THE PEARL HARTS are excited to announce that their highly anticipated debut album Glitter and Spit will be released on 23 February.

The rock duo have also announced a UK headline tour in March, and they're are streaming new single 'The Rush' from today.

Check out 'The Rush' here: https://youtu.be/_GDjzaZlTaA

Tour dates as follows: 

16.03.2018  Manchester UK, The Whiskey Jar
17.03.2018  Glasgow UK, The Garage (Attic Bar)
18.03.2018  Leeds UK, Oporto
21.03.2018  London UK, Sebright Arms
22.03.2018  Brighton UK, Sticky Mike’s
23.03.2018  Peterborough UK, The Met Lounge

Following a hughly successful crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMusic, Glitter and Spit marks the band’s first full-length release. A 12 song album that consists of the fundamental fabric of rock: heavy riffs, hooks, empowerment and rebellion; these qualities fuse perfectly to create vigorous barrages of sounds. 

New single ‘The Rush’ embodies feminine empowerment and psychological strength, with vocalist Kirsty describing it as “a rush of adrenaline flowing in your blood”. 

Pre-order Glitter and Spit here: https://thepearlharts.tmstor.es/cart/product.php?id=36038

THE PEARL HARTS' unique brand of rock set them off to a whirlwind start; they were hand-picked to open tours with both Garbage and Skunk Anansie within their first few years of existence and also won many media champions including the likes of NME, Clash, Kerrang Radio. Being 100% DIY makes these achievements all the more impressive.

Having met on the road playing in former bands, lead singer/guitarist Kirsty and drummer/vocalist Sara ran away from their previous lives to become music outlaws on their own terms. Utilising heavy guitars, bouncy grooves and combining Kirsty and Sara’s wide-ranging vocals, THE PEARL HARTS create a unique and innovative barrage of sound. Influences of Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac and The Distillers are clearly apparent, but they have also been compared to bands such as Rage Against the Machine and the Beastie Boys for their attitude and grit. 

With summer festivals and international touring to be announced this spring, 2018 is set to be a huge year for THE PEARL HARTS.

Acclaimed young alt-rockers TrueHeights are back with a bang, announcing their new EP Days We Found and their signing to We Are Triumphant. 

Days We Found will be released on April 06 2018. To celebrate the release, the band have released their new video for lead single 'Exit Route', which you can watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6e3tsy0tx8

Download: https://fanlink.to/AS6

TrueHeights, from the UK's Midlands, formed in the summer of 2014. Releasing the commended mini album TH15 in September 2015 (produced by Matt O'Grady - YouMeAtSix, Deaf Havana, Don Broco), the band have had attention from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio, and Scuzz and Kerrang! TV stations.

The past twelve months have seen the band tour across the UK and Europe with Freeze The Atlantic, DEAD!, Lonely The Brave, Fatherson and more. For fans of Mallory Knox, Deaf Havana and Kids in Glass Houses, the hard-hitting, youthful and anthemic six-piece are here to announce 2018 as their own.

Watch this space for further tour and single news.

Catch the band live with Doll Skin:

18.03.18 London, Thousand Island
19.03.18 Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

For more information:
www.trueheights.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/trueheightsband/
https://www.twitter.com/trueheightsband
 

Instrumental Prog Fusion band Arch Echo have just released a drum playthrough of Richie Martinez performing ‘Afterburger’.

Check out the playthrough here: https://youtu.be/UHfFwgBW_jo

'Afterburger' comes from Arch Echo latest self-titled debut album, defining the quintet as an exceptional entry into the prog fusion community. 

A track that consists of melodic flair and the pushing of boundaries through the exploration of harmonic possibilities, Richie's drum playthrough magnifies his irrefutable ability - a large part of Arch Echo's refined take on instrumental prog.

Arch Echo are a collective of young virtuoso musicians whose meeting in 2016 at the Berklee College of Music kickstarted one of the most exciting projects the progressive music world has seen this decade. Taking influence from jazz, prog rock, metal, contemporary classical and everything in between, their refined and intelligent take on instrumental prog is as fresh and challenging as it gets.

After touring extensively in the US, Arch Echo plan to announce a series of UK tour dates. 

Purchase the album here: https://archecho.bandcamp.com/

Instrumental Prog artist Chris Schiermann has released the music video for ‘Technical Disabilities’, a track from his debut self titled album. Premiered by Metal Injection, ‘Technical Disabilities’ celebrates the growth of an instrumental virtuoso through impressive skill and monumental ability. 

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/qSsFZsR4ZW0

The video and track features Amos Williams of Tesseract on bass, with Amos also directing the video. Schiermann describes ‘Technical Disabilities’ as “self competition” and the desire to perfect various instrumental techniques through work and commitment is evident in this track. 

Schiermann will be announcing a UK tour this summer and is performing at UK Tech Fest on the 5th to 9th of July. 

Purchase the album here:
https://schiermann.bandcamp.com/album/schiermann
https://www.facebook.com/chris.schiermann
https://www.instagram.com/schiermannmusic

PACESHIFTERS have released a live video cover of ‘Territorial Pissings’ by Nirvanafeaturing a special guest performance from Frank Iero and his Patience bandmates Evan Nestor and Matt Olsson. The Nirvana classic was performed at their last UK show at Omeara London on their recent tour supporting Frank Iero and the Patience.

Check it out on Kerrang here:
https://youtu.be/WDrIJDxE1H8

Guitarist/Vocalist Seb Dokman commented: 

"One night during the tour we covered 'Aneurysm' by Nirvana. Evan was so thrilled about the cover that he asked if he could join us the next night to do 'Territorial Pissings'. After we performed this a few times, Matt wanted to join in too. It went down so well and I asked Frank if he wanted to join for the final night in London! For the last song of our set on the final night, we were joined by Evan, Matt and Frank and performed the craziest version of 'Territorial Pissings".

PACESHIFTERS will soon embark on a headline tour in support of their latest release Waiting to Derail via Hassle Records. Dates are as follows: 

14.02.2018 - St Albans UK, The Horn
15.02.2018 - Liverpool UK, Sound
16.02.2018 - Glasgow UK, The Garage Attic Bar
17.02.2018 - Newcastle UK, Think Tank Underground
18.02.2018 - Leeds UK, Brudenell Social Club
20.02.2018 - Nottingham UK, The Bodega Social Club
21.02.2018 - London UK, Camden Assembly
22.02.2018 - Tunbridge Wells UK, Forum
23.02.2018 - Brighton UK, Sticky Mikes
25.02.2018 - Cologne DE, MTC
26.02.2018 - Hamburg DE, Nochtwache
27.02.2018 - Berlin DE, Privatclub

Following the headline tour, PACESHIFTERS will announce more dates and festivals for 2018.

A special deluxe version of Waiting To Derail featuring bonus EP Live from GieSound will be released on 19 January 2018 via Hassle Records.

For more information:
http://www.paceshifters.com
https://www.facebook.com/PACESHIFTERS
https://twitter.com/paceshifters
https://www.instagram.com/paceshifters

Metal/hardcore quartet BAILER return with their new self-titled EP, due for release on 9th February 2018 via Distro-y Records. Following on from 2017’s PTSD and 2016’s Shaped By The Landscape, BAILER is an ambitious collection of tracks that showcase a band who have truly discovered their sound.

In light of the announcement BAILER have released the video for their single 'Long Gone', which features Adam Carroll (formerly of Zoax). First premiered on the band's Facebook page, check out the video here: https://youtu.be/Z_0fnbSHq6o

Pre-order BAILER:

Physical: https://distrotable.com/collections/bailer
Digital: https://bailerofficial.bandcamp.com/

The band have also announced live dates in support of the new record, including three EP launch shows in Ireland and a headline tour in Russia. 

Full dates so far are as follows: 

18.01.2018 - Cork IE, UCC New Bar (w/ GodMother + Ilenkus)
27.01.2018 - Waterford IE, Central Arts (pre-launch show) 
16.02.2018 - Tambov RU, Molotov Club
17.02.2018 - Tolyatti RU, Kirpich Cafe
18.02.2018 - Ufa RU, Rocks Cafe
19.02.2018 - Chelyabinsk RU, Ozz Club
20.02.2018 - Kurgan RU, Legenda Bar
21.02.2018 - Tyumen RU, Rocketa Club
22.02.2018 - Izhevsk RU, 8kwt Club
23.02.2018 - Glazov RU, Hard Machine Club
24.02.2018 - Cheboksary RU, SK Bar
25.02.2018 - Moscow RU, TBC
03.03.2018 - Cork IE, An Spailpin Fanach (EP launch)
09.03.2018 - Dublin IE, DBD (EP launch) 
10.03.2018 - Galway IE, Roisin Dubh (EP launch) 

Returning to work with Murdock’s Aidan Cunningham, BAILER is relentless from the get-go as the merciless ‘Lying For A Living’ brings the listener up to speed in a riotous fashion, while the likes of ‘Tuesday Blues’ and ‘Death Is A Reminder’ take a filthier route, reminiscent of Cancer Bats. Since forming in 2015 BAILER have pricked the ears of many other musicians, with some familiar faces lending their vocals to this latest EP. Adam Carroll formerly of Zoax, Xander Coughlan of Emigra and Kevin ‘Lefty’ Letford of Red Enemy all feature, adding their own slice of character to the record.
 
With a small discography the four-piece have impressively garnered attention from Metal Hammer, Kerrang! Radio presenter Alex Baker, Metal Injection and Heavy Blog Is Heavy, an achievement that is no mean feat for a band so early into their career. BAILER have spent their short time as a band building up a strong reputation in their home ground, having played shows alongside Norma Jean, Sick Of It All, Employed To Serve, HECK, Murdock, Shields, Red Enemy and more.

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

Instrumental prog-fusion quintet ARCH ECHO have unveiled new video 'My Head Sometimes', taken from their self-titled debut album, released earlier this year.

Premiering on Prog, check it out here:

ARCH ECHO are a collective of young virtuoso musicians whose meeting in 2016 at the Berklee College of Music kickstarted one of the most exciting projects the progressive music world has seen this decade. Taking influence from jazz, prog rock, metal, contemporary classical and everything in between, their refined and intelligent take on instrumental prog is as fresh and challenging as it gets.

ARCH ECHO’s initial videos, “Earthshine” and “Hip Dipper”, were an instant hit in the progressive community and have already racked up a combined 100k views on YouTube, prompting the band to write and record their debut full-length. 

Word has spread considerably in the muso sphere, with the band already championed by Standberg Guitars, Meinl Cymbals, Revo Straps, Drumdots, 1964 Ears, Mapex Drums, Jamstik and even guitar legend George Benson, who said “Arch Echo will knock your socks off and make you glad at the same time. Trust me!”

ARCH ECHO have just completed their aptly named The Tendonitis Tour and will be touring the UK / Europe in 2018, more news to be announced very soon.

SikTh have announced three intimate shows for February 2018, following their recent tour across the UK and Ireland. Two of the shows will be part of Independent Music Venue Week. 

“We started out playing independent venues back in the day," says vocalist Mikee W. Goodman. "Some of the greatest shows I’ve known have been in them. It’s harder than ever for them nowadays, local scenes need support. We’ve not been to Carlisle in a long while! We look forward to that and Milton Keynes. Tunbridge Wells is a classic venue SikTh used to play back in the day – it will be good to be back.”

The UK dates precede the band's appearance at Complexity Fest, as well as a handful of shows in Germany. 

Full dates: 

02.02.2018 - Carlisle UK, The Brickyard  
03.02.2018 - Milton Keynes UK, The Craufurd Arms
22.02.2018 - Tunbridge Wells UK, The Forum
24.02.2018 - Haarlem NL, Complexity Fest
26.02.2018 - Hamburg DE, Headcrash
27.02.2018 - Berlin DE, Music & Frieden
28.02.2018 - Cologne DE, MTC

Tickets are on sale here: https://www.facebook.com/sikthofficial

Check out the band's latest single 'The Aura' here: https://youtu.be/oZ5e2Xjy93s

[For an MP3 or WAV of 'The Aura' please email hannah@holdtightpr.com]

SikTh have recently released a new deluxe digital edition of The Future In Whose Eyes? This new version features the addition of 6 exclusive bonus tracks including three live tracks recorded at 2017’s Arctangent Festival, two re-imagined tracks from the original album plus an instrumental track, as well as alternative cover artwork.

Purchase the deluxe edition of The Future In Whose Eyes? here: http://smarturl.it/TFIWEdeluxe

For further information:
www.sikth.band
https://www.facebook.com/sikthofficial
https://twitter.com/sikthofficial

James Monteith 

In no particular order....

Body Count - Bloodlust

Riffs, riffs, more riffs... and Ice T being a badass... what more could you want?

Danny Cavanagh - Monochrome

 A collection of stunning prog rock songs produced with outstanding finesse.

Arcane Roots - Melancholia Hymns

A wonderfully diverse, intelligent and interesting record with many exciting curve balls.

Igorrr - Savage Sinusoid 

The most bonkers record of the year, hands down. Utterly brilliant.

Bonobo - Migration

An immersive collection of tracks from the master of downtempo / chill / jazz soundscapes.

The Contortionist - Clairvoyant

Having now taken the leap fully into prog, TC prove that they're up there with the best.

Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 3

OK, this came out end Dec 2016, but if I'd heard it before i did my list last year it would have 100% been there. Stunning production, slick vocals.. huge.. basically.

The Faceless - In Becoming A Ghost

Technical genius and bold experimentation come together to make this insane and engrossing record.

Entheos - Dark Future

Brutality and tech-metal finesse come together on this impressive debut.

Jakob Zytecki - Feather Bed EP 

Stunning solo EP from one of the most talented young guitarists around at the moment. 

---

Lisa Coverdale

1. Couch Slut – Contempt

1. Helpless – Debt

I can’t choose between Couch Slut or Helpless for the most nasty assed brilliance to grace my ears this year. Choose between angry woman or angry man, both howling, shouting and hating the world. Couch Slut are one of the best bands I’ve heard in years, Helpless are one of the best bands I’ve heard in years. Both sound so tortured that vocally they could eviscerate the fur off of a kitten. Fans of nasty would do well to delve into both bands and immerse themselves in the bleakness. You’ll come out a changed person. 

3. Converge - The Dusk in Us

Classic Converge, what’s not to like. An unstoppable extreme force, matched by few others. 

4. Tombs - The Grand Annihilation  

Any year that Tombs put out a release, it’ll be in my top 10. Because they’re fucking brilliant. Bleaker, darker, better. Love them. 

5. Propagandhi - Victory Lap

Propagandhi doing what they do best - face peeling punk thrash with metal overtones and a moral and political back bone stronger than most others. I could listen to this over and over. And over and over. 

6. Dying Fetus - Wrong One To Fuck With

Another band that can do no wrong in my eyes, unless they started rapping and then I’d maybe need to reconsider my love for them.  Absolutely brutal from start to finish, Dying Fetus are a band that just doesn’t fuck about.

7. Bjork – Utopia 

Typically Bjork, beautiful, hauntingly otherworldly and in a league of her own. A classic of 2017! 

8. Battalions – Moonburn

A heavy slab of grooving monstrosity, epic beards and harshly majestic sludge.  

9. Daniel Herskedal – The Roc

Norwegian tuba led contemporary jazz. Just let that sink in. TUBA. Even the word is great to say. There’s a sophisticated Arabian vibe, weaving colours and tones into an album of groundbreaking experimental jazz that is simply out of this world. 

10. Abhorrent Decimation - The Pardoner  

British Death Metal that flirts with the notion of being a concept record, based on a villainous figure that poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about in The Canterbury Tales. An absolutely monolithic and imposing racket from one of the UK’s most promising bands.

---

Barley

1. Bonobo - Migration (Ninja Tune)

2. Om Unit - Self (Cosmic Bridge)

3. Hundredth - Rare (Hopeless)

4. Claro Intelecto - Exhilirator (Delsin)

5. August Burns Red - Phantom Anthem (Fearless)

6. Lusine - Sensorimotor (Ghostly International)

7. The Contortionist - Clairvoyant (eOne)

8. Enable.ed - Tipsy Haux 2.0 (Clean Error)

9. Ho99o9 – United States Of Horror (999 Deathkult)

10. Converge – The Dusk In Us (Deathwish)

---

Hannah Gillicker

1. Enter Shikari – The Spark
They’ve done it again: I cannot fault this record, perfect from start to finish. 

2. Wiley – Godfather
Wiley proves he is the godfather of grime with his latest record, and arguably it features some of the best grime collabs of the year. 

3. Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 3
Although this record came out earlier than planned at the end of 2016 it deserves its place in my 2017 album list – it’s the type of record that keeps me on my toes and their show at Brixton Academy was in my Top 3 of the year. 

4. Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
Pushing the boundaries of grime, this is an innovative and influential debut from a rising star.    

5. Gold Key – Hello Phantom
Another fantastic debut release of 2017, in my eyes Gold Key have cemented themselves as one of the hottest new bands with this stunning record.  

6. Lethal Bizzle - You’ll Never Make A Million From Grime (EP)
Reminding me of two highlights of my year (Reading Festival and Ibiza) Bizzle provided a fantastic soundtrack to my summer. 

7. Bad Sign – Live & Learn
Bad Sign have pushed the boundaries with this hard-hitting debut release, riffs of the year. 

8. Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
I love the dark and light in this record, powerful and mesmerising all at the same time. 

9. Skepta – Vicious (EP) 
This EP features one of my favourite songs of 2017 (Hypocrisy) – Skepta oozes with swagger throughout this record. 

10. Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile To The Surface
Another beautiful release from Manchester Orchestra that pulls on your heartstrings – I wouldn’t expect anything less. 
 

---

Matty B

1. Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile To The Surface

Possibly the album of the year and playing the gig of the year, Manchester Orchestra’s Black Mile is a beautiful listen. Mournful, bleak, and yet cathartic and uplifting – their best work yet.

2. Enter Shikari - The Spark

For my money Shikari’s best album – the sound of a band reaching triumphant peak maturity, honing and softening their sound, becoming fully worthy of the arenas they’re now hitting.

3. Gold Key - Hello, Phantom

My musical discovery of the year – new band Gold Key with their mix of Elbow, Pink Floyd, Arcane Roots-ian textures. Enigmatic, intriguing and engaging.

4. Steven Wilson - To The Bone

A slightly polarising record, “To The Bone” is prog maestro Wilson’s tilt at writing a retro-pop record. Joyous and glorious, and some of his first songs fully delivered with a grin.

5. Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
How far the band have come from their original roots. Ulver’s synth/new-wave “Assassination” is one of the best retro-istic records in a year packed full of throwback releases.

6. Converge - The Dusk In Us
What else is there to say, other than stating this is one of the greatest metal bands doing what they do best. A triumphant return.

7. Employed To Serve - The Warmth of a Dying Sun

One of the UK’s most talked about heavy bands of 2017. Truly deserved – Warmth is a masterful exercise in untamed yet taut brutality.

8. Full of Hell - Trumpeting Ecstasy

Bonkers grind-based genre transcendence.

9. Arcane Roots - Melancholia Hymns
The sound of a band relaxing into their full potential, “Melancholia Hymns” is forward-thinking, mainstream-aspiring rock nearing its best.

10. Glassjaw - Material Control

Casually strolling in at the end of the year is Glassjaw. Experimental post-hardcore riffing at its best; bonus points for the best bass tone of the year too.

---

David Perkins

(Our Intern)

1. Converge - The Dusk in Us

2. 68 - Two Parts Viper

3. Iron Maiden - Book of Souls (Live Chapter)

4. All them Witches - Sleeping through the War

5. Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy

6. The Afghan Whigs - in Spades

7.  War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding

8. Mastodon - Emperor of Sand

9. Morrissey - Low in High School

10. Wolf Alice- Visions of a Life