Brodequin Streaming New Album

For a band that's so closely associated with The Dark Ages, Brodequin sure carried the torch for underground metal during the early 2000s. Brothers Jamie and Mike Bailey carved their names into the rusty annals of death metal lore on just the brute strength of their debut. But after feasting amidst a festival of death, gluttons for punishment were left spinning in agony when the band disappeared without a bloody trace. 

Now, at long last, aural masochists don't have to wait and bleed for more merciless methods of execution. The Bailey brothers are back with a new drummer and the first new Brodequin album in 20 years.   

Harbinger of Woe comes out this Friday, March 22. But you can receive its full beating today by submitting to  Season of Mist's YouTube channel. 

Listen to Harbinger of Woe Below

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

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

Harbinger of Woe is classic Brodequin. The opening song pauses for a beat or two just to relish the cries from its captive audience. Otherwise, the album never relents in bludgeoning you with brutal death metal. There is nothing gentle about "The Fall of the Leaf", which whips by harsh enough to tear flesh from bone.  

Like all of Brodequin's harrowed discography, Harbinger of Woe finds inspiration in the most torturous inventions known to man. "Suffocation in Ash" leads us inside an ancient Persian torture chamber, where new drummer Brennan Shackelford mercilessly buries the sorriest of sinners under a fine hail of blast beats and pinging cymbals. 

But Brodequin brandish fresh instruments of torture on Harbinger of Woe. The vocals are still as dank and guttural as a dungeon, but Jamie mixes in ghostly screams that fade like blood splatter. And while Mike's palm-muted riffs still churn like severed limbs through a meat grinder, lead single "Of Pillars and Trees" branches out into tendrils of reverb that slowly tighten like a noose. 

As torturous as it sounds, Harbinger of Woe isn't inhumane. With a breakdown that drops with the decisive force of a guillotine, the title track cracks open the  tormented psychology of a clinically trained executioner. "He is despised and rejected / feared by most members of society", Jamie gurgles as if bound and gagged by his own microphone. 

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

Look away if you must, but amongst true sickos, Harbinger of Woe is bound to be regarded as a truly vile work of art.       

Early praise for Harbinger of Woe

" Like the sonic version of some chemical weapon banned by international law...it's non-stop, it's unrelenting, and it's brutal as fuck - Metal Sucks 

"Absolutely crushing...equal parts driving death metal and slamming brutality" - Metal Injection

"Raw and guttural as ever" - Decibel

"Without a doubt, this is easily Brodequin's best album to date, and quite possibly the best brutal death metal album you will hear all year" - Metal Epidemic 

"Fans have an expectation of what they will get from this band and it's safe to say that this record is a kick right in the face" - The Razors Edge

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 that 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


Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Golden
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Red
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Yellow w/ Red Splatters

RED REIGN ANNOUNCE SUPPORT DATES WITH NAZARETH AND RELEASE A NEW LYRIC VIDEO FOR “DARKNESS OF PAIN” FROM THEIR LAEST ALBUM DON’T LOOK BACK

Richmond, VA-based rockers Red Reign take 80’s influences and steer them in a more contemporary direction – bridging the sounds of yesterday and today.

The band is comprised of members singer/guitarist Carlton “Bubba” McMichael, guitarist Stevie Shred, bassist Larry Moore, and drummer Sammy Lee.

Red Reign has worked with Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum producer David Ivory (Halestorm) on both its releases: 2021’s self-titled EP and 2023’s full-length Don’t Look Back.

Don’t Look Back landed in the Top 100 ADA/WMG Amazon sales and is bolstered by such standout tracks as the rocking “No Peace, No Love” which has gained over 120K views on YouTube, and “Don’t Look Back” which has a guest appearance from guitarist George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob).

Now they are set to release “Darkness of Pain”.

“Don’t Look Back has a modern sounding production, giving the songs a fresh feel to them. “Darkness of Pain” is a moody, mid-tempo headbanger with pounding drums and a piercing guitar riff.” Metal Express Radio

View the lyric video below.

The band is also very excited to announce that they will be hitting the road in May as direct to support on select dates of the upcoming 2024 Nazareth World Tour!

As they state, "We are extremely excited to be supporting an iconic band like Nazareth. We look forward to being back onstage, performing new material and meeting new friends along the way as we support our new album release "Don't Look Back".”

05/09/24: Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, Connecticut
05/11/24: Queen Theatre - Wilmington, Delaware
05/13/24: Robins Theatre - Warren, Ohio
05/15/24: Brown Hall - Nashville, Indiana
05/16/24: Arcadia Theatre - St Charles, Illinois

Don’t Look Back is available on CD and limited-edition vinyl.

Get your copy now and get a limited-edition bundle while supplies last https://bit.ly/red-reign-merch

Bundle Includes:

- (1) Red Reign - Don't Look Back CD or LP
- (1) Red Reign - Coozie
- (1) Red Reign - Sticker
- (1) Red Reign - T-Shirt

For more information, visit:
www.facebook.com/RedReignBand/
www.dekoentertainment.com

Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

GIRLSCHOOL Kicks Off First Leg of Final North American Tour

The longest tenured all-female rock band and NWOBHM legends GIRLSCHOOL will be embarking on their final North American starting today, March 21, at Hell's Heroes Festival in Houston, TX! The trek will see support from LILLIAN AXE and ALCATRAZZ and will run through April 6. The itinerary can be found below while tickets on sale which can be found HERE. There will be no further East Coast dates announced - so don't sleep on this!

Girlschool previously commented, "We are very excited to announce the first leg of our return to the USA - for the first time in nearly a decade...and for what will be our final full tour of the United States. Also with us on this package we have the brilliant Alcatrazz and Lillian Axe.

"Our agency and management are making every effort to get us to as many cities as possible, and as always it's all about where there is interest, so even if you have to travel a little bit -- we would love to see you there at one of the shows!

"Cheers you lot"

The band is supporting their recent full-length, 'WTFortyfive?,' which was released on July 28 of this year by Silver Lining Music. The record is now available on all streaming services and can be ordered HERE.

GIRLSCHOOL North American Dates (w/ Lillian Axe + Alcatrazz):

03/21: Houston, TX @ Hell's Heroes Festival* 

03/22: New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music Hall

03/24: Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

03/25: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre

03/27: Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet

03/28: Washington, DC @ Black Cat

03/29: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

03/30: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre

03/31: Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Électriques

04/02: Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

04/03: Columbus, OH @ King of Clubs

04/04: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre  04/05: London, ON @ London Music Hall

04/06: Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge

*Girlschool Only

Girlschool originated in the UK during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Scene in 1978 and is frequently associated with contemporaries and friends Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active and rocking hard after more than 40 years.

Formed from a school band called Painted Lady by Kim McAuliffe and Enid Williams, Girlschool enjoyed strong media exposure and commercial success in the U.K. in the early 1980s with three albums of 'punk-tinged metal' and a few singles.

In the 1990s and 2000s, they concentrated their efforts on live shows and tours, reducing considerably the production of studio albums. During their long career Girlschool toured all over the world, performing at many of the biggest rock and metal festivals as well as co-headlining with or supporting some of the most important hard rock and heavy metal bands in the genre.

They maintain a worldwide cult following and are considered an inspiration for many succeeding female rock musicians, such as The Donnas.

Original members Kim McAuliffe, Denise (Drench) Dufort are still in the band to this day, original member lead guitarist /vocalist/songwriter Kelly Johnson died of cancer in 2007 and was replaced by lead guitarist/songwriter Jackie (Jax) Chambers in 1999.

In Jan 2019 Girlschool part ways once again with bassist Enid Williams, making way for the return of Tracey Lamb (formerly of Rock Goddess and Girlschool 1987-1991 & 1993-2000) solidifying the bands lineup for future live shows and recordings.

On July 28, 2023 at FORTY-FIVE years young, the British hard rock royalty came out swinging with their 14th studio album 'WTFortyfive?,' an outstanding and deliciously dirty declaration that age is a number that shows how much real raw attitude you have when it really counts. Kim, Denise, Jackie and Tracey leave the grit under their finger nails and the scuzz on their crusty leather boots as they riff and stomp their way through 12 statements of intent showing major attitude, some great melodies, and a consistent crunch to every guitar.

GIRLSCHOOL Lineup:

Kim McAuliffe: rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals

Denise Dufort: drums

Tracey Lamb: bass guitar

Jackie Chambers: lead guitar, backing vocals

Links:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

X

Apple Music

Spotify

Kublai Khan TX Drop New Single "Low Tech" + Official Music Video via Rise Records

Kublai Khan TX fans, rejoice! The trailblazing quartet have today unleashed their latest sonic assault on the world with their new track "Low Tech" and the accompanying music video (via Rise Records). North American fans will also have their chance to see the band on Wave 1 of their headlining run beginning next week (with special guests Sunami, Judiciary and Momentum) and Wave 2 beginning in May (with support from Harms Way, Pain of Truth and Justice For The Damned), as well as a couple of dates with Slaughter to Prevail in April (ticket info here). When asked about today's drop, the band commented:

“As a thank you for selling out so many shows and supporting our upcoming headliner, we want to give y’all a new bone to chew on. Low Tech - A meat and potatoes mosh metal landmine for all our Neanderthals out there. Brought to y’all smoking hot straight from the fire pit. Share it. Learn it. And see it live. Thanks for a great start to year y’all.”

Stream "Low Tech" here, watch the official music video below, and keep 'em peeled for more Kublai Khan TXnews coming soon.

Kublai Khan TX First Wave Tour Dates with Sunami, Judiciary and Momentum

3/27 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater (Sold Out)

3/28 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre

3/29 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues (Sold Out)

3/30 Berkeley, CA – UC Theatre (Sold Out)

3/31 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades (Sold Out)

4/02 Seattle, WA – El Corazon (Sold Out)

4/03 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater (Sold Out)

4/05 Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand at The Complex (Sold Out)

4/06 Denver, CO – Summit (Sold Out)

4/07 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater (Sold Out)

4/09 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

4/10 Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II

4/12 Chicago, IL – Metro (Sold Out)

4/13 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew's Hall (Sold Out)

4/14 Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works (Sold Out)

4/16 Toronto, ON – Opera House (Sold Out)

4/17 Montreal, QC – Club Soda

4/18 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club (Sold Out)

4/19 Hartford, CT – The Webster (Sold Out)

4/20 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (Sold Out)

4/21 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer (Sold Out)

With Slaughter To Prevail

4/26 Los Angeles, CA – The Palladium

4/30 Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom

Kublai Khan TX Second Wave Tour Dates with Harms Way, Pain of Truth and Justice For The Damned

5/11 Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

5/12 Birmingham, AL @ Iron City (Sold Out)

5/13 New Orleans, LA @ The Joy Theater

5/15 Little Rock, AR @ The Rev Room

5/16 St Louis, MO @ Red Flag

5/18 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage (Sold Out)

5/19 Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club

5/20 Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

5/21 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)

5/22 Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

5/24 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

5/25 Austin, TX @ Empire Room & Garage

5/26 Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum

Wage War Drop Video for Brand New Track "Magnetic"

WAGE WAR — Briton Bond [lead vocals], Cody Quistad [rhythm guitar, clean vocals], Seth Blake [lead guitar], Chris Gaylord [bass], and Stephen Kluesener [drums] — are barreling straight ahead into 2024 with an explosive new single.

Today, the band premiered the new single "Magnetic" via SiriusXM's Octane and dropped the video. Watch it below. 

The band has built its reputation on the back of smart songwriting that expertly pits hooks against heaviness and sprinkles melody amidst the maelstrom. On "Magnetic," the Florida five-piece continues this tried and true formula that has been so effective for them. But they take it up 10 notches and throw more than a few sonic curveballs in the space of four minutes. The melodic verses and choruses grab your attention and the hard-charging and unholy roars and thick riffs keep it. "Magnetic" should write you a rent check because it will live in your brain, thanks to its supreme catchiness. It is indeed "Magnetic."

"'Magnetic' is a song about an attraction to someone that you just can't seem to quit," the band explains. "Despite knowing what may be best, we're pulled back to a feeling that inevitably takes control. Fate decides our future."

In other Wage War news, the band will kick off its Spring 2024 co-headline tour with Nothing More on Tuesday, April 16 in Charlotte, NC. The trek runs through Friday, May 17 in Indianapolis, IN. All dates are below. Get tickets here.

WAGE WAR + NOTHING MORE ON TOUR:
WITH VEIL OF MAYA + SLEEP THEORY:
4/16 — Charlotte, NC  — The Fillmore
4/17 — Birmingham, AL  — Avondale Brewing Company
4/18 — New Orleans, LA  — The Fillmore
4/20 — Austin, TX  — Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater*
4/22 — Grand Junction, CO  — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park (Outdoor)
4/24 — Riverside, CA  — Riverside Municipal Auditorium
4/28 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
4/30 — Kansas City, MO — The Midland Theatre
5/1 — Des Moines, IA  — Val Air Ballroom
5/3 — Green Bay, WI  — EPIC Event Center
5/4 — East Moline, IL  — The Rust Belt
5/5 — Omaha, NE  — The Astro
5/7 — Madison, WI  — The Sylvee
5/8 — Grand Rapids, MI  — GLC Live at 20 Monroe*
5/10 — Bethlehem, PA  — Wind Creek Event Center*
5/14 — Norfolk, VA  — The NorVA
5/15 — Greensboro, NC  — Piedmont Hall
5/17 — Indianapolis, IN  — Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
*NO SLEEP THEORY

ABOUT WAGE WAR:
Traveling a constant forward trajectory at lightspeed, Wage War not only push their own sound forward, but they also propel heavy music into new territory. The Florida quintethave always tempered a pummeling metallic onslaught with unshakable melodies. A near-decade grind naturally brought Wage War to this point. They have unleashed a string of fan favorite albums, including Blueprints [2015], Deadweight [2017], Pressure [2019], and Manic [2021]. Beyond looks from SPIN, Modern Drummer, American Songwriter, Revolver, Guitar World, and more, KERRANG! hailed the latter as "their greatest album yet," and DORK raved, "It's an embracing of being metalheads, popheads and just fans of good songs. On more than one occasion, there's an earworm poking its head up through the dirt." They also put up numbers, tallying hundreds of millions of streams boosted by the likes of "Stitch," "Low," "Manic," and "Circle The Drain.

TOUR ALERT! High On Fire announce U.S. tour

Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire , will release its new LP, ' Cometh the Storm ', on April 19 via MNRK Heavy. The GRAMMY Award-winning group, celebrating its 25th anniversary, recorded ' Cometh the Storm ' at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort -- the band's ninth studio album -- marks the release of the first new High on Fire music since 2018's 'Electric Messiah' and the first to feature drummer  Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils), alongside bassist Jeff Matz , and guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike . ' Cometh the Storm ' boasts runic art and design by longtime High on Fire collaborator Arik Moonhawk Roper.

High on Fire has announced U.S. headlining tour dates in support of 'Cometh the Storm.' The spring slate will launch on May 4 in Orlando, FL and feature support from Venezuelan post rock outfit Zeta, and Massachusetts crossover crew High Command.

High on Fire 'Cometh the Storm' spring U.S. tour
(w/ Zeta, High Command)

May 4 Orlando, FL Conduit
May 5 Columbia, SC The Senate
May 7 Greensboro, NC Hanger 1819
May 8 Richmond, VA The Broadberry
May 10 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
May 11 New Haven, CT Toad's Place
May 12 Jersey City, NJ White Eagle Hall
May 13 Cambridge, MA The Middle East
May 15 Albany, NY Empire Live
May 16 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
May 17 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
May 18 Chicago, IL 3 Floyd's Brewing (Dark Lord Day feat. High on Fire, Abbath, Fugitive, 1349, Spiritworld)

TOUR AND TICKET INFO HERE

High on Fire - Cometh The Storm Half/Half Vinyl

PRE-ORDER

High on Fire - Cometh The Storm Compact Disc

PRE-ORDER

The drop of the "Burning Down" video follows the release of a haunting, fever dream visualizer for the powerhouse song, created by Lars Kristoffer Hormander. Experience High on Fire 's "Burning Down" visualizer.

GET MORE HIGH ON FIRE HERE

Awake The Dreamer Share Video For "Broken Home"

Awake The Dreamer have shared the new single "Broken Home," which unlocks deep emotion with music by exploring familial conflict and healing. With poignant lyrics and melodies, it offers hope and resonates deeply with those facing similar issues. This track underscores the band's commitment to meaningful music.

Watch the video below.

Stream the song here.

The history of Awake The Dreamer leads us back to 2015, when the Stockholm-based, melodic post-hardcore/metalcore act was formed by childhood and high school friends. Since dropping the Grow EP in 2016, the band been seen touring all across Europe and Asia alongside bands like Ice Nine Kills, Northlane, Adept, and Crystal Lake, to name a few.

In September 2019, the band dropped the debut album Damaged Souls via Arising Empire. A 10-track introduction to hard-hitting, melodic post-hardcore/metalcore, which also included features by Adept's Robert Ljung on "Vigilant" and Crystal Lake's Ryo Kinoshita on "Atmosphere."
 
"Being a smaller band that didn't even have an album out by the time we had toured Europe and Asia quite finally caught up to us and then the pandemic hit. Like that wasn't enough, we unfortunately had former members leaving the band, so it became natural for us to just start from scratch in order to re-develop a new sound. A sound which we are really happy and proud of. It feels great to start releasing music again and we are really excited to be back," says the band.

PHOTO CREDIT: John Gyllhamn

AWAKE THE DREAMER ARE:
Max Andrén — Vocals
Victor Sandberg — Guitar
Johan Norsander — Guitar

Kenny Chesney Takes Willie Geist to MetLife Stadium THIS Sunday, 3/24, NBC's "Sunday TODAY"

With three sets of tour prep and rehearsals in full groove, Kenny Chesney took some time out to return to MetLife Stadium, where he’s sold over 400,000 tickets since the stadium opened, for a heart-to-heart conversation with NBC’s Willie Geist. Tracing both his evolution as a stadium-sized pioneer and looking at all the pieces of his musical foundation that led to the vast BORN, the only country artist in Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years for the last 15 years took the opportunity to truly consider the road to being a billion-ticket-selling superstar and the songwriting roots that helped him speak to an audience who had long been ignored.
 
“It’s strange being in a place like MetLife we know so well when it’s cold, dark and raining,” Chesney mused before his interview. “It’s just here, waiting. Knowing all the faces we’ve seen light up, the staff, the memories; it’s a pretty great place to sit down and talk to someone like Willie Geist, who gets the music and recognizes so much of what we do is about building and trying to grow. Nothing exists in a vacuum; not a tour, certainly not an album – and we still make albums – so coming somewhere so special to us was a great place to sit down and look at the journey to No Shoes Nation.”
 
With “Take Her Home” cresting the Top 10, and the shoot-your-shot gusto of “Just To Say We Did,” the tangled letting go of “Thinkin’ Bout,” the naughty get-out-of-jail invitation of “Guilty Pleasure” or the toast to those who have passed on “Wherever You Are Tonight,” Chesney’s first album in four years is one of his most comprehensive. If not a culmination of a life lived in music, it certainly explores a plethora of styles, realities and Chesney’s unrelenting positivity.
 
“This close to a tour, I realized: we couldn’t do the traditional record release media stuff most people get to do,” Chesney explained. “So I wanted to do one thing that would really matter and make sense; to talk to someone who wasn’t looking to do lifestyle stuff, but really dig in and consider what this all means. When you do that, Willie Geist is the man to call.”
 
Beyond their conversation about music, especially BORN, the pair talked about sports, dreams, living a life that matters and how No Shoes Nation is an outgrowth of how Chesney and his people view the world. Philosophical and far-ranging, the extended sit down and conversation in the stands achieves a deeper look at what fires the songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee known for his high-intensity concerts and major tours that have sold over a million tickets every summer since 2002.
 
As street date approaches, a reminder that anyone who has already purchased tickets to the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour received an email with a link to purchase the special BORN Tour Edition with three extra live tracks, as will anyone buying tickets going forward. Top tier fan club members may also purchase the Tour Edition to recognize their longstanding love of Chesney’s music. 
 
“Rehearsals are going great,” Chesney says. “I can’t wait to see everybody in Tampa! We’re getting ready, and we’re all in all over town. To get inside BORN, just watch Willie on Sunday.”
 
“Sunday TODAY” airs at 8 a.m. ET on NBC and 6 a.m. PT in the Los Angeles area. Check your local NBC listings for airtimes in additional markets.

Kenny Chesney and Willie Geist at MetLife Stadium for “Sunday TODAY” (Tune in This Sunday, March 24) | Photo Credit: Daniel Wood for NBC

George Strait’s Longtime Manager, Champion and Friend, Passes Away at Age 80

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

“My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer,
Erv Woolsey passed away this morning.
He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it.
He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much.
We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together.
Won’t ever be the same without him.” – George Strait
 

Iconic artist manager, record promotion executive, creative advocate and innovator Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey passed peacefully this morning in Clearwater, Florida. Under doctors’ care due to complications from surgery, the Texas-born, longtime Nashville resident changed the face of modern country music through his stewardship of Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait’s career, as well as progressive traditionalists Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, classic Texan Clay Walker and groundbreaker/Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap.
 
Born February 15, 1944 in Houston, Texas, Woolsey spent his entire professional life in the music business. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in business, Woolsey went to work in the promotion department at Decca Records. He spent time at several record labels before moving to Nashville in 1973 as the head of promotions for ABC Records’ newly-opened Country division where he elevated the careers of Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.
 
At the same time, Woolsey and his then wife Connie owned The Prairie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas. It was there he first saw and met George Strait; recognizing something in the classic Texan’s approach that stood out, Woolsey booked Strait regularly to perform.
 
Woolsey followed a string of successes at ABC with an unprecedented run at MCA during the ‘80s. Creating ongoing radio success for future Country Music Hall of Fame members Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and The Oak Ridge Boys, as well as powerhouse vocalist Lee Greenwood.
 
In 1981, in the wake of “Urban Cowboy” and on the verge of a new traditionalist movement, Woolsey convinced label head Jim Foglesong to sign Strait to a recording deal at MCA Records, his label home to this day. “Unwound,” Strait's debut single, embraced a Texas swing undertow, went to #6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and a storied superstar career in music was underway.
 
In 1984, Woolsey left MCA to devote himself full-time to managing Strait’s career. Along the way, the elegant performer would win Entertainer of the Year Awards across four decades, as he and his manager broke ground with 1992’s Jerry Weintraub-produced major motion picture “Pure Country,” which captured Strait’s larger than life charisma, and the stadium-sized George Strait Country Festival Tours, starting in 1995, which showed that country music could attract Rolling Stones’ sized audiences across America and featured Alan Jackson, The Chicks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, a young Kenny Chesney, Womack and Texas’ favorite Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.
 
Strait has continued his stadium-selling ways. After retiring from traditional touring, he is still playing a handful of stadiums across America each year; most recently sharing his stage and audience with multiple-Grammy winners Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town.
 
With a strong commitment to authenticity and protecting his artists’ integrity, while creating broad spectrum opportunities, Woolsey ultimately signed Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Ronnie Milsap, all seeking a manager who believed in space for an individual sound and an audience who saw their lives in each artist’s songs.
 
That deep love and respect for creative people spawned an offshoot outlet as a songwriter. Not only did Woolsey co-write “In Too Deep” on Strait’s 1985 Something Special, he was a writer on Strait’s signature No. 1 “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” on the 1996 Country Music Association Album of the Year Blue Clear Sky. “Cheyenne” received a coveted BMI Million-Air Award for over one million spins on terrestrial radio.
 
Indeed, his love of songwriters, pickers and artists at all stages of their career inspired his developing a series of clubs, bars and hangs out. Alongside business partner Steve Ford, he opened The Trap, across from the former Adelphia Stadium, home of Nashville’s NFL team, the Titans, before striking pure gold with the anti-glam, come-as-you-are Losers. Designed as a hole in the wall for publishers, producers, writers and the alternative Music Row types, Losers’ success spawned the equally busy Winners, right next door, and the Dawg House.
 
It was that love of life, good times, music, friends and the neighborhood bar sense of classic Nashville that informed Woolsey’s business decisions. His continued love of the business and developing new talent saw him signing emerging artists Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band, Kylie Frey, Triston Marez, Nick Davisson, Zach Neil, Stone Senate and Vince Herman over the last few years.
 
Woolsey served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, as well as the Tennessee Museum of History. A frequent counsel to young managers, agents, artists and executives, he was a gracious industry leader who was generous with his knowledge and time.
 
A longtime fan and passionate member of the horse racing community, Woolsey is a Lifetime Member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. He was also regular at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs and Keeneland, including Super Stock’s run in the Kentucky Derby Grade 1 in 2021 and Jordan’s Henny in the Kentucky Oaks Grade 1 in 2017.
 
Woolsey passed peacefully under the care of physicians in Clearwater, Florida on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 following complications from surgery. He is survived by his son Clint, ex-wife Connie, brother David and sister Beth, and preceded in death by his parents, John and Mavis Woolsey, and brother Johnny Woolsey.
 
Details on arrangements will be shared at a future date.  
 

Photo Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

BLACKBRIAR - RELEASE BRAND NEW SONG 'MOONFLOWER'

Today BLACKBRIAR release their brand new song 'Moonflower' featuring Marjana Seminka. After the album release of A Dark Euphony in September last year the band shows once again, that they are always working on new songs and their creativity seems to know no bounds. 

Zora Cock comments:
“Moonflower tells a love story between a female vampire and a mortal girl and transports you to a bygone era where darkness and desire intertwine. It's inspired by the 19th-century gothic novel 'Carmilla', a timeless story that predates even the infamous Dracula. The song features a guest songstress Marjana Semkina, who I think is the most perfect fit for making this Moonflower an ethereal, haunting, and dark duet.”


Stream/Order the album A Dark Euphony here: https://blackbriar.bfan.link/a-dark-euphony
Watch the video for 'Moonflower' below.
Stream `Moonflower`here: https://blackbriar.bfan.link/moonflower.ema

After their successful co-headliner tour together with AD INFINITUM, BLACKBRIAR announced more European tourdates for October/November this year. BLACKBRIAR will join KAMELOT´S Awaken The World Tour as a special gusts. Together with AD INFINITUM and FROZEN CROWN they will share the stage withKAMELOT all over Europe and the UK.

The US tour together with BATTLE BEAST starts in May this year. All dates are listed below.

05/09 The Palladium, Worcester MA
05/10 Brass Monkey, Ottawa ON
05/11 Opera House, Toronto ON
05/12 House of Blues, Cleveland OH
05/14 House of Blues, Chicago IL
05/15 The Varsity Theater, Minneapolis MN
05/16 Grenada Theater, Lawrence KS
05/17 The Gothic Theatre, Denver CO
05/18 The Depot, Salt Lake City UT
05/20 The Neptune Theater, Seattle WA
05/21 The Rickshaw, Vancouver BC
05/22 Revolution Hall, Portland OR
05/24 Goldfield Trading Post, Roseville CA
05/25 The Observatory, Santa Ana CA
05/26 The Nile Theater, Phoenix AZ
05/28 Echo, Dallas TX
05/30 The Masquerade, Atlanta GA
05/31 The Underground, Charlotte NC 
06/01 Baltimore Sound Stage, Baltimore MD
06/02 Gramercy Theatre, New York NY

About BLACKBRIAR:

“Some say that there is beauty in darkness - terrifying visitors, worlds far gone, gothic romances, bone-chilling legends, sin-eaters, burning hearts frozen in time, songs with a misleading voice, and a truthful whisper. This and so much more for you to discover on A Dark Euphony.” Such are the words of vocalist Zora Cock about the band’s upcoming sophomore album, set to release in fall 2023 on Nuclear Blast Records. A telling sign coming from a band who has reveled in gothic beauty and metallic darkness since their onset, spanning three EPs and a full-length album, along with long-time collaborator Joost van den Broek.

Formed in 2012 by Zora Cock, René Boxem, Bart Winters, and Frank Akkerman, they crafted their first single in 2014 with 'Ready to Kill,' but it was 2015’s second single 'Until Eternity' that truly propelled them into the scene.  A sweeping track with an equally compelling and beautiful video, it continues to draw many to the act with over 20 million views since its debut. Taking advantage of the growing buzz surrounding the band, they independently recorded and released their first EP, Fractured Fairytales, as well as acquiring a second guitarist in Robin Koezen. This EP layed down an impressive foundation for the band’s ethereal and breathtaking sound and  brought about new opportunities for the act, including tour dates in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and more, where the band played alongside EPICA, HALESTORM, IN THIS MOMENT, DELAIN and MaYan.

To keep moving ahead with full control of their creative ideals, the band successfully crowdfunded their follow-up EP, We’d Rather Burn, and brought it to life in October 2018. This EP would be the first time the band worked alongside esteemed producer Joost van den Broek to arrange and produce the effort, and this fruitful collaboration allowed BLACKBRIAR’s whimsical and enigmatic sound to reach new sonic heights.  Released the same day as their self-made video for 'I’d Rather Burn,' this EP showcased a stronger sense of dreamy atmosphere and brought listeners beautifully grim tales of witches, banshees, and sea sirens.  In the time following, keyboardist Ruben Wijga (ex-Re-Vamp) took a larger role within the band and began playing shows, after being involved in the songwriting process since Fractured Fairytales.

A busy 2019 followed, the band released a haunting single in May entitled 'Snow White and Rose Red.'  A duet with Ulli Perhonen, their take on the Grimm’s fairytale featured striking cinematic visuals to accompany the spellbinding track. Continuing to dig deeper into fairytale realms, BLACKBRIAR closed the year with their third EP, Our Mortal Remains.  Ever-sharpening their intoxicating blend of storytelling and breathtaking musicianship, the EP brought about new live exposures for the act as well.  Small, sold out tours with EPICA in 2019 and 2020, as well as a sold out opening for DELAIN’s Apocalypse & Chill release show in Utrecht followed, with more future plans then being put on hold due to COVID-19. 

Championing their continued independence, which included everything from songwriting, maintaining their web presence, overseeing merch, as well as shooting and producing their own videos and photos, BLACKBRIAR reached out to their ever-growing and loyal fanbase for assistance to make their full-length album a reality in 2020. Fans fervently heeded the call, reaching the € 25,000 goal in under 24 hours and ending with a total of € 70,000 and achieving all five stretch goals.  An impressive accomplishment for an independent act, which also showcases a strong internet presence with over 230,000 YouTube subscribers and 56.5 million channel views as well as 37.9 million Spotify streams and 275,000 monthly streamers on the platform.  

Entering 2021, the band relinquished a bit of control in signing exclusively with Doomstar Bookings to help properly support their highly anticipated first full-length album, The Cause of Shipwreck, which released in April.  Once again recorded with renowned producer Joost van den Broek (EPICA, AYREON, POWERWOLF) at Sandlane Recording Facilities, this release showcased the band’s continued evolution into masterfully dark gothic storytelling and theatrical aesthetics that entice you into a deadly yet spellbinding musical paradise. On the live front, launching into success with six sold out Dutch club shows, they later extended into more European territories such as Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic as the band moved into 2022. 

Despite a very successful 2021, the band still hungered for more, unleashing their latest single, 'Fairy of the Bog' in December.  A song about ‘het meisje van Yde’ (Yde girl), it’s a mixture of folklore, myth, and ancient local history wrapped into a more mystical and magical package that showcases what BLACKBRIAR does best. Due to winning ‘Drents Talent Award Culture 2021’ from ‘Stichting Kunst & Cultuur,’ BLACKBRIAR performed ‘I’d Rather Burn’ live on television together with the Dutch ‘Noordpool Orchestra in early 2022. In April, the band parted ways with founding member and bassist Frank Akkerman. Not a band to slow down, they welcomed Siebe Sol Sijpkens from The Netherlands as their new bassist.  A happy and energetic performer with a lifetime of global performances, he is a welcome addition to the act as they continue to strive forward.

With their vision looking firmly into the future, with a major label behind them, they set their sights on 2023 to conjure their most deadly siren song yet.  The band previously released the song 'Crimson Faces' to celebrate their partnership with Nuclear Blast Records, and now the world eagerly awaits the release of A Dark Euphony this fall. Set to contain 10 new original songs as well as a bonus track, they recently released their first single from it with 'My Soul’s Demise.' According to Zora, “We've had the pleasure of working with producer and musical genius Joost van den Broek, and we gave it our all to write this record and feel that this is our most complete, personal, and mature album to date.” With this in mind, the band launched a preorder campaign in April for the release, full of unique perks, which has been quite successful already. They have also been preparing on the road, with festival shows Wave Gotik Treffen, SummerBreeze, and Rock the Lakes in 2023, as well as being a special guest on CHARLOTTE WESSELS’s Club Tour.

With accolades behind them, such as being nominated three times for ‘Best Artist’ in EuroSonic/Noorderslag‘s Popgala Noord (2018, 2020, 2022), and continued fan support with current monthly streaming totals on YouTube and Spotify near 1.5 million streams, the world is primed and ready for a spectacular journey into darkness and beauty.

BLACKBRIAR is:
Zora Cock - VOCALS
René Boxem - DRUMS
Bart Winters - GUITARS
Robin Koezen - GUITARS
Siebe Sol Sijpkens - BASS
Ruben Wijga - KEYS

'80s POP HITMAKERS WANG CHUNG, MEN WITHOUT HATS, THE MOTELS, AND NAKED EYES ANNOUNCE THE “ABDUCTED BY THE '80s” TOUR

The 1980s were a unique, fun-filled era of music shaped in no small part by the emergence of MTV and the genre of New Wave. Fans will soon have a chance to step back in time to the electrifying era of the '80s with a music tour that promises a nostalgic journey of iconic sounds and unforgettable melodies.   

Wang Chung, Men Without Hats, The Motels, and Naked Eyes have joined forces to create a musical extravaganza that transports audiences to the heart of the neon-soaked, synth-driven decade with the impending launch of the Abducted by the '80s Tour.

Get ready to dance, sing along, and relive the magic of the 80s with this unforgettable music tour, including mega-hits such as "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," "Dance Hall Days," "Let's Go," "To Live and Die in L.A.," "Safety Dance," "Pop Goes The World," "Only The Lonely," "Suddenly Last Summer," "Take The L," "Always Something There To Remind Me," and "Promises, Promises."   

"I'm so excited to be reunited with Wang Chung and Naked Eyes for the Abducted by the Eighties tour this year," says the Motels' Martha Davis. "Nick, Jack, and Pete are some of my favorite people, not to mention amazing musicians! Hope to see you all there for some great nights and wonderful music."

"For our brand new tour this Spring, we have put together a group of acts that fit together musically, thematically, and harmoniously," adds Wang Chung's Nick Feldman and Jack Hues. "We wanted to create a night of big hits, big songs from your favorite movies and numerous TV shows, plus a few deeper cuts too. So come along and see us, get Abducted by the 80s, and have some FUN TONIGHT as you relive that magical decade!"

Combined, Wang Chung, Men Without Hats, The Motels, and Naked Eyes have recorded 28 Billboard Top 100 hits including eight top 10 hits.

"It's been an honor to work with these legendary artists on this tour.  With so many iconic 80s hits featured in the show, I know audiences will be in for a great night!” - Matt Rafal from Universal Attractions Agency

Come dance to the hits and get Abducted By the 80s!

Check out the tour teaser video below.

TOUR DATES BELOW (CHECK DATES TO SEE WHICH BANDS ARE PLAYING EACH NIGHT):

For Tickets Go AbductedBythe80s.com – Tickets are not on sale for all shows yet!

VIP Meet and Greets available for most shows.

Check Abductedbythe80s.com for updates and VIP info.

More dates will be announced soon!

Friday 5/17/2024 -
Kyle, TX  The Railhouse       
WC, Motels, NE

Saturday 5/18/2024 -
Katy, TX  Wildcatter Saloon       
WC, Motels, NE

Sunday 5/19/2024 -
Dallas, TX  House of Blues       
WC, Motels, NE

Thursday 5/23/2024 -
St Louis, MO  City Winery      
WC

Friday 5/24/2024 -
Oak Grove, KY  Oak Grove      
WC, MWH, NE, Animotion

Saturday 5/25/2024  -
Louisville KY  Mercury Ballroom      
WC, NE

Thursday 6/6/2024 -
Marion, IL  Marion CCC       
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

Friday 6/7/2024 -
Des Plaines, IL  Des Plaines Theatre     
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

Saturday 6/8/2024  -
Decatur, IL  Devon Lakeshore Amp     
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

Sunday 6/9/2024 -
Fort Wayne, IN The Clyde Theater
WC, MWH, NE

Thursday 6/13/2024 -
Morristown, NJ  Mayo Performing Arts Center   
WC, Motels, NE

Friday 6/14/2024 -
Syracuse, NY  Sharkey’s      
WC, Motels, NE

Saturday 6/15/2024 -
Elmira, NY  First Arena       
WC, Motels, NE

Saturday 6/16/2024 -
Hampton, NH  Bennie’s
WC, Motels, NE

Friday 6/21/2024-
Jacksonville, FL  Florida Theatre      
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

Saturday 6/22/2024 -
Clearwater, FL  Ruth Eckerd Hall      
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

Sunday 6/23/2024 -
Ft Lauderdale, FL  Broward Center     
WC, MWH, Motels, NE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
abductedbythe80s.com

FOR MERCH GO TO VISIONMERCH.COM

And remember - “Everybody Have Fun Tonight!”

Replacire Announce New Album

Replacire Announce New Album The Center That Cannot Hold 

"A band on their way to the top" - Angry Metal Guy 
"Leave you with a smile on your face and the horns in the air" - Metal Injection
"Mixes the pummeling intensity of Dying Fetus with the proggy eccentricity of Leprous" - No Clean Singing
"Engrossing brutality and neck-breaking charm. Truly the best of both worlds" - Dead Rhetoric

Going into album number three, Replacire had their duck boats all in a row. The Bostonians were fresh off a short run supporting their kindred spirits Exist. With their new lineup squarely in place, the tech-death band were all set to re-enter their mastermind's studio come March 2020.

Of course, the pandemic soon laid waste to Replacire's well-laid plans. As the title suggests, nothing about the band's new album came easy. But after countless Zoom calls, grueling 12-hour recording sessions, sleep paralysis and one near trip to the hospital, The Center That Cannot Hold flexes all of their might. 

The Center That Cannot Hold comes out June 21, 2024 on Season of Mist. 

Listen to the title track below.

Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/replacirethecenterthatcannotholdpresave

Take a closer look at their name and it's clear why Replacire has become synonymous with Eric Alper. After all, Alper is their solo original member, having started the band all the way back in 2009 as a student at Berklee College of Music.  

When he's not producing other people's records, Alper is sculpting his own physique as a competitive body builder. But during the sessions for The Center That Cannot Hold, he was weighed down by writer's block.

"I was stressed out from just trying to keep my head above water", Alper says. "When the pandemic shut everything down, I had to sell our tour van and give up our rehearsal space just to keep my finances together. There were a lot of writing sessions where all I could manage to do was hum a few chords". 

Fortunately, help was close by. Replacire's lineup boasts three fellow Berklee grads. Alper might've managed to come up with the riff that chisels into the title track like a chainsaw through a hunk of granite, but Kee Po Hock fleshes out the head banging with zippy melodic leads and fret bends that sound as nerve-wracked as a malfunctioning cyborg. It's the rhythm section though that takes the reins on "The Center That Cannot Hold". Joey Feretti starts off fully aslant with harsh syncopated thwacks, only for bassist Zak Baskin to dunk the song's middle passage into a jazzy, unfettered breakdown.

James Dorton is no slouch, either. The former Black Crown Initiate vocalist has also filled in on tour for Ne Obliviscaris. Aside from his massive stage presence, Dorton is recognized amongst metalheads of all shapes and sizes for his annunciation. You can still make out every third word on "The Center That Cannot Hold", but he holds absolutely nothing back.

"I've been grey in my headspace", he growls with enough unclenched rage to bite through his tongue. "Just leave me bleeding in the dirt". Funny enough, Alper wanted "The Center That Cannot Hold" to scratch the same desperate itch as Corey Taylor's vocals on Slipknot's self-titled LP. Dorton took that inspiration to heart, too. When the song suddenly cuts out with a muffled thump, you might think that's his body hitting the floor instead of the mic.    

"James recorded the vocals for this song in one full take, with no stops, over and over, until we got it right" Alper says. "The next morning, he woke up shaking uncontrollably and his face was so pale. He came back to life after we got some fluids into him, but for a moment, I was worried that he needed to go to the hospital"

"The Center That Cannot Hold was a bitch to make", Alper continues. "There were plenty of days when I doubted whether we would ever finish this album. But I'm glad we did. It was worth it, especially when you end up with songs that are this chaotic and heavy". 

When Replacire started thinking about their third album, they gravitated around a simple idea. Write some caveman riffs to feed the mosh pit the next time they went out on tour. Of course, like any good technical death metal band that’s worth its weight in colored sands, these whiz kids deviated from their initial thought pattern. It wasn’t easy. Heck, they ended up crawling down a seven-year rabbit hole. But on The Center That Cannot Hold, the Boston band flex all their muscles 

"This was a grueling process", says guitarist Eric Alper. "But it was worth it in the end".  

On the surface, Replacire starts and ends with Alper. After all, the band is just his name spelled backward. Alper is a competitive bodybuilder with a mean and lean right rhythm hand, but don't let those beefy credentials fool you. When it comes to the studio, his brain does all the heavy lifting. By day, Alper produces music for other artists, as well as TV and movies. He's a proud alumnus  of Berklee College of Music, which is where he formed Replacire with four classmates back in 2009.   

Using the money that they savvily raised on Kickstarter, Replacire self-released their debut album by the end of 2012. A hybrid of thrash, prog and death metal, The Human Burden punched through the underground like a cyborg's fist. "This is what would have happened if Chuck Schuldiner were still alive today and mixed up with the likes of Obscura and Opeth at the same time", Metal Injection gushed. After tours with Hate Eternal and Beyond Creation and an unintentional private showcase for a certain label rep, Replacire signed with Season of Mist in 2016. The band wasted no time before making a quick first impression. While still head-spinning, their second album landed with the decisive force of a first-round knockout.    

“This group has set the tone for modern, rhythmically-centered death metal”, proclaimed Loudwire, who named them one of the top 5 bands amongst the next generation of death metal. “It’s time to wake up and hop aboard Replacire’s train”.    

Indeed, Replacire were chugging along with a full head of steam. But there's a reason why their new album is called The Center That Cannot Hold. After all, this is extreme metal. Things were bound to go flying off the rails at some point. Before they could even step out on their next headlining tour, the band's lineup completely turned over. While their momentum stalled, Alper went searching for replacements.  

Luckily, he didn't have to go any further than his old stomping grounds. Alper linked up with Zak Baskin, who had filled in on bass for parts of Do Not Deviate. Alper then reconnected with Kee Poh Hock, a guitar whiz who'd lived with Baskin when all three were students at Berklee. Even though he graduated a few classes after them, Joey Feretti was so advanced behind the drum kit that he became Alper's roommate. With mighty vocalist James Dorton joining fresh off Black Crown Initiate's breakout, the new-and-improved Replacire were all set to hit Alper's Ugly Duck Studio come March of 2020.  

No one needs to be reminded of what happened next. Replacire  always grind in the studio, taking their sweet time to fine tune every technical detail down to the last seventh string. "It never ceases to amaze me the way other metal bands just churn stuff out", Alper says. "It doesn't come easy for us. So many hours go into so few seconds of music". But when the pandemic shut the world down, writing slowed to a crawl amidst the endless slog of Zoom sessions. With live music shut down for the foreseeable future, suddenly, their well-laid plan for pumping out an album of crowd killers seemed more and more like a flimsy proposition. To stay afloat, Alper sold the band's van and moved out of their rehearsal space.  

"Everything that I had built to support the band was falling apart", Alper says.  

The mounting stress would've left a lesser band bloody-tongued and screaming. But despite being stuck inside this perfect shit storm, Replacire banged their heads together and pushed through. "Living Hell" was inspired by a nasty spell of sleep paralysis that Dorton suffered after witnessing a traumatic event. "In the wake of suicide", he groans, shrouded by eerie pangs of distortion. Alper was battling his own bouts with anxiety and depression that were brought on by a rather severe case of writer's block, but even when all he could stand to do was lay on the couch while humming through a half-finished riff, Poh Hock would pick up his Strandberg and zip past the finish line. "The Helix Unravels" could twist all of Mensa into a pretzel with its interlocked chugs and squealing fret bends. 

The Center That Cannot Hold is crammed full of mind-bending tech-death workouts. Baskin’s unfettered groove serves as the perfect springboard for another transcendent Hock solo halfway through "Hoard the Trauma Like Wealth", though his reverberated bass echoes like a sea of voices trapped at the bottom of a well on "The Ghost in the Mirror". The title track unspools under Feretti's syncopated snare hits and precision blasting, though Alper was the real drill sergeant. "I wanted the vocals to sound like they do on Slipknot's self-titled album, where Corey is gasping for air". Dorton took the inspiration to heart, running through full takes, with no stops, for hours on end. Heck, his vocal chords were so tattered and torn that he narrowly avoided a trip to the hospital.  

"We poured all of our blood, sweat and tears into this album", Alper says. "It took years off my life. There were plenty of times where I wanted to quit. But I'm glad we didn't, because this is our best album. Everything from the overall production down to the lead guitar parts took a step up. The tone is more serious  The songs are still techy buy they're also a lot heavier. I'm proud of us".  

On The Center That Cannot Hold, Replacire stand stronger than ever.   

Line-up
Eric Alper - Guitars
James Dorton - Vocals
Kee Poh Hock - Guitar
Zak Baskin - Bass
Joey Ferretti - Drums

Recording Studio
Ugly Duck Studios

Production Credits
Eric Alper - Producer & Sound Engineer
Jens Bogren - Mixing & Mastering Studio Engineer (Fascination Street Studios)

Cover Art
Andrew Tremblay (@actremblayart)

Biography
Will Yarbrough

Pre-save:
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/replacire-the-center-that-cannot-hold

Follow Replacire:
Bandcamp: http://replacire.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Replacire
Instagram: https://instagram.com/replacire
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/replacire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Replacire
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Replacire/videos
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/replacire/576863051
Deezer: https://deezer.page.link/6prhUUWzLoxLRVhK8
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0t8nNth1Y9dRxGoiHHSSoa

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black

FOLTERKAMMER Shares Performance Video for New Song, "Algolagnia"

PRE-ORDER

Operatic black metal rising stars FOLTERKAMMER are now unveiling an in-studio performance video for their brand new song, "Algolagnia!" The clip showcases the searing and remarkable talents of each member, while also giving a glimpse of guitarist Zac Ezrin's (IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT) versatility as a guitarist as he displays his chops with some straight-forward black metal riffing! The clip was once again created by Folterkammer drummer Brendan McGowan and can be found below.

The song is taken from the band's sophomore full-length, 'Weibermacht,' which is due on April 19, 2024 via Century Media Records!

Guitarist Zachary Ezrin comments, "Algolagnia is a special song because it's the first and only song that we wrote together in the studio. It's a really raw and brutal piece that I'm very proud of."

Bassist Laurent David adds, “Finally, a black metal track that starts with a bassline!”

Vocalist Andromeda Anarchia further explains, "Musically, I would say that despite all its rawness, this piece also has a somewhat modern character. It is very unusual. This contrasts with the more traditional, dramatic-romantic operatic singing that floats over the raw music at certain points. My main inspirations for interpreting Algolagnia as a singer were Rob Halford, Nina Hagen, Nova Twins, and Joan Sutherland.

“When it comes to lyrics, one of the main inspirations for 'Algolagnia' was the opera ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss, which is one of my all-time favorite operas. It portrays strong women with strong voices, and that's exactly what I want for our music. For Algolagnia, I paraphrase a passage of the aria: 'Wie stark bist du!' ('How strong you are!'). (A personal note: This opera is so bloody and brutal, a must-see for all metal fans who want to venture into the world of opera. It's heavy! You shouldn't expect overly romantic melodies and sweet voices in this opera; it is written for women with strong voices from the so-called dramatic vocal fach. It's incredibly demanding to sing! Badass!) 

"In addition, I also paraphrase a passage from a spicy comic-mythological operetta called 'DIE SCHÖNE GALATHEE' ('The Beautiful Galatea') by the Austrian composer Franz von Suppé. The operetta is about the beautiful nymph Galathee, who, to Pygmalion's dismay, turns out to be a very capricious lady. This theme also plays wonderfully into our hands when it comes to the concept of 'Weibermacht' (the term that refers to an art and cultural-historical motif that describes the triumph of erotic, cunning and/or brutal women over powerful, strong, and wise men).

"'Algolagnia,' from Greek /ælɡəˈlæɡniə/: ἄλγος, álgos, 'pain,' λαγνεία, lagneía, 'pleasure.' Lyrically, as the song title suggests, it is about the phenomenon of sexual pleasure and stimulation through physical pain. The woman depicted in the song is the source of pleasurable pain, described as a kind of sun, warming, life-giving and sustaining, but also dangerous, life-threatening hot if you get too close to her. The descriptions are based on the legend of Icarus and the sun."

'Weibermacht' serves as a counterpart to the band's 2020 debut, 'Die Lederpredigt.' The new record is another searing blend of modern black metal and classical music elements, lending to its Avant Garde sound. The music itself is elevated by frontwoman and vocalist Andromeda Anarchia's dynamic vocal work as she juxtaposes her classical training as an opera singer with her hellfire screams, summoning a maelstrom of ethereal chaos. Pre-orders are now live HERE.

In addition, FOLTERKAMMER has recently announced their first ever U.S. tour! The rising powerhouse will be embarking on an East Coast headliner with support from WITCHING, which kicks off on March 22 in Baltimore and will circle back to the band's hometown of Brooklyn, NY on March 30. The full itinerary can be found below!

GET TICKETS HERE

FOLTERKAMMER U.S. TOUR DATES (w/ WITCHING):

03/22: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

03/23: Richmond, VA @ Another Round

03/24: Columbus, OH @ The Summit

03/25: Chattanooga, TN @ Dark Roast

03/26: Nashville, TN @ The End

03/27: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle

03/28: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge

03/29: Cleveland, OH @ No Class

03/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland

Founded in New York around 2018/2019, Folterkammer, or “Torture Chamber,” is the operatic black metal outfit that is redefining modern music. This ingenious band seamlessly fuses beauty with brutality. A combination of raw passion and technique contributes to the epic nature of Folterkammer’s dark art. Their work is both nostalgic and remarkably fresh. Yes, Folterkammer fuses various musical traditions and genres to craft an unparalleled experience.

Folterkammer is composed of Andromeda Anarchia on vocals, Zachary Ezrin on guitars, Darren Hanson on guitars, Laurent David on bass, and Brendan McGowan on drums. Both Anarchia, who hails from Switzerland, and David, who was born in Paris, divide their time between Europe and Brooklyn. Thus, even though the group can be described as international, Anarchia states: “It took New York to create Folterkammer.” Her project Andromeda Anarchia’s DARKMATTERS acted as the catalyst that brought her to the Big Apple, where she met Ezrin. Many metalheads already know that Anarchia has appeared as a guest on the three most recent albums by Ezrin’s brainchild Imperial Triumphant — a leading avant-garde band that marries extreme metal, jazz, classical components, etc. McGowan has also provided guest vocals for Imperial Triumphant, and Hanson lent his songwriting excellence to their 2012 instrumental track “Scaphism.”

Ezrin, McGowan, and Hanson have a wealth of shared history. These friends attended college together in California, where Hanson and Ezrin studied classical composition. Thus, much of Folterkammer’s orchestration is classically based. Hanson harbors a special love of Baroque music and knows precisely how to expertly wed it with his passion for black metal. Folterkammer was actually conceived when Ezrin proposed that Anarchia collaborate with him on some of Hanson’s material. Ezrin writes killer riffs and more for the band. McGowan was invited to join Folterkammer on Hanson’s wise suggestion. His drums are perhaps the heaviest element keeping one of Folterkammer’s limbs firmly anchored in traditional black metal. McGowan mines inspiration from different generations of acts: He names 1349 and old-school heroes like Blasphemy and Marduk. That said, black metal fans will also be pleased to hear the spirit of the second wave in the aggression of Folterkammer’s tremolo picking, for example.

The exceptionally skilled David, Folterkammer’s newest weapon, truly perfects the group with his golden touch on bass. Whereas the bass is not always as prominent as it could be in the content of many black metal groups, Folterkammer purposely allows David’s bass to shine through. Like his bandmates, David is an avid consumer of several forms of music, and thus creates delightfully eclectic art. He has received both classical and jazz training. This major talent has toured worldwide alongside musicians and bands such as Ibrahim Maalouf, Guillaume Perret & The Electric Epic, Yael Naim, and Shijin. David has done so both as a side man and as a band leader/producer. Anarchia and Ezrin already knew David before asking him to join Folterkammer. After all, David founded the “avant metal-jazz trio” Kilter of which Imperial Triumphant’s Kenny Grohowski is an essential part. 

Lineup:

Andromeda Anarchia - Vocals

Zachary Ezrin - Guitars

Brendan McGowan - Drums

Darren Hanson - Guitars

Laurent David - Bass

Guest Harpsichord: Steve Blanco on "Anno Domina"

Album Credits:

Producer: Zachary Ezrin

Recording: Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in NJ

Additional Recording: Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix

Mixing: Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, in NY

Mastering: Fred Kevorkian

Cover Art: Eliran Kantor

Album Layout: Brendan McGowan

Photography: Alex Krauss

Logo Design: Mister Kams

Bio: Jillian Drachman

Photos: Alex Krauss

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BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER Unveils High-Octane Single & Music Video 'K.M.T.L.'

New Zealand's rock powerhouse Black Smoke Trigger has released their anthemic new single 'K.M.T.L.', complete with a dynamic music video that perfectly captures the song's raw intensity. Stream the track HEREand watch the accompanying music video below.

'K.M.T.L.' speaks to the relentless drive and sometimes dizzying pursuit of making dreams a reality. Partly written at Nashville's historic Sienna Studio and recorded by producer Nick Raskulinecz at his Rock Falcon Studio, the band channeled the grit and determination required to achieve success against the odds into their latest offering. The track sprang to life in the jam room, the initial riff playing out almost as if by instinct, guitarist and band leader, Charlie Wallace recounts "K.M.T.L. began in the jam room, I was talking to the band I noticed my hands were playing the beginning motif of the song, I just kept playing it and we started jamming. It felt like it was building to something so we wanted to write a chorus with tons of energy and I think we got just that by the end of the jam session."

The music video for 'K.M.T.L.' is an adrenaline-fueled visual spectacle. "The opening line 'It all keeps spinning' was the inspiration for what was a highly energetic shoot on a circular camera dolly track," explains Wallace. Filmed on a massive theatre stage next to the Auckland SkyTower, the video features continuous rotation, mirroring the song's theme of pushing through the spin of life's challenges to come out victorious on the other side. "It's lit up like a big stage because we just wanted to show what people can expect when they see us play this track live."

Black Smoke Trigger continues to ride the high of their dynamic rock, anchored by the distinctive guitar work of Wallace and the commanding vocals of Baldrick combined with their pummelling rhythm section courtesy of bassist Dan Fulton, and drummer Josh Te Maro. Fast becoming known for not only churning out certified 10/10, arena ready rock bangers, Black Smoke Trigger are also quickly garnering a reputation for creating incendiary and often death defying music videos. 

"K.M.T.L" follows the success of their previous singles "Proof of Life" "Perfect Torture" and “The Way Down”, the video for which saw the band perform atop the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere whilst Wallace jumped off the edge, shredding a guitar solo whilst plummeting 630ft and has clocked up over 1.3 million views on YouTube. The release sees Black Smoke Trigger continue to deliver on their promise of high-energy rock music that's both entertaining and deeply relatable.

Prior to this new string of singles, the band put out track “Caught In The Undertow”, the video for which was also a feat of extreme conditions. Filmed at Muriwai beach in Auckland, New Zealand and at a helicopter crash testing facility in a 3.6M deep pool, the whole band performed much of the song underwater creating a stunning visual that has clocked up 3.2 million Youtube views and highlighting the band’s dedication to creating unforgettable visual accompaniments for their hard-hitting rock anthems.

Black Smoke Trigger will be supporting Filter on the Australia and New Zealand leg of their Algorithm World Tour next month, will be hitting the road to support Bruce Dickinson in the UK this May. For full dates and tickets head to www.blacksmoketrigger.com

With their debut, full length album set for release this year, the horizon shines bright for these Kiwi rock trailblazers. Stay tuned for much more to come.

Photo Credit - Andhe Chandler

ABOUT BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER 

Black Smoke Trigger are led by Wallace (creator of the hugely successful Guitar Mastery Method) whose insane talent provides everything from delicate melodic motifs to face-melting shred solos and stadium-conquering riffs. They are fronted by incendiary vocalist Baldrick, whose impressive vocal abilities provide that indefinable, timeless rock n roll soul to the Black Smoke Trigger sound. Bassist Dan Fulton, and drummer Josh Te Maro round out the line-up, joining forces to create a powerhouse rhythmic backbone and one of the most bombastic and inventive rhythm sections of recent years. 

With a rapidly growing fanbase, millions of streams, a reputation for raucous live shows and irrepressibly fearless approach to their craft, Black Smoke Trigger are poised to be the biggest and most thrilling entity to come from New Zealand since the Lord of The Rings movies. Just with more rock n roll and less hobbits.

Cameron Alexander Announces New EP "Ice Blue Punk" & New Single "Insomniac"

Rising pop punk prodigy, Cameron Alexander, has today announced his brand new EP "Ice Blue Punk" set for release on April 26, 2024. Bursting with infectious anthems, the highly anticipated EP is set to blend his punk attitude and beloved pop sensibilities.

To celebrate today's long-awaited announcement, Cameron has officially released a brand new single "Insomniac", that shares a sneak peek into the upcoming EP. With catchy melodies, soaring choruses, and the signature grit of pop punk, Cameron Alexander brings a fresh and contemporary edge to the pop punk sound, drawing inspiration from legends of the genre while infusing it with his unique style. Fans can watch the new video below.

Speaking on today's EP announcement, Cameron Alexander shares:

"The purpose of this song was to bend elements from traditional pop-punk songs as well as experiment with more electronic elements to resemble the confusing atmosphere that the sudden end of a relationship can cause. To me, Insomniac is a rapid fire of emotions channeled into an anthem that serves as the perfect closer to my first body of work, a triumphant cliffhanger to my life, my music, and what’s to come from both."

Lifting the curtain behind the accompanying single release, Cameron Alexander adds:

"I’m ecstatic to finally be able to release my first body of work to the world. It’s been an honor working with industry professionals as well as my best friends to create a project that embodies the journeys I’ve been on in my life up to this point. From the heartbreaks to the friendships that will last forever, from facing inner demons to learning to live and let go, the highest highs and lowest lows are all there in their perfectly imperfect reality, and it’s all wrapped up in an angsty and anthemic package for you to jump around to. Even though I create the music, it wouldn’t be what it is without the people in my life inspiring what it can become and the listeners supporting the music, and I’m forever grateful to the people that have chosen to come along for the ride."

Elevated by the collaboration of decorated producers Justin Cortelyou (Taylor Swift, Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires) and Liam Muckala (Anthony Amorim, Tornsey, Eva Snyder), Cameron Alexander has infused his music with a blend of contemporary innovation and timeless authenticity, setting the stage for his rise as an artist to watch in the industry. As more begins to approach on the horizon, be sure to stay tuned for more Cameron Alexander news coming soon.

ABOUT CAMERON ALEXANDER

Cameron Alexander is an emerging force in the pop punk scene who effortlessly bridges the gap between the old and new. With a deep respect for the genre's pioneers and a keen ear for contemporary trends, he crafts a captivating blend of nostalgia and modernity. Cameron has a deep care for his sound by playing every instrument in his tracks, yet it's his relatability and knack for weaving meaningful, heartfelt lyrics with a touch of honest wit that truly resonates with fans. A torchbearer for a new generation of guitar-wielding youth, he's revitalizing the spirit of pop punk while wholeheartedly embracing the modern musical landscape.

Photo Credit - Hayley Hollis

Sonic Universe (Feat. Corey Glover of Living Colour) Drop "Higher" Video

Sonic Universe, featuring Corey Glover (Living Colour) and Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), have shared the video for "Higher." Watch it below. 

The song appears on the band's upcoming debut album It Is What It Is, out May 10 via earMUSIC. Pre-order it here. 

"Higher" follows the statement of purpose that was first single "I Am." It's a call for strength and resistance in the face of opposition. "Sometimes it's all around / Can't get yourself up off the ground / Don't let the world bring you down."

There's no mistaking the power of Glover's voice, Orlando's ascending riffs, and the rhythm section of bassist Booker King and drummer Taykwuan Jacksonto take fans "Higher" as anticipation builds for the album's release.

The album was recorded at Orlando's Sonic Stomp Studios in New York City and the new video was once again directed by Tom Flynn (Lamb of God, Buckcherry). Capturing Corey in all his "colourful" glory, Sonic Universe muscles through the powerful track, showing four musicians at their peak and a chemistry to conjure new musical worlds from the galaxies of hard rock, funk, punk, thrash, and metal.

THE VELDT shares 'Live at KEXP' performance following release of ROBIN GUTHRIE-produced 'Illuminated 1989' LP

After a lifetime pursuing the creation of fantastic music and bringing it to their fans in person, The Veldt presents what their much-anticipated live session at Seattle'sKEXP, hosted by Larry Mizell, Jr.  Filmed in December 2024, this was the final stop on their recent West coast tour.

On the trail of their 'Illuminated 1989' album, recently released via Little Cloud Records and 5BC Records, The Veldt's core members of Daniel Chavis (vocals, guitar), Danny Chavis (lead guitar) and Hayato Nakao (guitar) are joined here by Alex Cox (bass), LG Galleon (guitar), Martin Neuman (guitar) and Dale Miller(drums). 

Formed in North Carolina in the 1980s, their heady and sensual blend of shoegaze and progressive soul, dreamy soundscapes and infectious grooves makes them stand out among the world's most notable first-wave shoegaze bands. Here at KEXP, they perform five tracks that exemplify their extraordinary sound: 'The Everlasting Gobstopper', 'Aurora Borealis', 'In A Quiet Room', 'Forever Green' and 'Joi'.

'Illuminated 1989' album is the original 1989 full-length record produced by Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, who also remastered this album for vinyl. Originally intended to be the band's first album, their label Capitol Records shelved the recording and sent them back into the studio with producer Lincoln Fong (Moose, Piroshka), resulting in their first album released with the title 'Marigolds'.

Surrounding the album,The Veldt shared videos for 'Angel Heart', 'The Everlasting Gobstopper' and 'Shallow by Shallow', featuring footage filmed live at the Ritz in NYC by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins (The Veldt had been opening for them). Most recently, they shared the seductive 'Aurora Borealis Remix' - the B-side to their 'Aurora Borealis' 7" single, featuring Elizabeth Fraser cameo on backing vocals.

Pitchfork included The Veldt's album 'Afrodisiac', produced by the legendary Ray Shulman (The Sundays, Bjork, The Sugarcubes) in the top 50 shoegaze albums ever released, while Stereogum included ‘Until You’re Forever’ in the top 31 shoegaze tracks. Their sound also inspired future generations of alternative artists, including TV On the Radio.

The Veldt's journey is fascinating. Performing since they were children, the Chavis brothers’ musical roots lead back to the church and southern juke-joints, and listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd. The Veldt formed in the late 80’s in Raleigh amongst the legendary North Carolina music scene of the time, initially signing with Mammoth Records - leading to a chain of major-label relationships that took the group across Europe and the U.S. playing shows with the likes of Throwing Muses, Pixies, Cocteau Twins and Jesus & Mary Chain.

After moving from Raleigh to New York, they briefly performed as Apollo Heights before returning to their original name The Veldt.  Other notable releases include 'The Shocking Fuzz Of Your Electric Fur' EP (2017) and the album 'Entropy is the Mainline to God' (2022).
 
Over the years, The Veldt has collaborated with TV On The Radio, Mos Def, Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), A.R.Kane and toured or played with Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Pixies, Throwing Muses, Echo & The Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, Manic Street Preachers, Phantogram, Modern English, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, Chuck D, Living Colour and Schooly D.

The 'Illuminated 1989' album is out now on limited edition translucent pink or clear vinyl with a gatefold sleeve. It is also available from fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp.

'ILLUMINATED 1989' ALBUM CREDITS
‘Illuminated 1989’ released via Little Cloud Records and 5BC Records
Danny Chavis - guitar
Daniel Chavis - vocals, guitar, lyrics
Marvin Levi - drums
Joseph Hue Boyle - bass
Elizabeth Fraser - additional vocals
Robin Guthrie - programming, additional guitars
Lincoln Fong - programming
Written by Danny and Daniel Chavis
Recorded and produced at September Sound by Robin Guthrie
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 

Keep up with The Veldt
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Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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“George Strait: The King at Kyle Field” Set for Saturday, June 15

Texas troubadour George Strait has announced the only performance in his home state this year with a concert set for Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. The King of Country Music will be joined by special guests Parker McCollum and Catie Offerman.  
 
Tickets to the Kyle Field performance go on sale to the general public Thursday, March 28, at 10 a.m. CT via TheKingAtKyle.com. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning March 22 at 10 a.m. CT through March 27 at 10 p.m. CT.

The news follows the recent announcement that Strait will once again team up with Chris Stapleton to perform one-off stadium dates this year with stops at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Chicago’s Soldier Field, Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and more. Joining the King of Country and Stapleton for those nine dates are special guests Little Big Town.
 
Since his record-breaking Cowboy Rides Away Tour in 2014, Strait has performed for limited engagements outside of his 36-and-counting Strait to Vegas shows at T-Mobile Arena, including headlining both weekends of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2021 plus his 31st appearance at the Houston Rodeo in 2022. With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts—more than any other artist in any genre—during the span of his 30+ year career, Strait has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any other Country artist and ranking third across all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. The Texas troubadour is the only artist or act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and recently earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his latest single, “The Weight of the Badge.” He has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards, including induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Strait’s 2024 Concert Calendar:
5/4  Lucas Oil Stadium  Indianapolis, IN
5/11 EverBank Stadium  Jacksonville, FL
5/25 Jack Trice Stadium  Ames, IA
6/1  Bank of America Stadium  Charlotte, NC
6/8  MetLife Stadium  East Rutherford, NJ
6/15 Kyle Field  College Station, TX* 
6/29 Rice-Eccles Stadium  Salt Lake City, UT
7/13 Ford Field   Detroit, MI
7/20 Soldier Field   Chicago, IL
12/7 Allegiant Stadium  Las Vegas, NV
*Just Announced – On Sale Thursday, March 28 at 10 am CT

For more information and to purchase tickets to all upcoming dates, visit GeorgeStrait.com.
 
About George Strait
George Strait is the unambiguous King of Country Music, having sold more than 105 million albums and counting while earning more than 60 major entertainment industry awards as well as countless nominations and becoming the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades. With 33 different Platinum or multi-Platinum albums, he’s earned the third-most certifications of any artist in any genre, following only The Beatles and Elvis Presley, and with a total of 60, Strait has more No. 1 songs than any other artist in history (including Elvis).
 
The Texas troubadour released 2019’s best-selling Country album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, on MCA Nashville, produced by Strait and Chuck Ainlay, the album quickly became Strait’s record-extending 27th No. 1 Billboard Country album. Comprised of 12 original titles plus Strait’s version of the Johnny Paycheck classic “Old Violin,” Honky Tonk Time Machine marks an incredible 30th career studio album from the Country Music Hall of Fame member, who earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his single “The Weight of the Badge” from the project. For more information, visit GeorgeStrait.com.
 
About Parker McCollum
Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Parker McCollum released his latest album Never Enough, a statement album that cements his status as one of country music’s undeniable new stars, on May 12, 2023 via MCA Nashville. The album features his current chart-climbing single and fan-favorite track, "Burn It Down," as well as its Platinum-selling lead single, "Handle On You." McCollum has been named an ‘Artist to Watch’ by Rolling Stone, Billboard, SiriusXM, CMT, RIAA and more with American Songwriter noting, “The Texas native teeters on the edge of next-level superstardom.” MusicRow listed McCollum as their 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year and Apple also included him as one of their all-genre "Up Next Artists" Class of 2021. A dedicated road warrior, McCollum made his debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and regularly sells out some of the most iconic venues across the country. In March 2022, McCollum made his debut at RODEOHOUSTON to a sold-out crowd with over 73,000 tickets sold, returning to perform at the Opening Day celebration in 2023. He also made a longtime dream come true last year with his first-ever Austin City Limits performance, kicking off their 2023 season. In 2022, McCollum earned his first ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year, took home “Breakthrough Video of the Year” (a fully fan-voted honor) at the 2022 CMT Music Awards and scored two back-to-back CMA Awards nominations (2022 & 2023) for New Artist of the Year. In 2024, McCollum will be on the road for his 41-date Burn It Down Tour - headlining arenas and amphitheaters in major markets across the U.S. 
 
About Catie Offerman
Catie Offerman may be a new name to country music fans, but she's already gaining a reputation as one of the genre's most skilled players and promising modern traditionalists and Nashville's music community is responding. Originally from New Braunfels, Texas, Offerman grew up on a horse ranch. Home schooled by her father in the tack room of their barn, she gravitated towards music at a young age. Offerman started playing piano at the age of four which eventually led her to pursue other instruments such as violin, accordion and more. When she was 11, Offerman’s accordion teacher asked her to join their polka band where they traveled across Texas performing. Offerman graduated from Berklee College of Music at the age of 19 and signed her publishing deal with Universal Music Group Publishing about five years later. Offerman was featured in The Highwomen's "Redesigning Women" video, inked her record deal with Universal Music Group in 2020. She was named Pandora’s Ones to Watch for 2023, included in CMT’s “Next Up” class of 2023 as well as being named CMT Next Women of Country. Offerman has spent most of 2023 on the road touring with Parker McCollum, Ian Munsick and Tyler Hubbard. She’s performed at C2C Festival in London as well as dates with George Strait. In 2024 she heads back out on the road with labelmate Parker McCollum on his “Burn It Down” tour. For more information go to www.catieofferman.com.

WATCH HUNTERGIRL’S GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT SHINE ON NBC’s THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG vocal powerhouse HunterGirl delivered a raw, emotional and star-making performance of her debut radio single “Ain’t About You” on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show yesterday.

Spotlighting her Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this month, the teary-eyed but fiercely beautiful performance invoked an impassioned, lively standing ovation from the packed-out Opry house - a bucket list wish she’s been dreaming of her whole life. For a glimpse into her emotional debut, watch her “My Opry Debut” episode Below.

Just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, the “Artist to Watch” (Country Now, Wide Open Country) and American Idol runner-up is “...transcending from talented aspiring artist, to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), proving she’s a “major, major new talent” (MusicRow). 

Up next, the talented songstress will join Luke Bryan on his 2024 “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer, make her return to Nashville’s CMA Fest on June 7 as well as debut at Tortuga Music Festival on April 5 and Faster Horses Festival on July 21.

HunterGirl making her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, March 2, 2024
Photo credit: (c) Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

About HunterGirl:

America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl has been performing since she was three years old and writing songs since she was nine. In her teens, she honed her craft by performing at venues across the United States and working with veteran non-profits such as Operation Song, Freedom Sings and A Soldier’s Child, using music therapy to help numerous vets transform their stories into songs. After high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs at Lower Broadway’s most famous venues including Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Jason Aldean’s Bar, The Listening Room, and HonkyTonk Central, winning songwriting contests such as “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International” in her spare time. Recently, she competed and placed second on the star-making competition series American Idol, where she delivered standout performances and won the hearts of millions across the country including Idol judge and Country superstar Luke Bryan who proclaimed her the “new age Miranda Lambert” and his “favorite female Country voice.” After topping the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with her wistful “Red Bird,” HunterGirl has been a guest on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan as well as shared the stage with Country superstars Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more. Now, with the release of “Ain’t About You” that’s currently climbing the country radio charts, HunterGirl - who was just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, made her Grand Ole Opry debut that earned her a lively standing ovation and will hit the road on Luke Bryan’s “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer - becomes the first female country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself. Praised by People for her “incredible voice” and CMT for her “soaring vocals and superstar potential,” “Ain’t About You” “rises above toxic comparison and insecurity” (Taste of Country) “with universal relevance” (Billboard). Chronicling “her current moment of transcending from talented aspiring artist to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), HunterGirl - “a major, major new talent” (MusicRow) - is poised to become Country’s next big female artist.

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Hatebreed Announce Fall 2024 30th Anniversary Tour

The HATEBREED 30th anniversary celebrations continue deep into 2024.
 
The Grammy-nominated hardcore icons, who are one of the most impactful and enduring bands of the modern era, have announced their Fall 2024 headline tour plans. The band will embark on a full, 30th anniversary trek that kicks off on September 26 in Portland, Maine and runs through October 27 in Norfolk, VA and includes stops in Canada. The band will be playing fan favorites and dragging deep cuts out of their beloved catalog.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of this past weekend's March Metal Matinee anniversary show in Hatebreed's home state of Connecticut, as well as two sold-out shows at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY, and a completely sold out, four-night residency at Amityville Music Hall in Long Island back in January.

Special guests for the fall run include Carcass, Harms Way, and Crypta. All dates are below. The pre-sales start today at 12pm ET. Regular on-sales are set for Friday, March 22 at 10am local time. Get tickets here. 

Hatebreed will also embark on a 30th anniversary run in Europe, with special guests Crowbar. The European tour dates are set for June 2024 and are in the poster below.

"We are extremely grateful to have hit this milestone and to be able to celebrate it with the some of the best bands and fans in the world! We cannot wait to see everyone on the road," says singer Jamey Jasta.

"30 Years of Hatebreed! What a wild ride it has been! The ups, the downs, and all of the in-betweens… I have nothing but gratitude towards my bandmates and each and every one of our fans WORLDWIDE. We’re coming to see you all. Stay tuned," states drummer Matt Byrne.

With dozens of pit-stirring anthems across albums, Hatebreed have built their reputation through decades of ruthless breakdowns and an Iron Man touring ethic, consistently selling out shows the world over. Over the course of its career, the band has gone from playing basements and backyards to being a featured, must-see attraction on countless festivals like Graspop, OzzFest, Warped, and Download, alongside massive high-profile tours. 

Described by Forbes as "more relevant than ever in the metal and hardcore community," the quintet remains one of the most definitive live acts in music today and recently celebrated a milestone with their track "Looking Down The Barrel Of Today," which surpassed 90 million global streams on Spotify, making it their single biggest career streaming track of the modern era. To date, Hatebreed have sold over 1.5 million albums in North America alone.  

Hatebreed's most recent album, 2020's Weight of the False Self, was praised as a "return to their hardcore roots" by Brooklyn Vegan. The album was deemed "one of their most aggressive to date" by Consequence and "pummeling" by Revolver, while Psychology Today called it "a blazing combination of extreme metal and hardcore punk." Hatebreed remain one of the most vital bands in the hard rock scene.

HATEBREED ON TOUR:
WITH CARCASS, HARMS WAY, + CRYPTA:
9/26 — Portland, ME — State Theatre
9/27 — Boston, MA — House of Blues
9/28 — New York, NY — Terminal 5
9/29 — Montreal, QC — MTELUS
9/30 — Toronto, ON — Rebel
10/2 — Cleveland, OH — Agora Theatre
10/3 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/7 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart's
10/8 — McKees Rocks, PA — Roxian Theatre
10/10 — Sauget, IL — Pop's
10/11 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
10/12 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center
10/14 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
10/15 — Los Angeles, CA — The Wiltern
10/16 — Riverside, CA — Riverside Municipal Auditorium
10/18 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
10/19 — Vancouver, BC — Vogue Theatre
10/20 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
10/22 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
10/23 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
10/24 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater
10/25 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
10/26 — Greensboro, NC — Piedmont Hall
10/27 — Norfolk, VA — The NorVa

HATEBREED ARE:
Jamey Jasta — Vocals
Chris Beattie — Bass
Wayne Lozinak — Guitar
Frank Novinec — Guitar
Matt Byrne — Drums