Eric Church and Chief Cares Expand Commitment to Rebuilding Western North Carolina

Country music star Eric Church and his nonprofit Chief Cares are deepening their long-term commitment to restoring the fabric of Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. After breaking ground earlier this year on their first housing community, Blue Haven, the organization is now broadening its reach by expanding homeownership opportunities—not only to those whose homes were directly impacted by the storm, but also to pillars of the community: educators, healthcare workers, first responders and others who selflessly serve Western North Carolina.
 
Through this next phase, Chief Cares will offer mortgage-free homes to selected applicants—a powerful investment in the people who are integral to our communities every day.
 
“Keeping the community intact has been my goal all along,” said Church. “And what we’ve learned these past several months is that offering long-term housing to the people who hold our communities together—from those whose homes were impacted, to those who are critical to rebuilding—will bring the greatest impact. We’re responding in real time to the evolving needs of Western North Carolina. Chief Cares is here for the long haul.”
 
The expanded initiative reflects a belief that it takes more than houses to rebuild a community. It’s the people—educators, first-responders, public servants—who turn towns into a community worth staying in. This phase of the Blueprint for the Blue Ridge aims to keep that infrastructure strong by helping those who serve the region to stay rooted right where they’re needed most.
 
Located in Avery County, Blue Haven isn’t just a place to live, it’s a pathway to long-term stability and homeownership. All recipients of a Blue Haven home will live rent-free for ten years, where they’ll continue to invest in the community. At the end of the ten-year term, the deed will be transferred, making the home fully theirs to own. It’s a unique model built on trust, dignity, and a shared investment in the future of this region. 
 
The initiative is bolstered by a recent $6 million investment from AmeriHealth and the AMY Wellness Foundation, which will fund key infrastructure, wraparound services and expanded housing capacity across Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
 
With the first families slated to move into Blue Haven by Thanksgiving, and additional properties under contract in surrounding counties, Chief Cares is on pace to deliver roughly 200 homes across the region.
 
“We’re not just building homes—we’re investing in the people that will carry this community forward for generations,” Church added. “This isn’t about short-term solutions. It’s about long-term hope.”

About Chief Cares:
Chief Cares was established by Eric and Katherine Church to impact lives and make a difference not only in the United States but throughout the world. In response to Hurricane Helene, the organization is focused on mid- to long-term disaster recovery, starting with a bold housing initiative in Western North Carolina designed to become a national model for rebuilding and sustaining resilient communities.
 
For more information or to apply, visit ChiefCares.org. 

Whiskey Myers Strike with 'Whomp Whack Thunder'

Whiskey Myers has never cared for categories or boundaries, and with their seventh studio album Whomp Whack Thunder, hailed by Rolling Stone as “their most supercharged album yet” that “sounds on the whole like an invigorated, freewheeling rock band in its prime,” the multi-Platinum independent band delivers the sweat and soul that have defined their career. Available now via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, listen below.
 
“I never said, ‘We are a rock band,’” explains frontman Cody Cannon. “We were just a band. Really, we’re a road band. We did it the old school way: played every bar, every night and cut our teeth. That’s a lot of experience and wisdom earned. It’s all we’ve ever done. It builds character, hones your skill and gets some grit on you.”
 
For the band from East Texas, success was built from concentric rings of local bars turning to bigger bars, longer runs and traveling further and further from home. The will to thrive wherever they could set up and play fueled an unstoppable group of friends, determined to see how far the ride could take them.
 
And since topping Billboard’s Country Albums, hitting No. 2 on Active Rock and No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, in addition to garnering 4.1+ billion global streams, over 2.7 million in sales and 9 RIAA Certifications, Whiskey Myers wanted a new, more robust way to do the things that set them on fire.
 
Having self-produced their last two records, the band enlisted GRAMMY-winning producer Jay Joyce, who provided a freedom to be in the moment, sparking off each other and not having to worry about anything except playing, singing and responding with what the songs required. Always a spontaneous group of players, Whomp Whack Thunder delivers a leaner, more boot to the kneecap immediacy.
 
“I don’t know how it happens,” guitarist John Jeffers confesses. “The emotions here are all different, but we really want people to feel all of it – and that’s rock and roll. People have forgotten what rock and roll is: blues-based, some country to it, but coming hard.”

The band will also perform a special pregame concert for Dallas Cowboys fans at the Miller Lite®House at AT&T Stadium this Sunday, September 28, at 4:50 p.m., just before the Cowboys take on the Packers. Doors to Miller Lite®House open at 3:00 p.m., and all fans with a game ticket are invited to attend. Please note, the concert is standing room only.
 
The What We Were Born To Do Tour continues tonight in Oklahoma City with dates through mid-October. At last night’s stop in Austin, Texas at Moody Amphitheater, fans were treated to onsite activations celebrating the release of Whomp Whack Thunder, adding to the already high energy of the night.
 
The band will also headline their own personally curated Moon Crush “Whiskey Moon” music vacation taking over Miramar Beach, Fla. Nov. 7-9 ahead of Whiskey Myers & Friends, bringing a special, stripped-back version of their multi-Platinum catalog to the Northeast this December.
 
For more information and to purchase tickets to all upcoming dates, visit WhiskeyMyers.com and follow on social media @WhiskeyMyers.

Upcoming Whiskey Myers Tour Dates
What We Were Born To Do Tour
Sept. 26  ||  Oklahoma City, Okla.  ||  Paycom Center
Sept. 27  ||  The Woodlands, Texas  ||  The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct. 9  ||  Chattanooga, Tenn.  ||  Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Oct. 10  ||  Greensboro, N.C.  ||  White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
 
Whiskey Myers & Friends Acoustic Shows
Dec. 5  ||  Philadelphia, Pa.  ||  The Met Philadelphia
Dec. 6  ||  Brooklyn, N.Y.  ||  Brooklyn Paramount
Dec. 7  ||  Montclair, N.J.  ||  The Wellmont Theater
Dec. 9  ||  Scranton, Pa.  ||  Scranton Cultural Centre at the Masonic Temple
Dec. 11  ||  Wallingford, Conn.  ||  Oakdale Theatre
Dec. 12  ||  Albany, N.Y.  ||  Palace Theatre
Dec. 13  ||  Boston, Mass.  ||  Orpheum Theatre
 
Additional Dates
Sept. 28  ||  Arlington, Texas ||  Miller Lite House® at AT&T Stadium 
Oct. 11  ||  North Charleston. S.C.  ||  Riverfront Revival Music Festival
Oct. 18  ||  Lincoln, Ala.  ||  Talladega Superspeedway
Nov. 7-9  ||  Miramar Beach, Fla.  ||  Moon Crush “Whiskey Moon”

About Whiskey Myers
Genre-bending band Whiskey Myers have played nearly 3,000 live shows to ever-increasing crowd sizes since their emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Download and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show. The band is poised to begin their next chapter with their highly-anticipated seventh studio album Whomp Whack Thunder, available now via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, with lead single “Time Bomb” climbing the Active Rock radio charts. Their previous project, Tornillo, featured the No. 17 most-played Americana song of 2022, “John Wayne,” and followed breakthrough album Whiskey Myers, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts, at No. 2 on the Rock chart and No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart (No. 3 among new releases). In total, Whiskey Myers have sold more than 2.7 million albums and amassed over 4.1 billion streams while earning nine RIAA Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certifications as an independent band. Known for their high-energy live show and unique sound, the band praised by Esquire as “the real damn deal” has also earned sync success with features in Paramount’s hit shows “Yellowstone” (including an on-screen performance) and “Landman,” plus Netflix series “What/If,” Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and CBS series “SEAL Team,” among others. USA Today describes their sound as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country that has earned comparisons to the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin,” with Rolling Stone noting “it’s the seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot.”

Adam Mac Releases New Track "Old Photograph"; Third Studio Album 'Southern Spectacle' Out Oct. 24

Rising country singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “Southern spectacle” Adam Mac continues to pave his own lane as one of the genre’s most dynamic new voices with his latest release “Old Photograph,” available today. The track called “a powerful country pop anthem” by Holler, showcases Mac’s blend of unabashed honesty and tender storytelling and comes on the heels of recent release “All Dollars, No Sense,” which Billboard hailed as a “must-hear” calling it “a bold, dancefloor-ready fusion of country and pop.” The track is another taste of new music from the man dubbed “cowBoy George” by his fans who is set to release his third studio album, Southern Spectacle, on October 24. Listen to “Old Photograph” Below and pre-Save Southern Spectacle HERE.

"Southern Spectacle has been two years in the making," Mac shared exclusively with Holler regarding the album. "It’s bold, vulnerable and the most authentic I’ve ever been on a record. Every track is drawn from a lived experience, stories shaped by setbacks and triumphs. It’s my queer country experience seen through a technicolor neon lens. This album is me stepping into my power as a Southern Spectacle, and I hope folks find that same courage in themselves."

Written by Mac alongside Dani Stacy, “Old Photograph” is a raw, emotional ballad about an almost-lost love. With Mac’s striking falsetto, the track captures the fragile line between lasting love and what could have been a fleeting connection—one that, if missed, might have been reduced to nothing more than a faded picture in the back of a drawer. 

“‘Old Photograph’ is about gratitude for timing,” shares Mac. “How meeting the right person at the wrong time could’ve meant they’d only ever be a memory. But instead of being just an old photograph in the back of a drawer, you get to build a life with your person.”

The new song follows a flurry of recent releases from the forthcoming album including title track “Southern Spectacle,” wedding anthem “Last Rodeo,” and “All Dollars, No Sense” which Billboard opined, “With its infectious groove, sizzling guitar, timely message, and Mac’s effortlessly smooth vocals…becomes a memorable anthem.” Together, these tracks set the stage for Mac’s most ambitious and unapologetic project yet.

Unafraid to sparkle in the spotlight – or speak his truth, Mac continues to capture hearts with his Southern flair, raw truth and glitter-soaked twang. Southern Spectacle was produced by Jason Mater (with additional production by Sean Trainor, Warren Riker and HALLIE). The danceable fusion of country and modern pop was recorded over two days at Nashville’s Black River Studios and cements Mac’s reputation as one of the genre’s most original voices. 

“People want things to be like ‘this’ or like ‘that,’ and there’s not a lot of space for ‘both,’” Mac explains. “But I can be glamorous and flashy, and also raised on a Kentucky farm, with all the same values you have. I have just decided to embrace the full spectrum of who I am.
 
“I’m making music that I wish I had growing up – that I wish I could have seen myself in,” he shares. “And I feel like we’re doing something right.”
 
Mac was raised in Russellville, Kentucky, about an hour north of Nashville (and a world away from Music Row). A farm-and-church kid who loved The Spice Girls and Shania Twain and couldn’t stop singing, he soon moved on from bedroom vocal clinics to Sunday services and talent shows and started writing songs after losing a dear friend in high school. 
 
Mac also realized he was gay, and that was something to put out of sight. Enduring the typical pressure to “fix” his “unacceptable” truth, which he had fully internalized by age 22, he moved to Nashville to write songs he thought the mainstream would accept. By his own admission, nearly 10 years of struggle led nowhere – Mac’s agile vocal just wasn’t enough to overcome his vanilla vision of country pop. But with the pandemic, Mac realized he was doing “three chords and the truth” all wrong.
 
“I was trying to appease the masses and not ruffle feathers, or even hint at the fact I was a queer country singer,” he explains. “Then I decided to do what I loved and write songs without anything other than just being honest. With hindsight it’s like ‘Well, duh. That’s obviously what you should have been doing the whole time!’”
 
The creative epiphany worked wonders. Fusing vocal soul with a danceable country-funk mix (and the full fabulousness of his personality), 2023’s breakout hit “Disco Cowboy” set Mac free. The rapturous music video held the No. 1 spot on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown for four weeks, leading to a full album of the same name and many conversations. 
 
Dubbed “country music’s very own Elton John” by PEOPLE, Southern Spectacle is a definitive intersection of country music and queer identity. Twelve songs co-written by Mac with close friends (including an additional queer creator on most of the album’s tracks) mark a work of cloud-nine courage, with a resilient, revelatory sense of self-acceptance. Louder and prouder than ever, Mac dives further into the world he established on Disco Cowboy. “It’s so autobiographical to me, and also the starting point of where we left off,” he says. “This is the most honest I’ve been in any music – I really held no filter on it.”
 
In large part, that meant finally embracing his own story, contrasts and quirks included. 
 
“This album is a journey through a multitude of feelings – from feeling like you stand out in a small town, to growing up with an older sibling who was the epitome of everything your father wanted,” he says. “It feels like the complete story of where I’ve been, especially after the past two years.”
 
As a visible queer voice in country music today, Mac’s journey has not been without challenges. When he was scheduled to headline the Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival in his conservative hometown, backlash from local pastors sparked national headlines. His strength in the face of hate drew support from fans, hometown friends and celebrities alike – including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini and Brandy Clark – and led to a guest appearance on Morris’ Lunatics Tour in Chicago.
 
As a lifelong outsider who’s learned to make his own space the central message of his work –  he wants everyone to know they matter, even if they’re complicated. So have a little fun.
 
“I hope that my community feels seen and represented and safe, and they have words for things they felt but were never able to explain,” he says. “For people outside of our community, I just hope they feel the joy – because that’s the way to make change. How do you argue with someone’s happiness?”
 
With his magnetic presence and rich storytelling, Mac continues to carve out space for queer voices in the country format showing that there’s room for every kind of story. For the latest news and updates follow along on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @adammacmusic and online at adammacmusic.com.

DUSTIN LYNCH AND MC4D ARE COMING “HOME TO YOU” — OUT NOW

Dustin Lynch has already secured his place as one of country’s modern hitmakers with 10 #1s, billions of streams, and a career built on headlining tour anthems. But rather than slowing down, he is teaming up with twin-brother folktronica duo MC4D  to break new ground with “Home To You,” a new release penned by Lynch, Matt & Chris Drake (of MC4D), Brandon Davis, and Trent Tomlinson that fuses country grit with the pulse of the global nightlife scene. Listen Below.

“I’m fired up to finally drop ‘Home To You’ with MC4D,” shares Lynch. “We’ve been testing it out in the club sets day and night, and it’s been electric — jumping into this new lane has awakened a whole new part of my soul. Getting to create and collaborate in new ways this far into my career has been some of the most fun and fulfilling music-making I’ve ever done. Can’t wait for y’all to feel this one when it hits.”

“We’ve looked up to Dustin and his music for so long, and being able to do a song with him has been an incredible experience,” adds MC4D. “He’s pioneering such a unique lane when it comes to his country-EDM project, and we’re so grateful for the energy and excitement that he’s brought to this song. ‘Home To You’ feels like the perfect mix of Dustin’s hit country sound and our melodic EDM project, and stylistically we feel it really stands apart in the developing country crossover landscape. It reminds us of the timeless country/Americana collaborations of Avicii and Kygo, and we can’t wait to see the song connect with dance and country fans alike.”


Dustin’s Wynn Las Vegas residency made history as the first country headliner on the Strip’s nightlife stage, introducing his sound to club culture without compromise. His Club Set Remixes EP, released this summer, reimagined his chart-toppers for the dancefloor, featuring electrified reworks of fan favorites like “Small Town Boy,” “Seein’ Red,” “Thinking ’Bout You,” “Stars Like Confetti,” and his latest country radio single “Easy To Love,” the most added song at country radio the week of release.


And that’s not all. Lynch is not borrowing shine or testing a trend, he is expanding the reach of his music with authenticity and vision. Proven through collaborations with MOONLGHT, MC4D, and Dirty Audio—and most recently with producer MAKJ and singer/artist Bryce Vine on “Happy Hour,” a breezy, feel-good fusion of electronic dance and country flair that garnered millions of streams within its first month—Lynch continues to prove his music connects anywhere.


From small-town backroads to global stages and DJ booths, Dustin is proving country music impacts everywhere the party is. Dustin will kick off his TWO FOR THE ROAD TOUR with Scotty McCreery this fall. He is also in the middle of his historic Wynn Nightlife Las Vegas Residency, where his club sets blur genre lines and draw dance fans and country diehards alike.

ABOUT DUSTIN LYNCH:
Dustin Lynch has “built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music” (Billboard), achieving 10 #1s; four Top 5 albums; MULTI-PLATINUM status with 10 RIAA-certified singles; and tallying over 5 BILLION cumulative global streams. Rolling out new music beginning with the chill summer jam “Easy To Love,” Dustin marked his milestone 10th #1 with “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll)” from his sixth studio album Killed The Cowboy (BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville). The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making 2X PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)”—the most-played song at Country radio in 2022, landing at #1 on Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts—also featured hits #1 “Stars Like Confetti” and “Party Mode.” Co-headlining the TWO FOR THE ROAD TOUR with Scotty McCreery this fall, Lynch has headlined packed venues to sold-out crowds like his latest Killed The Cowboy Tour, in addition to touring with country’s biggest names including Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Blake Shelton. Hosting his see-and-be-seen pool parties for the last decade, Lynch marks Wynn Nightlife’s first-ever country music artist residency in Las Vegas with his 2025 club set. Most recently, he expanded his sound with the Club Set Remixes EP—a genre-blending project featuring high-energy dance remixes of his biggest hits by top DJs including MOONLGHT and MC4D. With his latest release, Lynch unveils his first EDM original, “Home To You,” a track with MC4D that carries his unmistakable country undertone into the global dance scene. Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.

KEEP UP WITH DUSTIN LYNCH

TOUR | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | X | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

ABOUT MC4D:

Carving their own unique path in the electronic scene, twin-brother duo MC4D has gained an avid and distinct fanbase for their genre-blending sound. With a rhythm and energy pulling from progressive and melodic EDM, songwriting inspired by the burgeoning indie-folk revival, and instrumentation incorporating the rawness of Americana, MC4D’s sound is setting itself apart in today’s music ecosystem. Through recent collaborations with major artists across the EDM and Indie spectrum such as Walk off the Earth, Łaszewo, Frank Walker, and The National Parks, as well as over two dozen official remix releases for artists like Dustin Lynch, Flo Rida, Steve Aoki, and Meghan Trainor, the duo is on-pace to amass over 50M streams across platforms in 2025. In addition to their original music, MC4D’s popular Down Under Mix series (top-charting on SoundCloud U.S. dance charts) has grown a die-hard following and gained over 30M streams. After playing over 80 shows in 2024, MC4D opened 2025 as direct support across 18 shows on Two Friends’ ‘Heatwave’ tour, highlighted by a debut performance at Red Rocks. The duo has become a sought-after live act for their unique sonic appeal and high energy shows, with summer performances at major festivals such as North Coast, Project GLOW, EDC Las Vegas, Summerfest, and Stagecoach. This fall, MC4D is embarking on their headline ‘Wanderings Tour’ across North America to round out a 70+ show run in 2025. With a number of their highest profile collaborations to date lined up in the coming months, MC4D is carving out a niche that fans can't find anywhere else.


KEEP UP WITH MC4D

TOUR | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

Out Today! - OVERT ENEMY - Insurrection

OVERT ENEMY returns with their most powerful and aggressive work to date, the new full-length album Insurrection, out now. The Mission, Texas-based band has carved a name for itself in the global metal scene by blending gnarly Texas groove with relentless twin guitar attacks and a triple vocal assault. With Insurrection, OVERT ENEMY has refined their sound, evolving into a band that draws on the energy of the past while pushing the boundaries of modern metal.

Insurrection didn’t come easy. Originally planned as an EP after the band’s 2019 release Possession, the global pandemic forced the band to pivot, transforming the project into a full-length album. Add to that the personal battles faced by the band members, from Leo “Lizard” Ortiz’s major back surgery to the struggle of keeping momentum during worldwide lockdowns, and you have an album born out of perseverance and pure passion. This is an album about resilience, rebellion, and the power of the riff—because, at its core, OVERT ENEMY is a riff band, driven by face-melting guitar solos, raw intensity, and unapologetic metal fury.

The band—composed of Leo Ortiz (guitar/vocals), Laura “Slayerella” Ortiz (bass/vocals), Robert Hahn (guitar/vocals), and Saul Castillo (drums)—takes the listener on a sonic journey across Insurrection. The album is anchored in thrash but refuses to be defined by any one style. From the devastating opening track "Resinated", which blends sinister grooves with epic overtones inspired by Leo's battles with chronic back pain, to the deeply conceptual "Eradication", part of a three-song narrative about alien invasion, the record pushes boundaries while staying true to the ethos of the genre.

For the band members, the making of Insurrection was as much about personal growth as it was about pushing the limits of their sound. “It’s surreal thinking about everything we went through to get this album made,” says Robert Hahn. "Leo could have died on the operating table, and that would have been it. But here we are, with an album that represents the best music we’ve ever created." The band's determination shines through every track, from the thrashy riffs of "Eradication" to the melodic complexities of "Bleed Like I Do", ensuring that no song sounds the same, and no topic is off-limits.

For OVERT ENEMY, Insurrection marks the culmination of years of hard work, personal sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to their craft. As Laura Ortiz puts it, “This album made me grow as a musician, and you can hear it in my playing and in my vocals. It challenged all of us, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved.” For drummer Saul Castillo, who transitioned from drum tech to full-time band member in a matter of months, the experience was equally rewarding.

In a world where fear and division seem to rule, OVERT ENEMY is not afraid to speak up, to push boundaries, and to deliver metal with a message. With Insurrection, they’ve created a record that is not only a musical triumph but a testament to their resilience as a band. Their story is far from over—this is only the beginning of the next chapter.

While thrash metal certainly runs through their veins, OVERT ENEMY refuses to be confined by genre. The release of Insurrection marks a new chapter for the band, as they delve into broader sonic landscapes and thematic complexity. The album reflects their growth both musically and personally, touching on themes ranging from personal struggle and mental health to global political unrest and conceptual sci-fi narratives. Every track offers something unique, showing the band’s ability to experiment with diverse sounds and ideas without losing their aggressive edge.

Outside of the studio, OVERT ENEMY has built a reputation as a DIY powerhouse, handling much of their own production, marketing, and fan engagement. Their strong DIY ethic has earned them endorsements from leading brands like Sawtooth Guitars, Emperor Cabs, FU-Tone, and GODPS Music. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the band has used their time wisely, staying connected with their fans through live streams, social media, and consistent content releases. Their music has also found its way into independent films, further expanding their reach beyond the metal scene.

As they look to the future, OVERT ENEMY remains committed to creating music that not only reflects their personal experiences but also resonates with fans around the world. They are driven by faith, family, and a passion for their art, and they continue to be a beacon of the metal resurgence, blazing their own trail in the genre.

OVERT ENEMY is:

  • Leo “Lizard” Ortiz – Guitar/Vocals

  • Laura “Slayerella” Ortiz – Bass/Vocals

  • Robert Hahn – Guitar/Vocals

  • Saul Castillo – Drums

Album Credits:

  • Produced by: Joshua Lopez (IMMORTAL GUARDIAN), Leo Ortiz & Robert Hahn

  • Recorded at: Widowmaker Studios, McAllen, Texas

  • Engineer/Mixing/Mastering: Joshua Lopez

  • Album Cover Art: Santiago Yanez

  • Album Formats: Digital, CD, Vinyl

Yellow Snow will be headlining the 8th annual Rock n' Roll Charity Christmas Concert

As the vision of creator, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist Mike DiBiase, Yellow Snow encompasses recorded music, larger-than-life live performances, animation, content, multimedia, and more. And on December 4th at Third and Lindsley in Nashville, Yellow Snow will be headlining the 8th annual Rock n' Roll Charity Christmas Concert. 

Performed at the upcoming concert will undoubtedly be many tracks from Yellow Snow's new album, 'Volume 1,' which contains rocked-up renditions of many holiday classics, including "The Grinch," "Let It Snow," and the new single, "Father Christmas," which is a cover of the Kinks classic.

To listen to the "Father Christmas" single, visit this link:
https://found.ee/fatherchristmas

And click below to view the video:

For years, Rhode Island-born DiBiase — a lifelong musician and EMMY ® Award - nominated audio post production talent by trade — had “gifted” family and friends hard rock Christmas songs. He decided to bring them to the stage at a Rhode Island club in 2007 for the live debut of Yellow Snow, packing the house and donating a portion of the proceeds to various charities. 

He annually headlined shows throughout the ensuing years stirring up a level of cult fandom among the initiated. The music also quietly took on a life of its own as DiBiase’s original song “Giddy Yup, Santa Claus” landed a high-profile sync on The CW’s Riverdale. 

Armed with the framework constructed by DiBiase and his bandmates (Matt Baird, Al Diaz, Franklin La Barbara, Denise Gouvin, Jason Berndt, and Chris Piccirillo), he decamped to Nashville in order to finish recording what would become Yellow Snow’s full-length debut LP, 'Volume 1,' during 2023. 

For the sessions, he assembled a murderers’ row of musicians, including Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, award-winning guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Derek Wells [HARDY, Lainey Wilson], horn players Curt Ramm and Bill Holloman [E - Street Band, Nile Rogers, Danny Gatton , Radiohead ], keyboardist Jon Coleman [Trace Adkins], Dave Cohen [Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Steven Tyler], vocalist Nathan Barlowe [Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Luna Halo], and many more. 

Not to mention, he tapped Jack Joseph Puig [The Black Crowes, Stone Temple Pilots, Weezer] to mix these ten tracks and Gavin Lurssen for the mastering. Nodding to personal influences a la Stone Temple Pilots , Alice In Chains , Queens of the Stone Age, Stax, and Queen, he brought an abundance of attitude, energy, and edge to the holidays with a handful of originals , including Man In Red, and covers like the lead single “Father Christmas,” “What’s this?” from The Nightmare Before Christmas , “Let It Snow,” “Drummer Boy,” “The Grinch,” and more. 

In many ways, this is the record Mike has been waiting his whole life to make. He spent the majority of his career at legendary toy manufacturer Hasbro as a Music Director, Audio Engineer and Composer, crafting music for often 80 commercials per year. Among many highlights, he contributed compositions to household name franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Nerf, My Little Pony, Playskool, Tonka, Littlest Pet Shop, Play - Doh and many more. In recognition of his work he even garnered an EMMY ® Award nod for a Pictureka! game show open and picked up seven Telly Awards. 

'Volume 1' and the upcoming Rock n' Roll Charity Christmas Concert will undoubtedly electrify this holiday season. 

Out Now - LAST RETCH - Abject Cruelty

n the heart of Hamilton, Ontario LAST RETCH returns with Abject Cruelty, their most punishing and refined statement to date. Due out September 26, 2025 via Time to Kill Records, this eight-track slab of old-school death metal captures the raw energy of a band embracing its fury and focus with sharpened intent. It's a soundtrack to social rot: tight, unflinching, and seething with contempt.

Formed in 2021 in nearby St. Catharines, LAST RETCH burst onto the scene with a no-frills demo and soon followed it up with their debut full-length Sadism and Severed Heads in 2023 (CDN Records), a brutal introduction that married memorable riffcraft with pit-ready aggression. With the Ergotism EP (2024, CDN/Iron Fortress), they pushed their sound forward, showing flashes of melody, groove, and lyrical scope, before turning their sights fully on Abject Cruelty, their most cohesive and devastating effort yet.

Written against the backdrop of a city in collapse, Abject Cruelty channels the band’s surroundings (mental illness, addiction, poverty, political abandonment) into lean, groove-driven death metal that cuts like a rusted scalpel. Opener "Abject Cruelty" sets the tone with oppressive atmosphere and relentless tremolo, while "Beasley Meth Merchants", inspired by frontman Finlay Blakelock’s view from a Hamilton apartment, layers upbeat riffs with bleak commentary on drug abuse and systemic failure. "Dissecting the Leper" resurrects decade-old riffs into a live favorite built around a crushing breakdown, and "In the Polder They Reek", strikes a balance between stomp and melody, capped off by a rare, ripping solo.

Throughout the album, LAST RETCH leans into their greatest strengths: short songs, big riffs, and a clear throughline of OSDM brutality fused with memorable hooks. Their influences, CARCASS, CANNIBAL CORPSE, BOLT THROWER, are never hidden, but always filtered through their own perspective. There’s no pretense, just power: straightforward songwriting, blistering performance, and the urgency of a band with something real to say. The songs are compact but dynamic, swapping between Drop B and Drop A tunings to carve out contrasting moods, one moment frantic and angular, the next slow and suffocating.

Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by DAVIS MAXWELL at Schoolhouse Studios, Abject Cruelty sounds as mean as it plays. The cover art by BRAD MOORE adds an appropriately grotesque visual to the record’s themes of bodily and societal decay. 

With a reputation for high-energy live shows and previous gigs alongside GUTALAX, UNDEATH, GATES TO HELL, KRUELTY, and more, LAST RETCH stands poised to carve their name into the modern death metal landscape. 

About LAST RETCH:

LAST RETCH is a death metal band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, formed in 2021. Blending the earworm riffs of CARCASS, the anthemic drive of BOLT THROWER, and the relentless savagery of CANNIBAL CORPSE, the band delivers a modern take on old-school death metal that’s as visceral as it is memorable. With short, focused songs built around crushing grooves and no-nonsense structures, LAST RETCH distills the genre down to its most punishing essentials.

The current lineup: Finlay Blakelock (Vocals), Derek Brzozowski (Guitar), John Russell (Guitar), Matt Fyke (Bass), and Spencer Robson (Drums), operates with a clear mission: write riffs that stick, keep things tight, and hit hard. Each member brings a different perspective, resulting in a sound that nods to death metal’s roots while pushing into new territory with dynamics, pacing, and variation in tuning.

Since their formation, LAST RETCH has released a self-titled demo (2021), the full-length Sadism and Severed Heads (2023, CDN Records), and the Ergotism EP (2024, CDN Records/Iron Fortress Records). They’ve shared the stage with bands like GUTALAX, UNDEATH, GATES TO HELL, KRUELTY, and REPLICANT, earning a reputation for ferocious live performances and tight musicianship.

Their latest album, Abject Cruelty (2025, Time to Kill Records), is their most direct and aggressive work yet: an eight-track assault shaped by the decay and desperation of their hometown. With themes pulled from real life and riffs sharpened to a deadly point, LAST RETCH continues to evolve while staying rooted in the timeless brutality of death metal.

LAST RETCH is: 

  • Finlay Blakelock – Vocals

  • Derek Brzozowski – Guitar

  • John Russell – Guitar

  • Matt Fyke – Bass

  • Spencer Robson – Drums


Connect with LAST RETCH:

Out Today! - The Sorrow Of Being Immaculate - Suicide Forest

In the depths of a bitter Welsh winter, in an abandoned barn surrounded by broken trees and sodden earth, Suicide Forest began to take shape. With no neighbors, no lights, and only the distant hum of unsettled winds, THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE set up a modest array of gear and started to write at full volume. The setting was as much a part of the record as the riffs themselves, each track soaked in the desolation and cold detachment of the landscape. This was not a place for warmth or clarity. It was a place to surrender to the weight of memory, to the slow, repetitive cycles of regret, and to the idea that music might not heal, but might at least bear witness.

Suicide Forest, set to be released by Drone Alone on September 26th, 2025, is the first full-length album from THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE, an anonymous solo project steeped in instrumental doom, sludge, and drone. Where there might traditionally be lyrics, there is silence. Where there might be structure, there is repetition that borders on obsession. Each song loops like a thought you cannot escape. Each moment lingers just a little too long.

Suicide Forest was engineered and co-mixed by Mike Bannard at Safehouse Studios in Oxford. Everything else, from recording, to mastering, to cover art, was handled by THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE. 

There is no relief in this record. That is not its purpose. It is a document of personal reckoning, born in isolation and shaped by years of psychological sediment. Suicide Forest does not ask to be liked. It asks only to be entered. Whether or not you come out the other side is entirely up to you.

About THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE:

THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE is an anonymous solo project from Oxford, England, crafting bleak, instrumental sludge and drone since 2023. With no vocals, no public identity, and no live appearances, the music exists in complete isolation: just distortion, repetition, and emotional exhaustion.

Emerging from the Welsh countryside with the debut EP Church Music for Satanists in early 2024, THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE quickly established a signature sound: hypnotic, heavy, and relentlessly minimal. The follow-up full-length, Suicide Forest, released by drone alone in 2025, pushed further into themes of anxiety, decay, and existential fatigue, blending guitar-driven doom with eerie drones and field-recorded interference.

Influenced by artists such as ELECTRIC WIZARD, SUNN O))), EARTH, and CARTER/TUTTI/VOID, the project explores psychological weight through slow repetition and spiritual dissonance. There are no lyrics because nothing more needs to be said. The riffs are the message.

For those drawn to the darker corners of sound, where catharsis is earned through endurance, THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE offers a solitary descent.

Connect with THE SORROW OF BEING IMMACULATE:

Hall of Fame Singer/Songwriter Daryl Hall to kick off U.S. West Coast Leg with Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall is about to embark on his west coast run, featuring opening act Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, starting October 19th in Reno, NV at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino and ending November 4th in Denver, CO at the Paramount Theatre. This leg follows a year-long successful tour across the US and UK. See full tour dates below.

Tilbrook has previously performed with Hall on his award-winning web series, Live from Daryl’s House. “I’ve toured with Glenn in the past, and I’m a fan of his songs, and it will be great to work with him again,” said Daryl, whose previous tours included acts Howard Jones, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren. The format is the same, with Tilbrook performing a solo set in front of the house band to open, then joining Daryl Hall on-stage to close the show.

Added Tilbrook, “I am so excited to be playing with Daryl and his fabulous band this year. After having a blast touring with them in 2021, and re-igniting the flame in Daryl’s House in 2023, I look forward to reuniting with them and playing some of my favorite songs, Daryl songs and some other stuff that you’ll love! Come down and don’t break the furniture.”

Last year, Hall also toured with Elvis Costello, and released D, his first solo album in 13 years, co-produced by fellow RHOF inductee Dave Stewart, who co-wrote seven of the nine new original songs, with Hall penning the other two, on Virgin Records. The album spawned two top 20 hits on the AC Chart.

Visit darylhall.com or click the below date to purchase your tickets today!

Snõõper Announce Release Show With Special Coin Flip Variant

Snooper will be celebrating the release of their new album, Worldwide, at East Side Bowl on October 3rd! There will be a special Nashville release show variant available only at the show on limited edition coin flip orange and white vinyl. Don't miss this rowdy celebration! Get tickets over at eastsidebowl.com

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THE REST OF THE TOUR: Kenny Chesney's HEART LIFE MUSIC Adds 5 More Cities

 THE REST OF THE TOUR
Kenny Chesney’s HEART LIFE MUSIC FINAL Book Events   
 “Hello, Philly, Jersey, Key West, LA, Tampa”
Philadelphia 11/3, Bergen, NJ 11/4, Beverly Hills, CA 11/7
Key West 11/10, Tampa 11/11
 
Bringing Intimate Conversations about His Path, Heroes, Songs,
Making Music, Setbacks, Big Fun + How to Chase an Impossible Dream
All Ticketed Guests will Receive a Signed Copy of HEART LIFE MUSIC

Complete Tour Now Announced – Ticket Details Below
 HEART LIFE MUSIC In-Stores Nov. 4; Pre-Order Available Now

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: The Dark.FM Unleash New Single

Los Angeles outfit The Dark.FM are back with their most uncompromising track yet — the razor-sharp and magnetic new single "[zippermouth]."

 

"We've always just sort of done whatever we wanted," the band's Craig Johns explains. "But whatever little voice was in there saying 'Make sure the core kids like it' just wasn't there this time. So '[zippermouth]' in a way is our first 100% The Dark.FM track. As a singer, it's more of what I like to do, than just what I'm capable of, and as a producer, it’' both."

 

The band calls the track "late night metal" and even "Keanu Reeves metal" — a neon-soaked sound built on immediacy, lust, secrecy, and impatience. "'[zippermouth]' is all of the former and none of the latter," the band adds. "But listen to that bridge though. Drum machine goes crazy."

 

With their debut The Dark EP surpassing 2.5 million streams worldwide, The Dark.FM have already carved a name for themselves. In the brief time since their formation, they've hit Warped Tour, headlined four shows in Germany, and delivered a full showcase at Reeperbahn Festival 2025.


With "[zippermouth]," The Dark.FM push further into their own territory: dangerous, restless, and entirely their own.

 

Watch the music video below.

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Aviana Unleash New Single

AVIANA continue their unstoppable ascent with the release of their brand new single "WORLDS PULSE," featuring a breathtaking violin and vocal  performance by IMMINENCE frontman Eddie Berg. The track marks the official launch of pre-orders for their new album VOID, set for release on October 31.
 

Fronted by Joel Holmqvist, AVIANA have evolved into a forward-thinking heavy act, combining thunderous breakdowns, cinematic soundscapes, and raw emotion into a sound that is both punishing and unforgettable. Since their 2022 record CORPORATION — which has already surpassed 47.5 million streams worldwide — AVIANA have released a relentless run of singles including "DELIRIUM," "FATHER," "STORM ABLAZE," and "EVERMORE," together racking up over 3 million Spotify streams already and fueling their rise to over 360,000 monthly listeners.
 

With VOID, AVIANA are entering their boldest chapter yet — a record that channels despair and catharsis into an ambitious sonic universe.

Following explosive tours across Europe, Australia, and North America alongside IMMINENCE, ALLT, and MAKE THEM SUFFER, the band will return to European stages in November 2025 for their long-awaited headline run, delivering the raw intensity of their new era to audiences across the continent.

Catch the band live in Europe this fall — more info here. 

Watch the "WORLDS PULSE" music video below. 

LORE Shoots For The Stars On New Track "Starseeker"

Avant-garde duo LORE return with their latest single, "Starseeker" ft Properties of Nature, now available on all major streaming platforms. This track follows the success of their debut single, "Senpai" ft. Isaac Wilson of Dwellings, which premiered with a fully animated video Crunchyroll, introducing the enigmatic world of LORE, as well as their upcoming EP, "Prologue", set for release on October 3rd. Watch the new video for "Starseeker" ft. Properties of Nature below.

Formed earlier this year, LORE is the creation of Jay Christian and the Frog, a mysterious entity who remains shrouded in anonymity. Born entirely online, the project emerged from a conscious decision to cast aside ego and pretense in pursuit of something real. LORE's debut EP, "Prologue", serves as a proper introduction to the band's rich world of storytelling and animated surrealism.

The track marks the next chapter in LORE's unfolding narrative, pairing intricate instrumentation and imaginative visuals with the energy of special guest, Properties of Nature. With "Starseeker", the band builds on that foundation, crafting an otherworldly journey that highlights their commitment to pairing sound with story, emotion, and visual wonder.

Further sharing the adventures in LORE's realm and nearing the release of "Prologue,", Jay Christian and The Frog state:

"This is one of my personal favorite songs that I’ve written. Our guitar work is heavily inspired by 90s and early 2000s Latin rock music but with a modern progressive rock twist.

For the video we wanted to pay homage to our influences and past projects, which is why our main character visits various worlds including- …… I’ve said too much."

Be sure to stay tuned for more LORE news coming soon.

ABOUT LORE



LORE is a boundary-pushing musical project formed in early 2025, forged entirely through online collaboration. United by their roots in post-hardcore and a deep passion for storytelling, the band have quickly built a powerful creative bond that transcends distance.

Shaped by their years in two cult-followed bands, LORE's founders carry forward an ethos of community, connection, and inclusivity as they enter the era of the band's debut EP, "Prologue". Their mission is simple, but vital: to tell unforgettable stories through music while cultivating a space with no gatekeeping, and no ego. Just honest art and love for the craft.

LORE isn't just about sound, but about meaning. It's music for those who want to feel, to belong, and to find something deeper within the noise.

LORE’s debut single, “Senpai” ft. Isaac Wilson of Dwellings, is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Photo Credit - Christian Maravelis

ZETRA - Release Dark Ambient Remix Of Debut Album Titled 'Zetra: The Floor Eternal'

The portal has reopened.

Honouring the one-year anniversary of their debut self-titled album, spectral duo Zetra have released a dark ambient, electronic remix of the record, in collaboration with theKeymaker.

Zetra: The Floor Eternal has been released digitally today via Nuclear Blast Records.

Zetra commented:
"In celebration of the one year anniversary of the release of our debut full length record, ‘Zetra’, we present a complete reimagining of the album in the form of dark ambient, electronic pieces. Titled ‘Zetra: The Floor Eternal’, this release marks the completion of ‘Zetra I’ and the end of an era.
 
Experience Zetra in a new form. This music is intended to accompany you in moments of relaxation, meditation, focused listening or in the background while your mind is elsewhere.
 
‘Zetra: The Floor Eternal’ was recorded in collaboration with theKeymaker, with the following synthesizers:
Behringer MonoPoly, SY1, Wasp & Solina, Moog Minitaur, Akai RhythmWolf & TomCat, Korg MS20, Roland JX8P
 
Zetra Loves You."

Listen to Zetra: The Floor Eternal below:

Zetra recently announced a 13-date UK and European tour for later this year supporting Loathe, accompanied by Love Is Noise. 

ZETRA 2025 TOUR DATES
supporting Loathe 
w/ Love Is Noise

Tickets are on sale via LOATHE

Zetra's recent digital EP 'Believe' is out now, listen HERE. 

The 5-track, goth-pop masterpiece includes focus track and EP opener 'The Angel Cries', new wave infused single 'The Spider' and sparkly, shoe-gaze number 'So', as well as a dramatic, alt-metal soaked cover of Kittie's iconic track 'Charlotte' featuring Justine Jones from Employed To Serve.

Shrouded in mystery, the UK duo blend elements of shoegaze, synth, and post-punk into a sound that is other-worldly and spellbinding. Emerging from the underground with a haunting visual aesthetic of cloaked figures and vintage analog synths, ZETRA have already begun to carve a devoted cult following.

ZETRA were recently awarded The Great Escape's Steve Strange Award for 2025, following their performance at the festival earlier this year. The award celebrates boundary-breaking new talent and the legacy of the iconic music agent Steve Strange.

The pair recently supported mysterious new act PRESIDENT in London.

NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS Disgorge First Single “No More Room In Hell”

Chicago’s horror-obsessed death metal crew NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS have returned with their first single, “No More Room In Hell,” taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare. The track arrives September 25th accompanied by a lyric video and delivers everything fans have come to expect from the band’s unique blend of 90s death metal stomp, 80s shred fireworks, and tongue-in-cheek B-movie gore.

“No More Room In Hell” is a suffocating, thrash-laden assault inspired by George A. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead. Clocking in at over five minutes, the track is an onslaught of feral riffs, frantic soloing, and guttural howls that summon visions of malls overrun by zombies and humanity fighting for survival. Equal parts homage and parody, it is NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS at their most brutal and unhinged.

The single offers a first glimpse at Zombie Blood Nightmare, which arrives February 20th, 2026. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Charlie Waymire at Ultimate Studios and mastered by Ernesto Homeyer, the EP features six tracks of shred-heavy, horror-drenched chaos, with guest solos from Jeff Young (MEGADETH), Matthew Mills, and James Norton.

Sound Fury Magazine Releases Vol. 2 Fall 2025 Collectors Edition Featuring The Prince Of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne

SOUND FURY MAGAZINE 

The storm has returned.

Sound Fury Magazine is back with Volume 2 – Fall 2025, and this time the pages are dripping with history, heart, and hellfire. Leading the charge is none other than the eternal

Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne,

gracing the cover in an unforgettable feature that dives deep into his legacy, his influence, and his unshakable reign over rock and metal written by the founder of the magazine, Evan J. Thomas.

This issue is a special Collectors Edition and will be limited to ONLY 250 printed copies.

More than a magazine, Sound Fury Magazine is a manifesto for the heavy music community — unapologetically loud, fiercely independent, and dedicated to amplifying the voices that shape the scene. With Vol. 2, the publication expands its reach, blending iconic legends like Ozzy with the rising artists destined to follow in his shadow.

Sound Fury Magazine, the newest and loudest voice in rock, metal and beyond is becoming one of the fastest growing magazines in music history!! From the newest anthems to the latest underground sounds, we bring you the most exciting stories, in-depth reviews, exclusive interviews, and everything in between.

New Issues released every 3 months

(December 2025, March 2026, June 2026).

The Calling Announce Shows with Dolly Parton in Sin City! ​  

Award-winning rock legends The Calling are set to share the stage with the legendary Dolly Parton for two unforgettable nights in Las Vegas on December 12 & 13th.

 

The Calling, best known for their worldwide hit “Wherever You Will Go”, will bring their signature sound to Sin City in support of one of music’s most beloved and timeless icons.

 

Frontman Alex Band shares, "I am so honored and grateful to be opening for such a timeless iconic legend! Never in my life did I think I would even meet Dolly Parton, let alone perform before her in Sin City! This is a true privilege."

 

The Calling are preparing to release brand new music in 2026!

Formed in 1999, The Calling quickly ascended the ranks of radio rock with their distinctive blend of catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album Camino Palmero sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and went Platinum in the U.S. and 50+ countries, catapulting the teen rockers to international fame with hits like "Wherever You Will Go" and "Adrienne," while touting 7 number one singles worldwide.

 

After a 20-year hiatus, The Calling returns to the forefront of the music scene, poised to captivate listeners once again. With a renewed sense of purpose and creativity, the band is set to unveil their long-awaited new music, promising a sonic journey that will resonate deeply with both loyal fans and newcomers alike. Driven by the powerful, distinct vocals of Alex Band and the masterful instrumentation of guitarist Daniel Damico and Grammy-nominated bassist Dom Liberati, The Calling's comeback is nothing short of extraordinary. Each note and lyric carry the weight of two decades of growth and experience, resulting in a musical tapestry that is both timeless and contemporary.

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ANKOR Share "Madara" Video

ANKOR are an alternative metal band based in Catalonia, Spain, fast becoming one of the rising stars in the European contemporary metal scene.

Today, they have shared the video for new single "MADARA." Watch it below. 

"Imagine living in your perfect world for eternity…but knowing the real world outside is dying," the band offers about the deeper meaning of the song. "An endless dream, no war, no pain, but no freedom or voice. Would you be a part of Madara's dream?"

What choice would YOU make?

The multicultural quintet, consisting of vocalist Jessie Williams (Bristol, UK), drummer Eleni Nota (Athens, Greece), guitarists David Romeu, Fito Martinez, and bassist Julio López (Catalonia, Spain), have grown steadily since their origins in Els Pallaresos, a village near Barcelona, back in 2003.

From these humble beginnings, Ankor have built a worldwide fanbase and a reputation for being an absolute powerhouse live, through headlining tours of mainland Europe and Asia. But it was with the December 2022 release of breakthrough single "Prisoner" that a new era begun.

With over three million streams and counting, "Prisoner" has triggered a sonic and aesthetic (r)evolution for Ankor, their musical and visual worlds ascending to new creative heights ever since; The conceptually bound singles "Oblivion," "Darkbeat," "Stereo," and "Venom" that have followed have seen lyrical narratives, sonic aesthetics, and self-directed and edited music videos flow together to reshape Ankor in a playful, energetic, and refreshing new form: a fusion of Asian pop-culture, contemporary metalcore, and a dash of Spanish heritage.

The band previously shared the single (and first for UNFD) "Embers."

Lust, loathing & liberation: Charlie Nieland's "Shame" is a powerful ode to queer resilience

Renowned NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland presents 'Shame', a firecracker that heralds his forthcoming 'Stories From The Borderlines' album, out on October 24. This video was directed and edited by multi-faceted NYC-based artist Hypnodoll, and filmed by Alice Teeple.

Nieland's backstory is extensive, having written, performed and produced music for decades. He has written for and produced such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters, as well as scoring the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.

'Shame' was fuelled by the obsessive lust and repulsion that has been weaponized against the queer community - how fascination runs like blood from all sides, our own self-loathing driving us into the unknown. 

"We eroticize what we despise. 'Shame' twists the war over gender identity into a stomping glam anthem with big guitars and a psychedelic afterburn. I wrote this song for The Bushwick Book Club when we read Hugh Myers' book "When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History", says Charlie Nieland.

"In the late 19th century, before the word “homosexual” even existed, there was a thriving hedonism on the waterfront in Brooklyn, with male and female drag performers - known as inverts - entertaining a crowd that mingled in backrooms and filled the cabarets. After Freud popularized the actual diagnosis, the idea to arrest and imprison gays swept in with a vengeance and a special penitentiary built nearby. The word made it real."

The album's lead track 'Win' is a postpunk mini-epic that starts as a piano-led hymn, becomes an explosive jangling anthem before taking a spectacular turn by Staten Island activist / rapper spiritchild. This record arrives on the trail of Nieland's imaginative EP 'The Ocean Understands' and 'Redshift' and 'Drown' videos.

Presenting a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock, 'Stories From The Borderlines' also involves keyboardist Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf). Atmospheric, with sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, these unique soundscapes promise an immersive journey, showcasing Nieland's continued evolution as an artist and producer. 

Charlie Nieland was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Positionwith Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.

After 20 years with Her Vanished Grace, Nieland established himself as a solo artist rich on nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, releasing 'Ice Age' (2014), followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' album (2021). Half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, he also produces and co-hosts the 'An Embarrassment of Prog' podcast.

On September 25, 'Shame' hits online platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where 'Stories From The Borderlines' is now available for pre-order.  On November 5, Nieland will hold his Record Release Show at Berlin Under A, with Life in a Blender and Jessie Kilguss, who will also release the album 'They Have A Howard Johnson’s There'. 

SINGLE CREDITS 
Written by Charlie Nieland
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
Charlie Nieland - vocals, electric guitars, 12 string acoustic guitar, bass, percussion  

Dan McAssey - guitar
Billy Loose - drums

Single cover photo by Bob Krasner
Album cover art by Hypnodoll™ 

Videos for 'Shame', 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Charlie Nieland
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