Professionally filmed video of METALLICA performing the song "Orion" on August 18 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas can be seen below.
METALLICA's two-night stand at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last month was livestreamed to movie theaters across the globe. It marked METALLICA's first appearance in Texas since November 2021, when the band played before, during and after a Triad Combat event at Globe Life Field.
As previously reported, METALLICA rescheduled last Sunday's (September 3) show in Arizona after frontman James Hetfield tested positive for COVID.
The concert, part of the band's two-year "M72" world tour, will now be held on Saturday, September 9.
The band previously cut Friday's (September 1) show at State Farm Stadium short by two songs as a result of Hetfield's "vocal issues".
As previously reported, METALLICA drew nearly 80,000 fans to the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on August 25 at the first of the band's two shows at the venue. It was the biggest crowd in the history of the SoCal stadium, which opened in September 2020. The San Francisco Bay Area-based metal legends drew a similarly sized capacity crowd on Sunday, August 27.
Fans purchased more than 156,000 tickets for the two-concert stand, which was part of METALLICA's "M72" world tour.
The "M72" tour features a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocates the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, allowing promoters to sell more tickets than usual. And since METALLICA's stage is hollow in the center, there is even more space available to accommodate fans.
According to Billboard, METALLICA's giant ring-shaped stage also includes eight towers of monitors and speakers, with each of the towers is anchored by a raised platform that doubles as VIP seating, with eight folding chairs decorated with the black-and-yellow color scheme of the band's new album, "72 Seasons".
Taylor Swift's recent six-night bow at SoFi was attended by 420,000 ticket-holders, with 70,000-plus in attendance each time.
The "M72" tour launched in late April in Amsterdam.
A portion of proceeds from the shows go to METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation, which seeks to assist and enrich the lives of members of the communities who have supported the band and combat food insecurity; provides disaster relief; and bestows scholarships.
METALLICA's production travels in 87 trucks — 45 for the band and its setup, plus two groups of 21 each for the steel stage and towers. There are 130 people in the band's crew, plus 40 steelworkers, local hires and truck drivers.
METALLICA's manager Cliff Burnstein told Billboard that between 80% and 90% of fans at each concert are attending both shows.
⚡ Secure your seats now for two incredible nights of the M72 World Tour Live from Arlington, TX, broadcasting to cinemas...
“The Tyrant Dies” is the new video / single from False Fed, the dark/post-punk act formed by members of Discharge, Ministry, Soulfly, Nausea, Amebix, and more. The song is found on the band’s impending debut LP, Let Them Eat Fake, nearing its October 13th release on Neurot Recordings. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.
False Fed unites vocalist Jeff Janiak (Discharge, Broken Bones), guitarist Stig C. Miller (Amebix, Zygote), bassist JP Parsons, and drummer Roy Mayorga (Nausea, Ministry, Soulfly, Amebix), who collectively all step outside of their musical comfort zones to present an album of discomfort and rage in the face of reality. In these unprecedented times of global restriction, fear, and the everlasting lack of faith in the hierarchy, False Fed has cultivated a heavy sound that is drenched in melody, aggression, and shrouded in darkness; an ominous and dystopian entity that is not bound by genre, yet still offers subtle hints to the creators’ lineage.
With tracks like the new-wave-inspired “Echoes Of Compromise”, False Fed is certainly heading towards new pastures. It’s an atmospheric kind of sound which Janiak’s brutal vocals sit atop, a perfect blending of past genres to create something new for the members of this band. Let Them Eat Fake is an album which presents a remarkable balancing act between the past projects of all its creators and new musical horizons, between darkness and melody, the grimness of the present day and a hope for a better future. The album was recorded by the band, mixed by Roy Mayorga, and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door (Darkthrone, Fear, Discharge, Aura Noir).
As with the first single, “Echoes Of Compromise”, the new video for “The Tyrant Dies” was directed and edited by Darren Green / PunkRockGreeny.
Janiak reveals, “When I started writing the lyrics to this song it was originally about individual narcissistic / psychopathic human beings, then somewhere along the line I realized that it represented most of our world ‘leaders,’ so now it's a song about protest, rebellion and feeling hope in a world that can sometimes feel hopeless.”
Parsons writes, “‘The Tyrant Dies’ is very aggressive in comparison to our first single release, ‘Echoes Of Compromise’. It's got this riff that we all just instantly locked into from the get-go. The song pretty much just wrote itself."
Miller adds, “This is the second song we wrote together and probably my personal favorite. The syncopated beat was fun to work with; it’s simple but powerful.”
Tracklisting:
"Superficial"
"The Tyrant Dies"
"Echoes Of Compromise"
"The Big Sleep"
"Dreadful Necessities"
"Mass Debate"
"The One Thing We Cannot Avoid"
British melodic rock band, Nitrate, will release their fourth studio album, Feel The Heat, on October 13. A video for the new single, "All The Right Moves", can be found below.
“We can’t wait for everyone to hear the new album,” explains bassist/founder Nick Hogg. “There is a real buzz of excitement within the Nitrate camp like never before! We can’t wait for the album to finally hit the stores. This is ‘hand on heart’ the best album we have written and recorded, and Tom and James have devoted every waking moment over the past year to make the production the very best it can be.”
Nitrate’s new album, Feel The Heat, boasts 11 anthemic hook filled tracks. Produced and mixed by Martin Bros Productions (Vega), it features a duet and backing vocals by female rock artist Issa, backing vocals by rock legend Paul Laine (Danger Danger/The Defiants), along with a song co/written by legendary song writer Bob Mitchell (co-writer of the Billboard #1 song Cheap Trick’s “The Flame”). There are also backing vocals by Leon Robert Winteringham (LRW Project), Alan Clark (Change of Heart), and a couple of co-writes by Rob Wylde (Midnite City/Tigertailz).
After the success of their last album Renegade (their most successful to date, with well over 1 million streams on Spotify), they return in 2023 with their fourth album, working again with Tom and James Martin (Vega), vocal Swedish sensation Alexander Strandell (Art Nation, Crowne), along with Alex Cooper (Devilfire) on drums and Richard Jacques on guitars.
Formed in 2015 in Nottingham, England by bass player Nick Hogg, Nitrate is a melodic/AOR rock band heavily inspired by the late ‘80s rock scene. Influenced by the likes of Def Leppard, Europe, Journey, and Bon Jovi, they have three critically acclaimed albums already to their name.
Feel The Heat tracklisting:
"Feel The Heat"
"All The Right Moves"
"Wild In The City"
"Needs A Little Love"
"One Kiss (To Save My Heart)" (featuring Issa)
"Live Fast, Die Young"
"Haven't Got Time For Heartache"
"Satellite"
"Strike Like A Hurricane"
"Big Time"
"Stay"
"All The Right Moves" video:
"Wild In The City" video:
Lineup:
Nick Hogg - Bass Guitar
Alexander Strandell - Lead Vocals
Tom Martin - Guitars
James Martin - Keyboards
Alex Cooper - Drums
Richard Jacques – Guitars
Despite Harm's Way's reputation for unrelenting ferocity, Common Suffering surprises at several turns with quieter moments of intricate songwriting that emphasizes light and shade. It's their understanding of how to effectively orchestrate these dynamics that makes their latest feel infinitely more merciless. This is Harm's Way at their best - the ambitious sound of a band traversing new ideas and succeeding with their strongest and most fully-realized effort to date. For their improbable new single "Undertow," the band united with Kristina Esfandiari (King Woman) whose haunting vocals add a whole new dimension. It comes with an arresting video directed by Finn O'Connell and features both Harm's Way and Esfandiari.
Of the single, the band reveals, "'Undertow' looks at the cycle of life and death, and one's process of coming to a space of acceptance with the latter. While we can argue that self-preservation is inherently human, finding peace in death and dying brings us that much closer to humility and our shared humanity."
Watch the video below:
For nearly two decades, Harm’s Way has evolved from whispered underground favorites to favorite sons with an arsenal of songs that helped shape heavy music’s trajectory - creating a roadmap for legions interested in “reinventing” themselves. Harm’s Way has never stayed complacent and constantly morphed shape- absorbing and reapplying influences in new and creative ways to create some of the most well-executed songs in hardcore punk and metal.
And yet, considering the changeling that they and their previous efforts are, Common Suffering is easily the most musically diverse undertaking in their catalog. The album beams with incredibly memorable riffs, breakdowns, and impeccable songwriting. The title is a clear nod to the collective experiences of the past three years of chaos, misanthropy, paranoia, disorder, confusion and anxiety, with the band exploring themes ranging from personal struggles with mental health, relationships, political upheaval, corruption, and political power.
This time around, Harm's Way shifted to recording at Studio 4 in Pennsylvania with producer Will Yip (Turnstile, Code Orange). Going into the recording, the goal was to improve some of the band's processes, examine vocal cadences and experiment during production to gain the best idea from each track. The first change dealt with refocusing members on their specific wheelhouses. While vocalist James Pligge had previously assisted with riffs, on this effort, his main objective was to ensure the perfect vocal attack- leaning into Yip for advice and letting the remainder of the band take the wheel with their respective parts. The result is each player pushing to the far reaches and creating material that has previously never been colonized by any band, or hardcore writ large, before.
As masterful and impressive as Common Suffering is, the precision-guided cluster bombs that make up the album are just ten more reasons for Harm's Way fans to queue up to see one of the best and most vicious live shows on the planet. There, amongst the wide smiles, flailing arms and bodies pinballing off of the edges of the pit, is where the world will see just how singular and uncommon the new effort is. This Fall the band hit the road for a month-long North American tour which routes them through the Midwest, Texas, both coasts and more. Fleshwater, Ingrown and Jivebomb are set as support. See below for a full list of dates.
Common Suffering sees its release September 29 across all digital streaming platforms, vinyl and CD formats via Metal Blade Records.
Variants include: Digipak CD, Grey / Black Marbled Vinyl (US Exclusive), Clear Smoke Vinyl (US Exclusive), Fog Marbled Vinyl (US Exclusive), White / Black Marbled Vinyl (EU Exclusive - Ltd. 500 copies), Silver Vinyl (EU Exclusive - Ltd. 500 copies), Crystal Clear w/ Black Dust Vinyl (EU Exclusive - Ltd. 300 copies), "Black Hole" w/ Red & White Splatter Vinyl (EU Exclusive - Ltd. 300 copies).
Harm's Way have also announced a month long North American tour which kicks off October 18 in the Midwest and routes them through Texas, both coasts and more. Fleshwater, Ingrown and Jivebomb are set as support. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 18 at 10 AM local time.
Dates:
September
22 - Mississauga, ON - Hold Your Ground Fest
October
18 - Milwaukee, WI - X-Ray Arcade
19 - St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill
20 - Louisville, KY - Portal
21 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups
22 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Preserving Underground
25 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace
27 - Brooklyn, NY - Monarch
28 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
29 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
30 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
31 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
November
1 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
3 - Dallas, TX - Studio at The Factory
4 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
5 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio
7 - Phoenix, AZ - The Nile
8 - Las Vegas, NV - Eagle Aerie Hall
9 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
10 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
11 - Berkeley, CA - 924 Gilman Street
12 - Sacramento, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
15 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
16 - Kansas City, MO - RecordBar
Following the previously-released, first album single, "Killing Time" (premiered on Revolver Magazine), and in support of their worldwide signing with AFM Records, hard rock alternative act Reach NYC presents a new song taken off their upcoming, sophomore studio album! Featuring special appearances by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Kiiara, Sonny & Marcos from P.O.D., Joey Santiago from The Pixies and Sendog from Cypress Hill, Reach NYC's forthcoming, long-awaited offering will be released via AFM Records, with more details to be revealed in the weeks ahead.
About their new single, "Ride Or Die" - featuring additional guitars by Marcos Curiel of P.O.D. - Reach NYC frontman, Rene Mata, says: "Ride or Die - is for the people in your life that have your back & you have there’s unconditionally. “No questions ask I got you no matter what.” Musically we drew from our favorite period of music the 90’s. We have so much love for the music in that era. Some of the bands that inspired us are Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains , Jane’s Addiction. We wrote the song with a big musical influence on us and great friend Walter schreifels. His band Quicksand were huge for us. When I was writing the lyrics I had a reading from Theresa Caputo the Long Island medium. She told the person who I was writing the song about knows your writing it. I didn’t tell one person I was writing “ride or die” . If you listen to the podcast you’ll here it in real time. Writing the song was amazing group effort with Nick & Dante coming up with the music on the choruses . New guitarist AJ came up with opening riff with Dante Walter & our producer Cass Dillon . New bassist Tim Robbins came up a beautiful baseline in bridge. The melodies I wanted something simple on verse and explosive on pre chorus & Choruses . The lyrics well they couldn’t be more personal.
Reach NYC was formed on Long Island in 1996. The band was active on the New York scene, frequently rocking infamous haunts like CBGB’s alongside the heavy hitting Papa Roach and System of a Down, and festivals like Vans Warped Tour. Originally named Reach 454, they caught a break when Lava/Atlantic president Jason Flom signed them after a strong performance at a label showcase. The band entered the studio in 2002 with producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Evanescence), and emerged in the summer of 2003 with their self-titled debut. The album showcased Reach 454's dynamic melodic shifts and riff-heavy guitar work. The band fell on hard times in 2004 and took an indefinite hiatus.
Throughout the years, Chester Bennington, one of the closest friends of Reach NYC vocalist Rene Mata, expressed to Rene how important it was for him to keep playing music. The last time Rene and Chester were together in NYC, they hosted a dinner hang with Jacoby, Tobin, and Tony from Papa Roach, Matt Sorum, Marcos of P.O.D., and Rob from Volbeat. While enjoying their dinner, Chester presented the idea of wanting to put together a tour for the following year with Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Deftones, System of a Down, Papa Roach and wanted Reach to open. Disastrously, Chester passed away that same July of 2017, and Rene fell into a dark depression.
In 2019, Reach NYC drummer Dante and Marcos Curiel encouraged Rene to put the band back together and open for P.O.D. in NYC. It was the band's first show since 2004, and it quickly rekindled their friendship and their love of music. Their love for creating music, as well as the importance of friends and family, renewed their dedication to keep the project going.
On October 9th 2020, Reach NYC returned to the airwaves with a new EP titled, “Back From the Dead”, their first release in 17 years, also featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. The EP was mixed by Jay Baumgardner and mastered by Howie Weinberg in Los Angeles. The newly titled Reach NYC is featuring Rene Mata on vocals, Dante Renzi on drums, Nick Cavagnaro (guitars, vocals) and more recently adding young guns AJ Chiarella on guitars and vocals as well as bassist Tim Robbins. The band quickly got back to the stage, and returned to the New York scene performing with longtime friends Quicksand at the Bowery, and made an appearance at Danny Wimmer’s historic “Welcome to Rockville” festival in Daytona, FL in 2021. Most recently, Reach NYC signed a new international deal with AFM Records and is currently gearing up for the release of their sophomore album, produced by Cass Dillon, mixed by Josh Wilbur and mastered by Howie Weinberg. The album will featurue special appearances by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Kiiara, Sonny & Marcos from P.O.D, Joey Santiago from The Pixies & Sendog of Cypress Hill and Powerflo.
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE has released "Scoring The End Of The World (Deluxe Edition)", a special deluxe reissue of the band's celebrated album "Scoring The End Of The World", which sees the Chris "Motionless" Cerulli-fronted outfit expanding on its acclaimed 2022 album with new four new bonus tracks, including "Hollow Points", "Fool's Gold", "Timebomb" (STEOTW Mix)" and "Porcelain: Ricky Motion Picture Collection".
"Scoring The End Of The World (Deluxe Edition)" is available in multiple formats and on vinyl for the first time ever in several different color variants, including black, orange, hellfire, scorched earth, and electric purple, the latter of which comes with exclusive alternate cover artwork.
To celebrate the deluxe release, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE has also shared a Jensen Noen-directed official music video for "Sign Of Life". Check it out below.
Up next MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will embark on its biggest North American headline run to date, "The Touring The End Of The World Tour", kicking off this fall. The upcoming trek includes support from special guests KNOCKED LOOSE, AFTER THE BURIAL and ALPHA WOLF. Hitting the road in style, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will launch this run with a very special homecoming in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Standing out as their biggest hometown gig ever, they will launch The Scranton Apocalypse Fest on September 16 at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain. The one-off event will feature a headlining set from MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, with additional performances by PARKWAY DRIVE, KNOCKED LOOSE, THE AMITY AFFLICTION, AFTER THE BURIAL, NORTHLANE, ALPHA WOLF and MAKE THEM SUFFER. On its heels, "The Touring The End Of The World Tour" rolls through Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at UPMC Events Center on September 17 and various major markets across the country before closing out on October 29 in Boston, Massachusetts at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
With over one billion cumulative streams and views to date, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE has notched four consecutive Top 5 debuts on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart and Top Rock Albums chart with "Reincarnate" (2014),"Graveyard Shift" (2017),"Disguise" (2019) and "Scoring The End Of the World" (2022),the latter debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, marking the band's second-biggest sales week ever. "Scoring The End Of The World" is highlighted by the singles "Masterpiece", which reached No. 1 at Active Rock radio, becoming the band's first chart-topper at the format, and "Werewolf", which reached Top 10 at Active Rock radio and an impressive one million music video views in just four days after its debut.
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE is Chris Motionless (vocals),Ricky Olson (guitar),Ryan Sitkowski (guitar),Vinny Mauro (drums) and Justin Morrow (bass).
Founding members of In The Woods and Green Carnation return to their classic origins in Strange New Dawn. Heavy psychedelic and progressive doom, Strange New Dawn from Kristiansand, Norway unveils epic new album, New Nights Of Euphoria, set for release via Svart Records on November 24.
Strange New Dawn, born from the minds of visionary artists, from such legendary bands as Green Carnation and In The Woods takes you on a cosmic journey with their album, New Nights Of Euphoria. Strange New Dawn has redefined the sound of their past to create an ethereal, genre-blending experience that is bound to leave listeners in awe.
The band's inception traces back to the year 2000 when the idea took root in the mind of Xbotteri. However, it wasn't until 2012 that this idea blossomed into reality, with Xbotteri recruiting CM Botteri on bass (both founding members of Green Carnation and In The Woods), Sven Rothe on drums, and the powerhouse vocals of Geir Solli (formerly of Green Carnation). This star chamber of talents, culminated in the creation of New Nights Of Euphoria, that pushes the boundaries of heavy Prog Metal, creating something entirely new with fascinatingly familiar origins.
Through the twists and turns of the creative process, some original members embarked on personal journeys of their own, making room for fresh talent. An old friend, Ex-Royal, took the helm as the vocalist, and Sven's brother, Muld, joined on keys and samples, adding a layer of depth and creativity that reinvigorated the band and helped make New Nights Of Euphoria richer and more eclectic in form. The addition of Bjørn Harstad (known as lead guitarist from In The Woods and Green Carnation) as the lead guitarist in Strange New Dawn solidified the band's foundation.
With Xbotteri as the primary songwriter, Strange New Dawn's sound naturally carries the echoes of In The Woods, which will delight fans who have missed that definitive signature. However, New Nights Of Euphoria also ventures into a diverse array of genres, with an unwavering focus on creating atmospheres that captivate the heart and soul.
The album's recording journey, spanning just under a year, was marked by trial and error, but the end result is nothing short of mesmerizing. To craft their harmonious resonance, Strange New Dawn chose to work on drums, guitars, bass, keys, and sample at Burnhill Studios which provided the ideal setting for their deep expedition into unknown musical landscapes, while Ex-Royal and Bjørn Harstad sculpted vocal and guitar magic at Endre Kirkesola's Dub Studio.
"Fortune Bringer," a track inspired by the earlier works of In The Woods, was the final gem added to New Nights Of Euphoria. With lyrics penned nearly two decades ago by ex-Royal and Muld, the sprawling epic track delves into global issues that should resonate with everyone in the current age, giving Strange New Dawn an eager and fresh impetus.
Strange New Dawn's mission is clear: to provide listeners with an uplifting perspective on the world, coupled with a deeply euphoric journey through their musical landscape. The excitement felt by the bands emergence is shared equally between listener and creators: "We are thrilled with the album and believe we've created something truly special," says Xbotteri. "Our collaboration has been exceptional, and this journey has been a source of inspiration and fulfilment for all of us."
Drawing inspiration from luminaries like Pink Floyd, Candlemass, Arcturus, and Thule, as well as sci-fi films, esoteric documentaries, and cosmic literature, Strange New Dawn has harnessed their collective creativity to craft a sonic odyssey that defies boundaries.
New Nights Of Euphoria is a testament to the boundless creativity of Strange New Dawn, and as with their past work, it is destined to be a milestone in the world of heavy music. Look out for this Strange New Dawn rising!
Check out Strange New Dawn’s new video "Fortune Bringer" below. Get the track here.
"Journey Within"
"Class Hero Idol"
"Defenders of Faith"
"The Wake Of Icons"
"Fortune Bringer"
"Finding The Pieces"
"Seek It"
"High Strangenes"
"Sons of Galaxy"
"The Passing"
UK purveyors of occult rock, Green Lung, have released a video for "Maxine (Witch Queen)", the second single from their new record, This Heathen Land, which will be released on November 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Vocalist Tom Templar comments "We've celebrated British witchcraft in our lyrics since our first EP, and with this new single we wanted to celebrate the most iconic witch of the modern era - Maxine Sanders. The High Priestess at the heart of Alexandrian Witchcraft, Maxine is an unsung national treasure, and one of the first people to connect genuine witchcraft with rock 'n roll back in the early Seventies. 'Maxine (Witch Queen)' is a love song to Maxine from the perspective of a member of her coven, and melds pounding riffage with psyched-out combo organs and stacked, multi-layered vocal harmonies. We were honoured to have several members of Maxine's real life coven appear in the music video, and advise on the ritual elements. Ultimately, the song is intended as a celebration of Maxine Sanders, which we hope will introduce new initiates to her life’s work, and help her legend to live on."
This Heathen Land is the most complete manifestation of the band’s vision to date, fulfilling their long-held goal to, in the words of vocalist Tom Templar, “create the definitive soundtrack to the folk horror film in our heads.” On This Heathen Land, the band have forged a sound and identity that is entirely their own, while maintaining the Sabbathian heaviness and addictive songcraft which made their previous albums so beloved in the metal underground. From the cover art to the vinyl inserts and lyrical themes, This Heathen Land is a painstakingly-researched and executed heavy metal love letter to the folkloric landscape of the UK.
This Heathen Land was produced by Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studios and was mixed by Tom Dalgety (Opeth, Clutch, Ghost).
Pre-order This Heathen Land here. Stream “Mountain Throne” on all platforms here.
This Heathen Land tracklisting:
"Prologue"
"The Forest Church"
"Mountain Throne"
"Maxine (Witch Queen)"
"One For Sorrow"
"Songs Of The Stones"
"The Ancient Ways"
"Hunters In The Sky"
"Oceans Of Time"
"Mountain Throne":
Green Lung is:
Tom Templar - Vocals
Scott Black - Guitar
Joseph Ghast - Bass
John Wright - Organ
Matt Wiseman - Drums
German prog-metal trio, The Hirsch Effekt, have released their new single "Granica", along with a music video. It's the fourth and final single before their new album Urian is released on September 29 via Long Branch Records.
Covid infection-related isolation forced Nils and Ilja to carry out their planned songwriting session in two different places. When the second test line was gone, the allotted time was almost over. "Granica" is the virtue born of need, because the rest of the time didn't allow another fiddly prog song anymore. In hindsight, a happy circumstance for the album since it would be missing a spherical track that becomes a shoegaze-like post-rock breaker in the second half. And with it comes a color that you rarely see in the Hirsch universe.
A spherical track, "Granica" glides in gentle post-rock circles describing the protagonist's consternation that he "woke up in another world" on February 24, 2022. Feeling helpless, he hastily offered his driving services and The Hirsch Effekt 's own trailer to an aid convoy making a trip to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Plagued by strong doubts during the journey as to whether this is really an effective way to get involved and help, the mission becomes clear at the first service area behind the German-Polish border: We saw immediately that “we are by no means the only ones here who have the feeling 'You have to help'". This became a formative journey, at the end of which lay the certainty: "Forget it now! Nothing, really nothing, will ever be the same.”
The Hirsch Effekt, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Nils Wittrock (i.a. vocals, guitars), Ilja John Lappin (i.a. bass, vocals) and Moritz Schmidt (drums), plays an extremely variable style of music, as well as combines various elements to the utter peak of sophistication.
The end result is nothing less than a homogenous and enormous sound monster, nearly beating your speakers to death. Although the very first impressions coalesce into an epic, aggressive, and sinister sound, there is a specific personal touch and frankness in the German lyrics. They signify authenticity and closeness and stand out as a counterpart to the musical periphery.
Canadian metalcore project, Oni, have released a new video for their latest single, "Aura", which features guest vocals from Howard Jones (Light The Torch, ex-Killswitch Engage) and Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox, ex-As I Lay Dying). The track is taken from Oni's forthcoming third full-length album, The Silver Line, set for release on October 13th.
Of the collaboration with Howard Jones, Oni founder and frontman Jake Oni says: "It was an absolute honour working with Howard on the 'Aura' video. He’s always been a huge inspiration on me and I’m grateful to call him a friend."
Meanwhile, Jones adds: "Finally, 'Aura' is here! This song was a lot of fun to write and record with my friends Jake and Josh, the video was no exception. Everyone involved with the video shoot was amazing and it shows. Enjoy!"
Watch Jake and Howard trading verses in the official video for "Aura":
Discussing the impending album, Jake continues: "This album is different completely from anything I’ve done before. It’s the new direction for Oni sonically with Josh Gilbert and me at the helm writing and Joe McQueen mixing and getting the best vocal takes from me. It’s banger after banger from heavy tracks like 'Cyanide' to melodic uplifting songs like 'Aura', this album will have something for everyone to enjoy!"
Certainly Oni's most dynamic and cohesive record to date, The Silver Line melds the band's progressive roots with contemporary metalcore, making it ultimately accessible to a vast array of rock, metal and heavy music fans.
Produced, mixed, and mastered by the duo of Josh Gilbert and Joe McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Light The Torch, Bad Wolves), The Silver Line is as ambitious as it is catchy and incisive. As well as Jones and Gilbert's appearances, the album features a plethora of special guests, including Jared Dines, Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens), Sueco, Justin Hill (SikTh) and Michael Lessard (The Contortionist).
Tracklisting:
"Silhouette"
"Spark" feat. Sueco
"Underneath My Skin" feat. Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens)
"Silence In A Room Of Lies" feat. Jared Dines
"Cyanide"
"The Dread" feat. Justin Hill (Sikth)
"Aura" feat. Howard Jones (Light The Torch) & Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox)
"Armageddon" feat. Michael Lessard (The Contortionist)
"Burns My Soul"
Toronto rockers, Danko Jones, will release their new album, Electric Sounds, on September 15. Today, the band release the new single, "Get High?", along with a music video. Stream the single here, and watch the clip below.
After topping international radio charts with “Guess Who’s Back”, their current infectious single “Good Time” crash landed into the radio charts just as quickly. Now, the band has shared a hilarious music video for new single "Get High?", featuring Damian Abraham of Fucked Up.
"With the legalization of marijuana, it was inevitable a song like 'Get High?' would be birthed," comments charismatic frontman Danko about the band's new single. "I just didn’t know it would be our band that penned the anthem for potheads everywhere. Damian Abraham of Fucked Up even joins us to answer my question - Do You Wanna Get High? His answer is 'yes'."
With Electric Sounds, Toronto’s archbishops of amplification prove that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop Danko Jones.
“Not working for two years really felt like touring rock bands were being put out to pasture,” recalls Danko. “But I guess that only made us try harder. We were still able to record and release an album during the pandemic (Power Trio, 2021). We toured as soon as we were allowed. Now that Electric Sounds is getting released, it doesn’t feel like we missed a beat. During the pandemic, we moved away from each other. JC lives in Finland and Rich lives in Prince Edward Island. So the writing for this band has changed. We used to bash out ideas in our rehearsal place, day after day, but it’s more about sending files back and forth now. However, last summer, while on tour, we did manage to jam out ideas in a rehearsal room in Berlin for a few days. Out of those jams came the nubs for five songs...”
Five songs have since been expanded to eleven new Danko Jones songs, and Electric Sounds promises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. With no need to reinvent the wheel, the group have further honed and refined their craft - always at full volume - although Electric Sounds is a deceptively diverse affair. No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on the hell-for-leather ragers featured on their forthcoming album.
Electric Sounds was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter).
"Guess Who's Back"
"Good Time"
"Electric Sounds"
"Get High?"
"Stiff Competition"
"She's My Baby"
"Eye For An Eye"
"I Like It"
"Let's Make Out"
"What Goes Around"
"Shake Your City"
"Guess Who's Back" lyric video:
"Good Time" video
"Good Time" lyric video:
Danko Jones is:
Danko Jones - Vocals/Guitar
John Calabrese - Bass
Rich Knox - Drums
On August 19th, Polish technical death metallers Decapitated performed at the 2023 edition of Germany's Summer Breeze festival. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set, courtesy of ARTE Concert.
Setlist:
"Cancer Culture"
"Just A Cigarette"
"Earth Scar"
"No Cure"
"Hours As Battlegrounds"
"Last Supper"
"Day 69"
"Spheres Of Madness"
"Nine Steps"
"Never"
"Iconoclast"
"Postorganic"
Decapitated released their diverse follow-up to 2017’s Anticult, entitled Cancer Culture, on May 27th, 2022 via Nuclear Blast.
Tracklisting:
"From The Nothingness With Love"
"Cancer Culture"
"Just A Cigarette"
"No Cure"
"Hello Death"
"Iconoclast"
"Suicidal Space Programme"
"Locked"
"Hours As Battlegrounds"
"Last Supper"
"Iconoclast" video
"Hello Death" video
"Cancer Culture" video:
Lineup:
Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kieltyka - guitars
Rafał "Rasta" Piotrowski - vocals
James Stewart - drums
Paweł Pasek - bass (live)
Los Angeles heavy rockers STITCHED UP HEART have released the official Tony Aguilara-directed music video for their latest single, "Conquer And Divide". The track is taken from the band's new album, "To The Wolves", which arrived on September 1 via Century Media Records.
Heavier is indeed the name of the game on "To The Wolves". As the band explores darker territories than ever before, STITCHED UP HEART has crafted something that is anthemic, soulful, and unapologetic.
"To The Wolves" track listing:
01. To The Wolves
02. Thunder
03. The Hunting
04. Possess Me
05. Immortal
06. Taste For Blood
07. Conquer And Divide
08. Dead Inside
09. The Architect
10. Part Of Me
11. The End
STITCHED UP HEART is supporting ESCAPE THE FATE, along with D.R.U.G.S., POINT NORTH and GARZI, on a U.S. tour which kicked off on August 31 in Salt Lake City, Utah and will wrap up on October 5 in Portland, Oregon.
STITCHED UP HEART is an American rock band known for its powerful and emotionally charged music. Formed in Los Angeles, California in 2010, the band has captivated audiences around the world with their unique blend of hard rock, alternative metal, and industrial influences. Led by the talented and charismatic vocalist Alecia "Mixi" Demner, STITCHED UP HEART has gained recognition for their intense live performances and deeply personal songwriting.
Mixi began assembling a lineup of musicians who shared her passion, dedication, and vision. Solidifying the core members James Decker on drums, Merritt Goodwin on guitar and Randy Mathias on bass in 2016 upon signing with Century Media Records. They released their album titled "Never Alone", which debuted in the Top 10 of both the Billboard Heatseeker and Hard Rock charts. With their single "Finally Free" organically gaining hyper rotation on active rock radio the band paved the way to success for the next two singles "Monster" and "Catch Me When I Fall".
With a growing fan base and relentless determination, STITCHED UP HEART has toured extensively, touring with renowned acts like GODSMACK, HALESTORM and IN THIS MOMENT. Their live performances are known for their high energy, infectious hooks, and Mixi's captivating stage presence, leaving audiences mesmerized and craving more.
In 2020, STITCHED UP HEART released their sophomore album, "Darkness". Produced by Matt Good, the LP delves further into the band's introspective songwriting and showcases their growth as musicians. Tracks like "Lost" (featuring Sully Erna of GODSMACK) and "My Demon" highlight the band's ability to blend heavy guitar riffs with anthemic choruses, making a lasting impact on the rock genre.
STITCHED UP HEART continues to push boundaries and evolve their sound, refusing to be confined to a single label or genre. With their unwavering passion for music and their ability to connect with audiences on a profound level, STITCHED UP HEART is a force to be reckoned with in the rock music landscape.
STITCHED UP HEART is:
Alecia "Mixi" Demner - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
James Decker - drums, backing vocals
Merritt Goodwin - lead guitar
Randy Mathias - bass, backing vocals
On October 27, Denver, Colorado's Wayfarer will release their fifth full-length, American Gothic, via Profound Lore in The United States and Century Media in Europe.
New single and video (by Alex Pace) for "To Enter My House Justified" is streaming below.
Shane McCarthy (guitars, vocals) comments: "This album is an exploration of the American idea, and the darkness that surrounds it. It was built from the ground up to encapsulate the feeling of this place and its bitter history in every way, fully integrating traditional musical stylings into its darker and more extreme sound, and serves as a definitive statement on Western American Metal."
"We were able to fully realize this in working with producer Arthur Rizk to bring the album to life, and it's in its own territory now. This is the Wayfarer sound, and this is American Gothic. We look forward to sharing it with the world."
Tracklisting:
"The Thousand Tombs Of Western Promise"
"The Cattle Thief"
"Reaper On The Oilfields"
"To Enter My House Justified"
"A High Plains Eulogy"
"1934"
"Black Plumes Over God's Country"
"False Constellation"
"To Enter My House Justified" video:
"False Constellation" video:
In live news, catch Wayfarer on tour with Baroness at the following shows:
November
9 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
11 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
12 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
Finnish melodic death metal band Where's My Bible have released a new single and music video, "Fenrir". The track is taken from the band's upcoming studio album, to be released vuia Inverse Records.
Listen to "Fenrir" on streaming services found here.
Vocalist Jussi Matilainen comments: "The lyrics are a combination of the human mind and Nordic mythology as a metaphor. In the song 'Fenrir' we focus on bringing the story to life with theatrics adding a poetic style of narration to it, like in the old days. The song is about Fenrir the wolf eating the sun when Ragnarok starts and thus setting an end to an era and launching a mythical apocalypse.
The main idea behind this story is; what is your Fenrir? What is the big bad beast to destroy your own world? Fenrir can be a real thing and alive because of your own creation. It can be an unsolved problem in your life you never took care of and it haunts you in the dark of night.
In this song, we included nearly a thousand-year-old instruments such as the kravik lyre (which is self-made) and the tagelharpa to enhance the narrative and its mythical essence.
The theme of the album itself revolves strongly around Nordic mythology and the human mind, especially during the night time. We will open this concept more later on but now is a great time to follow us."
Guitarist Pasi Löfgren comments: "The upcoming album follows musically the same path of style as the Circle EP by bringing it to an even deeper level. On Fenrir I wanted to include more of our technical playing combined with beautiful melodies and heavy riffs. And I couldn't be happier how it turned out. With new added elements like kravik lyre and tagelharpa at the end of the song makes a great mix of technicality, melodiousness and heaviness and it is a perfect first taste of what you can expect from the album."
Canadian female-fronted metal band, The Fixer, recently inked a deal with Wormholedeath for the release of their album, Your Lie, scheduled to drop on all digital platforms on November 10. They have released a new single, "Ghosts Will Talk", which delves into the haunting experience of being burdened by unresolved issues from the past. The emotionally charged lyrics speak of the struggle to find closure and peace while grappling with the specters of memories long gone.
The Fixer's journey leading up to Your Lie has been filled with challenges, including member changes, a global pandemic, and other unforeseen events. However, the unwavering support and belief from Wormholedeath Records have been instrumental in driving the album to completion. The band is excited to join the talented and diverse roster at Wormholedeath and is ready to unleash their unique sound and vision upon the world.
Lead vocalist Melladonna shares her enthusiasm, stating, "The Fixer is extremely thrilled to release our debut album on a label that has wholeheartedly embraced our vision like Wormholedeath Records. 'Your Lie' encapsulates our growth as a band, maintaining our experimental, dark, and rhythm-focused style while showcasing a refined and confident approach to songwriting. We believe these songs will deeply resonate with those who seek a connection to something beyond the ordinary, something a little Dark, Sexy, and Loud. Welcome to our dark side of fun. We are pleased to meet you."
Your Lie promises to be a sonically dynamic experience, blending earworm melodies, danceable beats, heavy guitars, groovy bass lines, eerie ambiance, and powerful vocals. The album's lead single, "Smoke Show," sets the stage for The Fixer's dark rock sound and visual aesthetic. The accompanying official music video for "Smoke Show" provides a mesmerizing and immersive experience, inviting listeners into The Fixer's hauntingly captivating world.
As The Fixer prepares for the album release, they continue to turn heads with their previous releases, establishing themselves as a must-see live act and earning multiple nominations and wins in their local arts publication. Notably, they were featured as Indie Band of The Week by Alan Cross at 102.1 The Edge in Toronto. With their signing to Wormholedeath Records and several other notable milestones, The Fixer is poised to make an indelible mark on the global metal stage.
Experience the captivating world of The Fixer by watching the official music video for "Smoke Show" below. The single is now available for purchase and streaming on all major music platforms here.
Tracklisting:
"Your Lie"
"Get Greasy"
"Smoke Show"
"Ghosts Will Talk"
"Animal"
"Tounge's Bleeding"
"Colour Deficit"
"Tree Of Fire"
"Unscrewed"
"Your Truth"
"Smoke Show" video:
The Fixer lineup:
Melladonna: Vocals
Vic Sin: Guitars, Vocals & Programming
Ryan Osbourne: Bass & Vocals
The Dreamboat: Guitar
Crippler Crash: Live Drums
Norfolk blues-rockers Bad Touch share their latest hip-shaking anthem, "See It To Believe It", taken from their eagerly anticipated fifth studio album, Bittersweet Satisfaction, set for release on November 10, 2023 via Marshall Records. Stream the new single now, and pre-order the album here.
Brimming with infectious, good-time, classic rock riffs tailor-made for the epic backdrop of a Hollywood road-trip movie, "See It To Believe It" stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of modern classics.
"Seeks came in with the original riff which ended up becoming the motif for the song," remarks guitarist Rob Glendinning. "It was a heavy, driving riff which we all loved and reminded us of Queen. It came together naturally as more of a Bad Touch classic, venturing away from the southern rock vibe we are known for, but still as hard-hitting."
Frontman Stevie Westwood expands on the hazy themes of the track, "You want to know what happened that night? You wouldn't believe me if I told you!" the vocalist jests. "It's all about having a night you can't remember, and by that, we mean a night you'll never forget. It’s a feelgood rocker drawing influence from our big 3 ‘Q’s - Quo, Quireboys & Queen! So, if you need a song to make you smile… this song is for you."
Bittersweet Satisfaction sees Bad Touch back, bigger, and bolder than ever before. The band combines classic rock riffs with choruses destined for stadiums, and their signature fun loving attitude to create a some of their best work to date. The record is a ray of positive energy, a celebration of living in the moment and leaving your troubles at the door.
“We are a feel-good, good-time rock’n’roll band.” So says guitarist Daniel “Seeks” Seekings, and really, why does it need to be more complicated than that? It’s been recorded and finished for half a year, and – with a more polished, mainstream sound than they’ve explored before, but still with its roots in the classic rock of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and The Black Crowes – the band are bursting to let it loose on the world.
“We've never sat on anything that long because we're like kids in a candy shop, as soon as we write something, we want to get out there and play stuff,” says frontman Stevie Westwood. “So, it's very exciting. It's slightly more mature. I love every song. It's a different sound for Bad Touch. It's less balls-to-the-wall rock, and the songs seem a bit more thoughtful rather than just kind of exploded out of a tin can.”
Bittersweet Satisfaction finds Bad Touch with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Recorded at The Marshall Studio in Milton Keynes, it was self-produced by the band, engineered by Marshall’s Adam Beer and Ollie Brightman, then mixed in Wales by Motörhead / Bring Me The Horizon producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has made the drums sound suitably immense. A collection of classic rock anthems with heart and soul to spare, it’s sparked grand but relatable ambitions in the Bad Touch camp, a desire to give up the day jobs and dedicate their lives to rock’n’roll, and maybe even, Seeks hopes, have a shot at hitting the charts. Really, though, it’s all about the live experience, the coming together of likeminded people to celebrate the healing powers of music.
“I love meeting new people,” says Seeks. “The ultimate thing is being on stage. Especially if you've got a roomful of people who are really enjoying the music that you've created.”
“There are so many people that come up and shake my hand and go, ‘Your music has really helped me’, and that's a really special thing,” adds Westwood. “I think that's why music resonates with people; they want to feel that their emotions are validated. That's what I always long for when I come to songwriting – I want to write a song that someone can resonate with and go, ‘I've been here, and this is not necessarily a lovely place, but as long as there's someone else who's feeling the same emotions, then at least I'm not alone.’ Doing the nine-to-five is okay, as long as you got a Bad Touch gig at the end of the week.”
Bittersweet Satisfaction artwork and tracklisting:
"Slip Away"
"This Life"
"Spend My Days"
"Bittersweet Satisfaction"
"Nothing Wrong With That"
"Taste This"
"Tonight"
"Come Back Again"
"See It To Believe It"
"Dizzy For You"
Industrial music icons STATIC-X have released a music video for the first original track from the upcoming album "Project Regeneration: Vol. 2". The song "Stay Alive" is one of the last original compositions Wayne Static was working on before his passing in 2014. The song's lyrics echo Wayne's state of mind during this tragic time, as he professes himself to be a "professional addict" and screams the words: "I just need you to survive - Cut you up to stay alive." The track features Wayne Static on lead vocals, along with the original "Wisconsin Death Trip" lineup of Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda and Ken Jay. The video was directed by STATIC-X producer, creative director and longtime friend Edsel Dope — who is also widely believed to be Xer0, the masked current frontman of STATIC-X — and co-directed by Matt Zane. Outtakes from the Wayne Static "Assassins of Youth" video — originally directed by Zane — were added to help fully portray Wayne's disturbing vision for the song. According to the band's former sound engineer Eddie Ortel: "Wayne was working on this track the night that he passed away."
"We knew that if we were going to release this song, we wouldn't be able to tip toe around this tragic subject," says Campos. "The first draft of the video was really hard for all of us to watch, so we ended up removing many of the more graphic scenes. As dark as this piece of art may be, it is also a very honest representation of where Wayne was at during this controversial time. My hope is that when people see this, that they understand the cautionary tale that Wayne's life ultimately became and can avoid some of those pitfalls."
"We always want to remember Wayne as the intelligent, funny, 'Star Trek'-loving rock star," adds Aimee Pittman, Wayne's younger sister. "It makes his family sad and angry to see Wayne depicting himself in a way that we understand to be a realistic portrayal of his life and the choices that ultimately ended it. If one person watching this video can benefit or make better choices related to drugs and alcohol, then we are grateful for the reminder."
With the success of their last release, "Project Regeneration: Vol. 1", and on the heels of their recent multiple-city sold-out "Rise Of The Machine" tour, STATIC-X have reinvigorated their fan base and brought Evil Disco back to the masses. The original lineup of Campos, Fukuda and Jay backed by frontman Xer0 have proven that STATIC-X is back and better than ever.
The "Rise Of The Machine" tour sold out 37 of its 42 dates, while showcasing the largest stage production that STATIC-X has ever put together. The band promises that the production on "The Machine Killer" tour is going to be even bigger and more impressive this time around.
Continuing to create new music, STATIC-X announced "Project Regeneration: Vol. 2" will be released on November 3 and unveiled the first single from that album, a cover of the NINE INCH NAILS classic "Terrible Lie". The upcoming album is produced by Xer0 and mixed/mastered by long-time collaborator Ulrich Wild.
All of the music associated with "Project Regeneration: Vol. 2" is the result of collaborations between the four founding members along with their new vocalist/guitarist/producer Xer0. No additional guests appear on the album and there were no outside contributions to the songwriting, musical compositions, or the performances on "Project Regeneration: Vol. 2". Between the two releases, STATIC-X fans around the globe have been treated to over two dozen brand new songs — most of which feature Static on lead vocals — and all released after his untimely passing.
Static died after mixing Xanax and other powerful prescription drugs with alcohol, according to the coroner's report. The 48-year-old, whose real name was Wayne Richard Wells, was found dead in his Landers, California home on November 1, 2014.
Static founded STATIC-X in 1994 and achieved commercial success with "Wisconsin Death Trip", which included the rock radio hit "Push It".
The group issued five more studio albums before disbanding permanently in June 2013. Static had been pursuing a solo career at the time of his death.