The insatiably curious and effortlessly diverse Northern Irish protest-punk CATALAN! will release his debut LP Veritas on 2nd October.
In celebration of the announcement, CATALAN! (aka Ewen Friers) have also streamed their new single 'Fortune'.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/d58KncEH6Xk
Stream via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WVgiaMUzVS6DUdwDgwevL?si=j1THegjlRNayCzjLP_05Hg
Pre-order Veritas here: http://www.catalancatalancatalan.com/shop/
Self-described as a protest-rock project CATALAN! has already started becoming known for their danceable meld of forward-thinking indie, post-rock, and post-punk.
Aiming to spark lively debate around everything from environmental catastrophe to social media deluge, Ewen's stream of consciousness and reference-heavy lyrics are irresistibly melded to a backdrop of infectious rhythms, fizzy guitars, and synthy bass grooves.
A wide range of inspirations informs CATALAN!’s soundworld – elements of world music, post-everything, and even hip-hop. Ewen by day is a touring crewmember for a range of other bands (Frnk Iero, Laura Jane Grace, Thursday, among others) and is also a trained tour guide of his home on the north coast of Ireland. Veritas was written during Ewen's travels around Europe - and a sense of worldly curiosity permeates the record.
CATALAN!'s combined experiences helped shape Veritas, recorded on the remote North Coast of Northern Ireland. As Ewen comments "it took all the touring and travel to write the CATALAN! record, but it took coming home to record it", in an isolated location with no internet, phone signal, or outside contact. It’s a mixture of local history, news, a novel and politics all combined to create a release full of engaging emotive depth – formed via a stream-of-consciousness approach.
Using the stream-of-consciousness, Veritas asks the question: how are we expected to approach the way we consume world news today, given that there’s such a range of it?
CATALAN!’s uniquely engaging approach has already helped turn many heads: at the BBC, The Line of Best Fit, supporting Jamie Lenman and And So I Watch You From Afar, among others. Ewen’s also known from his time in local post-hardcore heroes Axis Of.
For more information:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/catalanmusic/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/catalancatalancatalan/
Twitter https://twitter.com/EwenCatalan
Photo Credit: Bjørn Tore Moen
Shapeshifting progressive metal pioneer IHSAHN has once again pushed the boundaries of unconstrained creation, with the release of his striking single/video tribute to Norwegian pop pioneers A-HA. 'Manhattan Skyline' is taken from his new EP Pharos, out 11th September on Candlelight Records, and features the phenomenal vocal talents of Einar Solberg (LEPROUS).
Watch the video for 'Manhattan Skyline' here: https://youtu.be/TM_8PCvvz40
Pre-order Pharos here: https://ihsahn.lnk.to/Pharos
'Manhattan Skyline' was originally released in 1986 by A-HA and reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. With a refresh for 2020 IHSAHN has produced a delicate but true-to-the-original tribute, combining a soft ballad-like verse that explodes into a bombastic rock chorus featuring all of the melodramatic grandeur of the original.
Directed and filmed by Troll Toftenes, the video sees IHSAHN at his most passionate and embracing. With the breathtaking landscape of Norway as the backdrop, IHSAHN plays his Aristides T/0 Lilac Pearl Satin Guitar atop Gaustatoppen, the highest mountain in Norway, at sunset whilst Einar Solberg's (LEPROUS) earnest and emotional vocals soar to other worldly levels of brilliance. The spectacle never relinquishes its hold on the viewer.
IHSAHN admits that his love of A-HA is not new, revealing: “There are some hints of A-HA even on the second Emperor album!”
This may frustrate followers of the orthodoxy present within extreme music, but for IHSAHN, he has never worried about being confined to certain expectations.
“I never wanted to be as one-dimensional as this black metal image. When I turned 40, I stopped caring but if you start out playing black metal when you're 16, it's hardly because you want to be everybody's favourite.”
Pharos is another triumph for one of the proud initiators of black metal; this polymathic composer, who has already leant his iconoclastic spirit to rule-breaking bands and projects, has yet again woven intricate, sonic landscapes that cement his status as a true musical alchemist.
The light to Telemark’s dark, Pharos features three original compositions and two covers; a delicate but true-to-the-original version of ‘Manhattan Skyline’ by Norway’s own pop progenitors A-HA (featuring LEPROUS frontman Einar Solberg on vocal duties) and the haunting ‘Roads’, originally by British trip-hop collective PORTISHEAD.
Recorded at his home studio, with additional drums by Tobias Solbakk at Jukes Joint Studio, Pharos is musically and conceptually a reverse image of Telemark (the first of the two linked EPs, released back in February of this year.)
Pharos is released on 11th September 2020 via Candlelight Records. Pre-orders including t-shirts, hoody and limited-edition vinyl bundles, are available HERE.
IHSAHN online:
Ihsahn Official Website || Facebook | Instagram || Twitter | Candlelight
About IHSAHN
Since 1991 IHSAHN has defied expectations and pushed boundaries. Launching his solo career in 2006 with The Adversary he has sought to maintain the black metal blueprint that he helped devise with the world-shattering EMPEROR, while mischievously exploring progressive dreamscapes, avant garde jazz, electronica, darkwave, ear-crushing tech-metal and ambient meditations. Each full-length album has had an element of surprise and delight, where the architect plays out his creative vision by building on an unwavering zeal for the shock and awe that keeps his listeners on their toes.
Brazilian symphonic black metal titans PARADISE IN FLAMES have unveiled their new single 'I'm Sure Your Gods Have Seen This Before', taken from their forthcoming third album, Devil’s Collection, released 16th October via Blood Blast (Nuclear Blast and Believe’s new distribution service).
Stream the single here: https://backl.ink/142680369
And pre-order the record here: https://backl.ink/142663970
The powerful new album is typical PARADISE IN FLAMES, bombastic and triumphant, led from the front by A. Damien’s terrifying gutturals and O. Mortis’ operatic soprano.
Formed in 2002 with the aim to confront establishment ideas in Brazil, the band soon became the talk of Brazilian metal with their first release, Empire in Ashes.
The following year PARADISE IN FLAMES released their EP, Devil from the Sky, and in 2005 kicked off their first countrywide tour, including the For Chaos festival. Their debut LP Homo Morbus Est was released in 2006 on Democratic Records Brazil / MDR Records (Portugal), and sold 3,000 copies. Copies of this much-sought after debut are still traded on the Brazilian underground, 14 years later.
In 2008 PARADISE IN FLAMES set off on their largest tour, including supporting Krisiun on three dates.
Following a hiatus, the band’s second LP, Labirinto de Metáforas, was released in 2013 – a concept record which received great acclaim at home and abroad.
Finally we turn to their LP Devil’s Collection, a devastating concoction of symphonic black metal, thrash, and complex death metal. Elements of Dimmu Borgir, Vader, Nervosa and Belphegor all come together to triumphant effect – true testament to the talent and rise of a band from an oft-underrepresented area of the metal globe.
For more information:
www.paradiseinflames.com
www.facebook.com/paradiseinflamesband
Norwegian high-octane metallers FIGHT THE FIGHT have released their brand new single 'Ritual'. The track is the fourth single from their sophomore album Deliverance, set for release on 18th September via Metal Blade Records (NA) and Indie Recordings (ROW).
Check out 'Ritual' here: https://youtu.be/VaiIppASc3g
Stream 'Ritual' here: https://orcd.co/ritual
FIGHT THE FIGHT deliver another heavy metal anthem - 'Ritual' comes at you like a herd of elephants with its stomping beats. Fast and dynamic, the track brings together the punchiness of Rammstein, the aggressiveness of Slipknot and the catchiness of Parkway Drive, ready to captivate the listener with its straightforward heavy approach.
A band who grew out of friendship, FIGHT THE FIGHT are masters at probing musical boundaries and creating diverse, experimental sounds.
Led by frontman Lars Vegas, FIGHT THE FIGHT are a band with a huge amount of heart. With over three million streams, and previously supporting Avenged Sevenfold, Ministry, Devin Townsend Project, August Burns Red and more, FIGHT THE FIGHT are on the cusp of something special with LP 2, Deliverance.
Deliverance will deliver FIGHT THE FIGHT into ever-more-advanced musical territories. Elements of groove, black metal, technical metalcore and new nu-metal combine to huge effect. Think of the power of Slipknot, the rhythms of Lamb of God, the approach of Devin Townsend, and the all-round bombast of Rammstein, and you have in FIGHT THE FIGHT one of the freshest and most innovative, accessible young metal bands around.
Pre-order Deliverance here: https://shop.indierecordings.no/collections/fight-the-fight
FIGHT THE FIGHT online:
https://www.facebook.com/Fightthefightband/
https://www.instagram.com/fightthefightband/
BITCH FALCON are a name you will not forget, and a band who will not let you forget them. Today, 20th August, the lauded dream-grunge trio have streamed their new single 'Test Trip', taken from their forthcoming debut LP, Staring At Clocks, to be released 6th November via Small Pond Records (Clt Drp, Wild Cat Strike).
Premiered via Knotfest.com, you can stream 'Test Trip' here: https://www.get.smallpondrec.co.uk/test-trip
In the words of frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick: “I wrote this about running away from home. When I was young I would always pack my bags in a bid to manipulate my mother into forgiving me for something I did (too stubborn to just apologize). I linked this with manipulation in love. When the partner ‘tests’ each other by trying to leave, when they just want to be fought for. Really it's a take on myself, rather than dealing with the situation, just packing your bags and running away (which is not the answer).”
Pre-order Staring At Clocks here: https://link.smallpondrec.co.uk/staring-at-clocks
'Test Trip' follows the release of BITCH FALCON's previous single 'Gaslight':
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdfnhNhseY0
Stream: https://smarturl.it/gas-light
Slightly grungy, slightly dreamy, the rockers have made great waves over the last few years, with acclaim from Dublin Inquirer, Irish Times, The Guardian, Paste Magazine and many more. The trio have played with Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks, Pussy Riot and display touches of St Vincent, 2:54, My Bloody Valentine, The Pixies and Bjork all in one scintillating package.
BITCH FALCON were formed by frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick in Dublin in 2014, and are mainstays of the festival circuit in both Ireland and abroad (packing out rooms in the US, Canada and Europe). Since these freshman days, the lineup has galvanised around the rhythm section of Barry O'Sullivan on Bass and Nigel Kenny on Drums.
From the early days of their first single, 'Wolfstooth' to their most recent release 'Damp Breath', an evolution in sound can be heard as the group perfect and refine their raw, fuzz-laced offerings over six singles and one EP.
There are few things conventional about BITCH FALCON, a band for whom otherworldly is a very fitting adjective - at least on record. The trio's live show must be seen to get a true appreciation for what this band can do, from the high-pitched wails and infinite feedback of Lizzie's guitar and soaring vocals, to the interplay between shattering bass and thunderous drums - there is very little left of any stage untouched. It's a rare group who manage to be so ethereal and devastatingly heavy simultaneously - but then again, BITCH FALCON are an unforgettable name.
Artwork was created by Lizzie Fitzpatrick; mixed by Grammy-nominated engineer Alex Newport (At The Drive In, The Mars Volta, Death Cab for Cutie, The Melvins, Frank Turner) and mastered by Magnus Lindberg.
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/b.tchfalcon
https://twitter.com/bitchfalcon
https://www.instagram.com/bitchfalcon/
https://www.youtube.com/c/BitchFalcon
Lebanese extreme metal artist Anthony Kaoteon / DEATH TRIBE has released a new single 'Thawra', to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis in Beirut following the recent explosions.
Watch the video to 'Thawra' here: https://youtu.be/JOGY21HZ1IY
100% of the funds will be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross. Purchase / donate here: https://deathtribeofficial.bandcamp.com/
Anthony Kaoteon comments: "After the enormous devastating explosion that destroyed Beirut with its 12 sq kms radius, a feeling of helplessness took over me. The explosion resulted in 220+ dead victims, more than 7,000 injured and 300,000+ people homeless. My mother who was just 1 kilometre away from the blast told me: "I am tired, I don't want this shitty life anymore”. Lebanon was already in revolution against the warlords who are paralyzing its economy since the 1980s. The same political regime keeps dragging the country into a new war, a new crisis, and this blast was the knockout. Every Lebanese lost 85% of their hard earned savings earlier this year and now we need at least $15 billion to rebuild the city and our only port. I don’t know how we will come back from this. The people are resilient but the trauma is massive. If this was a Hollywood movie, they would ask the director to tone it down as it is unbelievable. This song 'Thawra' is for all those who died, the injured, the rebels, the ones that had enough, the ones that cannot take this filthy oxygen anymore and want to lead a normal peaceful life in one of the most beautiful lands on the Mediterranean with its beaches and snow peaks. Enough is enough, let go of all religions, let go of your Lebanon, let the people unite and agree on one Lebanon. Lebanon that spreads peace, love, freedom of speech and expression, the Lebanon we preach about as immigrants, the diverse, the modern, the open minded, the LGBTQ++, the all races, the clash of cultures, religions and civilizations. The Lebanon that is not fragmented into pieces and each fragment is deeming itself a nation. The one Lebanon. I hope this track will release some steam, help metalheads express their anger and be the voice for the voiceless."
For more information:
https://deathtribeofficial.bandcamp.com/
THE DAMNED have announced their new EP, The Rockfield Files, due for release on 16th October 2020 via Search and Destroy Records/UMG.
The first single from the EP, 'Keep 'Em Alive', has been released today along with an accompanying music video, shot from the perspective of a bee going about its business. Bees are essential for pollinating crops and in turn human survival; 17 species are reportedly endangered in the UK – keep ‘em alive!
Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR2W8ZoU8EU
Stream/purchase 'Keep 'Em Alive' here: https://thedamned.lnk.to/KeepEmAlive
In 1980/1981, THE DAMNED went to Rockfield for a series of sessions that eventually became The Black Album, The Friday 13th EP & Strawberries. Their time there produced some of THE DAMNED’s greatest musical moments and memorable stories of horses, cows, vampires, rifles and Lemmy.
In 2019 THE DAMNED returned to Rockfield studios to record the first new music since 2018’s Top Ten Evil Spirits album. The line-up included three out of the four THE DAMNED members that were at the original sessions – David Vanian, Captain Sensible and Paul Gray. There was also Monty Oxymoron on keyboards and Pinch on drums. Unbeknown to the band, this was to be the last recordings with the long-time drummer Pinch, who departed THE DAMNED after their legendary show at The London Palladium, last Halloween.
For the first time, Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Rammstein, Ghost) took over the producer duties for the EP. Tom also mixed the tracks at his studio in Bath.
The Rockfield Files EP is available in Black & Psychedelic Swirl limited edition vinyl, pre-orders are available here: https://thedamned.lnk.to/TheRockfieldFiles
MYOK have today released a video for their brand new single 'Hands', which sees the band return with vigour, both anthemic and frenetic in equal measure. The video for this new single was filmed before lockdown, yet possesses a feeling of isolation that many of us have experienced in recent times. ‘Hands’ follows suitably on from where 2019's Dagger EP left off, which featured the single 'IFTT' that has now racked up 250k streams, and won the band heavy praise from the likes of the Radio One Rock Show.
Check out the video for 'Hands' here: https://youtu.be/rTMkPeh6kzE
Stream/purchase 'Hands' here: https://smarturl.it/Myok_Hands
MYOK comment on the song:
"Hands is an anti-ballad. A salt of the earth, honest but twisted love song. Passionate from the core and drenched in emotion; love in this instance is not shouting it from a cliff-edge but the dedication and commitment to exist together. We are not ready to let go.”
Citing influence from a wide range of bands including Jimmy Eat World, Biffy Clyro, Led Zeppelin, Muse, and Black Peaks, the rising two-piece are shaping their own brand of alt-rock, with BBC Radio 1 presenter Daniel P. Carter describing them as "like Biffy at their proggy best" in his Kerrang! Magazine column.
2019 was a busy year for MYOK, who worked relentlessly to independently write, produce and record their Dagger EP, which turned the heads of Daniel P. Carter, BBC Introducing, Kerrang! Radio's Alex Baker, Amazing Radio and more. The duo's single 'IFTT' has reached 250,000 streams on Spotify alone, with over 437,000 collective streams of their small but highly impressive discography.
In their short career MYOK have also supported Slotface, The Struts, Press To MECO and Allusinlove, and appeared at Y Not Festival, Camden Rocks and Bearded Theory Festival.
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/myokband/
https://twitter.com/myokband
Experimental French vocalist / composer RÏCÏNN (Laure Le Prunenec) has announced a live-streamed show on 30th August, hosted by Jonesy Agency production studio. Commencing at 18:30 CET, RÏCÏNN will be performing songs off her 2016 album Lïan, as well as teasing new material from her upcoming album titled Nereïd, which is expected this autumn.
The live band will be Laurent Lunoir (Öxxö Xööx) on guitar, Sylvain Bouvier (Trepalium, Igorrr) on drums, Raphaël Verguin (Psygnosis, Spectrale) on cello and RÏCÏNN on vocals.
This live-stream will be available via Jonesy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonesyagency
Famed for her stunning and unique vocals with Igorrr, RÏCÏNN's solo work is an experimental and fascinating listen which crosses genres, removes barriers and delves into deep concepts.
Check out the video to 'Drima', taken from Lïan album, here: https://youtu.be/ASe5or_YJQA
In a world of appearances, RÏCÏNN was born from the desire to remain true to her instrument, the voice. Since childhood she has been cooking remedies, formulas and prayers to give to the world, as an expression of 'The Now'. Fires & waters, whales & birds, sounds emanating from the mist blown by the windy shore spitting the scrambling wreckage of a damaged arch, vestige from an ancient and forgotten civilisation, flooded into the oversights of time, RÏCÏNN appears as the lonely survivor of that pre-post apocalyptic universe; a new world in which she bereaves the loss of her unknown culture.
The story of RÏCÏNN begins when she met Öxxö Xööx (Laurent Lunoir) and worked with her first choir on the Rëvëürt album (released in 2011, Blood Music). She discovered a new language, a new expression that fitted perfectly with her world. She then built her own laboratory and finally started her work.
Her first release Lïan is fully representative of a debut album; the essentials of her sound and all her essence are present with huge potential. Whilst working on her solo project, she had the chance to meet a wonderful team of the most creative people around Gautier Serre (Igorrr). From 2012 to now, they have never stopped being productive together.
This autumn RÏCÏNN will release her new album Nereïd.
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/LAPAGERICINN
https://www.instagram.com/oooricinnooo/
https://rcnn.bandcamp.com/
