VÖLUR & CARES Release Breathless Spirit With Video for “Windbourne Sorcery II”
Toronto-based trio VÖLUR, the band that has spent the past decade proving heavy music doesn’t need guitars, join forces with producer and sound artist CARES (James Beardmore) to release their fourth full-length album Breathless Spirit today via Black Throne Productions. The record arrives alongside the premiere of a haunting video for “Windbourne Sorcery II,” an otherworldly piece of doom-folk storytelling featuring guest vocals from Amy Bowles (PONY DA LOOK).
Breathless Spirit is VÖLUR & CARES’ most immersive and uncompromising work to date, a six-track journey through dread, exile, and psychic unraveling inspired by The Saga of Grettir the Strong, a 13th-century Icelandic tale of a cursed outlaw. Blending doom, folk, black metal, free improvisation, and world music traditions, the album reimagines myth as sound: cinematic, spectral, and unbound by genre.
CARES’ role goes far beyond production, contributing piano, synthesizers, theremin, custom-built electronics, and radical sound processing to expand VÖLUR’s acoustic core of violin, bass, and drums into liminal territory. Through fractured textures, spectral layering, and immersive re-amping, the collaboration transforms Breathless Spirit into something part metal ritual, part sound art installation.
“Windbourne Sorcery II,” the record’s third track, shifts from crushing doom riffs to an introspective folk lament. Told from the perspective of a witch cursing Grettir, the song is filled with paradoxes, air that freezes, snow that burns, and builds toward a hallucinatory vision of an encroaching iceberg, a solid wall of metallic ice on an unalterable course. The new video channels the song’s stark intensity, pairing its dynamic shifts with imagery steeped in isolation, magic, and the inevitability of fate.
Breathless Spirit is available today on black vinyl in standard and limited “diehard” editions, the latter including a 7-inch bonus record (Flutterby Number and Glamr) and a 20g packet of custom-blended Breathless Spirit tea. Digital formats also include the bonus track Glamr, unavailable on streaming platforms.
About VÖLUR & CARES
VÖLUR is a Toronto-based experimental doom metal trio composed of Laura C. Bates (violin, vocals), Lucas Gadke (bass, vocals), and Justin Ruppel (drums). Known for their unorthodox instrumentation and boundary-pushing compositions, VÖLUR draws from a wide range of influences including doom metal, European folk, free improvisation, classical music, and Persian/Kurdish traditions. Their sound, often described as haunting and cinematic, blends thunderous low-end weight with fragile melodic tension. Since forming in 2014, they have released multiple albums and EPs, performed at festivals such as ProphecyFest and Sled Island, and collaborated with artists from around the world as part of their Die Sprachen der Vögel series.
CARES is the project of James Beardmore, a UK-born, Ontario-based musician and producer. Known for his experimental production methods and emotional sonic textures, Beardmore integrates analog synthesizers, hacked hardware, custom Max/MSP instruments, and field recordings into compositions that are as tactile as they are atmospheric. His work with VÖLUR on Breathless Spirit is a seamless collaboration that expands the band’s sonic universe, elevating their music into a richly layered fusion of organic and electronic sound.
Together, VÖLUR & CARES create immersive, mythically charged music that resists categorization, rooted in story and sound, breath and ritual.
VÖLUR is:
Laura C. Bates – violin, electric violin, viola, cymbals, vocals
Lucas Gadke – electric bass, double bass, harmonium, keyboards, tanbur, clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals
Justin Ruppel – drums, percussion
Connect with VÖLUR:
Website: www.volurdoom.com
Bandcamp: https://volur.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolurDoom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volurdoom/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/volurdoom
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/volurdoom
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@volurdoom
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Y2XCmgrMhdMpoNdGibU01
Attack Attack! Raises The Stakes With "Attack Attack! II" - Out Now!
Metalcore titans, Attack Attack!, have today unleashed their brand new album, "Attack Attack! II" via Oxide Records. It's been over a decade since fans last got a full-length ride with metalcore's favorite troublemakers, and the wait is officially over! Packed with high-octane riffs, explosive energy, and a few surprises only Attack Attack! could pull off, this album is more than just a comeback. Fans can listen to "Attack Attack! II" HERE.
Accompanying today's release is yet again, another monstrous single, "Karmageddon", which happens to be one of Attack Attack!'s heaviest tracks to date. A relentless dose of the band's signature intensity and attitude, packed into a ferocious, unapologetic onslaught that showcases the band at their most unyielding.
As the streams continue to climb and the hot takes around "Attack Attack! II" multiply, Attack Attack! weigh in:
"We guarantee this album sounds even better if you hit repeat.”
In celebration of their upcoming record, "Attack Attack! II", the band will be embarking on the ONE HIT WONDER Tour next week, where they'll be bringing their chaotic new era to cities across the US. Fans can purchase tickets to the ONE HIT WONDER Tour now HERE.
Prior to today's album release, Attack Attack! also released four massive singles, "Dance!" featuring Will Ramos of Lorna Shore, "Chainless", "ONE HIT WONDER", and "i complain on r/metalcore". After blindsiding fans with a fake-out country remix, the real version of "Dance!" delivered sheer chaos and pit-stirring aggression as they teamed up with one of deathcore's most recognizable voices, Will Ramos, for their first ever official feature. The first two tracks sent metalcore into a tailspin, sparking conversations from fans to top-tier music outlets - Revolver, Metal Injection, Rock Sound, etc - who hailed Attack Attack! for their fearless return. "ONE HIT WONDER" and "i complain on r/metalcore" kept the momentum surging, setting the tone for an audacious new era that is loud, unavoidable, and fearlessly sarcastic.
Formed in 2007, Attack Attack! has become a staple in the metalcore scene, amassing over 100 million streams across major streaming platforms on multiple chart-topping records. As torchbearers of the genre, the band continue to push the boundaries of metalcore while solidifying their place in its ever-growing legacy. Known for their no-holds-barred approach, Attack Attack! remain unpredictable as ever, with more bold twists in store for the year ahead.
Be sure to stay tuned for more Attack Attack! news coming very soon.
ONE HIT WONDER TOUR
Aug 12 | Atlanta, GA | The Masquerade Hall
Aug 13 | Winter Park, FL | Conduit
Aug 14 | Charleston, SC | Music Farm
Aug 15 | Richmond, VA | Canal Club
Aug 16 | Reading, PA | Reverb
Aug 17 | New York, NY | Racket
Aug 19 | Buffalo, NY | Rec Room
Aug 20 | Pittsburgh, PA | Crafthouse
Aug 21 | Detroit, MI | The Shelter
Aug 22 | Cleveland, OH | Globe Hall
Aug 23 | Joliet, IL | The Forge
Aug 24 | Minneapolis, MN | Fine Line Music Cafe
Aug 26 | Des Moines, IA | Wooly's
Aug 27 | Omaha, NE | The Waiting Room
Aug 29 | Denver, CO | Marquis Theater
Aug 30 | Grand Junction, CO | Mesa Theater
Aug 31 | Salt Lake City, UT | Metro Music Hall
Sep 2 | Seattle, WA | The Crocodile
Sep 3 | Portland, OR | The Nova PDX
Sep 5 | Roseville, CA | Goldfield's
Sep 6 | Los Angeles, CA | Echoplex
Sep 7 | Phoenix, AZ | The Rosetta Room
Sep 9 | San Antonio, TX | The Rock Box
Sep 10 | Houston, TX | Scout. Bar
Sep 11 | Dallas, TX | Puzzles
Sep 12 | Tulsa, OK | The Vanguard
Sep 13 | Wichita, KS | Wave
Sep 14 | Springfield, MO | The Regency
Sep 16 | St Louis, MO | Red Flag
Sep 17 | Nashville, TN | The Basement East
Sep 18 | Fort Wayne, IN | Piere's
Sep 20 | Louisville, KY | Louder Than Life
Full tour information can be found HERE.
ABOUT ATTACK ATTACK!
If you went to Warped Tour in the mid 2000’s, shopped at Hot Topic, or were active on Myspace; then you have heard the name “Attack Attack!” While the band’s early career was relatively short-lived, their reputation has done nothing but grow since the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2013. Known for incorporating dance/electronica music with metal, the band consistently bent the rules of songwriting. They took the sounds they liked and crafted seemingly incompatible genres into anthems for local Ohio scene kids, and later, audiences across the globe. After years of silence, Attack Attack!exploded back onto the scene in 2020. They’re here to remind you that rules are made to be broken, adversity is meant to be overcome, and that legends never die.
John McLaughlin and his long-time band The 4th Dimension release Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2022 worldwide via earMUSIC
FUSION JAZZ PIONEER JOHN McLAUGHLIN and earMUSIC celebrate the release of “LIVE AT MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2022” Friday, August 8th, 2025
Formats include Blu-ray+2CD Digipak, 2LP Gatefold, Digital Download Album release accompanied by new video “Mr. DC”
Today, John McLaughlin and his long-time band The 4th Dimension share “Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2022” worldwide via earMUSIC on Blu-ray+2 CDs, Heavyweight 2 LP Gatefold, and all digital platforms.
DISCOVER THE ALBUM Below.
This stellar performance was captured when John and his band took to the stage of the revered Auditorium Stravinski on July 11th, 2022 with special guest pianist and vocalist Jany McPherson.
“This night was very special. I am so glad it was recorded. It was a kind of magical night. There was something extra in the music and in the air.” – John McLaughlin
John’s history with the revered Montreux Jazz Festivalspans 52 years as a headlining artist and sometime guest performer. Now available as a Blu-ray+2CD Digipak, 2 LP Gatefold and digital download, those who had the honor of being there can relive this monumental performance and those who couldn't be there now have the chance to see what they missed.
“This was a great night. Everybody was on. There was a vibe going on in the band and the audience felt it. It was a vibe going on between the band and the audience and it was outstanding.” -John McLaughlin
A perfect example of this vibe runs through the new video for “Mr. DC.” SEE THE VIDEO Below
Dedicated to Modern Drummer hall of famer Dennis Chambers (who has played with John, P-Funk All Stars, Steely Dan, and Bill Evans amongst many others) “Mr. DC” is playful interplay between Jany McPherson’s delightful voice and piano and both Gary Husband and Nicolas Viccaro on drums.
John McLaughlin brought a fusion of world music, jazz, and blues to the mainstream with his Mahavishnu Orchestra and recordings with Santana and The Rolling Stones as well as his groundbreaking “Live in San Francisco” albums with Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucia.
“Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2022” is a masterclass in jazz fusion that travels all these worlds on one prestigious stage.
AVERSIONS CROWN | NEW EP A VOICE FROM THE OUTER DARK OUT NOW + WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SINGLE, 'CASTIGATION CHOIR'
Emerging from Brisbane’s seething metal underground, AVERSIONS CROWN returns from the void with A Voice From The Outer Dark. out now via Nuclear Blast Records. The three-track statement of renewed intent, brutal evolution, and total annihilation marks the band’s first new material in several years, the EP represents a bold new chapter in both sound and vision.
Today, AVERSIONS CROWN release the music video for the blistering new track, 'Castigation Choir'. Fast, intense, and unrelenting, it summons visions of divine wrath, scorched earth, and the final collapse of humanity—an end-time anthem delivered through fire, thunder, and deathcore precision. Watch the music video directed by Colin Jeffs, below.
AVERSIONS CROWN Chris Cougan comments, "‘Castigation Choir’ is Aversions Crown at our most savage. Rhythmically punishing and thematically apocalyptic. It sets the tone for A Voice From The Outer Dark, we’ve pushed ourselves deeper into the bleak and the brutal, and this EP is just the beginning."
Order A Voice From The Outer Dark EP, here:
https://aversionscrown.bfan.link/avftodep
A Voice From The Outer Dark captures AVERSIONS CROWN in a new phase of creative intensity. The EP distills everything the band is — and everything it’s becoming — into three tracks of sheer ferocity. Conceptually, the band continues to explore existential and cosmic horror themes, blurring the lines between science fiction and spiritual annihilation, channeling the sound of a world tearing itself apart from the inside out. The arrival of new vocalist Alex Teyen(formerly of BLACK TONGUE) signals a seismic shift.
A Voice From The Outer Dark was recorded in October 2024. It was produced by Lance Prenc and Edward Sklavos. Prenc was also responsible for the mixing and mastering while Sklavos handled the engineering. The cover artwork for the EP was created by Róbert A Borbás(aka Grindesign).
A Voice From The Outer Dark is the sound of a band reborn through fire, silence, and darkness — ready to reestablish their legacy and redefine deathcore in the process.
AVERSIONS CROWN is:
Alex Teyen | Vocals
Chris Cougan | Guitar
Mick Jeffery | Guitar
Jayden Mason | Drums
More information:
Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube
Out NOW from VICTIM OF FIRE - The Old Lie
Denver, Colorado's stadium crust act VICTIM OF FIRE deliver an engulfing sonic experience with a significant focus on twin guitar harmonies. Seeking to set the stage ablaze with their new album and forthcoming tour dates around North America and Canada this September, The Old Lie that is set for release on August 1, 2025 via Human Future Records/Return Trip Records.
The Old Lie is a continuation of the bands sound from where they left off with Disembrace in 2022. This album also sees a shift in the band's creative process, being the first to include contributions from every live member. The title track kicks off the release with a somewhat divergent sound. Steering into the melo-death territory, VICTIM OF FIRE showcase the genre fusion aspect of their sound while still retaining their roots as a d-beat crust band. "The Old Lie"’s lyrics come from a poem by the English Poet Wilfred Owens, lifting the curtain behind the bleak realities experienced by soldiers in World War One.
Rife with harmonies, "Apocalyptic Inclination" exposes the 'warfare mindset' reinforced by politicians, especially in the US. "Wayward Light" continues the trajectory of the fast and melodic in a ferocious fury of riffs and harmonies. "Nightmares of Ceasefire" sees the fast and the furious endure, thematically exploring the perspectives of those who profit from war and death. "Soldiers Dream" is also influenced by Wilfred Owen's poem from which the song's title is taken. An enthralling combination of emotions, textures and tones, it's also the fastest track on the album.
A staple of the band's live shows "Discordance" was written from a more personal perspective about the process of adjusting to 'reality' following a period of touring. "Barren Path" sees VICTIM OF FIRE present an open and honest sharing of struggles with imposter syndrome. Shifting gears, "Front Towards enemy" embarks on a wild ride stylistically, deviating from the rest of the track list. Followed by "Disharmonist", the band's self proclaimed "magnum opus", the track original appeared as a single in 2021. For The Old Lie, it's been revamped with further harmonies and an increase in speed. VICTIM OF FIRE end with their own distinctive take on IRON MAIDEN's "Aces High".
About VICTIM OF FIRE:
Initially formed in 2016, the Denver hailing blackened crust ensemble began as a side project filling in a creative gap and available studio time. Now, almost a decade later, the quartet are preparing to unearth their third studio album, The Old Lie, and bring their explosive sound to the masses around the US and Canada.
Inspired by the likes of TRAGEDY, DISFEAR, IN FLAMES, DISMEMBER and IRON MAIDEN, Austin reveals his creative influences, "harmonized guitars have always been my favorite part of music ever since I discovered IRON MAIDEN at the age of 16, and I’ve just been trying to recreate it in my bands wherever I can. Also not being afraid to take a risk with a song of musical style to see if it connects. We aren’t trying to be the crustiest crust band, we want to blend a bunch of styles together to make something fun and energetic to play live."
VICTIM OF FIRE is:
Austin (Guitar/Vocals)
Dustin (Bass)
Emily (Guitar)
Marc (Drums)
Album Credits:
Producer: Austin Minney
Recording Studio: All Aces Studios, Evergroove
Engineer: Austin Minney
Mastering: Brad Boatright (Audiosiege)
Mixing: Austin Minney
Album Cover Artist: Dan Bones
Eli Young Band’s New Album, ‘Strange Hours,’ Out Now
18x RIAA-certified country hitmakers Eli Young Band launch a new era with Strange Hours, out now. As the band’s first independently released album via UnLevel Records and their first full-album release in over three years, Eli Young Band shares why they keep Strange Hours. Listen to the album below.
Strange Hours comprises 13 songs, all co-written as a band or with long-trusted collaborators, and introduces a new chapter driven by experience and a million miles of wisdom, from a band of brothers who grew from hometown heroes into globe-trotting, chart-topping pioneers still very much in their prime. Eric Arjes and Jimmy Robbins produced 12 of the 13 tracks, while “Bad Luck” was produced by Julian Raymond and Scott Borchetta.
“We started this thing when we were like 20 years old, and it’s been such a crazy road and such a longer road than any of us could have conceptualized at the time,” says bassist Jon Jones. “I think right now feels a little full circle, in a really nice way.”
Seeking both a fresh start and a return to their roots with this project, the never-changing lineup of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson sought out Panhandle House Studio in their hometown of Denton, Texas – the birthplace of the college friends-turned-bandmates’ 2005 debut album Level, which spawned fan-favorites such as “Small Town Kid” and set the stage for the numerous hits that have followed in the 20 years since.
“Now, we get to step back into our Texas shoes,” vocalist Eli agrees. “I think this new stuff finds us reaching deep into our past as a band. We’re remembering where the magic was – all those songs we wanted to record for our Level record, that felt way too edgy for Country Radio at the time.”
For the band, being independent again for the first time in years isn’t a challenge, it’s a reward – and they took the chance to embrace not just renewed creative freedom, but the fun of their self contained live-band philosophy.
“Going back to Panhandle House where we recorded Level, it feels like we got to remind ourselves why we started making the kind of music we make,” Eli says. “When this music comes out, I think fans will know it is 100% coming from us.”
“Honestly, going to Panhandle House feels like going back to your childhood home in a way,” Jones notes. “It just evokes these memories, like this slightly-younger version of ourselves comes out.”
“One thing that’s really special is we’ve come full circle and remember that energy, but we’re also older and wiser,” drummer Thompson adds. “We have years of studio, songwriting and performing experience under our belt, so we have more of a honed edge going in. That’s a really cool advantage.”
The comfort level is plainly evident. Exploring new corners of their patented sound by day, and going home to their families each night, the band members were free to bring every ounce of the last 25 years to bear. Tracks like the lead single “Home In Hometown” are proof, featuring all the elements that made EYB what it is – from the electric vocal delivery to the deeply textured sonics and soulful theme.
A true-to-experience ballad of life on the highway, “Home In Hometown” stands as a heart-on-their-sleeve tribute to those the band loves most – and what they’ve learned from 20+ years away. While atmospheric guitars and a steady rhythmic pulse capture a sense of anticipation, another euphoric chorus helps the band unpack what “home” really means.
“I was digging deep into our Texas roots,” Eli says of the modern-classic midtempo. “I wanted to write something that felt like Pat Green or Jack Ingram would cut. And when you travel like we do, a lot of times you’re thinking about coming home and being with your family – but, it’s almost like if they meet you on the road, anywhere can be home. It just feels right. I wanted to capture that.”
Strange Hours also includes a head-nodding, foot-tapping feature from Corey Kent in “Whiskey Told Ya” as Kent delivers humorous lyrics with raspy vocals throughout the track that lyricizes the story of when alcohol meets honesty:
From feel-good singalongs and heart melting wedding anthems to pure, untamable romance and clever comebacks of love, they show the same stage-rocking Texas-country hit makers fans know and love, undaunted and with new maturity baked in.
“It’s been a blessing just to be able to do this for so long, and over our career we’ve seen a lot of bands come and go,” guitarist Young says. “This feels like family, and we can take that with us as we go down this next part of the road.”
“Our music, since it’s been the four of us making it from day one, has such a strong through line,” Jones agrees. “The way we sounded in the beginning, that’s the way we’re going to sound in the end.”
As the ACM Award-winning and CMA and GRAMMY-nominated band unveils their newest project, they also continue on a celebratory road journey with their headlining Strange Hours Tour, underway now. The thrilling foursome return to their element – packing a live-show setlist with No. 1 smashes like the 5x Platinum single “Crazy Girl,” 3x Platinum “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” 2x Platinum “Love Ain’t” and Platinum “Drunk Last Night.”
For more information and to purchase tickets to all upcoming dates, visit eliyoungband.com and follow along on social media with @EliYoungBand.
Eli Young Band Upcoming Tour Dates:
August 1 || Prairie du Chien, WI || Country Line Country Fest
August 2 || Woodstock, IL || McHenry County Fair
August 5 || Mentor, OH || Mentor Amphitheater
August 7 || Hobart, IN || Art Theater
August 8 || Troy, OH || Miami County Fair
August 9 || Watertown, WI || Riverside Park
August 14 || Troy, NY || Joe Bruno Stadium *
August 15 || Dillon, CO || Dillon Amphitheater ^
August 16 || Colorado Springs, CO || Ford Amphitheater ^
August 17 || Aspen, CO || Belly Up
August 21 || Alva, OK || Nite Lite
August 22 || Wichita, KS || Equity Bank Park
August 23 || Fredericksburg, TX || Gillespie County Fair
August 28 || Beaumont, TX || The Venue at Belle Oaks %
August 29 || Amarillo, TX || Azteca Music Hall
August 30 || Bedford, TX || Bedford Beats & Eats
September 4 || Fort Smith, AR || TempleLive
September 5 || Hays, KS || Fox Theatre
September 6 || Lampe, MO || Black Oak Mountain #
September 11 || Foxborough, MA || Six String
September 12 || Dewey Beach, DE || Bottle & Cork
September 13 || Amagansett, NY || The Stephen Talkhouse
September 18 || Moorhead, MN || Bluestem Center For The Arts +
September 19 || Riverside, IA || Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
September 20 || Van Buren, MO || Hellbenders On The Current
September 26 || Royse City, TX || Southern Junction
September 27 || Cedar Park, TX || Haute Spot
October 4 || Monterrey, MX || Ahuestern Country Festival
October 10 || Union Hall, VA || The Coves Amphitheater
October 11 || New Haven, KY || The Amp At Log Still
October 12 || Birmingham, AL || Iron Hills
October 16 || Norwalk, CT || District Music Hall
October 17 || Leesburg, VA || Tally Ho Theatre
October 18 || Chesterfield, VA || Cattle Baron’s Ball
October 22 || El Dorado, AR || Murphy Arts District %
October 24 || Broken Bow, OK || Hochatown
October 25 || Gatesville, TX || Bare Bones BBQ %
November 1 || Christoval, TX || Cooper’s LIVE!
November 5 || Jacksonville, FL || Decca Live
November 6 || Fort Myers, FL || The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon
November 7 || Fort Pierce, FL || Sunrise Theater
November 8 || Sanford, FL || Tuffy’s Bottle Shop / Lounge / Music Box
November 13 || Salt Lake City, UT || The Complex
November 14 || Denver, CO || Grizzly Rose
November 21 || Baton Rouge, LA || Texas Club
December 3 || Portland, ME || Aura
December 4 || Worcester, MA || Off The Rails
December 5 || Hampton, NH || Wally’s
December 6 || Bar Harbor, ME || 1932 Criterion Theatre
UK singer-songwriter Nick Haeffner releases 'What Time Can Do' album via Dimple Discs
Dimple Discs is thrilled to announce the official release of the fourth album 'What Time Can Do' from UK singer-songwriter artist Nick Haeffner, now available on CD and limited-edition white-label vinyl. Offering a unique take on quintessential British folk-pop, this is Haeffner's most ambitious work to date.
Involving a considerable amount of creative input from Marcus Holdaway (High Llamas, Stereolab, Colourway), this album was recorded, produced and mixed by Nick Haeffner and remastered by iconic producer Paul Tipler (Stereolab, Elastica, Idlewild, Placebo, Julian Cope, House Of Love).
Four years in the making, 'What Time Can Do' marks a new stage in the evolution of Nick’s music, blending the folk, psychedelic, experimental and orchestral sounds of his earlier material with Latin, jazz and dub influences. The title track exemplifies this ambition, described as "Eleanor Rigby meets Sly and Robbie" with its strident cello parts over a dub backbeat. The song poignantly tells the story of a young immigrant navigating big dreams, demanding shift work, and the challenges of English weather.
Haeffner first gained prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for post-punk band The Tea Set (supporting legendary acts like U2, The Stranglers, The Clash, Iggy Popand XTC) and has a storied career ever since. Following the band's breakup, he worked on numerous projects, often under assumed names, having signed with Phil Smee's Bam Caruso label.
"This album represents a big step forward for me. Elements of my previous albums are present, but there is a lighter, jazzier touch to some of the tracks, much of it due to the presence of some superb musicians I came into contact with during the making of the album. Marcus Holdaway (cello, vocals, keyboards), Chris Cummings (backing vocals and keyboards) and Yani Martinelli (backing vocals) are associates of Sean O’Hagan of The High Llamas, while Marcus and Chris also have associations with Stereolab. Their contributions, especially the backing vocals, are a real highlight, bringing a new level of musical sophistication to my sound," says Nick Haeffner.
"The album is very accessible and easy to listen to, but there’s a depth to the lyrics, an underlying darkness and an attention to detail in the production, which I think gives the album substance and the ability to outlast musical trends or fashions. It contains some of my best songs, performed to perfection by the musicians, produced with loving care and given a final polish by one of the best engineer-producers in independent music, Paul Tipler".
As of August 1, the 'What Time Can Do' album is officially out everywhere on CD, which can be ordered directly from the label via Bandcamp. The album release show happened that evening, upstairs at the Betsey Trotwood.
CREDITS
Recorded, produced and mixed by Nick Haeffner
Mastered by Paul Tipler at Unit 13 Studios
Written by Nick Haeffner, except 'The Cat’s Pyjamas' (Haeffner/PiG), 'My Funny Valentine' (Rogers/Hart) and 'Cranham' (Holst)
Nick Haeffner - guitars, vocals, keyboards, mandolin, melodica
Chris A. Cummings - backing vocals, electric piano (3,8)
William Hayter - percussion (5, 10)
Marcus Holdaway - cello, keyboards, backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
Pierre Lassegues - spoken voice (7)
Yani Martinelli - backing vocals (1, 4, 6, 8)
Ian Montague - bass (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10)
Clive PiG - vocal (4)
Arjuna Satchitananathan - trombone (3, 7)
Allan Seago - dobro (2)
Sowa - drums (1)
Getrude Veremu - vocals (3, 7)
Jim Wallis - drums, percussion
Nat Yelverton - bass, guitar solo (5)
Cover design by Paul Brand
Released by Dimple Discs. Catalogue no. DeeDeeLP29
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Nick Haeffner
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
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RAHWAY Releases Self-Titled Album
Hard rock/heavy metal band RAHWAY releases their self-titled album via Pavement Entertainment. Rahway new release is a raw, hard-hitting ride through the heart of
New Jersey rock. Featuring the explosive “Rocketship,” the heartfelt “Carry You,” and the haunting “Drowning,” RAHWAY'Sself-titled album captures the band’s gritty edge and emotional depth. This album is loud, honest, and unapologetically real.
Listen to RAHWAY Below.
RAHWAY'S latest single, “Rocketship,” has captured the attention of the rock and metal scene alike. Eddie Trunk of Sirius XM/Trunk Nation says, “‘Rocketship’ from RAHWAY is a killer hard rock tune that would appeal to fans of both classic and modern rock. Great riff and kick ass song. For sure a band worth keeping an eye on.
RAHWAY, known as the Slumlords of New Jersey, deliver a high-octane blend of hard rock and heavy metal with blue-collar swagger and stage-crushing energy. Combining gritty riffs, thunderous drums, and a powerful live presence, they've become a staple in the Northeast rock scene. With a sound rooted in classic metal and modern attitude, RAHWAY doesn’t just play shows—they throw rock and roll family reunions.
For more on RAHWAY, visit: https://RahwayBand.com/
Virginity Release "Live At The Shroyers" EP + Announce "You Can't Have My Blood: Bad Jazz Companion" via Smartpunk Records
Smartpunk Records' power pop darlings, Virginity, have a double-whammy of new music for your listening pleasure. Today, the band unveils their EP "Live At The Shroyers" featuring six live tracks paying homage to their roots as a band creating music in their bassist, Jordan Shroyer's, living room.
Listen Below.
Alongside the EP release, they are also announcing a full length companion to their 2024 LP "Bad Jazz" which will be coming out on October 15th, titled "You Can't Have My Blood." The tracklist will feature songs from the two EPs released this year as well as a handful of additional tracks including an unreleased original and a few covers. There will be an extremely limited vinyl release with no plans of repressing once sold out.
Pre-order "You Can't Have My Blood: Bad Jazz Companion" here
The band has received critical acclaim from the rock scene's top tastemakers, including New Noise Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan, Audiotree, and more. As fan favorites at Smartpunk's SXSW showcase and Florida's beloved FEST, Virginity have cultivated a core fanbase who are foaming at the mouth for these new tracks.
Speaking about the new EP, Virginity says, "Bad Jazz began with the four of us building these songs in Jordan's living room and so we all thought it would be very fitting to take those songs back to their birthplace and perform them in their finished forms. We looked to our friend Jason Kupfer from The Pauses to fill in some of the production gaps for the live session and we enjoyed it so much it seems that he's going to stick around with us for a bit. These tunes were built to be played live, and were recorded that way for the album, but it was important to us to do it for real for posterity to show the energy they possess and how they don't need any studio glitz to work just as effectively. This EP is a snapshot in time. This is what Virginity sounds like live at this exact moment. You can look at our Audiotree from 2021 and see how much better we've gotten and we're all so proud of that fact. We hope to keep producing live work every so often and to continue documenting our growth, not just as artists producing the best records we can, but as live performers."
VIRGINITY 2025 TOUR DATES:
August 31, 2025 - The Ox - Gainesville, FL w/ Jer and Gutless
October -24-26 - The Fest - Gainesville, FL
ABOUT VIRGINITY
Virginity’s “Fidelity Castro EP” was originally supposed to be a way to release the leftover scraps from the Bad Jazz recording sessions, but as the band continued to finesse the recordings, the EP morphed into something entirely different. It took on a life of its own, and taught the band it can operate more loosely than it ever has before.
Featuring 5 original tracks and a cover of one of their favorite Shins tunes, the EP shows the band finishing three partially developed concepts from the Bad Jazz sessions as well as 3 demos of songs that never made it to the studio, but showed just as much promise as anything that landed on the album. And while the basic tracks of the demos were recorded live and raw, they show another side of the band’s abilities and yearning to experiment with lo-fi production (a la a recent obsession with Guided By Voices) and attempt to not overthink something that already rocks ass.
HEATMISER MIC CITY SONS OUT NOW ON THIRD MAN RECORDS
The 30th anniversary edition of Heatmiser’s landmark 1996 third and final album, Mic City Sons is out now.
Remastered and reimagined as a two-LP opus containing a set of rare demos and unreleased tracks, the expanded new version of Mic City Sons is available via Third Man on standard black vinyl and limited-edition Sunset Pink Transparent & Starry Night Blue Glitter vinyl now.
Swedish AOR/Melodic Rockers ROULETTE Release New Album 'GO!' Out Now via Black Lodge / Sound Pollution
Swedish AOR/melodic rockers ROULETTE proudly unveil their brand-new album 'GO!,'out now via Black Lodge/Sound Pollution. Produced by Chris Rehn at Boxroom Studios, 'GO!' features 10 fresh tracks, each with its own unique vibe, and the band is confident fans will each find a personal favorite.
Alongside the album, ROULETTE have released a deeply emotional new single and music video, “We Remember You.” The song is a heartfelt tribute to former band member Tomas Nesslin, who sadly passed away in 2021. With lyrics penned by lead singer Thomas, “We Remember You” reflects on their enduring friendship and loss.
The music video features powerful archival footage from the 1980s, offering a nostalgic and moving look back at the band’s early days.
Watch the Music Video for "We Remember You" Below:
Get Lost In Kami Kehoe's "Kandy" EP + New Single & Video Out Now!
Ascending alt-rock talent, Kami Kehoe, has today unveiled her brand new EP, "Kandy" via Atlantic Records, Coup D'Etat Recordings and 10K Projects. The poignant five song collection arrives alongside the brand new single, "COME DOWN" and a music video for viral single "DOPAMINE". Fans can listen to "Kandy" now HERE and check out the premiere for brand new video for "DOPAMINE" / "COME DOWN" Below.
What began as a handful of cryptic teasers quickly erupted into a fan-fueled phenomenon, as early previews of "Kandy" exploded across social media, racking up more than 10 million views before the first track, "DOPAMINE" even dropped. A striking fusion of gritty rock, vulnerable storytelling, and fearless experimentation, "Kandy" crystallizes the next evolution of Kami Kehoe, an artist that has already dominated with over 25 million streams and 24 million TikTok views worldwide.
While "Kandy" is meant to encapsulate the euphoric rush of an all-consuming, intoxicating love, her latest single, "COME DOWN" strips away the high to reveal a raw, introspective journey through a heartbreak's aftermath. Offering a candid look at the process of letting go, "COME DOWN" delves into the lingering ache, self-reflection, and questions that surface when the rush of love fades.
As she ushers in "COME DOWN" and also celebrates the success of smash hit "DOPAMINE" and the release of her brand new EP, "Kandy", Kami Kehoe reflects:
"Releasing this EP feels unreal. I poured so much of myself into these songs, they helped me heal through one of my toughest heartbreaks and my biggest hope is that they connect with others who need them too.
There's something truly special about performing live, sharing these lyrics, and feeling that energy together. I can't wait to experience that with everyone this weekend at Warped Tour and this fall while on tour with Daughtry, Seether, and POD."
Amplifying her momentum, Kami Kehoe will be joining renowned rock icons Daughtry, Seether, and POD as the opening act on their highly-anticipated fall US tour. Moving seamlessly between the festival buzz of Warped Tour and arena stages, Kami Kehoe's effortless live presence speaks to her undeniable range and broad appeal. As she nears her largest tour to date, this run marks a significant milestone for the up-and-coming artist as she shares the stage with three of rock's most established acts on a landmark run of shows.
Carving out her own space in the alt-rock world, Kami Kehoe has impressively amassed over 25 million streams and more than 24 million TikTok views by blending a sultry, velvety vocal with a hard-charged rock energy. Since breaking out with the viral hit “SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD”, she has continued to evolve her sound—infusing shoegaze, metal, and hip-hop influences into her music while remaining unapologetically authentic.
Be sure to stay tuned for more Kami Kehoe news coming very soon.
FALL 2025
Supporting Daughtry, Seether, & POD
Oct 1 | Virginia Beach, VA | The Dome
Oct 3 | Atlantic City, NJ | Hard Rock Casino
Oct 4 | Asbury Park, NJ | Stone Pony Summer Stage
Oct 5 | Bethlehem, PA | Wind Creek Event Center
Oct 7 | Boston, MA | MGM Music Hall
Oct 8 | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Oct 10 | Dayton, OH | Rose Music Center
Oct 11 | Detroit, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheater
Oct 12 | Baltimore, MD | Pier Six Pavillion
Oct 15 | Indianapolis, IN | Everwise Amphitheater
Oct 17 | Charlotte, NC | Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater
Oct 18 | Raleigh, NC | Red Hat Amphitheater
Oct 20 | Youngstown, OH | Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater
Oct 22 | Rogers, AR | Walmart Amphitheater
Oct 24 | Franklin, TN | FirstBank Amphitheater
Oct 25 | Atlanta, GA | Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
Oct 31 | Kansas City, MO | Arvest Bank Midland
Nov 1 | Denver, CO | Fillmore Auditorium
Nov 5 | St Louis, MO | The Factory
Nov 6 | Chicago, IL | Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Nov 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | UPMC Events Center
Nov 9 | Pikeville, KY | Appalachian Wireless Arena
Nov 11 | Dallas, TX | Pavillion Toyota Music Factory
Nov 12 | Houston, TX | 713 Music Hall
Nov 15 | Ft Lauderdale, FL | War Memorial Auditorium
Nov 16 | Jacksonville, FL | Daily's Place
Full tour information can be found HERE.
ABOUT KAMI KEHOE
KAMI KEHOE has never been one to sit around and wait for permission. Although she’s only 21, the Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and drummer has been blazing her own musical path for the past 15 years, spinning a chameleonic, hard-charged rock sound into 25 million streams and more than 24 million TikTok views.
This unapologetic authenticity propelled her breakout hit “SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD,” from her 2024 album REVIVED (Coup D'état/10K Projects), to audiences around the world in stratospheric fashion. Almost overnight, the garage-punk suckerpunch ripped through social media at lightning speed, netting Kami 100,000 new TikTok followers a day and further cementing her as a rising name in the underground.
Now, that story continues with “SAFEHOUSE,” her brand-new single featuring Colorblind and Ekoh. Written in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, the track combines droning shoegaze, Deftones-style riffs and propulsive electronic undertones into a hypnotic blend of metal, alternative and hip-hop. It’s another bold step forward for Kami as she continues to kick down the guardrails of her sound – as well as another entry in her omnipresent push to Kure The World, a mantra proudly emblazoned on her bass drum and a mission statement that’s powered her songwriting since day one. “If I can change one person’s life through my music, then I’ve reached my goal,” she says proudly. “I make music for me; I release music for others.”
Public Image Ltd. icon JAH WOBBLE unearths cavernous 'Dub Volume 1' album via Dimple Discs
Legendary bass player and vocalist Jah Wobble has released his new album ‘Dub Volume 1', a solo effort that sees him write, play and arrange everything. This long-play record features full-colour outer and inner sleeves based on paintings that Wobble created himself. The Limited Edition vinyl is clear with yellow and red colours dropped in to reflect the artwork.
This is Wobble's first solo release via Dimple Discs, having earlier participated in other label releases with Telefís (Cathal Coughlan and Jacknife Lee), The Ukrainians, along with Siouxsie & The Banshees / Specimen legend Jon Klein, and the Irish heritage project Bring Your Own Hammer.
Born John Wardle, his career has encapsulated genres from post-punk, dub and world music to experimental rock and electronic music. An original member of Public Image Ltd (PiL) from 1978-80, he made two groundbreaking albums with the band, which included the iconic ‘Metal Box’ (1979). He continues to tour with 'Metal Box in Dub', presented as a two-hour show with Jon Klein.
Mastered by Anthony Chapman (Collapsed Lung) and cut for maximum clarity and volume, this solo deep dive into dub boasts astounding top layer sonics, guided by sonic pioneers like Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and King Tubby. This rich, immersive listen is full of low-end weight and intricately layered textures.
‘Dub Volume 1' is out now digitally on music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp, where it is also available on vinyl and CD. Jah Wobble continues to tour extensively with Invaders of the Heart, with a UK and European tour happening in October and November. Tickets can be obtained at https://jahwobble.com/#live
CREDITS
Written & performed by Jah Wobble
Mastered by Anthony Chapman (Collapsed Lung)
Cover artwork & design by Jah Wobble
Released by Dimple Discs
UPC for vinyl - DEEDEE042LP
UPC for CD - DEEDEE042CD
Jah Wobble outdoor photos by David Guttridge
Jah Wobble live photos by Nick Haeffner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up Jah Wobble
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Sweet Savage Return With New Album "Bang" + Share Video for Title Track
Belfast metal pioneers Sweet Savage announce the release of their new album BANG on September 12. To mark the occasion, they unleash the sharp title track today, accompanied by a gritty music video that captures the band’' intense live energy.
Listen to the title track "Bang"
Formed in Belfast in 1979 by bassist and vocalist Ray Haller and future Dio/Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Sweet Savage were part of the first wave of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
But unlike their peers, Sweet Savage never released a full album during their first run. Instead, they became underground legends, gaining wide recognition after Metallica covered their track "Killing Time" and released it as the B-side of their multi-platinum single "The Unforgiven." The friendship between the two legendary bands continues to this day.
Watch the "Bang" music video below.
Sweet Savage are not here to revive nostalgia, but still, on the new album, their roots are unmistakable — aggressive, fast-paced metal infused with industrial textures and punk rock's DIY ethos.
From the explosive title track to the slower, hard-hitting "Live and Die" and the anthemic "The Chosen One," the album keeps shifting gears without losing punch. Every track feels urgent and direct — this is the sound of a band with nothing to prove and everything to say.
Frontman Ray Haller is backed by longtime drummer Marty McCloskey and guitar force Phil Edgar. The album features guitar work by former band member Simon McBride, who toured and recorded with the band before launching his solo career and joining Deep Purple.
Sweet Savage is back with BANG — and yes, the album hits as hard as the title suggests.
Access the album here.
Beartooth Release "I Was A... LIVE"
Platinum-selling, billion-streaming rock band BEARTOOTH — Caleb Shomo, vocals; Zach Huston, guitars; Will Deely, guitars; Oshie Bichar, bass; and Connor Denis, drums — made their hometown arena debut with an absolutely monumental show at The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio on January 18, 2025.
It was pyrotechnic spectacle and one of the most memorable shows of the band's career thus far.
The show happened hot on the heels of their most successful tour to date — spanning 60+ shows across North America and over 100k tickets sold — and after the release of their chart-topping fifth album The Surface, which earned the band their first pair of #1 singles at U.S. Active Rock radio ("Might Love Myself" + "I Was Alive").
If you were not able to attend this very special show in person, well, the band is now making it avaialble for all fans in many ways.
Beartooth are releasing the entire show in multiple formats so all fans can participate and feel like they were there.
I Was A… LIVE will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music
"Without a doubt, this was the most surreal and out-of-body show of my entire life," shares Shomo. "It felt good to go home and let it all go with our friends and families at our sides. This album is meant to place you right at front of house to experience this magical night from the best-sounding position in the venue. Enjoy the rock and enjoy the love."
Additionally, the entire show will be available to watch on the band's YouTube channel. The entire, 90-minute show was directed by Ray Duker.
Lastly, but not leastly, Beartooth will release three sets of limited-edition double LPs of the show on Friday, July 11. The variants are below and available for purchase here.
Sea Blue Glitter w/ Mint Splatter: Limited to 500
Ice Blue w/ Lemon Center & Neon Orange Splatter: Limited to 300
Cornetto Red & Yellow w/ White Splatter: Limited to 150
In other Beartooth news, the single "Hated" was recently certified Gold by the RIAA.
The band will also appear at When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas, NV on October 18 and 19, as well as We Missed Ourselves Festival in Mexico City on October 25. They are currently co-headling the Summer of Loud festival in North America. All remaining dates are below.
SUMMER OF LOUD TOUR:
WITH I PREVAIL, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, PARKWAY DRIVE, + MORE:
7/11 — Somerset, WI — Somerset Amphitheater
7/12 — Green Bay, WI — Capital Credit Union Park
7/13 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
7/15 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage
7/16 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre
7/18 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration*
7/19 — York, PA — York State Fair
7/20 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
7/22 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center
7/23 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
7/24 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
7/26 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
7/27 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
ABOUT BEARTOOTH:
Caleb Shomo first turned the pain of his struggle with mental health and self-image into music in 2013. Beartooth began as a living document, a diary, a journal of repressed rage and depression. Alone in his basement studio, screaming and singing, playing all the instruments, and self-producing a batch of furious but melodic songs filled with reflection and confession, the Ohio native stared into the abyss, initially with no intention of returning to the heavy music world that burned him as a teen.
A decade later, the different pieces of his body of work connect in title, sound, and spirit. As the frontman hits 30, Beartooth's fifth album, The Surface, completes this era in 2023. Even more importantly, it kicks off a new chapter filled with surprising optimism and just as honest. Depression is a sick, disgusting, aggressive disease below the surface. Caleb stands ready to bask in the light.
In its celebrated debut, The Surface hit #1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart and #5 across Billboard’s Album Sales, Alternative Albums, Top Current Albums, and Vinyl Albums charts. A product of Beartooth's fervent fanbase and radio-ready hits, the band also earned their first #1's on the Mediabase Active Rock and Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay charts for both "Might Love Myself" and "I Was Alive."
Like Nine Inch Nails, Beartooth remains a one-person band in the studio. On the heels of the introductory Sick EP (2013), Disgusting (2014) produced BEARTOOTH’s first Gold single, "In Between." Aggressive (2016) and Disease(2018) expanded on the desperation and pain, each a step closer to a balance between the blood and tears of classic recordings and the shimmer of modernity.
Rolling Stone heralded Beartooth as one of 10 Artists You Need to Know. The rabid response to Caleb's music demonstrated how many people related to his struggle for self-acceptance. Below (2021) topped the Rock and Alternative charts and several Best Rock/Metal Albums of the Year lists. Today, the Beartooth catalog boasts more than 1.3 billion streams across all platforms.
Beartooth began as both bomb and balm, an outright refusal to suffer in silence, weaponizing radio-ready bombast, delivering raw emotion mixed with noise-rock chaos. Other bands play the "devastating riffs and catchy hooks" game, but this music is the difference between life and death, and now, a sort of life after death while still here. The band Forbes sees "inching towards a tipping point of becoming the latest arena headliner" is now one step closer.
Melodic Hard Rockers LAGUNA Release Debut Album 'The Ghost Of Katrina' — Out Now via Frontiers Music Srl
Melodic hard rockers LAGUNA are excited to announce the release of their debut album, 'The Ghost Of Katrina,' out now via Frontiers Music Srl. In addition, the focus track, “Electric High,” is out now accompanied by a visualizer, available to view below.
Vocalist Andrés Espada describes the focus track:
“This song is an unrelenting, high-octane ride from start to finish, with intensity cranked up to ten. It's all about unleashing raw energy, losing control, and breaking down doors.”
Watch the Visualizer for “Electric High"
Hailing from the northern part of Mexico, from the arid desert of Torreón, Coahuila, LAGUNA is a five-piece hard rock band ready to take the world by storm with their debut album, ‘The Ghost Of Katrina.’
Drawing from the European and Scandinavian melodic hard rock scene, LAGUNA’s sound is an electrifying blend of powerful production, anthemic choruses, and in-your-face guitar riffs deriving from influences like One Desire, H.E.A.T., and other renowned acts from the scene.
'The Ghost Of Katrina' is produced by Jimmy Westerlund (known for his work with One Desire and more recently Giant), and perfectly captures LAGUNA's high-energy and dynamic style, bringing to life a heavy yet melodic sound that's both thrilling and emotionally charged. The songs feature strong hooks, vibrant instrumentation, and an intensity that reflects the band’s unrelenting passion for hard rock.
Formed in 2018 by a group of hard rock and heavy metal enthusiasts, LAGUNA’s sound is rooted in hard rock but with a distinctive modern twist. Their music is crafted to make listeners scream at the top of their lungs and throw their fists into the air – a perfect soundtrack for anyone who craves a high-octane, fist-pumping experience.
LAGUNA’s meteoric rise is a testament to their tireless dedication to their craft. Over the years, they have built a solid reputation in the North and Latin American rock circuits, performing at major festivals like Hell and Heaven Fest (one of Latin America's biggest rock festivals) and the infamous KnotFest. The band has had the privilege of opening for iconic acts such asW.A.S.P., Timo Tolkki, and The Warning, further solidifying their place in the international rock scene.
LAGUNA’s music is a reflection of the barren desert from which they hail – a place where resilience and tenacity are born out of hardship. As guitarist José Mesta explains, “Long before it was a desert, it was a lagoon, but dried out thousands of years ago, leaving nothing but snakes and rats, yet deep down beneath the surface, water flows through the caverns of this great desert”. This metaphor speaks to the essence of LAGUNA – a band born from the depths of hardship, yet ready to rise with the power and energy that only hard rock can bring.
LAGUNA is set to make waves across the global rock scene. Their blend of melodic hooks, heavy riffs, and explosive energy will leave listeners craving more. This is only the beginning for LAGUNA, and they are poised to continue proving that Mexicans can indeed rock!
LAGUNA are:
Andrés Espada – Lead Vocals
José Mesta – Lead Guitars
Firio Verástegui – Rhythm Guitars
Daniel Mesta – Bass
Sergio Mtz – Drums
GINA BIRCH TROUBLE OUT NOW
Gina Birch's new album ‘Trouble’ is out now on standard black vinyl, limited edition ‘brush stroke’ vinyl, and CD. Available from your local record shop, Third Man Records storefronts and web stores.
Maximo Park maestro Duncan Lloyd releases 'Unwound' LP, an exercise of coping & catharsis
At long last, Duncan Lloyd has released his sixth album 'Unwound'. Previously with Warp Records, this is his first album of new material via Scotland's Reveal Records, who previously reissues of Lloyd’s early solo albums, including the colossal 31-track selected works collection 'Green Grows Devotion' (2022) and 'Fun City' (a trilogy of EPs recorded in 2024).
Written during a difficult personal period, this 12-track record came into being as a form of sonic therapy - a means of coping and catharsis, forging a sound with greater depth and ambition than past releases. Lloyd earlier shared the singles 'Laugh So Loud'and 'Rituals', blending a modern sound with a deeply personal message about habits and healing, voiced through a circular, radio-like musical journey.
A critically acclaimed solo artist, Lloyd is the primary musician behind internationally renowned art-rockers Maximo Park and also half of Nano Kino (with Sarah Suri). He is a Mercury Music Prize nominee, has won an NME award, had A-listed singles at BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music (including lyric of the year), and has seen success with worldwide platinum and gold selling records. His songs have featured on eight hit albums with Maximo Park, consistently charting in the Top 10 U.K.
With cover artwork derived from Lloyd’s own paintings, this record weaves a unique musical maze of free and varied personal expression, deep and transient, spare, intense and urgent with a balance of grit, beauty and melody. Things got moving when Lloyd set to work with Julie McLarnon (The Vaselines, Lankum, King Creosote, Brigid Mae Power) at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Ireland. Gaining impetus from his trip across the Irish sea, Lloyd returned to Newcastle to complete the rest of the album, each song carefully crafted with more anarchical arrangements than previous outings.
“I needed a break from all things online. Stepping away from it and being closer to nature reignites the imagination, it’s kind of obvious but easy to forget how important it is. It’s an album about experience, throughout you get the sense that dynamics, speed and space were all careful considerations. I am sort of looking under the soil trying to shape the sounds I imagine and if possible create something relatable that has a heart. I didn’t want it to be one produced sound, I wanted it to feel like different rooms, many spaces," says Duncan Lloyd.
"I partly had the book "The Poetics of Space" by Gaston Bachelard in mind, every song is it’s own room with it’s own signature. This is probably my heaviest album, in sound and mood. There are songs that lean towards post-punk and with hypnotic rhythms that are darker in tone. I wanted it to feel like the listener can climb inside the sound rather than be on the outside looking in. I don’t want them to be in the cinema I want them to be in the film or in the room, so it’s almost spooky."
The album features a host of Lloyd’s musician friends, including Maximo Park keyboardist Jemma Freese and drummer Tom English, Andrew Mills (Purploid Zing) and Joe Boyer (Cloud Nothings, Autopolitan, Nicole Yun).
'Unwound' is imbued with a darker mood than Lloyd’s previous works, but with a continuing sense of melancholy at its core. Restrained yet intimate lyrics are housed in inventively evolving structures. The album draws to a close with 'A World Away Now', a song of lost opportunity. Sometimes simply making a connection is enough.
"Sometimes on a song the bass or percussion talks louder than a voice, so I mixed it like that. Sometimes nothing else contends if the emotion isn’t clear. When you hear musicians playing together, you are invited into something far more personal or engaging. You can’t always tell the detail, yet you can feel the dynamics -- you can sense it is living," says Duncan Lloyd.
"I may let guitars get loud and careen around if that’s where it wants to go. It can then go the other way and be minimal, economical. Although it is a very personal album, it’s also addressed to the stranger and, if the listener can relate and even laugh about what life throws at us, then a connection lives”.
Writing and recording under his own name for the last decade, Lloyd has enjoyed many collaborations, including with Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Glass Animals, Rihanna), Gil Norton (The Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen), Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Ben Allen (Gnarls Barclay, Deerhunter), Rudimental, Dave Okumu, Batidaand legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen.
'Unwound' is out now, available digitally via Bandcamp and digital music platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. It is also released on CD, the first 200 ordered coming with a bonus live four-track recording in 'The Polestar Sessions' EP.
CREDITS
Music & lyrics written by Duncan Lloyd (Reveal Publishing)
Duncan Lloyd - vocals, guitars, bass, piano, synth & drum machine
Tom English - drums, percussion (all tracks except 8, 11 & 12)
Andrew Mills - bass & synth (tracks 4 & 5)
Jemma Freese - backing vocals (track 2)
Joe Boyer - guitar & noise (tracks 2 & 7)
Recorded & Mixed by Duncan Lloyd (except 4 & 5) at The Dagda Rooms
Tracks 4 & 5 recorded & mixed by Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue
Guitars on tracks 2 & 7 recorded by Joe Boyer in Cleveland, Ohio
Produced by Duncan Lloyd
Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering, Chicago
Released by Reveal Records
Digital catalogue no. REVEAL204 / CD catalogue no. Reveal196CD
Cover art & layout by Duncan Lloyd
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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OUT TODAY FROM CRONOS COMPULSION -LAWGIVER
The Denver-based genre fusing metal quartet CRONOS COMPULSION is preparing to unveil their forthcoming album Lawgiver. Known for their crushing riffs, frenzied rhythms, and a genre-defying blend of death-doom, chaotic metal, and noise-laced breakdowns, CRONOS COMPULSION is ready with a new line-up to enter their next chapter. The album, set for release on July 11th on digital, CD and LP via Avantgarde Music death metal division Unorthodox Emanations, is a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism as well as humanity’s basest instincts.
Lawgiver, CRONOS COMPULSION's debut album, has been several years in the making and features a revised track from 2021’s Cursed and Decaying EP, “Neolithic Meditations,” and eight other tracks of all-new material. "We’ve been playing these songs live for quite some time now so we’ve managed to distill this down into what we think is a solid first full-length", says vocalist and guitarist Wil Wilson.
CRONOS COMPULSION hold nothing back in this terrorizing onslaught. A deafening wall of sound awaits in the album's opener "Obligate Condition". Demonic gutturals spearhead a fury of obliterating distortion fueled instruments in a thrilling onslaught of the dark and heavy. CRONOS COMPULSION ensure that no moment of peace can be found amidst the shadowy voyage undertaken across Lawgiver's track list. "Gyre of Decaying Filth" brings an injection of groove and intrigue while "Ancestral Remains" showcases technical riffs.
"Neolithic Meditations" presents a discordant fury manifesting through rhythmic progressions in an unceasing attack. CRONOS COMPULSION's genre-fusion sound is revealed in its fully untamed form in the title track, "Lawgiver". Lashings of distorted fuzz, rhythmic elements, gutturals and dissonant textural layers result in a ferociously intense sound. Lawgiver draws to a close with the restless "Incursion of Deific Chaos".
CRONOS COMPULSION is:
Wil Wilson - vocals, guitar, noise
Raye Mokarry - guitar
Addison Herron-Wheeler - bass, backing vocals
Zach Johnson - drums
Recorded and mixed by Austin Minney at All Aces Studios.
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
All photos by Jeff Tidwell.
Artwork by Liam Day.
About CRONOS COMPULSION:
Initially formed in 2021 with Wil Wilson on guitar and vocals, Addison Herron-Wheeler on bass, and Jon Linsky on drums, CRONOS COMPULSION have been creating their signature brand of death-doom, noise, chaotic metal, and beyond since right after the pandemic. Their debut EP, Cursed and Decaying, released in 2021, and was followed by their Malicious Regression EP in 2023. 2024 saw Jon exit the band on mutual terms with Raye Mokarry stepping in to fill the role, and Zach Johnson took over drum duties that same year. Their debut full-length, Lawgiver, will be out this June via Avantegarde Records.