when the girl is bored, has had a few or just “got a mistake you wanna make again.” No expectations, no reason to make it more than killing time and having fun, “Guilty Pleasure” offers a no-strings-attached liaison that’s easy come, easy go.

“I have absolutely never heard a song like this... ever,” Chesney says, “and I’ve heard a lot of songs! It’s such an unusual, fresh way to come at something you think you know and have heard everything all about. And then something falls out in a writing session, everyone looks at each other – and you all say, ‘OH! We’re writing that.’”

With a feel-good groove, a change-up rhythm that stops and starts like window shopping and a vocal that works the lower part of Chesney’s register, it’s pure pleasure. Line after line, reality check after expectation rejection, “Guilty Pleasure” creates a zone of reality free convergence with an amour who offers, “If you ain’t found the one yet, I can keep being the one between the guy of your dreams and some guy in a bar/ I’m a secret you keep, yeah, I know what we are...”

“To me, that outro... “A little guilty pleasure never hurt nobody, no, no...” is pretty true. There are plenty of nice girls out there who haven’t met the one. The guy in this song gets that, understands that before that guy shows up, he can be a good time and fill the void until he does. No trouble, no drama, just whatever it is, whenever it is, all good.”

The tropical steel guitar-soaked “Guilty Pleasure” joins the moody “Thinkin’ Bout,” the seize-life-by-the-moment “Just To Say We Did” and the major life turns in three verses “Take Her Home,” currently climbing the country charts, to provide a sense of all that BORN, arriving March 22, contains. All the moods, all the styles, all the embracing life to its fullest and most engaged right where you are.

With his Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour kicking off at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on April 20, the BORN Tour Edition is also available for pre-order through a link provided via email to ticket buyers and top-tier fan club members. Containing three live tracks, it adds the pulse of No Shoes Nation to a collection of songs designed to offer a look at shrugging off the things that pull you down and celebrating the euphoria of being in the moment with people you connect with.

Alienist Drop Debut EP "LOVE/HATE" + Share Video For "Hypnotise"

February 29, 2024

"Many of the recent Australian metalcore releases sound very similar, but this band has forged their way on their own path" — Metal-Roos

"There's a high level of composition there, and it's all in the little nuanced details…this is a win for me" — Prymalchaos

Love and hate; a dichotomy as old as time, and it's this agitated balance of two cohesive yet opposing forces that ultimately strikes at the sharpened core of the debut EP Love/Hate from Alienist, out now via UNFD.

Thematically traversing themes of religion, self doubt, relationship struggles, and mental health, Love/Hate balances its searing instrumentals and dexterous layers alongside arresting and immense emotive content; a fact seen not just in the broader EP itself, but in the brand new single and video "Hypnotise" also out today.

Watch the video for "Hypnotise" below

Parting the curtain behind "Hypnotise," the band shares, "A reflection of how we, as a band, have struggled internally with mental health issues and the existence of the band and our audience has allowed us to fight through those struggles and provide us with a sense of purpose. The name 'hypnotise' explores how although an audience may feel hypnotised by us, being on the stage and performing our art, that we are truly the ones that are hypnotised by the audience that supports us."

An explosive amalgamation of rage and serenity, Love/Hate is an exciting debut collection of songs from the Wollongong five-piece. Whether battling with religious ideals alongside commanding execution (Godless), facing the crumbling world around with a flurry of distortion (Distorted Reflections), detailing a breakdown of love set to turgid guitars and torrential beats (Absent), seeking hope and purpose in creativity (Hypnotise), or serving up a biting commentary on a toxic relationship (Prisoner Of You), Love/Hate is simultaneously confronting and cathartic, with Alienist firmly at the helm of a journey that feels instantly personal yet universal.

"We explore a lot of different themes on this EP," reveals guitarist, clean vocalist and lead songwriter Damon Renes, "but obviously the entire overall theme is love/hate and the fact that there's such a big dichotomy between the two words at the same time."

"People do a lot of things that are hateful, and yet use the word that they're doing it for as 'love' and vice versa," Renes adds. "Love can make you do a lot of hateful things as well. The EP explores relationships with religion, but it also explores toxic relationships and abusive relationships and the falling apart of relationships that you think were going to be your 'forever,' and what it feels like when you realise that that's not going to be the case."

Named for an anachronistic term for psychiatry, Alienist forged from the remnants of a former covers band, with the current lineup consisting of Lachlan Forsberg (vocals), Damon Renes (guitar), Anthony Vella (guitar), Chris Olliffe (bass), and Jake Ceely (drums), convening over a shared passion for crafting meaningful and memorable music alongside influences ranging from I Prevail and Wage War, to Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Polaris, and Northlane.

From their debut single, 2019's "Social Faker," through to their most recent track prior to today, 2022's "Exile," Alienist relentlessly enamor with their modern flair and infectious design. And it's this heavy yet nuanced nature of glistening light and menacing shade that has seen the Wollongong five-piece previously secure airplay on triple j, perform alongside the likes of Thy Art Is Murder, Make Them Suffer, Ocean Grove, Yours Truly, and Fit For An Autopsy at UNIFY Off The Record in 2023, open for juggernauts Northlane and Gravemind, and tick off an almost sold out national headline tour — and all without breaking a sweat in an exceedingly short space of time.

ABOUT ALIENIST:
Hailing from Wollongong, Australia, metalcore five-piece Alienist relentlessly enamor with modern flair and infectious design, wielding elasticated riffs, soaring melodics, and ambient gloss offset against beast-mode breakdowns, caustic grooves, and fiery sonic chasms.

With influences spanning the likes of Wage War, I Prevail, Bring Me The Horizon, and Polaris fused with their burgeoning trademark sound, Alienist have swiftly stormed the heavy scene in a remarkably short space of time, chalking up triple j airplay, supports alongside Northlane and Gravemind, an appearance at UNIFY Off The Record and an almost sold out national headline tour in a mere two years outside of the pandemic pause.

Now with their gazes firmly fixed on 2024, prepare to witness Alienist in a whole new light. Wollongong's best-kept secret is out and ready to take on the world.

IN APHELION (ft. Members of NECROPHOBIC, CRYPTOSIS, etc.) Signs with Century Media, Announces Sophomore Album, 'Reaperdawn'

February 29, 2024

Aphelion - the point of a planet, comet or any other body in the orbit that is most distant from the sun.

During the bleak and desolate year of 2020, a new creative entity was born within the darkness. Necrophobic guitar duo Sebastian Ramstedt and Johan Bergebäck teamed up with Dutch drummer Marco Prij of Cryptosis to forge brooding and precise sonic hostility under the moniker of IN APHELION.

After releasing a number of singles, the 'Luciferian Age' EP (2021), debut album 'Moribund' (2022), and welcoming bassist Tobias Cristiansson to the lineup, the formation took the natural next step and have now joined forces with Century Media Records, which is already home to NECROPHOBIC and CRYPTOSIS.

IN APHELION is now gearing up to release their sophomore full-length, 'Reaperdawn,' for which more details and new music will be revealed this summer!

Stay tuned...!

Lineup:

Johan Bergebäck - guitars

Tobias Cristiansson - bass

Marco Prij - drums

Sebastian Ramstedt - vocals, guitars

Follow // Stream:

Smartpunk Records Announce "Smartpunk House" Showcase at SXSW 2024

February 29, 2024

SMARTPUNK RECORDS ANNOUNCE THEIR ANNUAL SHOWCASE DURING SXSW SMARTPUNK HOUSE ON MARCH 16-17

Free event, all ages, no SXSW badge is required. Doors at 12 PM both days. An option to RSVP is available here.

The free event, featuring over 60 artists ranging from punk to metal and everything in between, will be held at the Empire Garage and Control Room located at 606 E 7th Ave, Austin, TX.

The event will be held on Saturday, March 16th and Sunday, March 17th.

"This is our 5th year of doing Smartpunk House, and I feel like every year it just gets better and better—closer to the idea that has been growing and building in my head. This showcase is everything I've loved about going to festivals like Plea for Peace or Warped Tour or RiotFest. Getting to partner with amazing companies like SIMS Foundation and MusiCares while listening to incredible artists, getting tattooed or watching someone rip it on a halfpipe? That’s what dreams are made of." - Matt Burns, Label Manager of Smartpunk Records

THE LINEUP (in alphabetical order): Aud Whitson, Big Girl, Bigfoot & The Gregs, Birthday Girl, Bob Nanna, (Braid), Breed, Broken Gold, Current Comfort, Dave Elkins (Mae), Day Aches, Day By Day, Dead Tooth, Debt Neglector, Desert Sharks, Die Spitz, dust, Ekko Astral, FEA, Flowers For Emily, Fugitive, Glare, Glixen, Hellfury, High Waisted, Housewife, Jess Cornelius, Jhariah, Jonah Matranga (Far), Kierston White, Light, Beams, Limbeck, LUNA AURA, Mark Rose (Spitalfield), Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids), Mean Jeans, NewDad, NYGMA, O., Perennial, Portrayal of Guilt, Proper., Rain On Fridays, Remo Drive, Ritual, Smooth, Brain, Spitalfield, Suck Brick Kid, Sunspite, Sweet Spine, Tear Dungeon, The Belair Lip Bombs, The Brogues, The Color 8, The Dreaded Laramie, They Are Gutting A Body of Water, Tied Up. Trauma Ray. VIJI, Virginity, WAKE, Winona Fighter

ABOUT SMARTPUNK RECORDS:
Smartpunk has been a recognizable name in the scene for a long time (Remember that sponsored Warped Tour stage?!). After exchanging several hands and countless ideas of what it could and should be, they decided to start a record label in 2016 with the main idea of focusing solely on reissuing records that have been out of print or never on vinyl. After all, they're a label of vinyl dorks themselves! After releasing Set Your Goals' Mutiny and Gameface's Good, they started to venture into signing newer bands. They actively balance in between many worlds — putting out amazing music from friends and bands that rock, reissuing older titles, and partnering with other incredible labels in our scene and doing exclusive color variants of their releases.

"Since forming the record label, Smartpunk Records has released timeless albums such as Less Than Jake's Anthem, Nominee's Lowlife, RIVALS' Sad Looks Pretty on Me, Virginity's POPMORTEM, and melodic skate punkers The Swellers' My Everest.

ABBATH Announces North American Tour

February 29, 2024

The last time Abbath touched his horned-feet on American soil was all the way back in March 2020. No one needs to be reminded of what happened next. Because at long last, the charismatic black metal icon is returning to North America!

Having toured relentlessly across Europe in the glorious wake of his most recent album, the former Immortal frontman is flicking his forked-tongue in devilish anticipation at treating Americans and Canadians alike to songs off Dead Reaver for the very first time. Get ready to raise your horns amidst the charred and sizzling solo of "Dream Cull" and other riff-roaring hits from his legendary crypt.

The tour starts with a handful of shows in Canada before going on an extended run of dates in the U.S. leading up to Abbath's performances at Dark Lord Day and Maryland Deathfest.

Local pre-sales start today. Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Friday, March 1.

Praise for Abbath and Dread Reaver

"Dread Reaver only further solidifies the fact that we're experiencing the work of the one the greatest songwriters in extreme metal history" - Metal Injection

"Edges the much-loved frontman ever closer to the sweet spot between Bathory, Motörhead, Manowar and Kiss" - Metal Hammer

"Abbath is still locked firmly into the heavy metal mainframe and making some of the most dynamic music of his career" - Blabbermouth

"Black Metal fans will be discussing and analyzing Dread Reaver for years to come" - Outburn

"A fitting reminder that black metal can be fun" - RollingStone

The ravens gaze ominously from above. The seas roar in anticipation. The mountains creak yet again. Abbath’s remarkable new album, Dread Reaver, is upon us all. Two years in the making, Abbath’s third full-length is the culmination of everything before it. A fusion of debut Abbath (2016) and follow-up Outstrider (2019), the aptly titled Dread Reaver extends its fantastical fangs outward and drives its cloven hooves onward. Indeed, there’s nothing like an Abbath record. This is the darkest metal for epic journeys and ancient battles. Comprised of eight riveting tracks and a red-hot cover of Metallica’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver shows Abbath triumphing over all trials and tribulations, riding hard into merciless glory as the one and only “Lemmy of black metal.”

Abbath was formed by Olve Eikemo (aka Abbath) in Bergen, Norway, in 2015. After splitting with vaunted extreme metallers Immortal, the beguiling frontman and storied songwriter only had one path: Abbath. Years before, he had proven that venturing out of the Immortal constellation was not only plausible but doable with the I project, a short-lived, one-album (Between Two Worlds) band featuring notable musicians from Immortal, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth. Indeed, once Eikemo was free of Immortal’s shackles, he was able to assemble a cadre of like-minded conspirators for his solo debut album, Abbath. So crucial was Abbath that the Norwegian Embassy in the UK ran a music/culture piece, while in Norway, the album was nominated for a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy). Metal Hammer Germany even gonged Abbath with its Best Debut award. Follow-up album, Outstrider, was equally lauded. Billboard’s coverage sent shockwaves through the rock/metal scenes, while Kerrang!labeled it “dominating and creative,” awarding it 4Ks. Decibel also heaped praise on Outstrider, giving it the Best New Noise trophy. New album Dread Reaver will yet again lionize Abbath as leader of the frost-bitten pack.

Powered by Abbath’s creative musical imagination, Dread Reaverruns riotously out of the gate. The album’s edifice affords tracks like “Acid Haze,” “Scarred Core,” “The Deep Unbound,” and the album’s closing title track ample room to champion the extremes of black metal, heavy metal, and hard rock. While there are nods to NWOBHM greats, thrash metal’s luminaries, and black metal icons, Dread Reaver is unmistakably Abbath. There is no other fingerprint. Paired with thought-provoking lyrics based on the historical figure of Othryades, Abbath’s new album not only shouts exultant but reads like an ancient pyrrhic tale steeped in violence, sorrow, and grit. The idea of a Dread Reaver—a fearless duelist—can also be read as a metaphor for life’s actions and subsequent struggles. Be warned: Dread Reaver is Abbath at his most menacing and accomplished.

Dread Reaver was produced by Endre Kirkesola, Abbath, and Dag Erik Nygaard at Dub Studio in Kristiansand and Bergen Lydstudio, respectively. Kirkesola and Nygaard also engineered. Mixing was performed by Abbath and Kirkesola, while the mastering was done by maestro Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Rob Halford) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles. The goal was to field a storming production that sat firmly at the crossroads of Abbath’s heroes Kiss, Motörhead, Manowar, and Bathory. From the anthemic thrust of opener “Acid Haze” and the epic pound of “Dream Cull” to the rampaging “The Book of Breath” and the wicked cover of Metallica’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver sounds as massive as Norwegian mountain and as fiery as the depths of Hell. Truly, the recording lineup of Abbath (guitar, bass, vocals), Ukri Suvilehto (drums), Ole André Farstad (guitars), and Mia Wallace (bass) found their sonic muse.

Abbath and Season of Mist will release Dread Reaver on February 25th, 2022. The album features a Bjørn Stian Bjoarvik (Immortal) cover and will be supported by singles “Dream Cull”, “Dread Reaver” and “The Book of Breath.” Of course, it’ll all be powered by Abbath’s wry, larger-than-life persona. If “Ace of Spades” catapulted Motörhead to fame and notoriety, then Dread Reaver will find Abbath atop extreme metal’s gigantic heap, the spoils of icy blood, scorching sweat, and steely tears at his feet. As “Myrmidon” states, “Die with a smile, stare glassy-eyed up / At boiling skies! / Valkyries descend to gore-caked fen / Fallen warriors arise!” Lightning strikes thrice with Abbath’s incredible Dread Reaver!

Recording line-up:
Abbath - Guitar, bass & vocals
Ukri Suvilehto - Drums
Ole André Farstad - Lead & acoustic guitars
Mia Wallace - Bass on Acid Haze, Scarred Core, The Deep Unbound & Dread Reaver
Simon Dancaster - Lyrics

Recording studio: Recorded in Dub Studio / Additional recordings: Bergen Lydstudio

Producer / sound engineer: Endre Kirkesola / Dag Erik Nygaard

Mixing studio and engineer: Abbath and Endre Kirkesola

Mastering studio / engineer: Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering - California - U.S.A

Biography: Chris Dick

Cover art: Bjørn Stian Bjoarvik / Photos by Francisco Munoz

Links:
www.facebook.com/abbathband
www.abbath.net
www.instagram.com/abbath_official

Merch: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AbbathDreadReaver

Available formats: Digital, CD digipak, CD digibox, vinyl black and coloured

ATTILA Drop New Single "Timebomb"; Massive Co-Headline Tour With Born Of Osiris Kicking Off Soon

February 29, 2024

anta's most notorious purveyors of party metalcore, ATTILA, have dropped hard-hitting, mosh-pit-ready new single, "Timebomb" today. Find the new track on streaming platforms HERE and watch the accompanying visualizer Below.

Speaking on the release of their new track, ATTILA frontman, Chris 'Fronz' Fronzak shares

“Time Bomb is about battling your mental demons. As humans, we sometimes feel like we're losing control and can be just one tick away from exploding like a Time Bomb. This is probably my absolute favorite Attila song, both musically and lyrically.“

Today's release of "Timebomb" continues to usher in a huge moment in the evolution of ATTILA songwriting. The new era began in April of 2023 with the release of “Bite Your Tongue” which shocked ATTILA fans around the world with the surprise addition of clean vocals from Fronz for the first time ever on one of the band's tracks. Two further stand-alone singles then followed - "Mia Goth" and "FU4EVR". Between them, the 3 new singles have racked up 8.3 million streams on Spotify alone and 671,000 YouTube views.

These new tracks showcase a new direction for ATTILA, maintaining the band’s signature blend of metalcore, nu metal and deathcore whilst also adding new layers of melodic finesse and instrumental technicality. Proving that even after 15 years, they are still one of the most innovative and prolific forces in the genre.

ATTILA will be hitting the road this year both across USA and Europe for their huge "Angels And Villains" Co-Headline tour with Born Of Osiris. The European leg will run from March 7th through March 31st and will feature special guests Aviana and Crown Magnetar. The US leg will run from April 12th to May 26th with special guests Traitors, Extortionist and Not Enough Space. Tickets for all dates are available here. Full routings below

BORN OF OSIRIS & ATTILA

THE ANGELS & VILLAINS TOUR 2024

Special Guests:

Traitors, Extortionist and Not Enough Space

04.20.24 Reading, PA @ Reverb

04.21.24 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

04.23.24 Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

04.24.24 Charlotte, NC @ The Underground @ The Fillmore

04.25.24 Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl

04.26.24 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

04.27.24 Tampa, FL @ The Ritz

04.29.24 Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theater

05.01.24 Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock

05.03.24 Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St. Collective

05.04.24 Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

05.05.24 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

05.07.24 Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater

05.08.24 Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater

05.09.24 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

05.10.24 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

05.11.24 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

05.12.24 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom

05.14.24 Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

05.15.24 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

05.17.24 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

05.18.24 Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre

05.20.24 St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag

05.21.24 Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre

05.22.24 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

05.23.24 Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theater

05.24.24 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II

05.25.24 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

05.26.24 Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot Ballroom

Be ready for more from ATTILA coming soon!

ABOUT ATTILA

Chris Fronzak (vocals), Chris Linck (guitar), and Kalan Adam (bass) aka ATTILA have been churning out metalcore anthems for nearly two decades, shaping and defining the genre as they go.

Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2005, ATTILA has released eight studio albums, including their infamous 2013 smash hit, "About That Life" which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #22. The band are best known for their uniquely aggressive heaviness, their incendiary, high-energy live shows and their tongue-in-cheek, not-giving-a-fuck attitude. Their music has amassed over 270 million streams and they currently have 807k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

ATTILA has continued to thrive and evolve over the years, cementing their status as one of the most influential bands in the modern metalcore genre. This new era is just another step in their evolution, with plenty more to come.

JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE GLOBAL ALBUM LISTENING PARTY FOR LATEST METAL MASTERPIECE INVINCIBLE SHIELD

February 29, 2024

There will be a global album listening party for Judas Priest's latest metal masterpiece, Invincible Shield, on Thursday, March 7th at various metal bars in 30 cities around the world. See list below - and check your local metal bar for exact time and details, many of which will also be offering giveaways and custom Judas Priest-themed cocktails for their event.

If you live near Daytona Beach, you will be able to experience a special Judas Priest pop-up shop on Saturday, March 9th from 3-5pm at Atlantic Sounds, which will be operating out of a custom Judas Priest military combat truck – “an invincible shield on wheels” – playing the album to the 500K+ attendees at Daytona Bike Week. Harley Davidson will be leading a 100-biker brigade from Orlando to Daytona at 9AM ET.

Fans can also find the truck and brigade at the Daytona International Speedway for a special parade lap at 12PM ET before the Daytona 200. Come celebrate the release of Invincible Shield with your fellow headbangers!

Invincible Shield listening parties happening at these fine metal bars:
AACHEN, GE - SCHLÜSSELLOCH
ATLANTA, GA - BOGGS SOCIAL
AUGSBURG, GE - SPECTRUM
AUSTIN, TX - THE LOST WELL
BANGOR, ME - GENO’S ROCK CLUB
BERLIN, GE – HALFORD
BROOKLYN, NY - ROCKA ROLLA
BUENOS AIRES, AR – STRUMMER BAR
CHICAGO, IL - LIAR’S CLUB
DENVER, CO – TRVE BREWING
HOUSTON, TX - BRASH BREWING
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - BLACK CIRCLE
LONDON, UK - THE BLACK HEART
LOS ANGELES, CA - RAINBOW BAR & GRILL
MAGDEBURG, GE - FLOWERPOWER
MEPEN, GE - ALTE WÄSCHEREI
MILAN, IT - HEADBANGER’S PUB
MONTREAL, CA - MUTOÏDE MICROBRASSERIE
NERSINGEN, GE - ROCKS
ORLANDO, FL - DIRTY LAUNDRY
PARIS, FR - DR. FEELGOOD’S
PROVIDENCE, RI - THE SCURVY DOG
RICHMOND, VA - COBRA CABANA
SAN ANTONIO, TX - BONDS 007
ST. LOUIS, MO - HEADLESS BAT
STOCKHOLM, SE - GARLIC & SHOTS
TORONTO, CA - BOVINE SEX CLUB
UETZE, GE (HANOVER) - FARMER’S INN
VIENNA, AT - U4 CLUB
WASHINGTON, DC - SLASH RUN

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Born of Osiris Release New Single + Visualizer "A Mind Short Circuiting" via Sumerian Records

February 29, 2024

Born of Osiris has today released their new single "A Mind Short Circuiting" and the official visualizer (via Sumerian Records). Speaking about the track, the band shared:

“'A Mind Short Circuiting' embodies the essence of our roots. The combination of ethereal melodies with down-tuned guitars has helped inspire lyrics that evoke darker emotions. We are sure that our OG fans will appreciate this one.”

Prior to today, the band dropped "Torchbearer", the first single and music video since the release of their smash-hit 2021 album 'Angel or Alien'. Stream "A Mind Short Circuiting" here, and watch the visualizer below.

North American fans have their chance to see the band's incredible live show on the upcoming Angels & Villains Tour, co-headlining with Attila and with Traitors, Extortionist, and Not Enough Space as support. For ticket information please click here, and be sure to stay tuned for more Born of Osiris news coming very soon.

The Angels & Villains Tour USA 2024:

4/12 - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom

4/13 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s Entertainment Center

4/14 - Columbus, OH @ King of Clubs

4/15 - Buffalo, NY @ Iron Works

4/16 - New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground

4/18 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs)

4/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Brooklyn Monarch

4/20 - Reading, PA @ Reverb

4/21 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

4/23 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

4/24 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

4/25 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl

4/26 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

4/27 - Tampa, FL @ The Ritz

4/29 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theater

5/01 - Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock

5/03 - Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St. Collective

5/04 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

5/05 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

5/07 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater

5/08 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater

5/09 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

5/10 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

5/11 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

5/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom

5/14 - Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

5/15 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

5/17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

5/18 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre

5/20 - St. Lous, MO @ Red Flag

5/21 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre

5/22 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

5/23 - Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theater

5/24 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II

5/25 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

5/26 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom

Necrowretch Release Ruthless New Video

February 29, 2024

Since their creation, Necrowretch have proudly carried the mark of the beast. A decade ago, these devil worshippers emerged alongside the old school death metal revival. But their new album casts the French band in a bigger, blacker and more Satanic mold.

"Any move toward what's considered true black metal is a good thing and Necrowretch stride with furious momentum in that particular direction", writes Black Metal Terror. "These are the fabled days of world end and I can think of no finer record to track the sound of it all than Swords of Dajjal".

Swords of Dajjal is out now. To celebrate the mass fanfare that has greeted their latest offering, today, Necrowretch are releasing a new video for one of the album's deeper cuts.

Watch the raw and ruthless video for "Vae Victis" below.

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

Stream: https://orcd.co/necrowretchswordsofdajjal

While forged with newfound mysticism, Swords of Dajjal was drawn from real life experience. Living in Turkey during the tail end of the last decade inspired Necrowretch's lead swordsmith Vlad to create their new album in the splitting image of the Antichrist. Each song warns of a harrowing prophecy brought down by Dajjal, who reigns fire over "Vae Victis".

"Woe to the vanquish!" snaps Vlad, brandishing his pale but bloodied fangs.

Indeed, "Vae Victis" is pure savagery. The blast beats waste no time, galloping ahead like the horsemen of the apocalypse through a sandstorm. But Necrowretch can slice and dice from all angles. Walls of trembling, melodic distortion close in, only for the band to sneak up and crush you with a headbanging riff that swings with all the brute force of a scepter.

"Malheur aux vaincus!" Vlad says in greetings of his band's new single. "History testifies that only the strongest survive and that prophetic wisdom still continues in the world we are living in. 'Vae Victis' is based on the story of the sack of Rome in 390 BC, where the Gauls defeated the Romans and imposed their conditions on the vanquished. In torment and disgrace, only the ruthless man, the survivor, can become a king. In chaos and torment, only the lawless man, the compeller, can become the bestower of Life and Death".

The video for "Vae Victis" was filmed in Paris. It was edited and directed by Mounir Chraibi.

Praise for Necrowretch and Swords of Dajjal

"At times darkly oppressive and threatening, at others brutally crushing, it is a great record" - Angry Metal Guy 4/5

"A rare union of conception and achievement" - No Clean Singing.

"The vocals are both theatric and hard-hitting. The drumming is insane. A great mix between tremolo riffs and chugs". - Thralls of Metal (4.5 stars)

"A banger of a release...expertly straddles along the lines of black and death metal" - The Metal Pit (9/10)

"Turns out they're not actually your regular blackened death band after all, but something even more sinister" - Metal Storm

"Dynamic blackened death metal...embraces melody and blends it with pure savagery" - Teeth of the Divine

"A raw, primitive and relentless sound with absolutely manical percussion and possessed singer Vlad's beastial screams" - Kerrang!

"They charge blastbeats and hurl guitars and the kitchen sink at listeners, and that is almost always certain to attract fans of kvtl metal" - Echoes and Dust

"Speedy, razor-sharp display of blackened death metal mayhem that is as entertaining on a tenth listen as it is on the first" - Heavy Blog is Heavy

"Filled with enough hate, putrefaction and sorrow to fill a deep inferno of black, deathly abyss" - V13

"They approach their ghoulish task with considerably more gusto (and know-how) than many of their peers" - Pitchfork

Now entering their fifteenth year as a band, France’s Necrowretchare about to open the most ambitious chapter of their career with Swords Of Dajjal, their three-years-in-the-making fifth album.

Initially the sole work of multi-instrument and vision leader Vlad, the band was - for better and for worse - lumped in the ‘old school deathmetal revival’ of the early 10’s. Yet while their debut Putrid Death Sorcery did indeed bear all the usual suspects of said genre, it nevertheless already had that extra, raw-as-fuck and just plain vicious element that really set them apart from the rest of the pack. Conforming to the norm was never in question and instead of selling out or trying to slow things down, as true misfits as they are, they went the exact opposite direction, first with 2015’sWith Serpents Scourge, only to be vigorously confirmed by its furiousfollow-up, and their first for Season Of Mist, 2017’s Satanic Slavery. To the point where once the touring cycle was over for the latter, Vlad himself felt he had explored this direction as far as he could have and that changes were on the horizon.

“On Satanic Slavery we on purpose took things as far as we could, as our goal was to deliver the most bestial album possible. But once we achieved that goal, I knew we had to take a slightly different if still as uncompromised direction.” Incidentally, that’s when Wenceslas Carrieu from Cadaveric FUMES entered the picture, first as a momentary live session on bass. But when second stringer Kev Desecrator vowed to amicably part way with the band to focus on DESTRÖYER 666, he switched to six-strings and proved to be the valuable songwriting partner Vlad had been looking for since thedeparture of the band original bass player Amphycion in 2015. “Heimmediately came up with lots of ideas and thanks to him, we now have a whole new dynamic: a bit like Sepultura had back in the days in between Max Cavalera and Andreas Kisser, with me focusing now on my vocals and playing rhythm guitars while Wenceslas takes care of all the solos, the starting riffs and the off-the-map bits.

With their fourth album, and first with Wencelas, The Ones From Hell was only one month old when Necrowretch was about to tour Europe with both Kampfar and Taake for three weeks. A tour bus was booked, the set was well-rehearsed, everything was ready and then... disaster struck. “Six days before we were due to play our first show, the whole thing was cancelled. Then COVID hit us and the world was basically shut down. We were numbfor a couple of days but soon realized that the best way to bounce back was to move forward so we instantly started working on new songs.” The result is Swords Of Dajjal by far, their biggest, boldest and most ambitious production ever.

“We spent no less than three years working on the songs, demoeing them and fine-tuning the details and rehearsing them as a three-piece and six weeks in the studio with Francis Caste (Hangman's Chair, REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER, Svart Crown etc.). Prior to that, we used to be a pure product of the underground, with albums done in just a couple of days whom were never 100% satisfied with in the end as we had to rush everything. We’re still very underground, mind you. But this time around, we knew we had to give it all, no matter what. So we started by changing our gear, our sound and our tuning. And once we entered the studio, we forinstance spent a whole day just testing different amps just to get the right sound and crunch we were looking for. I even took some singing lessons to gain more depth and power. In a way, it almost feels like a whole new band.”

The whole record was written on purpose mostly on acoustic twelve-string guitars (“the idea was that if it sounds good and catchy that way, it’d be even better with distortion”) and as a three-piece, “something we hadn’t done in a long time” with their new drummer Nicolas Ferrero, not exactly a newcomer as he’s been playing on and off live with them since 2018. The result is, according to Vlad, “our most black metal record, with splashes of death metal here and there. Whereas on the previous album all tempos were pushed to the extreme, there’s far more variety here to be found. It also gave us free reins to reach a more mystical, Biblical if you will vibe” fed by his experience living in Turkey in the late 10’s. “We choose to focus onthe Dajjal character, basically the antichrist in the Muslim religion. The Coran says that he’ll appear as a false prophet only to bring doom to this world, with an army of demons coming from the east.” Represented on the cover of the album with his double edged sword and bathed in the same kind of reddish and orangey mesmerizing lights one can experience when the sun sets on wind-beaten deserts, all eight songs on the album are prophecies, past and future, where Dajjal plays the leading role.

Now completed on bass by R. Cadaver (former Cadaveric Fumes vocalist) who officially joined once the recording was done after playing as a live session member for the last two years, and armed with their biggest, most complex and intense album of their career, Necrowretch are about to yield their sword of destruction and exterminate everything in sight.

Lineup
Vlad - Vocals, Guitars
W. Cadaver - Lead Guitars
R. Cadaver (Live) - Bass
N. Destroyer - Drums

Recording Studio
Studio Sainte Marthe, Paris

Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
Francis Caste

Cover Art
Stefan Thanneur / Manifeste

Photography
Léonor Ananké

Biography
Olivier Zoltar Badin

Stream: https://orcd.co/necrowretchswordsofdajjal

Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/NecrowretchSwords
Booking
necrowretch@gmail.com

Links:
Official Website: https://necrowretch.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Necrowretch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/necrowretch
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/0cIx910hgtpgvicBJv3ybq
Bandcamp: https://necrowretch.bandcamp.com/

Available Formats:
CD Digipak
CD Digipak + Exclusive Woven Patch w/ Red Merrow Border
Digital Download
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Yellow
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear, Yellow & Black Marbled

"Ones to Watch" + Complex Fave Hunter Oliveri Shares "Stranger" Video

February 29, 2024

Hunter Oliveri, the 18-year-old talent recently tipped by Ones to Watch and COMPLEX, has shared another new single.

Today, he drops the visually trippy video for the powerfully self-aware track "Stranger." Watch it below.

"'Stranger' is basically about being pulled from the closest people in your life without really realizing it," Oliveri says. "I thought I was in the happiest relationship of my life but slowly started to realize I was drifting away from friends and family and people who really cared about me. Friends became distant and it's almost a message to people who cared about me the most. It's like 'I've been a stranger' to those people."

Last year, Oliveri released "Dumb," his debut single for new label Spinefarm. He followed it with the video "Spiraling Out." Watch it here.

ABOUT HUNTER OLIVERI:
So what else do you need to know about Hunter Oliveri, whose previous single "Kids" was tipped by Pigeons + Planes? Plenty!

His songs channel the alternative and grunge blueprint of his musical heroes — like Chris Cornell and Soundgarden, Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins — imbued with the playful opaqueness of Kurt Cobain's lyricism and the easy slacker hooks of Weezer.

Like all of Oliveri's music, it speaks to the messiness of growing up. It sounds exactly like that, too. He simply writes what he knows.

There are songs about partying too hard and songs about loving too much; songs about last night's headrush highs and the morning-after's anxious comedown. There are songs for when you seek the comfort of relatability, and there are songs for when you want to simply say "fuck it all."

They are the product of the humble authenticity of someone who's grown up in a place no different to a million others the world over. Most have never heard of Paso Robles, CA, and might never again. There's sunshine, strip malls, and vineyards that outnumber venues ten to one, where the nearby underground music scene of San Luis Obispo a few miles down the road is more accessible than anything resembling the bright lights of L.A. two hours to the south or San Francisco up north. "It's a boring city, but we make the most of it," Oliveri shrugs. "We'll go skating, or hang out and smoke. And anyway, it's fun to go moshing in someone's basement."

It's no surprise, then, that Oliveri is used to creating more interesting scenes than those that existed outside his window. As a kid, he would do so in the stories he dreamt up in his bedroom. "I like writing stories about worlds I'd want to live in," he says, "which made my own world seem so much bigger."

Such creativity inevitably morphed into songwriting in his early teenage years — though music had long since embedded itself within him. "I was probably four years old when I first heard 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' around my parents’ house," he recalls of music's omnipresence in his life. "I never knew the name of the song but every time I heard it, I'd be like, shit, it's that song. It would give me this majestic feeling." He laughs that his mom holds a video recording of her son gamely plucking through a rendition of a Metallica song (it was the epic "One") at his Kindergarten graduation performance. His dad — an avid fan of Korn and Tool — meanwhile tells him that his parents met at Woodstock; not the peace-and-love of Woodstock '69, but, more aptly, the confusion-and-chaos of Woodstock '99.

A chance meeting at age 14 with a local producer's father while in a coffee shop with his grandpa was the first domino to fall in Oliveri's music story. The rest is a history still to be written. "I've been so incredibly lucky, but I've manifested this, too," he says. "I've always known writing music would be my life. I just had to make it happen. It was hard to find kids around my city that played instruments and wanted to be in a band, but I've been writing songs every day in my bedroom since I was maybe 13 years old. It takes me to a different place."

Those songs are anthems for those disassociated with the world on their doorstep, the soundtrack to growing up marooned inside a digital world that Oliveri speaks of with disdain as "rotting people’s brains."

"I want to bring people into my world through my music," he adds. "I want people to feel something when they listen to my music, and to relate to me, and for me to be a friend and an outlet for them."

And as for everything else?

Well, he'll figure it out as he goes.

FOLLOW HUNTER OLIVERI ON TIK TOK

ABOUT SPINEFARM:
Spinefarm represents some of the biggest and most important rock acts in the world. Founded in Finland in 1990, the label established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. Acquired by UMG in 2002, Spinefarm Music Group is now home to a host of artists that reach millions of fans across the globe and showcases the very best in rock, punk and metal. From massive metal names such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams to their name) to alt-rock legends Killing Joke and genre-benders Sleep Token, Spinefarm's artists are — and always have been —true leaders in their chosen field. The roster also includes renowned names like Atreyu, Airbourne, Saint Asonia, and While She Sleeps, as well as fast-rising young artists like Dayseeker, Dead Poet Society, Kid Kapichi, BRKN LOVE, and Creeper. Spinefarm, now flanked by associated SMG labels Candlelight (Emperor, Ihsahn, Urne) and Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, Austin Meade, The White Buffalo), has grown from its independent origins into a true global rock powerhouse.