THE SPEED OF SOUND unveils 'Apocalypse Acropolis' from 'Victory' album. 'A Cornucopia' trilogy marks the band's 35-year anniversary

September 18, 2024

"Buzzing fuzz guitar lines emerge from a delicate acoustic introduction to intersect with the crashing chords and the ‘bulbous pulsing’ rhythm section" ~ Record Collector Magazine

"it’s clear that the sonic kaleidoscope presented on The Speed of Sound’s new album is worth the wait - a musical compass in a direction we should all explore" ~ The Spill Magazine

“Unmistakeable sound a winning formula” ~ The Big Takeover

“A triumph of industry, imagination and talent, coolly novel and damned addictive” ~ Louder Than War

‘Unique and other worldly” ~ Vive Le Rock

“A form of Art-Pop that is wry, incisive, yet a deeply listenable examination of post industrial culture” ~ Rock At Night

"A riotous maelstrom of musical mayhem” ~ The Manc Review

Manchester indie rock / power pop outfit The Speed Of Sound present their new single 'Apocalypse Acropolis', a thoughtful chapter of the album 'A Cornucopia: Victory'. Released via Big Stir Records, 'Victory' is the second of the three-album set 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty'. They also recently shared several tasters, including 'Underground' and 'The Same River'.

Grounded yet trippy, this song brings a sobering view of the future. A 12-string picking pattern gives way to elevated vocals and overdrive, all while surveying a dead civilisation of industrial ruins and artefacts overtaken by nature, reclaiming the crumbling walls and empty windows of once self-important commercial buildings. All the workplace stress and crushing pressure of deadlines amounted to nothing. Industrial decay merges, becoming inseparable from the ruins of war which drives so much of that trade.

Full of ambition, energy and melodic brilliance, this three-album deluxe edition is available on vinyl and CD. Accompanying the earlier-released 'Minerva' album, The Speed of Sound shared videos for the hauntingly spacious 'Trickledown', the stratospherically vast 'The Great Acceleration', the uplifting 'Mind Palace' and 'West Wind', where a recklessly fast rhythm merges with a Wagnerian horn section.

Formed in 1989 with a pre-history dating back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987, the band is now made up of father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums).

Their music has always been idiosyncratic and counter-intuitive, in search of something new. Creating music with lyrical bite, expanding their foundation of 1960s, punk and new wave influences, their dynamic and stylistic variation crossing borders and pushing boundaries at every opportunity.

Following 2021's critically acclaimed album 'Museum Of Tomorrow', the band returns triumphant, defiant and redemptive with this trilogy, marking their 35th anniversary. Most music is never even recorded, and most recorded music remains unheard. 'Victory' is a celebration of this unheard underground music and the counterculture itself - music made for the pleasure of making it.

'Victory' includes 14 wide-ranging pieces of unheard and highly contagious fresh and unexpectedly shape-shifting grooves. From the supremely danceable 'Underground'through the unabashed sensuality of 'Monsoon' to the gothic lounge jazz of 'Permafrost' and the strangely linked pairing of 'Apocalypse Acropolis' and 'Apocalypse Metropolis', they offer something special here.

From the hypnotic orange-and-sandalwood scented wisps of masala rock in 'Rock Paper Scissors', acoustic powered spaceflight 'in From The Cradle To The Stars' and the reckless garage punk punch of 'Go For It', it becomes clear. There is the data scraping warning of 'X-Y Axis', the post-nostalgia of 'The Same River',and swaggering rock with a pinch of Brazilian sway in 'A Walk By The Sea', while 'E to F' displays glam rock tendencies and a pinball metaphor before the soaring harmonies of 'Empathic Reaction' and ending with the triumphant shimmering elegance of 'Tranquility Falls'.

As of September 20, the 'Victory' album' is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where 'Minerva' and the full trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' can also be obtained on CD or vinyl. The third album - 'Bounty' - shall be released at a later date.

CREDITS
All songs written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Bob Dinn - trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Guest - harmonium, vibraphone, organ, shakers, tambourine
Alex Armstrong - typewriter on 'Yet Another Tuesday'
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Vibratone Sound Studio in Manchester by Chris Guest, Adam Crossley and The Speed of Sound
Main sleeve image: Purple Spaceman © Lina Landers 2022
Artist photographs by Shay Rowan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

ROTTEN SOUND Shares New Music Video for "Digital Bliss"

April 6, 2023

ROTTEN SOUND have firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts of the grindcore scene. Expertly wielding the fierce brutality and massive aggression of their genre, the Finns add intelligent songwriting, effective arrangements, and musical proficiency as well as subtle death metal elements to their sound.

Their forthcoming album ‘Apocalypse’ embodies those aforementioned virtues to the point. The full length delivers eighteen short sharp chops that hit home perfectly.

ROTTEN SOUND was conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist and word-smith Keijo Niinimaa. The duo still remains in place, while the original members in all other positions have been replaced several times until today.

The Finns can field an impressive catalogue of now eight highly acclaimed studio albums, eight EPs, three split singles, a single, and a live DVD. Furthermore, ROTTEN SOUND have already conquered the stages of all major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and also toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as MALEVOLENT CREATION, PHOBIA, DISFEAR CARCASS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, and PIG DESTROYER – among many others.

With ‘Apocalypse’, ROTTEN SOUND are gearing up their musical juggernaut just in time before crushing stages all over Asia and Europe this spring.

Recording Studio:
Sound Supreme (drums and vocals)
Nordic Audio Labs (guitars and bass)

Recording engineer: Janne Saksa
Mix: Rain City Studios by Jesse Gander
Master: Audio Siege by Brad Boatbright

Cover artwork: Error Design

Line-up:
Mika Aalto - guitars
Matti Raappana - bass and backing vocals
Sami Latva - drums
Keijo Niinimaa - lead vocals

Links:
https://www.rottensound.com
https://www.facebook.com/rottensoundofficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind

Shop: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottenApocalypse
Stream/Download: https://orcd.co/rs_apocalypse

Sortilège Releases New Music Video for Song "Vampire"

March 14, 2023

Sortilège Releases New Music Video for Song "Vampire"

BUY HERE

The French kings of Heavy Metal SORTILÈGE are now releasing a brand new music video for the track "Vampire," taken from the band's freshly released new album, 'Apocalypso!' Check out the new video via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel HERE.

SORTILÈGE made a comeback in 2021, with a renewed line-up around Christian « Zouille » Augustin its lead singer. After a long period of 18 months and a lot of hard work, the band is proud to present its new album ‘Apocalypso,' out now worldwide!

This album was created with the idea of keeping the band’s DNA while adding some modernity to it along with a more powerful and outstanding hypnotic vibe. Long Live Apocalypso!

'Apocalypso' can still be ordered in various formats HERE.

Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Territory: World (excl. France)

Line-up
Christian « Zouille » Augustin: Vocals
Bruno Ramos: Guitars
Olivier Spitzer: Guitar
Sébastien « Shag » Bonnet: Bass
Clément Rouxel: Drums

Links:
www.facebook.com/SortilegeWithZouille
https://twitter.com/Sortilge3
https://www.instagram.com/sortilege_band/
http://sortilege.website/

Shop: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Sortilege

ROTTEN SOUND Reveals Music Video for New Song, "Renewables"

March 8, 2023

The apocalypse is nigh and Finnish grindcore entity ROTTEN SOUND has crafted the perfect soundtrack to accompany humanity’s impending extinction. Aptly titled ‘Apocalypse,’ the band’s eighth studio album is dropping into 2023 with the same blistering speed and chaotic impetus as an asteroid searing through atmosphere and crushing everything upon impact.

Each song delivering abrupt yet violent aftershocks, delivering an auditory assault with its unstoppable, seismic force. The band is now sharing the vicious second single, "Renewables," along with a performance clip, which can be found below.

ROTTEN SOUND frontman Keijo Niinimaa comments on the track: "Renewable energy is obviously good for the future, but the way we mine for batteries quite excessively is creating another problem, because that's very far from being carbon neutral and is polluting the environment too. The future will show how well we are able to shift e.g. to liquid hydrogen, which could theoretically replace all fossil fuels in some decades and would be CO2-free if created with sun, wind and other natural sources of energy. I suppose the main point is in one of the verses though: we didn't learn to consume less but end up green washing, quite often without even knowing it. Music was written by Sami, fast and furious and Matti's lines are bringing again some more depth into the vocals."

'Apocalypse' is due on March 31, 2023!

Pre-orders for 'Apocalypse' can be found HERE.

The album can be pre-saved across streaming services HERE.

ROTTEN SOUND have firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts of the grindcore scene. Expertly wielding the fierce brutality and massive aggression of their genre, the Finns add intelligent songwriting, effective arrangements, and musical proficiency as well as subtle death metal elements to their sound.

Their forthcoming album ‘Apocalypse’ embodies those aforementioned virtues to the point. The full length delivers eighteen short sharp chops that hit home perfectly.

ROTTEN SOUND was conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist and word-smith Keijo Niinimaa. The duo still remains in place, while the original members in all other positions have been replaced several times until today.

The Finns can field an impressive catalogue of now eight highly acclaimed studio albums, eight EPs, three split singles, a single, and a live DVD. Furthermore, ROTTEN SOUND have already conquered the stages of all major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and also toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as MALEVOLENT CREATION, PHOBIA, DISFEAR CARCASS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, and PIG DESTROYER – among many others.

With ‘Apocalypse’, ROTTEN SOUND are gearing up their musical juggernaut just in time before crushing stages all over Asia and Europe this spring.

Recording Studio:
Sound Supreme (drums and vocals)
Nordic Audio Labs (guitars and bass)

Recording engineer: Janne Saksa
Mix: Rain City Studios by Jesse Gander
Master: Audio Siege by Brad Boatbright

Cover artwork: Error Design

Line-up:
Mika Aalto - guitars
Matti Raappana - bass and backing vocals
Sami Latva - drums
Keijo Niinimaa - lead vocals

Links:
https://www.rottensound.com
https://www.facebook.com/rottensoundofficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottenApocalypse

Sortilège release second track 'Vampire'

February 24, 2023

The French kings of Heavy Metal SORTILÈGE is now sharing the second single from its upcoming album, 'Apocalypso!' The album will be release via Season of Mist (worldwide excl. France) on March 3 and the song can be heard HERE.

Pre-orders are available HERE.

Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Territory: World (excl. France)

ROTTEN SOUND Reveals Music Video for New Song, "Nothingness"

February 13, 2023

ROTTEN SOUND comments on the track: "'Nothingness' is one of the shorter tracks on the album, continuing about the same theme with 'Suburban Bliss,' about how we sometimes get lost in the system while performing through our days."

'Apocalypse' is due on March 31, 2023!

In addition, ROTTEN SOUND is now launching pre-orders for 'Apocalypse,' which cab be found HERE.

The album can be pre-saved across streaming services HERE.

ROTTEN SOUND have firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts of the grindcore scene. Expertly wielding the fierce brutality and massive aggression of their genre, the Finns add intelligent songwriting, effective arrangements, and musical proficiency as well as subtle death metal elements to their sound.

Their forthcoming album ‘Apocalypse’ embodies those aforementioned virtues to the point. The full length delivers eighteen short sharp chops that hit home perfectly.

ROTTEN SOUND was conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist and word-smith Keijo Niinimaa. The duo still remains in place, while the original members in all other positions have been replaced several times until today.

The Finns can field an impressive catalogue of now eight highly acclaimed studio albums, eight EPs, three split singles, a single, and a live DVD. Furthermore, ROTTEN SOUND have already conquered the stages of all major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and also toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as MALEVOLENT CREATION, PHOBIA, DISFEAR CARCASS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, and PIG DESTROYER – among many others.

With ‘Apocalypse’, ROTTEN SOUND are gearing up their musical juggernaut just in time before crushing stages all over Asia and Europe this spring.

Recording Studio:
Sound Supreme (drums and vocals)
Nordic Audio Labs (guitars and bass)

Recording engineer: Janne Saksa
Mix: Rain City Studios by Jesse Gander
Master: Audio Siege by Brad Boatbright

Cover artwork: Error Design

Line-up:
Mika Aalto - guitars
Matti Raappana - bass and backing vocals
Sami Latva - drums
Keijo Niinimaa - lead vocals

Links:
https://www.rottensound.com
https://www.facebook.com/rottensoundofficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottenApocalypse

Sortilège Shares New Single, "Derrière les Portes de Babylone"

February 8, 2023

The French kings of Heavy Metal SORTILÈGE is now releasing the brand new single, "Derrière les Portes de Babylone," which is taken from the band's upcoming album, 'Apocalypso!' The album will be released via Season of Mist worldwide (excluding France) on March 3! The new single can be streamed at THIS LOCATION.

SORTILÈGE made a comeback in 2021, with a renewed line-up around lead singer Christian « Zouille » Augustin. This album was created with the idea of keeping the band’s DNA while adding contemporary elements along with a powerful and outstanding hypnotic vibe. Long Live Apocalypso!

Pre-orders for the album are now available HERE.

Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal
Territory: World (excl. France)

ROTTEN SOUND Reveals Music Video for New Song, "Suburban Bliss"

January 25, 2023

ROTTEN SOUND have firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts of the grindcore scene. Expertly wielding the fierce brutality and massive aggression of their genre, the Finns add intelligent songwriting, effective arrangements, and musical proficiency as well as subtle death metal elements to their sound.

Their forthcoming album ‘Apocalypse’ embodies those aforementioned virtues to the point. The full length delivers eighteen short sharp chops that hit home perfectly.

ROTTEN SOUND was conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist and word-smith Keijo Niinimaa. The duo still remains in place, while the original members in all other positions have been replaced several times until today.

The Finns can field an impressive catalogue of now eight highly acclaimed studio albums, eight EPs, three split singles, a single, and a live DVD. Furthermore, ROTTEN SOUND have already conquered the stages of all major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and also toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as MALEVOLENT CREATION, PHOBIA, DISFEAR CARCASS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, and PIG DESTROYER – among many others.

With ‘Apocalypse’, ROTTEN SOUND are gearing up their musical juggernaut just in time before crushing stages all over Asia and Europe this spring.

Recording Studio:
Sound Supreme (drums and vocals)
Nordic Audio Labs (guitars and bass)

Recording engineer: Janne Saksa
Mix: Rain City Studios by Jesse Gander
Master: Audio Siege by Brad Boatbright

Cover artwork: Error Design

Line-up:
Mika Aalto - guitars
Matti Raappana - bass and backing vocals
Sami Latva - drums
Keijo Niinimaa - lead vocals

Links:
https://www.rottensound.com
https://www.facebook.com/rottensoundofficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottenApocalypse

Sortilège Signs to Season of Mist, Reveals New Album Details

January 24, 2023

Season of Mist are proud to announce the signing of Sortilège (worldwide, excluding France)! The French kings of heavy metal made a comeback in 2021, with a renewed line-up around lead singer Christian « Zouille » Augustin. Now, the band is proud to present its new album, ‘Apocalypso,' which is due on March 3, 2023!

This album was created with the idea of keeping the band’s DNA while adding contemporary elements along with a more powerful and outstanding hypnotic vibe. Long Live Apocalypso!

Pre-orders are now available HERE.

ROTTEN SOUND Reveals New Album, Shares New Single

December 15, 2022

ROTTEN SOUND is crushing down, right on time to grind away that jolly Christmas mood of yours! The Finnish grindcore band will be releasing their new full-length, 'Apocalypse,' on March 31, 2023 via Season of Mist! The offering contains eighteen short and sharp chops that hit home perfectly in these chaotic times! The album artwork, tracklist, and additional details can be found below while pre-orders will be revealed next month!

In celebration of the end of the world, ROTTEN SOUND are now releasing the first single, 'Sharing!' Hold on tight and enjoy the bliss of this heavily whirling grind-tornado.

ROTTEN SOUND comments on the track: "Sharing" is a track about how wealthy instances in control provide mainly cosmetic help towards the ones in need to improve their public image, while the world is in turmoil. Riffs were written by guitarist Mika Aalto and it's one of the faster ones on the album (tempo-wise) with some heaviness at the end."

ROTTEN SOUND have firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts of the grindcore scene. Expertly wielding the fierce brutality and massive aggression of their genre, the Finns add intelligent songwriting, effective arrangements, and musical proficiency as well as subtle death metal elements to their sound.

Their forthcoming album ‘Apocalypse’ embodies those aforementioned virtues to the point. The full length delivers eighteen short sharp chops that hit home perfectly.

ROTTEN SOUND was conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist and word-smith Keijo Niinimaa. The duo still remains in place, while the original members in all other positions have been replaced several times until today.

The Finns can field an impressive catalogue of now eight highly acclaimed studio albums, eight EPs, three split singles, a single, and a live DVD. Furthermore, ROTTEN SOUND have already conquered the stages of all major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and also toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as MALEVOLENT CREATION, PHOBIA, DISFEAR CARCASS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, and PIG DESTROYER – among many others.

With ‘Apocalypse’, ROTTEN SOUND are gearing up their musical juggernaut just in time before crushing stages all over Asia and Europe this spring.

Recording Studio:
Sound Supreme (drums and vocals)
Nordic Audio Labs (guitars and bass)

Recording engineer: Janne Saksa
Mix: Rain City Studios by Jesse Gander
Master: Audio Siege by Brad Boatbright

Cover artwork: Error Design

Line-up:
Mika Aalto - guitars
Matti Raappana - bass and backing vocals
Sami Latva - drums
Keijo Niinimaa - lead vocals

Links:
https://www.rottensound.com
https://www.facebook.com/rottensoundofficial
https://www.instagram.com/rottensoundgrind

Pre-sales: soon available
Formats: soon available