UK extreme noise-makers HELPLESS have unleashed their ferocious new single 'Sinkhole', ahead of their debut album Debt which is out on September 8 via Holy Roar Records. 

First premiered on the Holy Roar Records Podcast, the band have also released a video for 'Sinkhole', a one minute blast of frenzy, showcasing the band in full-on assault mode. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/FN4qpJqgL90

The band's label, Holy Roar are offering fans the chance to win a Holy Roar/Helpless prize package. All you have to do is share the 1 minute video across your social profiles with the hashtag #helplesssinkhole and include 'Helpless 'Debt' - buy now: http://bit.ly/HelplessUK - The winner will be announced on Wednesday 16th August. Download the video from this link to upload to your Instagram, Twitter etc: http://bit.ly/Helplesssinkhole

Debt, a 10 song excursion in dissonance, does everything it needs to in the time it takes most bands to open up. This is no drawn out prog opus; instead, a supremely dark, engagingly short, sharp, shock to the system. If further musical pointers are needed then perhaps the menace of early Gaza and the turn-on-a-dime musical dexterity of Breather Resist often combined with grindcore would be a good place to start.

Having previously delivered on their promising self titled EP, HELPLESS have returned with a savagely blunt album that not only increases their sonic intensity tenfold, but expands their palate from a chaotic hardcore base into grindcore, noise rock and even figurative elements of death and black metal. This is not for the faint of heart.

Debt will be released on September 8 via Holy Roar Records and is available to pre-order here: http://bit.ly/HelplessUK 

Punk legend CJ Ramone is back in the UK in August and September, touring his acclaimed new album American Beauty (16.03.17, Fat Wreck Chords).

Full dates:

26/08/17LondonThe Underworld Camden BUY
27/08/17BristolExchange BUY
28/08/17CardiffClwb Ifor Bach BUY
29/08/17StaffordRedrum BUY
30/08/17LiverpoolThe Magnet Liverpool BUY
31/08/17Dublin, IrelandVoodoo Lounge Dublin BUY
01/09/17BelfastLimelight Belfast BUY
02/09/17   AberdeenThe Assembly Aberdeen BUY
03/09/17EdinburghOpium BUY
04/09/17HuddersfieldThe Parish BUY
05/09/17DerbyThe Hairy Dog BUY
06/09/17NorwichThe Owl Sanctuary BUY
07/09/17Milton Keynes    MK11 BUY

Only seven men have been lucky enough to be gifted with the Ramone surname, of these is CJ Ramone, who was part of the family from 1989-1996. He sang lead on 'Strength To Endure'; he wrote two tracks for the band’s farewell album, ¡Adios Amigos!; he was onstage for their epic final show, delivering those iconic “1-2-3-4!” shouts and rubbing shoulders onstage with Eddie Vedder, Tim Armstrong and Lemmy. CJ Ramone is as important a part of punk rock history as anyone else you can think of, and the best part is he’s just getting started.
  
CJ’s new solo album, American Beauty is a 12-song effort that crackles with the spirit of ’77. The songs sound so well developed that it’s a bit of a shock to learn that they were written in one single two-week period.
 
The breakneck pace of writing led to an even more efficient recording session, when CJ and his live band—guitarists Steve Soto and Dan Root (both also of The Adolescents) and drummer Pete Sosa (also of Street Dogs)—set to work with producer Paul Miner (H2O, New Found Glory) for a grand total of 11 days. 
 
As much as CJ pays tribute to his past on American Beauty, there is also nods to the present, with Big Eyes frontwoman Kate Eldridge guesting on the album, and the horn section of Mariachi El Bronx adding to the cover of Tom Waits' 'Pony', which closes the album.
 
For more information: 

CJ Ramone Official website
CJ Ramone on Bandcamp
CJ Ramone on Facebook
CJ Ramone on Instagram
CJ Ramone on Twitter
CJ Ramone on YouTube
Fat Wreck Chords

Experimental Punk-Industrial artist JAYCE LEWIS today re-releases Nemesis, his second album previously released under the name Protafield.

Jayce has also unveiled a lyric video to the song 'Wrath' which features a guest performance from Roger Taylor of Queen.

Check out 'Wrath' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWde2pV-980 

Having been though the highs and lows of the major label rollercoster, Jayce is very excited to finally have Nemesis released as a 'JAYCE LEWIS' record. He explains:

"Nemesis was originally written as my second solo album, it took almost four years in the making, many European tours and way to many diversions from label liquidation in 2012 (EMI Music) to a few years of label meetings and confusing advice along the way, in all that time my journey through the industry had attracted some incredible attention and enabled me to work with such artists as Roger Taylor from Queen, Gary Numan and Mattias ia eklundh. The progress and development in sound was changing all the time over those few years too, as the course of meetings, tours and ''Advice'' taking lead over the albums direction sonically... something, you can hear through the it from time to time.

''This Nemesis album has had a pretty strange journey from its conception to this re-issue. I am thrilled that it's getting a second chance and being released again, this time under the right name. Looking forward to it being put back out there, and on vinyl too!"

Nemesis also features a guest performance from Gary Numan, who Jayce will support on tour this autumn.

Dates:

Sep-30    Tramshed    Cardiff, United Kingdom
Oct-02    O2 Academy Bournemouth    Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Oct-03    O2 Academy Leeds    Leeds, United Kingdom
Oct-05    Colston Hall    Bristol, United Kingdom
Oct-06    O2 Academy    Oxford, United Kingdom
Oct-07    Rock City Nottingham    Nottingham, United Kingdom
Oct-09    O2 Academy Newcastle    Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Oct-10    O2 ABC    Glasgow, United Kingdom
Oct-11    O2 Institute Birmingham    Birmingham, United Kingdom
Oct-13    Manchester Academy 1    Manchester, United Kingdom
Oct-14    O2 Academy Brixton    London, United Kingdom
Oct-16    Brighton Dome    Brighton, United Kingdom
Oct-17    Norwich UEA    Norwich, United Kingdom
Oct-18    Southend Cliffs Pavilion    Westcliff On Sea, United Kingdom

JAYCE LEWIS is currently putting the finishing touches to his long-awaited new album, which is planned for release later this year. More information will be released in due course.

Purchase Nemesis here: https://JayceLewis.lnk.to/Nemesis

The world's most-watched poet of all time, Neil Hilborn, is to tour the UK, including a stint at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe. Full dates below.

Hilborn is known as the man behind the internationally successful poems  “O.C.D.”,  “Joey”  and  “The Future”, with his collective work clocking up over 100 Million views online. He is also the author of the Amazon Bestseller Our Numbered Days.

Having been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder as a child, and later with bi-polar disorder while at university, Hilborn has often used his poetry as a means of therapy and of exploring the issues of his own mental health. 

Neil's raw honesty and humorous compositions delivered with eloquent conviction have resonated across the globe, affirming his relevance and importance in 2017.

Check him out on one of the following dates:

Mon 7th Aug Undegun (Wrexham)  SOLD OUT
Tue 8th Aug The Sugar Club (Dublin) SOLD OUT
Wed 9th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Thu 10th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Fri 11th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Sat 12th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Sun 13th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Mon 14th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh) 
Tue 15th Aug New Town Theatre (Edinburgh)
Wed 16th Aug Oran Mor (Glasgow) SOLD OUT
Thu 17th Aug Riverside (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Fri 18th Aug The Lemon Tree (Aberdeen)
Sat 19th Aug Oran Mor (Glasgow)
Mon 21st Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Tue 22nd Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Wed 23rd Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Thu 24th Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Fri 25th Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Sat 26th Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Sun 27th Aug Stand 3 (Edinburgh)
Mon 28th Aug Gorilla (Manchester) SOLD OUT
Tue 29th Aug Glee Club (Birmingham) SOLD OUT
Wed 30th Aug The Bullingdon (Oxford) SOLD OUT
Thu 31st Aug Bush Hall (Shepherds Bush) SOLD OUT
Fri 1st Sep Bush Hall (Shepherds Bush) SOLD OUT
Sat 2nd Sep Colston Hall/ Lantern (Bristol) SOLD OUT
Sun 3rd Sep Union Chapel (Islington) 
Mon 4th Sep Cavern Club (Exeter)
Tue 5th Sep Komedia (Brighton) SOLD OUT
Wed 6th Sep The Portland Arms (Cambridge) SOLD OUT
Thu 7th Sep Brudenell Social (Leeds)
Fri 8th Sep Clwb Ifor Bach (Cardiff)
Sat 9th Sep The Fleece (Bristol)

Neil began writing and performing slam poetry whilst a sophomore at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He joined the college’s slam poetry team and in 2011 placed first in the College National Poetry Slam.

After graduating with honours in his Creative Writing degree Hilborn began performing with Button Poetry, a Minnesota collective that produces and distributes poetry in various formats, such as published books and YouTube videos.

In 2012 Neil toured the mid-west with Button Poetry’s “The Good News Poetry Tour” and self-published his first chapbook “Clatter”, which was re-published the following year by Button Poetry.

In 2013, a video one such poem "O.C.D.” went viral, garnering millions of views across social media platforms. As of 2017 the video has garnered more than 62 million views and is the most watched slam poem on the internet.

Hilborn's second book, Our Numbered Days, was released on May 14, 2015 in the US, and earlier this year in the UK. Our Numbered Days features some of Hilborn's most well known poetry, including “Joey” and “O.C.D.” and has become an Amazon best-seller.

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/neilhilborn/

Melodic tech-rock quintet FIRST SIGNS OF FROST are streaming their new EP The Shape Of Things To Come ahead of its release on the 11th August via Basick Records.

You can listen to the EP in full exclusively via the label here: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLVeC2nHZ9w0_ecSOsqHcL1NNA09eOYwd

Pre-orders of The Shape Of Things To Come are also available here: https://basick.supplies/collections/first-signs-of-frost

"Over the past two years we have been quietly and solidly working away to bring something different to the table, a record that not only reflects who we are and the history of the band, but more importantly showcases our future," says frontman Daniel Lawrence. "The Shape Of Things To Come is as poignant an EP title as possible, it is the first of many releases we have planned in the near future and we cannot wait to share this with fans old and new. We hope you enjoy this record as much as have bringing it to life."

Drawing influence from the likes of Deftones, Tool and Glassjaw, London's First Signs Of Frost push the boundaries with their unique blend of technical instrumentation, epic soundscapes and anthemic vocal melodies. 

2015 saw the band resurface after a six year hiatus, having initially disbanded after the departure of vocalist Daniel Tompkins. With a fresh line-up the band have bounced back with a new lease of life, expanding and moulding their sound to showcase more groove and ambience than ever before. 

Throughout their career First Signs Of Frost have toured with and supported names including Deaf Havana, Enter Shikari, Architects, You Me At Six, We Are The Ocean, Senses Fail and Devil Sold His Soul. Keep your eyes peeled for live dates in 2017.  

First Signs Of Frost are:

Vocals - Daniel Lawrence
Guitar/Backing vocals - Owen Hughes-Holland
Guitar - Adam Mason
Bass - Andy C Saxton
Drums - Alex Harford

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/FSOFofficial/
https://twitter.com/fsof
https://www.instagram.com/firstsignsoffrost/

Returning mathcore pioneers The Number Twelve Looks Like You have just kicked off their summer touring, beginning with a support to the mighty The Dillinger Escape Plan on their final ever European tour. The Number Twelve... will also head to the UK and Europe on a headline tour, concluding with four shows in Russia – the band's first time in the country.

Dates:

Aug 8 - Nuremberg, DE @ Hirsch *
Aug 9 - Jaromer, CZ @ Brutal Assault Festival *
Aug 10 - Krakow, PL @ Kwadrat *
Aug 11 - Budapest, HU @ A38 *
Aug 12 - Zagreb, HR @ Mochvara *
Aug 13 - Vienna, AT @ Szene *
Aug 14 - Prague, CZ @ Palac Akropolis *
Aug 15 - Cologne, DE @ Gloria *
Aug 16 - Leipzig, DE @ Conne Island *
Aug 18 - Bristol, UK @ ArcTanGent
Aug 20 - Glasgow, UK @ Audio ∆
Aug 21 - Birmingham, UK @ Sunflower Lounge ∆
Aug 22 - London, UK @ The Black Heart ∆
Aug 23 - Haarlem, NT @ Patronaat ∆
Aug 24 - Kaliningrad, RU @ Detroit
Aug 25 - St Petersburg, RU @ Zoccolo 2.0
Aug 26 - Moscow, RU @ Rock House
Aug 27 - Ekaterinburg, RU @ Svoboda

* = w/ The Dillinger Escape Plan
∆ = w/ Hexis

Swedish rock outfit NORMANDIE will embark on a UK/EU co-headline tour with former Yellowcard frontman William Ryan Key throughout November and December. Both acts will perform headline-length sets - with Normandie closing each show - and will be joined by solo sensation Grumble Bee. 

Dates for the tour are as follows: 

28.11.2017 - Paris FR, Backstage (Tickets)
29.11.2017 - Antwerp BE, Kavka (Tickets)
30.11.2017 - Haarlem NL, Patronaat Z3 (Tickets)
02.12.2017 - Cologne DE, MTC (Tickets)
03.12.2017 - Hamburg DE, Headcrash (Tickets)
04.12.2017 - Berlin DE, Musik Und Frieden (Tickets)
06.12.2017 - Cardiff UK, Clwb Ifor Bach (Tickets)
07.12.2017 - London UK, Boston Music Room* (Tickets)
09.12.2017 - Southampton UK, Joiners (Tickets)
10.12.2017 - Nottingham UK, Bodega (Tickets)
11.12.2017 - Birmingham UK, O2 Academy 3 (Tickets)
13.12.2017 - Manchester UK, Sound Control (Tickets) 
14.12.2017 - Glasgow UK, Attic (Tickets)
15.12.2017 - Newcastle UK, Think Tank (Tickets)

*Normandie & William Ryan Key only. 

Tickets will go on sale on Friday 11th August. 

Normandie will return to the road after a successful summer of festival appearances, including their Download Festival debut which saw them stun crowds on The Avalanche Stage. The band also released their latest single 'Ghost' in June, which BBC Radio 1 DJ Daniel P. Carter championed as his 'Rockest Record', following their 2016 debut album Inguz. 

Watch the video for 'Ghost' here: https://youtu.be/9jEViahiUD8

Purchase 'Ghost' here: http://www.2lin.cc/normandieghost

After completing a successful 20-year long career with Yellowcard, winning VMA's and having numerous hit singles, frontman William Ryan Key immediately went to work on his solo material. This tour will be the first opportunity for fans to see him perform live as a solo artist. Grumble Bee, the project of multi-instrumentalist Jack Bennett, will be performing with nothing but an acoustic guitar and delivering stripped back versions of his mesmerising hits. 

HUNDRED SUNS are streaming their highly anticipated debut album, The Prestaliis, ahead of its 11 August release via New Damage Records.

Premiered via Metal Hammer, it can be streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLnEkQDGGFkvnFxIADdvUT0JyCbKmT3p9D&v=mRg3uSj9LtQ

Speaking to Metal Hammer, Vocalist Cory Brandan says the record is a "fictional catastrophic event told in a conversation between the earth and the sky," which ends with the destruction of both.

"The concept is that it sets off a series of other events told through various characters and conversations throughout the album. I tried to write all of the lyrics where they could come from the minds of either person or entity and get a new meaning or emotion out of it.

"All of the themes teeter between acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour or thoughts. I didn't want to force anything into the songs. I tried to listen for what I thought the song sounded like and write with that emotion in mind."

The stream follows the release of the single / video, 'Amaranthine', from which a portion of sales proceeds are donated to THORN, an organisation that creates and supports tech initiatives that disrupt predatory behaviour online. To find out more information about the organisation, visit wearethorn.org.

HUNDRED SUNS are currently on their first North American tour and plan to announce a European tour in due course.

You can pre-order your copy of The Prestaliis here: http://smarturl.it/HundredSuns 
 
Hundred Suns drown themselves in doomy groove, bass driven power, loud guitars, and surreal sonic tribalism, with reverent worship of classic darkly romantic alt-rock bands, the scorching intensity of underground music, and the melodic clarity of the more uncompromising radio trailblazers of decades past. But HUNDRED SUNS boast disparate elements from post-grunge to the mind-expanding meditative epics churned out by critical darling progressive rock in equal measure, fused into something freshly unique. In short, the band sounds both familiar and groundbreaking. 
 
HUNDRED SUNS recorded their upcoming album The Prestaliis with producer/engineer Sam Guaiana (Like Pacific), vocal engineer/producer Jeremy SH Griffith (Norma Jean, Underoath), and producer/mixer (and Saosin guitarist) Beau Burchell (Blaqk Audio, The Bronx). 

https://www.facebook.com/hundredsunsmusic
https://twitter.com/hundredsuns
https://www.instagram.com/hundredsunsmusic

Irish progressive sludge powerhouse zhOra are poised to release their sophomore album Ethos, Pathos, Logos on 27 October. Ahead of the new album and their impending appearance at Bloodstock Festival this weekend, the band have released new track 'Riverchrist'. 

Over the span of six years zhOra have quickly become one of the most recognisable names in the burgeoning Irish metal scene. In this time the band has released one EP Feet Nailed to the Ground (2011) and their debut LP Almaz (2013), both releases garnering huge praise within the scene. Now in 2017, the band is set to undertake the next stage in their journey, Ethos, Pathos, Logos.

Vocalist Colin Bolger comments on the album: "It's a sprawling tale of a bloodthirsty despot, his feral minions, alien visitation and the illusion of choice. Set to the backdrop of frozen tundras, scorching deserts and panoptical imprisonment, Ethos, Pathos, Logos speaks to the hypocrite in all of us and shifts the gaze inward. We can't wait to unleash it on the Bloodstock crowd this weekend." 

In the only predictable aspect of the band's sonic trajectory, Ethos, Pathos, Logos finds the band once again putting themselves under their own microscope and refining their approach. With a lush cover designed by acclaimed Visionary Artist Jake Kobrin, the record is zhOra's first back-to-back concept album, an hour long journey through past lives and cannibalism. 

Having played shows the length and breadth of the country and toured extensively through the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and Holland, the band is fiercely committed to their craft and putting their name on everyone's radar.

No strangers to high profile slots, zhOra have supported and toured with bands such as The Ocean, Coilguns and Dictated among others. Earning a slot on the Headbanger Stage at Wacken Open Air 2016 was the culmination of this time together and the commitment to creating an unrelenting sonic fingerprint and fearsome stage show. This weekend the band are scheduled to play Bloodstock Open Air as winners of the Irish leg of the associated Metal to the Masses competition, appearing on the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage at 6.45pm-7.15pm. 

With plans to tour into 2018 in support of Ethos, Pathos, Logo, the band plans to kick those who would listen squarely in the throat, onto the path less travelled.

Find out more about the band
Facebook || Twitter || Youtube || Bandcamp

Ethos, Pathos, Logos track listing:

1) The Stone
2) Riverchrist
3) Sin Eater
4) The Breach
5) Jettatura
6) Infernal Liturgy
7) Turmoil
8) Rubic(On) the Styx
9) Earth’d
10) Server, Seer, Soothsayer
11) Tabula Rasa