Norwegian punk quintet LÜT have released their new video, 'Mersmak', the first taste of the band's new material in over two years, following the release of their critically acclaimed debut Pandion (2017). 

Watch the brilliant new video for 'Mersmak' here: https://youtu.be/uBEcXQb7UJo

Stream 'Mersmak' here: https://lut.lnk.to/MERSMAK

'Mersmak' is the title-track of their forthcoming LP, due later this year. Roughly translated as 'Taste for more / Wanting more' it's a fitting title for this infectiously raucous group. Elements of Turbonegro, Blood Command, Kvelertak and more combine to exhilarating effect.

Ever since their foundation, LÜT has been a band that have captivated rock audiences, making a name for themselves in Norway. With their debut album, LÜT was nominated for 'New Band of the Year' in both the Norwegian Grammys Spellemannprisen and the Norwegian Radio award show P3 Gull. They have also found a fan in Lars Ulrich, who praised them on his podcast 'It’s Electric'. The band have also recently played at Summer Breeze Open Air, Reeperbahn, Øya and Tons Of Rock, as well as several other Norwegian festivals.
 
"We went through highs and lows writing this album, and it was definitely a learning process which made the band stronger as a whole. As such; making this album has been a type of contemplation. We’re excited to have finished the ‘difficult second album’ and couldn’t have hoped for a better result. It’s great to finally be able to show the world what we’ve been working on,” says vocalist Markus Danjord.
 
The band has made some changes to the line-up in the last year, as guitarist Mads Ystmark (Heave Blood and Die) has replaced former members Hans Marius Mikkelsen and Viljar Ratama Dunderovic. Following this change, LÜT spent their past months in Norway and abroad, finishing their second album.

Mersmak was mixed by Mike Schuppan (Paramore, M83, Jimmy Eat World), mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Converge, Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein Stranger Things Soundtracks), and recorded in Giske and Tromsø, Norway, and Bronson Island in Los Angeles, USA.
 
From February to June, LÜT will release a new single every month before the album hits in September. The band is eager to show the world what they have been working on in these last two years.

For more:

https://www.lutband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bandlut/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0883sihqyDtxTAYgF0fVJb

UK TECH-FEST has announced its second wave of bands for the four-day event at the Newark showground on 2nd-6th July 2019.

Two headlines are announced: Progressive metal giants The Ocean Collective on the Saturday and US metalcore-djent quintet Reflections who make their UK debut (UK Exclusive) on the Friday.

Other key additions include metalcore stalwarts For the Fallen Dreams (UK Exclusive) and much hyped UK band Loathe.

Also announced are:

Martyr Defiled
Krysthla
Black Orchid Empire
Red Method
The Materia
The Modern Age Slavery
Novena
Sertraline
KMAC2021
Monasteries
Tiberius
Altostratus
Azazel
Axiom
Pound
THAEIA

Sold Soul Apparel and Overload Custom Guitars & Basses have also come on board as additional sponsors.

Already announced are:

Fit For An Autopsy (UK Exclusive)
Gorod
Slice The Cake (UK Exclusive)
Black Crown Initiate
Uneven Structure
Within Destruction
Frontierer
Osiah
Artificial Language
Project Mishram
Cognizance
Divine Chaos
The Voynich Code
Godsticks
Viscera
Wings Denied
Where Oceans Burn
Controversial
Matt Ball
Form Subtract

Primordial Radio - https://primordialradio.com
Strandberg - https://www.facebook.com/strandbergGuitarworks 
Moomin Merchandise - https://www.facebook.com/MoominMerch
Hands On Printing  -https://www.facebook.com/handsonprinting 
Long Branch Records - https://longbranchrecords.bigcartel.com/
Line 6 - https://line6.com
Yamaha - https://uk.yamaha.com
Pins & Knuckles - https://www.pinsandknucklesmerch.com/
Blackstar Amps - https://www.blackstaramps.com/
Claas Guitars - https://www.facebook.com/claasguitars/
Chris Surgenor Audio
Loki Films - https://www.facebook.com/LokiFilms
JWA Creations - - https://www.facebook.com/JWACreations2016
Stage Sight Sound - https://www.facebook.com/Jonny.harper86
Sold Soul Apparel - https://m.facebook.com/soldsoulapparel/?_rdr
Overload Custom Guitars & Basses - https://m.facebook.com/OverloadCustomGuitarsAndBasses/?_rdr

Expect big things for 2020 as UK TECH-FEST promises to return with yet another mind-blowing forward-thinking line up. As well as a bill packed packed full of incredible bands, there will be many workshops, gear demos and after parties too.

Weekend tickets available at £74.99 + £20 Camping.

Purchase tickets here: www.uktechfest.com

For more information, contact James Monteith on +44(0)7917 879 482 or James@holdtightpr.com

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

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.uktechfest.com
UKTMF YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/UKTechMetalFest
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/uktechmetalfest/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/uktechfest

Photo Credit: Andrew Basso

EBONIVORY, one of the fastest-rising acts of the blossoming Australian progressive music scene, have released their brand new track 'Explosions After Dark'.

Watch the video for 'Explosions After Dark' here: http://bit.ly/explosionsafterdark 

Purchase and stream here: smarturl.it/explosionsafterdark

EBONIVORY vocalist Charlie Powlett says of the track; "'Explosions After Dark' is an escalation of aggression for EBONIVORY; it represents the darkest edge of our sound spectrum. We're excited to be releasing something brimming with chaotic emotions and soundscapes, mirroring the unheard stories that brought us to where we are today. Although initially written several years ago, its lyrical nature only became more relevant as time went on; dealing with issues such as differentiation and cruelty through the lens of modern science fiction. We're hoping that fans, old and new, allow these crashing auditory waves to wash over them and feel the chilling multiplex of themes hidden in this song's depths."

'Explosions After Dark' is taken from EBONIVORY's upcoming new album, more details to be announced soon.  

The last twelve months have seen EBONIVORY rise through the progressive ranks to become a commanding live act. A whirlwind performance at Australia’s acclaimed PROGFEST, alongside international heavyweights The Ocean (Germany), Monuments (UK) and Skyharbor (India/USA) kicked off 2019 in a big way for the Victoria, Australia quintet. They then went on to support alt-rock powerhouse Dead Letter Circus and traversed the country with progressive rock juggernaut Circles for their The Winter Tour. 

The band's singles 'Patting the Black Dog' and 'Tales Of Termina' landed coverage with PROG Magazine (UK), Triple J’s The Racket, Spotify’s Homegrown + Heavy Playlist, and Rage. EBONIVORY are currently touring Australia with fellow prog-scene mates Glass Ocean and in May head to the US and Canada with prog rock outfit Caligula’s Horse and US hard-hitters Moon Tooth for a 26 date tour.
 
Tour dates with Caligula's Horse:

May 2020

22 Chicago, IL – Reggie's Rock Club
23 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
24 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
25 Montreal, QC – Petit Campus
26 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
27 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
28 Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
29 Washington, DC – Union Stage
30 Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre

June 2020:

1 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
2 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
4 Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge
5 Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre
6 San Francisco, CA – Slim's
7 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
8 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
9 Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore
11 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
12 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
13 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
14 Minneapolis, MN – Amsterdam Hall
16 St Louis, MO – Red Flag
17 Nashville, TN – Exit/In
18 Atlanta, GA – Purgatory @ The Masquerade
19 West Palm Beach, FL – Respectable Street
20 Orlando, FL – Soundbar

Australian tour dates:

March 2020
6  Melbourne - The Workers Club
7  Sydney - The Chippendale Hotel
13 Adelaide - Crown & Anchor 

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/ebonivoryband
http://bit.ly/ebonivoryband
https://www.instagram.com/ebonivory.band

UK alt-rockers CARRY THE CROWN have released their new single 'Horizons' (out today, Tuesday 3rd March), continuing with their fresh lease of life following previous single 'Runaway'. For fans of You Me At Six, Don Broco and Mallory Knox, CARRY THE CROWN showcase a mix of electric, bouncy choruses with soft, infectious hooks. 
 
Check out the video for 'Horizons' here: https://youtu.be/qCdilTcJG-8

"'Horizons' is a new exciting direction showcasing the mature sound of CARRY THE CROWN," the band comment. The new single is melodic, punchy and meaningful and perfectly sets out the path and the future for CTC."

In their short time as a band, CARRY THE CROWN have already gained support from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens, BBC Introducing in Lincolnshire and Kerrang! Radio, and featured on numerous official Spotify playlists. It's no surprise, as they bring together the melodic vocals of You Me At Six and combine them with the bouncy guitar work of Don Broco, all whilst honing their own unique sound. 

CARRY THE CROWN will play a series of shows in support of the new single, dates are as follows:

21.03.2020 - Leeds, Headrow House (w/ Weekend Recovery)
28.03.2020 - Scunthorpe, The Lincoln Imp
25.04.2020 - Lincoln, The Lincolnshire Showground (w/ Skindred) 

For more information:
http://www.carrythecrown.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/carrythecrown/
https://twitter.com/carrythecrownuk
https://www.instagram.com/carrythecrownofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/carrythecrownofficial

Alternative psych rockers DEEPSHADE have released their new single 'Arches of Innocence', taken from their forthcoming LP Soul Divider, to be released 1st May.

Stream 'Arches of Innocence' here: https://ditto.fm/arches-of-innocence
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu5MdbgeCmQ

Elements of fundamental influential artists (Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, The Doors) meet newer progressive / alternative artists (Gold Key, Porcupine Tree) to create a truly enthralling modern rock record in Soul Divider.

Forming in late 2013 by David Rybka (Vox/Guitar), Tom Doherty (Bass) and Paul Barlow (Drums) the eclectic trio mutually aspired to create a fresh sonic experience. With an established following throughout England's northern territories, cultivated by a flurry of explosive live shows, DEEPSHADE were brought to a wider audiences through airplay support from BBC Introducing and a plethora of alternative radio globally.

Recognition from The Guardian, PowerPlay, Fireworks, and Classic Rock magazines soon followed. With the release of their debut LP Everything Popular Is Wrong (2015) the band went on to play Summer Rock Solstice and Rockmantic Weekender, among other festivals.

We then turn to 2020, with the impending release of the band's second LP – Soul Divider, a fine mix of grungy alternative rock and modern alt-prog and psych. Aspects of the likes of Chroma Key, Nosound, Porcupine Tree, Gold Key, Radiohead, Nirvana and many more clash and collide in a deeply satisfying new record.

DEEPSHADE are:

David Rybka – guitar, vocals
Tom Doherty – bass 
Paul Barlow – drums 
Live: Fran Lydiatt – keys

For more information:

Website www.deepshadehq.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/deepshadeuk
Twitter www.twitter.com/deepshademusic
Bandcamp www.deepshadehq.bandcamp.com
Instagram @deepshademusic

Virtuoso drummer and composer VIRGIL DONATI has released a stunning new drum playthrough for the track 'The Quiet Place', taken from the new solo effort Ruination, out now.

Check out 'The Quiet Place' here: https://youtu.be/y8pJbN74YK0

Having just completed a tour of the USA, Virgil's band will soon be announcing Australian and European tours in 2020.

Famed as a drum virtuoso, Virgil is also a multi-instrumentalist: he’s a highly accomplished keyboard player, arranger, producer, lyricist and more, all of which is showcased on the new album. With a career spanning four decades and having worked with some of the finest musicians in the world (inc. Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan), it’s no surprise that Ruination is packed full of sophistication, skill, and exciting composition.

Fusing elements of prog, jazz fusion and occasionally tending toward the heavier, Ruination is an experimental and progressive musical exploration, as tightly controlled as it is dynamic and free. A notable addition on this record is prominent vocals, which add a great texture and entwine traditional songwriting elements into the mix. As expected, Virgil’s skill and creativity behind the kit is undeniably impressive; his ability to paint stunning pictures via his exploration in rhythm is unmatched, and his work on this album is no exception.

The core band on Ruination consists of Irwin Thomas (guitar/vox), Andre Neiri (guitar), Junior Braguinha (bass), Chris Clark (keys), but there are several notable guest performances. Virgil himself performs on keyboards, and he is also joined by some more exceptional players: Anton Davidyants (bass), Matteo Mancuso (guitar), Joe Chindamo (keys), Julian Lage (guitar), Evan Marien (bass), Marco Sfogli (guitar), Alex Argento (keys), Carl Morner Ringstrom (guitar) and Steve Hunt (keys).

Recently winning Modern Drummer Magazine’s ‘Best Recorded Performance’ and named in Music Radar's ‘Prog Drummer of the Year’ top seven this year, there’s no doubt that this is a musician at the top of his game. However, Ruination is more than a show of talent and skill, it’s a stunning musical work that sounds far greater than the sum of its very impressive parts.

More info:
https://virgildonati.com/
https://www.facebook.com/virgildonati/
https://www.instagram.com/thevirgildonati/

Instrumental post-metal quartet TELEPATHY have streamed their new single 'The Void In Aimless Flight', taken from their anticipated third full-length record, Burn Embrace, due 27th March via Svart Records.

Premiered via HeavyBlogIsHeavy, stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BazpGc8I7SI

Pre-order the record: https://orcd.co/telepathy-pariah

TELEPATHY formed in 2012, the product of three Polish brothers (Piotr, Albert, and Krystian Turek) and one English guitarist (Richard Powley), later joined by bassist Teddy James Driscoll. The quintet's second and most recent LP, Tempest (Spring 2017) was released to rave reviews globally, including Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, The Quietus, Visions, Metal Hammer DE, and more.

TELEPATHY played over 125 shows in support of Tempest over eight tours, and performed at acclaimed festivals, including Roadburn, ArcTanGent, Desertfest London, and more. Support tours with Solstafir and Saint Vitus have the newer quintet marked as one of the most revered and talked-about groups in the instrumental post-metal scene.

Burn Embrace will look to carry this legacy and then some - a scintillating mix of sludge, post-black, doom, and blackened metal from a band fully worthy of their praise.

Watch the band live:

22.03 Colchester, Arts Centre 
26.03 London, The Black Heart  
27.03 Coventry, The Arches
28.03 Manchester, Riffolution Festival 
29.03 Bristol, The Lanes 

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/telepathyband/
https://twitter.com/telepathyband
https://svartrecords.com/

TRASHED have announced their new EP Faceplant, due for release on 28th April 2020. In light of the announcement the band have released a video for 'Isn't That Cute', the second taste of the new EP following their 2019 single 'Charlie Sheen'.

Check out the video for 'Isn't That Cute' here: https://youtu.be/ryG0R8uO-Uw

For fans of Sum 41 and early-era Green Day and Blink-182, TRASHED are Bristol's answer to 90s/00s style punk rock, delivering a unique sound of neck-breaking riffs and throat shredding melodies that are soaked in a sense of nostalgia.

All it took was Green Day's secret set at Reading 2012 for Jimmy, Ben and Sam to become best friends and start making music together. In 2018 Jimmy and Ben decided to drop out of University and drag Sam away from his 9-5 to start TRASHED.

The Bristol trio released their first single, ‘Waste Away’, from their debut EP Yours Not Mine in early 2019. Their first year as a band was spent playing shows across the UK, cramming back into the recording studio and building a strong team around them. 

TRASHED worked with producer Neil Kennedy (Milk Teeth, Creeper, Boston Manor) to cultivate the sound for their stripped-back, catchy, 90s inspired punk rock songs that explore topics including vegetarianism, dealing with anxiety and trying at all costs to avoid a 9-5 job. 

The band will play a show in London with Krooked Tongue in March, before touring the UK with Reveal The Road in April. 

Dates:

18.03.2020 - London, The Old Blue Last*
02.04.2020 - Brighton, Latest Music Bar^
03.04.2020 - London, Hope and Anchor^
04.04.2020 - Manchester, Eagle Inn^
05.04.2020 - Sheffield, Cafe Totem^
06.04.2020 - Bristol, The Crofters Rights^

*w/ Krooked Tongue
^w/ Reveal The Road 

For more information:
http://www.trashedofficial.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/trashedofficial/
https://twitter.com/TrashedOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/trashed_official/

German dark indie prog three-piece KOJ have shared their video for new single 'Thunder'. It's the third single to come from the band's forthcoming debut album Home which is set for release via Long Branch Records on April 24th 2020. Pre-orders are now available here: https://koj.lnk.to/home

Stream the song here > https://koj.lnk.to/home

Watch the music video here > https://youtu.be/x5BMH0YGOSU

'Thunder' talks about those sudden changes in life that you didn’t anticipate. The feeling of being completely fine one minute and the next you feel like your whole world is collapsing. Those moments that feel like a storm is rolling in so quickly that you didn’t even have time to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Almost mockingly and in stark contrast to the theme of the song, the music feels very light and up-tempo and more like a dance track. 'Thunder' thrives on the interplay of these two opposing forces.

KOJ comments on new single 'Thunder': "The song was written at the end of the recording process in a collaborative process with the producer Beray Habip. We wanted to add an uptempo track while staying true to the core elements of the KOJ sound. The chorus features a western style guitar lick similar to the intro of the first single 'Home'. However, the almost techno like drum beat adds a new dimension to the atmospheric and thick sound palette." 

German indie band KOJ share a strong common musical vision in addition to their roots as a family. As a closely interwoven trio they create dark, emotional soundscapes that captivate the listener. As children of the 90s they love the rock music of that time, which is reflected in the raw emotionality of their songs. The band wrap their musical essence in minimalistic and fine sound garments, which is reminiscent of triphop in some places, letting feelings lead the listener.

The band shows itself sometimes unbending, sometimes fragile, sometimes self-confident, they don't gloss over their songs which are raw and to the point. In countless songwriting and recording sessions they have worked on their sound world and created their musical home together with engineer and producer Beray Habip. An intimate and personal image of the life of three people intertwined has been created in the process. KOJ want to understand where they come from, where they are going and how they can exist in this world.

Catch them live on the following dates. 

KOJ HOME TOUR 2020

22.03. DE, Cologne - Carlswerk Victoria /w Kensington (sold out)
23.03. DE, Berlin - Columbia Theater /w Kensington
24.03. DE, Hamburg - Grünspan /w Kensington
30.04. UK, London - O2 Islington Academy 2 /w Demons Of Ruby Mae
04.05. DE, Berlin - Kantine im Berghain
05.05. DE, Hamburg - Freundlich und Kompetent 
09.05. DE, Moers - Vacuum Fest / Bollwerk 107
14.05. DE, Cologne - Stereo Wonderland
16.05. DE, Muenster - Gleis 22
17.05. DE, Hannover - Lux
Agentur: Headline Concerts

Line Up:
Alina von der Gathen (Guitar, Vocals)
Simon von der Gathen (Keys)
Nils von der Gathen (Drums)

For more information:
https://www.kojband.com
https://www.facebook.com/kojband
https://www.instagram.com/kojband
https://www.youtube.com/kojband