UK TECH-FEST have announced another 19 bands to their already impressive line-up for the festivals's fifth anniversary.

Announced are UK prog-metal mavericks HAKEN, tech-hardcore favourites NAPOLEON (Thursday early-bird headliners) and instrumentalist SITHU AYE.

Also announced are: From Sorrow To Serenity, The Schoenberg Automaton, Visions, Invocation, ATLANTIS CHRONICLES, No Sin Evades His Gaze, Belial, The Dali Thundering Concept, Zygoma, Pravitas, Novena, Jonestown, Dividium, Fall Of The Archetype, Seek Solace In Ruin, Searu, Deities, For The Oracle and On Hollow Ground.

They join instrumental legends ANIMALS AS LEADERS, progressive metal legends BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME (UK 2016 Exclusive), Canadian math-metal mavericks PROTEST THE HERO (UK 2016 Exclusive), Dutch groove merchants TEXTURES plus all these amazing bands below:

Fallujah (UK 2016 Exclusive)
Fit For An Autopsy
Aegaeon
Destiny Potato
Disperse
Shields
A Dark Orbit
Akord
Cold Night For Alligators
Vitalism
The Hirsch Effekt
The Green River Burial
Sworn Amongst
Tardive Diskinesia
Suasion
Harbinger
Make Me A Donut
The Parallax Method

There are still more bands, after-parties and workshops to be announced, so stay tuned for more updates soon!

Bands can apply to play here: www.uktechfest.com/apply

Venue address:
Newark Showground
Lincoln Rd
Newark-on-Trent
Winthorpe
Newark
Nottinghamshire
NG24 2NY

TIER 2 TICKET PRICES:
PACKAGE DEAL: Full Weekend £64:99 + Camping £20 = £84:99
Full Weekend Only Tickets: £69:99
Thursday Day Ticket: £15
Friday Day Ticket: £20
Saturday Day Ticket: £20
Sunday Day Ticket: £20
Thursday Camping: £10
Friday Camping: £10
Saturday Camping: £10
Sunday Camping: £10
Full Weekend Camping Only: £25

Tech-Fest are proud to welcome Mapex Drums to the family as their new drum sponsors. Returning sponsors are Zilla, Carrilion Guitars, Double Slit Guitars, Strandberg, Moomin Merchandise, Hands On Printing, Rawas, OHMZ, Stay Close Clothing, Bandit Banners, Tired Moon, IC MEDIA, The Monolith. Metal Hammer magazine also returns as media partner.

TICKETS https://shop.ticketscript.com/channel/web2/start-order/rid/S5J3H8CR/language/en
EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/232756610389176/ 
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.uktechfest.com
UKTMF YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/UKTechMetalFest
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/uktechmetalfest/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/uktechfest

Progressive metalcore band Carcer City are delighted to announce a UK headline tour, with support from fellow Liverpudlians Loathe.

Full dates:

22.07 Liverpool - Bumper
23.07 Kettering - Prince Of Wales
24.07 Swansea - The Scene
25.07 Exeter - The Cavern
26.07 Southampton - Joiners
27.07 Birmingham - Flapper
28.07 Norwich - Owl Sanctuary
29.07 Sheffield - The Rocking Chair
30.07 Derby - Hairy Dog
31.07 London - Camden - The Black Heart

The news comes with the recent announcement of the band's first global release, on US label Stay Sick Recordings: Infinite/Unknown is due September 16th.

Watch the first video from the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4tIAyq89KE

An exciting blend of 21st century metal that is uniquely their own, the band falls somewhere between Linkin Park, Meshuggah, Bring Me the Horizon, Killswitch Engage, and The Amity Affliction.

Thriving and blossoming with the self-released The Life We Have Chosen and The Road Journals, Carcer City are ready to start a new chapter. Having previously toured with Silent Screams, While She Sleeps, Continents; and playing alongside TesseracT, SikTh, Dying Fetus and more, this is just the beginning for Carcer City. Stay tuned.

For more information:

http://www.carcercity.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/carcercity
https://www.facebook.com/staysickrecords/
https://www.twitter.com/carcercity

BLACK CROWN INITIATE have officially announced the departure of longtime guitar player Rik Stelzpflug. Wes Hauch, formerly of THE FACELESS joins the band as his replacement. 

"It's a really rare and awesome thing if you're able to find a group of dudes that you can genuinely get along with," says Hauch."It's even more rare if your musical tastes and goals are congruent. I can definitely say that's the case right now in Black Crown Initiate and I'm very grateful. Things are great and I'm looking forward to the the future."

The band also released a new song today, the title-track to the upcoming album "Selves We Cannot Forgive". 
 
Listen to the song "Selves We Cannot Forgive" here: 

The single is also available as instant-grat download & stream. Get it here: https://BlackCrownInitiate.lnk.to/SelvesWeCannotForgivePR

BLACK CROWN INITIATE will release their new album Selves We Cannot Forgive on July 22, 2016 via Long Branch Records / SPV in Europe. The tracklist and visually mindbending cover art created by Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Avenged Sevenfold) can be seen below. "We've been through a great deal as a band since our last release," says Thomas. "We've grown a great deal as writers, players, and people and put everything we had into this one." 

Recorded and mixed by Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, Texas In July, From Ashes To New) at Atrium Audio Recording Studio’s in Lancaster PA, Selves We Cannot Forgive will be the follow up to the buzzworthy debut LP The Wreckage of Stars released at the end of 2014. The Wreckage of Stars also propelled the band into the international touring act it is today. BCI quickly found themselves on the road with the likes of Behemoth, Deicide, Napalm Death and Voivod.  

Selves We Cannot Forgive is a lean and focused collection that jettisons the extraneous fat found too often within ambitious metal bands, striking a balance between fearless adventurousness and methodical might. It follows The Wreckage of Stars, which together with their self-financed Song of the Crippled Bull EP introduced Black Crown Initiate’s unapologetic exploration of everything from Friedrich Nietzsche and Greek Sophist Gorgias to Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous mysticism, with a pragmatic skepticism. 

Thomas continues on their new release, "we feel it is a more than fitting next chapter for the band; one that we are truly proud and excited to enter. We hope you all enjoy it too. See you on the road!"

Black Crown Initiate have worked their way into the heavy music community’s collective consciousness with steady determination. Likeminded supporters who made the thrilling discovery of songs like “A Great Mistake,” “The Fractured One,” and “Withering Waves” are rewarded in kind by the continued evolution on Selves We Can Not Forgive. As Black Crown Initiate continuously proves, heavy metal and heavy intelligence don’t have to be mutually exclusive. These men are conjuring an awe inspiring body of work that is as unstoppable as it was inevitable, like existence itself. This is high-minded art delivered with a guttural growl. 

http://www.fb.com/BlackCrownInitiate
http://twitter.com/BCInitiate
http://www.instagram.com/blackcrowninitiate
http://www.fb.com/LongBranchRecords
http://www.lbr-shop.com

Metal/hardcore newcomers BAILER have revealed the video for their latest single 'Anti-Venom', taken from their debut EP Shaped By The Landscape. 

The footage was shot during the band's recent EP launch in their hometown of Cork, giving fans a glimpse of BAILER in a live environment.

Check out the video for 'Anti-Venom' here: 

Shaped By The Landscape was recorded, mixed and mastered by Aidan Cunningham of Irish outfit Murdock and is out in both physical and digital formats. Purchase here:http://bailerofficial.bandcamp.com 

Catch BAILER at one of the following live dates and experience 'Anti-Venom' in the flesh: 

11.06.2016 - Dublin, Voodoo Lounge (supporting Norma Jean)
16.08.2016 - Limerick, Dolans (supporting Sick Of It All) 

For fans of Norma Jean and The Dillinger Escape Plan it's hard to believe that BAILER formed in 2015, having produced this colossal debut EP. Shaped By The Landscape takes you on an aggressive and honest journey, with the release depicting "real people harnessing real emotions in a positive way."  In their short time as a band, BAILER have toured as main support to Murdock and shared stages with Red Enemy, Novelists, The Colour Line, Shields and more.

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/bailerofficial
https://www.instagram.com/bailerofficial
https://twitter.com/bailerofficial
http://bailerofficial.bandcamp.com

Belgian progressive-metalcore band SUASION have revealed the video for their debut single 'Heritage' and prepare for a run of summer festivals.

Check out 'Heritage' here: https://youtu.be/dqSkQTA6LHI 

SUASION strive to tread new musical ground whilst making music that’s as accessible as it is experimental. From the atmospheric opening to the punchy verses, new single 'Heritage' is complex yet hook laden; the subtle musical layers work together to create an emotive backdrop, with technical instrumentation adding unique flair. Cutting lyrics of personal struggles match the music’s intensity and emotion, but also add a very human element to the polished sound. 

Heritage is the first single in a series that will be released throughout 2016, and provides a great introduction to this fascinating new band. Suasion are set to play select dates over the summer and are currently announced for the following festivals, with more to be revealed soon:

8-10 July - UK Tech Metal Fest. UK
24 June - Jera On Air, Ysselsteyn,The Netherlands
26 August - 6K Fest Unreal Night II, Liège, Belgium
 

The official MOONSORROW documentary, Home of the Wind, is nearing completion on its Crowdfunding Campaign (available until June 11th).

Offering a unique chance to be a part of metal history, and a chance to personally enter the chronicles of the pagan metal giants, you can visit the campaign here: https://igg.me/at/homeofthewind

And view the first teaser of the documentary here: https://vimeo.com/169223170

Home of the Wind is an entirely independent project (produced by Jörmungandr Media, including writer Grilo do Demo, author of the Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography). Supported by the band and record label, the documentary will centre on the unique life and history of the band, and will consist entirely of interviews with the band members and their environments.

As founding member Henri Sorvali says: "We guarantee it will be worth the wait. We’re fully supporting it and are thankful of all the support you can give.” Guitarist Mitja Harvilahti adds: “There’s a lot of music you haven’t heard, there’s a lot of places we can show you.”

"It's been more than a year working day by day and I can't believe how close we are to make this real," says director Leo Aragón. The documentary won’t be commercialised after the Crowdfunding Campaign, this being the only chance to obtain a physical copy, as well as the remaining (and previously unseen) Moonsorrow memorabilia. 

For more information:

https://vimeo.com/jormungandr
www.facebook.com/homeofthewind
www.instagram.com/homeofthewind
http://www.twitter.com/HomeoftheWin

Melodic hardcore quartet NAPOLEON have revealed the video for 'Different Skin', the second single from their debut album 'Newborn Mind', out now via Basick Records. 

The record is the first to feature the band's new vocalist Wes Thompson, formerly of Climates. Purchase'Newborn Mind' via the band's website: http://napoleonuk.com  

Check out the video for 'Different Skin' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVryYolRYxM

Since their inception in 2011, Napoleon have become highly revered on the hardcore scene for seamlessly combining abrasive punk attitude with technical virtuosity and inventive hook laden songwriting. In true punk rock style, Napoleon have barely left the road in their time as a band, currently in the middle of an extensive European headline run, as well as touring with Being As An Ocean, The Devil Wears Prada, Architects, Comeback Kid, Defeater, The Amity Affliction, and jumping on countless underground DIY tours across Europe.
 
Having honed their skills in the live arena, the resulting sound is truly organic and energetic, setting them leagues apart from the many bedroom projects with players of a similar technical calibre. Napoleon could be compared to the likes of Architects, At The Drive In and Propaghandi, who have all shown fearless boundary pushing whilst retaining real attitude and feel.

Don't miss Napoleon over the summer - catch their explosive live show at one of the following dates: 

01.06.2016 Gibus Live – Paris, France
02.06.2016 Elfer Club – Frankfurt, Germany
03.06.2016 Krachgarten – Wabern, Germany
04.06.2016 Garcia Lorca – Brussels, Germany
21.06.2016 Arts Club – Liverpool, UK
22.06.2016 Hobos – Bridgend, UK
23.06.2016 Maars Bar – Worcester, UK
24.06.2016 Cavern – Exeter, UK
25.06.2016 Sticky Mike’s – Brighton, UK
26.06.2016 Sanctuary – Basingstoke, UK
01.08.2016 Anvil – Bournemouth, UK*
02.08.2016 Joiners – Southampton, UK*
03.08.2016 Westcoast Bar – Margate, UK*
04.08.2016 Islington Academy 2 – London, UK*
05.08.2016 Black Prince – Northampton, UK*
06.08.2016 Vintage Rockbar – Doncaster, UK*
07.08.2016 Key Club – Leeds, UK*
08.08.2016 Central – Newcastle, UK*
09.08.2016 Opium – Edinburgh, UK*
10.08.2016 Classic Grand – Glasgow, UK*
11.08.2016 Rebellion – Manchester, UK*
12.08.2016 Frog & Fiddle – Cheltenham, UK*
13.08.2016 Hatchet Inn – Bristol, UK*
14.08.2016 Underground – Plymouth, UK*
26.08.2016 6K Fest – Juprelle, Belgium

*support from Create To Inspire

For more information:
http://napoleonuk.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Napoleon/
https://twitter.com/napoleonuk

http://basickrecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/basickrecords

Infectiously talented melodic metal bruisers Griever are delighted to unveil their new EP, 'Soul Searcher'.

Stream the EP here: https://soundcloud.com/griever_uk/sets/griever-soul-searcher-ep/s-vfprJ

Purchase: 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/soul-searcher-ep/id109752399

Physical: http://grieverofficial.bigcartel.com/

A band who grab hold and don’t let go, Griever follow in the tradition of the finest melodic metal. Reminiscent of the heyday of the Gothenburg Sound,Soul Searcher is a pummeling yet highly melodic release. From the whirlwind of the first, eponymous track, to the ominous slow march of ‘She Is Death’ to the cathartic highs of ‘A Pure Heart’, this is a release bursting with potential that belies its relatively brief length.
 
A fine amalgamation of sounds from the West (Trivium), North (In Flames) and UK (Malefice), Soul Searcher is a deceptively straightforward record: no-filler, no-frills metal. 
 
Griever have previously supported Unearth, Being as an Ocean, Crossfaith, and more, and have received recognition from Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, and more besides. With fans all over the world (including merchandise worn on the slopes of Mount Everest), Griever are a band deserving to only get bigger and bigger.

For more information:
www.facebook.com/grieverofficial
www.twitter.com/GrieverUK
http://grieveruk.bandcamp.com

Soul Searcher track listing:
(Running Time: 25:06) 
 
1) Soul Searcher
2) Malevolent
3) Virulence
4) She Is Death
5) Liberate
6) A Pure Heart

Between The Buried And Me

Protest The Hero

UK TECH-FEST returns in style in 2016 for its fifth anniversary with a huge band announcement, delivering once again the most forward thinking metal line up in the UK this summer.

Progressive metal legends BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME (UK 2016 Exclusive) and Canadian math-metal mavericks PROTEST THE HERO (UK 2016 Exclusive) both attend the festival as headliners, alongside Dutch groove merchants TEXTURES.

Adding to an already exciting line-up are:

Fallujah (UK 2016 Exclusive)
Fit For An Autopsy
Aegaeon
Destiny Potato
Disperse
Shields
Cold Night For Alligators
Vitalism
The Hirsch Effekt
The Green River Burial
Sworn Amongst
Tardive Diskinesia
Suasion
Harbinger
Make Me A Donut
The Parallax Method

Also announced are returning sponsors Zilla, Carrilion Guitars, Double Slit guitars, Strandberg, Moomin Merchandise, Hands On Printing, Rawas, OHMZ, Stay Close Clothing, Bandit Banners, Tired Moon, IC MEDIA.

Metal Hammer magazine also return as media partner.

Many more bands, after-parties and workshops still to be announced, so stay tuned for more updates soon!

UK Tech-Fest organiser Simon Garrod comments:

"Tech-Fest 2016 is the 5th anniversary of the festival! We wanted to make this one really count, never did we think we could get this far! With an incredible team and a loving audience behind us, we are taking this to the next level!

Expect the biggest and best Tech-Fest line up to date, we can't wait to tell you what other bands we have lined up this year."

 Weekend tickets currently available at an early bird price of £59:99 + £20 Camping.