SiM fans, rejoice! The genre-blending Japanese metal, punk, and reggae powerhouse have today announced their forthcoming new album 'PLAYDEAD', out on September 27 (via UNFD). In celebration of the news, the heavy reggae punx have shared their new track "RED" taken from the upcoming full-length which is also the theme song for the new season of the Netflix anime series "Kengan Ashura". Speaking about the nu-metal influences of "RED", vocalist MAH shared:
"We aimed at creating sounds that reflect the deep respect we have for the heavy music from the early 2000s, like Limp Bizkit and Korn. The main distortion guitar for the backing is an arrangement of the rhythm from Evanescence’s “Going Under”. The song embodies the history of rock music that’s ingrained in our flesh and blood, our DNA."
When asked about the inspiration behind the song's lyrics, MAH commented:
"The theme of the lyrics is “The Meaninglessness of Division”... We all have different cultures, speak different languages, have different physical attributes, etc. These are facts. But at the end of the day when you cut through the skin, what flows out is the same. Bright red blood. And yet regardless of being in close proximity of one another, the same country, the same city, the same school, even the same class, we as humans try to “divide”. Groups are formed for foolish reasons, like favorite TV programs or celebrities that they dislike, and try to expose the “traitors”. Sadly, this can occur amongst music fans too. Fans watching the same band at the same live venue may say “I don’t like the person next to me” and start instigating mindless discussions on social media. It’s a total waste of time. As artists, this is the very thing we despise the most. We want everyone to view us as their friends and family."
Prior to today, SiM's smash-hit singles "The Rumbling" and "Under The Tree" were featured on the massively popular Japanese anime series "Attack On Titan", which together have clocked up a colossal 300 million streams and countingacross DSPs and over 53 million views on YouTube. Pre-order 'PLAYDEAD' at the link here, stream "RED" here, and watch the trailer for the new season of "Kengan Ashura" in the thumbnail below.
After an incredible reception at this year's Download Festival, as well as at their headlining performance at the 2022 Crunchyroll Expo and sold-out headlining shows at London's O2 Islington and Los Angeles' Echoplex, SiM fans will now have their chance to see the band hit the stage on the Jackpot Juicer North American Tour (with Dance Gavin Dance, Rain City Drive, and Within Destruction). The quartet will also be performing at Louder Than Life Festival and Swanfest later this fall. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to get yours now at the link here and stay tuned for more SiM news coming soon.
Jackpot Juicer North American Tour Dates
August 24 || Tempe, AZ || The Marquee Theatre (VERY LOW TICKETS)
August 25 || Las Vegas, NV || Brooklyn Bowl (LOW TICKETS)
August 26 || Los Angeles, CA || Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall (LOW TICKETS)
August 29 || Seattle, WA || Showbox SODO (LOW TICKETS)
August 30 || Portland, OR || Roseland Theater (LOW TICKETS)
September 1 || Garden City, ID || Revolution Concert House
September 2 || Salt Lake City, UT || The Union Event Center
September 3 || Denver, CO || Mission Ballroom
September 5 || Austin, TX || ACL Live At The Moody Theater (LOW TICKETS)
September 6 || Oklahoma City, OK || The Criterion
September 8 || Houston, TX || White Oak Music Hall
September 9 || Dallas, TX || The Factory in Deep Ellum
September 10 || Birmingham, AL || Iron City (LOW TICKETS)
September 12 || Fort Lauderdale, FL || Revolution Live at the Backyard (LOW TICKETS)
September 13 || Orlando, FL || Hard Rock Live (LOW TICKETS)
September 15 || Nashville, TN || Wildhorse Saloon (LOW TICKETS)
September 16 || Atlanta, GA || Coca-Cola Roxy
September 18 || Raleigh, NC || The Ritz (LOW TICKETS)
September 19 || Silver Spring, MD || The Fillmore (LOW TICKETS)
September 21 || Chicago, IL || Radius
September 23 || Milwaukee, WI || The Rave II
September 25 || Cleveland, OH || Agora Theatre
September 27 || Boston, MA || MGM Music Hall at Fenway
September 29 || New York, NY || The Rooftop at Pier 17 (LOW TICKETS)
September 30 || Asbury Park, NJ || Stone Pony Summer Stage
SWANFEST 2023
October 1 || Philadelphia, PA || Mann Center (LOW TICKETS)
FALL FESTIVAL DATES
September 22 || Louisville, KY || Louder Than Life