German alternative metalcore band Breathe Atlantis are back with their new single 'Overdrive', darker and heavier than before. Out now via Arising Empire, 'Overdrive' redefines the band as one of the hottest newcomers in the heavy scene. Their raw and aggressive sound, combined with deep, desperate lyrics, takes the listener on an unexpected rollercoaster of emotions.

Check out the goosebump-inducing video for 'Overdrive' here: https://youtu.be/Cung6VBjo48

Frontman Nico Schiesewitz comments:

"The song 'Overdrive' is our own therapy on our deepest fears. This is the most vulnerable and personal song we've ever released. Its like there’s a demon living inside your head that keeps driving you insane and controls your emotions like a ghost or parasite. We hope it provides some form of help for people suffering from something like that, you are not alone."

Stream/purchase 'Overdrive' here: https://breatheatlantis.lnk.to/overdrive

Breathe Atlantis have set the foundations for an ambitious future. While they stay true to their roots in latest single 'Overdrive', they also offer a refreshingly varied sonic identity, reinventing themselves and delivering their most mature and honest sound to date.

Guitarist Jan Euler says:

"For us, it was very important to share our stories with the world, especially during this global crisis. Mental health is such an important topic and I really hope people can connect and relate to this song, and maybe overcome hardships and the fear of not speaking about their own 'Overdrive' to someone. For myself it was damn hard to speak about my own phobias or the panic attacks I had, but it was so relieving to open up to my bandmates."

Breathe Atlantis teamed up with producer Andy Posdziech (Any Given Day, Caliban, Nasty), who took on recording and mixing duties for 'Overdrive'. The first new material since their 2019 album Soulmade, 'Overdrive' is packed with bigger, heavier riffs and driving, forceful drums. Schiesewitz's relentless, bone-grinding shouts will send shivers down your spine, until the stadium-ready chorus hits you right in the gut.

Schiesewitz adds: "Musically, we're just taking the route that feels best for us. There were just two options left: starting over or let it be the end of this road. We are here to express our feelings through music and deliver the most honest and meaningful art. It just felt right for us to go for a darker and heavier sound than ever before and this ongoing pandemic was just fuel to the fire. We even relinquished the electronic elements in this song because we liked the roughness and raw energy."

It shows that Breathe Atlantis are a very resilient band. The future looks promising for the quartet, who are expected to share more new material in the coming months.

Euler concludes: "We can't wait to show the world what we've been working so hard on in the last few months. It was a nerve-wracking time and we had to go through a lot of trouble, but it was worth the struggle. My biggest dream is to play these new songs to our fans and feel the energy exploding. The chorus of 'Overdrive' is just perfect to fire up a crowd."

Breathe Atlantis have previously played shows with Sum 41, Memphis May Fire, Attila, Bury Tomorrow, Crossfaith and Slaves, toured Europe supporting the likes of Any Given Day, To The Rats And Wolves and Imminence, and played top slots at German festivals.

Breathe Atlantis are:
Nico Schiesewitz | Vocals
Jan Euler | Guitar
Lasse Weigang | Bass
Silas Fischer | Drums

For more information:
http://www.breatheatlantis.com/
https://www.facebook.com/breatheatlantis/
https://twitter.com/breatheatlantis/
https://www.instagram.com/breatheatlantisofficial/

Hardcore / thrash / crossover band Cage Fight, featuring TesseracT guitarist James Monteith and former Eths vocalist Rachel Aspe, have unveiled their bludgeoning debut song 'Hope Castrated'.

Premiered via Hardcore Worldwide YouTube channel, watch the visualiser to 'Hope Castrated' here: https://youtu.be/OgPfp6aYVT8

Formed early 2021, the line-up is completed with bassist Jon Reid of hip-hop / punk crossover band and London hardcore scene staples Broken Chakra, and drummer Nick Plews of London death-metal bands Corpsing and Aghast. The four members combine a wide range of heavy influences to make their unique style of crossover, resulting in a furious barrage of pure aggression.

Guitarist James Monteith comments: "I'm really excited to announce Cage Fight and release our first track- 'Hope Castrated'. We're making raw heavy music with no frills or pretensions; just pure aggression and energy. It's also a cathartic release for all the frustration and anger we have about the ills of the world today."

Vocalist Rachel Aspe comments: "This project is musically packed full of visceral rage, but there's also an underlying message of positivity and unity. I can't wait to take these songs to the stage later in 2021, be ready!"

Cage Fight are currently working on their debut album, more news soon.

Cage Fight are:
Rachel Aspe - vocals
James Monteith - guitar
Jon Reid - bass
Nick Plews - drums

Cage Fight online:
facebook.com/cagefighthc
instagram.com/cagefighthc
twitter.com/cagefighthc
linktr.ee/cagefighthc

Stylish German metal quintet The Oklahoma Kid have surprised dropped their Fireburst EP via Arising Empire, featuring atmospheric reimagined tracks taken from their debut album Solarray.

Check out EP on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XUE0xbUUTAc

Purchase/stream Fireburst here: https://TheOKlahomaKid.lnk.to/fireburst

The Fireburst EP features reimagined tracks from The Oklahoma Kid's 2019 debut album Solarray. Stripped back to the bones and swapping heavy guitars with atmospheric soundscapes, Fireburst really shows off the band's ability to create mesmerising melodies and spine tingling hooks. The approach almost harks back to the early BMTH days, when the Olisaurus shocked fans with its unexpected and unique approach.

Each track has been renamed for the EP; original album name is in brackets:

1. Behind the Wheel (Shaking Off The Disease)
2. Fata Morgana (Oasis)
3. Twentyseven (Trailsign)

Formed in 2012, The Oklahoma Kid have consistently pushed boundaries with their breathtaking modern metal, bridging the gap between technical intricacy and energising rhythms. The band's 2014 debut EP Fortuneteller established their position within the German metal scene with their signature blend of genres.

In 2015 they revealed their sophomore EP Doppelganger, working with renowned producer Aljoscha Sieg (Eskimo Callboy, We Butter The Bread With Butter, Nasty) to deliver their signature bouncing grooves and futuristic synthesisers, complete with catchy hooks and singalongs. The band's unique video for 'Scharlatan', which was directed by Pavel Trebukhin (Alazka, Stick To Your Guns, Annisokay), also won the national PopFish Music Video Award.

2017 saw The Oklahoma Kid enter the studio to work on their debut album Solarray, a release that displayed the band's full sonic scope and capabilities - ranging from huge wall-of-sound arrangements to fragile melodies.

The Oklahoma Kid have electrified crowds with their passionate, relentless performance, touring with Stick To Your Guns, Carnifex, Evergreen Terrace and Hatebreed.

The quintet are no long an insider tip, they are a force to be reckoned with. Whether you experience them live at a festival or on record in your living room, The Oklahoma Kid will change your perception of what metal is capable of.

See The Oklahoma Kid on The Good Fellas Tour 2021:

02.12.21 DE-Berlin, Badehaus
03.12.21 DE-Rostock, Peter-Weiss-Haus
04.12.21 DE-Leipzig, Bandhaus
05.12.21 DE-München, Backstage
09.12.21 DE-Frankfurt, ELFER
10.12.21 DE-Köln, MTC
11.12.21 DE-Hamburg, headCRASH

Tickets on sale here: https://www.eventim.de/artist/the-oklahoma-kid/

The Oklahoma Kid are:
Tomm Brümmer | Vocals
Fred Stölzel | Guitar
Andreas Reinhard | Guitar
Robert Elfenbein | Bass
David J. Burtscher | Drums

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/theoklahomakidofficial
https://twitter.com/tok_official
https://www.instagram.com/theoklahomakidband

Photo Credit: @matchy_matchy_vintage

Acclaimed metallic hardcore group Ithaca have announced their signing to iconic UK label Hassle Records. The band will also be repressing their critically triumphant debut LP The Language of Injury, originally released February 2019.

Pre-order The Language of Injury here: https://smarturl.it/Ithaca_TLOI

The band comment: "We couldn't be more excited to join the Hassle family. Their roster shows a genuine spirit of creative independence and as an organisation they're driven by values of social and environmental justice, both of which are hugely important for us as a band. We can't wait to unleash some unhinged sonic chaos together in 2022."

Hassle's Wez comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Ithaca to the Hassle family. We pride ourselves on working with creative artists that like to do things their way. If the band's EP and debut album are anything to go by we can expect some excellent creative music from them in the future.”

Ithaca's news follows their early 2020 tour with Grammy-nominated indie rock band Big Thief, and the release of their lauded 2019 debut LP The Language of Injury.

Press support from Pitchfork, BBC R1, Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, Revolver, Decibel magazines, and performances with Jamie Lenman, Anaal Nathrakh, Bleeding Through, at Boomtown Fair and ArcTanGent Festival, mark Ithaca as one of the most exciting and vital new voices in UK heavy music currently.

Formed out of a mutual love of metallic hardcore but despair at its lack of ambition, Ithaca draw influence from everything from Southern doom to 90's math rock, as well as the untethered savagery of early Poison The Well and melodious battery of Oathbreaker.

The result is crushing grooves and shrieking guitar squalls that give way to haunting melodic passages and desolate reprieves. The debut album is the band's most ambitious and emotionally raw material to date, following from their 2015 Trespassers EP (COF Records/Soaked in Torment).

Ithaca have previously toured with Big Thief, Employed to Serve, Venom Prison, and Renounced.

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/IthacaUK/
https://ithacauk.bandcamp.com/

Photo Credit: Leandra Bohnet

German metalcore quartet Defocus have released a video for their new single 'Diverge'. The track, which features a guest appearance from The Oklakoma Kid vocalist Tom Brümmer, is the third single from their forthcoming debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same, due for release on 2nd July 2021 via Arising Empire.

Check out the video for 'Diverge' feat. Tom Brümmer here: https://youtu.be/PpfpMh__kUc

Bassist Marcel "Bambam" Heberling comments:

"'Diverge' was one of the first songs we wrote for Defocus. It was crucial for the sound of our debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same. 'Diverge' combines the best aspects of our first two singles: the heaviness and brutality of 'Common Grave' and the atmosphere of 'Thought Of A Vision'. The feature of The Oklahoma Kid´s vocalist Tom Brümmer turns 'Diverge' into a song that stays right in your head and encourages you to sing along."

Stream/purchase 'Diverge' feat. Tom Brümmer here: https://defocus.lnk.to/diverge

Pre-order In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same here: https://defocus.lnk.to/intheeyeofdeath

Founded by Simon Müller, Jeffrey Uhlmann, Jonas Mahler and Marcel "Bambam" Heberling, Defocus spent time making music together before coming to light in early 2019, instantly proving their worth in the scene with their energetic live shows.

Faced with the global COVID-19 pandemic, Defocus got to work on their upcoming record through extensive late-night online sessions, allowing every member to contribute their individual ideas and emotions.

Guitarist Jeffrey Uhlmann comments:

"I remember that when we started to write all this material, everyone was on the same page from the beginning and we knew exactly which direction we wanted to go, but at the same time everyone took inspiration from different sources. Seeing all this material finally come together in the end makes me super happy, because the writing process and everything around it really defined who we are as a band and resulted in a pure milestone everyone in the band can 100% identify with."

The quartet recorded the tracks remotely from home, before they were mixed and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay) from Sawdust Recordings, who truly captured their crushing and impulsive take on modern metalcore.

Now, Defocus enter the metal scene with a record full of heavy, low-tuned guitars and driving rhythms, paired with dark and ambient melodies, creating a melancholic atmosphere for their thrilling sound. A deep-dive into the world we are living in and how we are all affected by it, In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same is a punishing album deserving of your attention.

Defocus are:

Simon Müller | Vocals
Jeffrey Uhlmann | Guitar
Marcel "Bambam" Heberling | Bass
Jonas Mahler | Drums

For more information:
http://defocusband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/defocus/
https://www.instagram.com/defocus.band/

In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same tracklisting:

1. Thought of a Vision
2. In Our Heads
3. Immerse Me
4. Common Grave
5. Tides (Interlude)
6. Diverge (Feat. Tom Brümmer)
7. Can You See Me?
8. Disease
9. Shelter

Melbourne progressive instrumentalists, The Omnific - featuring the unique line up of two bass players and a drummer - have just signed a worldwide record deal with Wild Thing Records, landed management representation with Wild Thing Presents and also joined the booking roster at Destroy All Lines.

The band comment: "Being 2 years since our last release, all of us at The Omnific are eager to share the next chapter of our story with the world. With a newfound relationship with Wild Thing Records & Management, our passion to release this album with a great team behind us is unmatched.”

Wild Things Records General Manager, Tibor Gede adds: ‘“The Omnific achieve with their new record the unimaginable by simultaneously pushing the boundaries of the genre with their pulsing syncopated rhythmics and intricate harmonies whilst also writing fantastic songs accessible to ears far and wide… pulling it off simply with just two bassists and a drummer, no vocals, or guitar whatsoever! Wow, what a pleasure to work with this act!”

After releasing three stunning EPs the band have attracted interest and fans from all corners of the globe clocking in over 5 million Spotify streams and 2 million views on their Youtube channel. The Omnific’s accessible style is for all music lovers; from those seeking to be challenged to those who wish to be blanketed by atmosphere, creating an identifiable sound and diverse international fan base. With swirling textures, syncopation, euphoric highs and melancholic lows; The Omnific are truly captivating!

The band have established working relationships with reputable companies Darkglass Electronics, Neural DSP and Dingwall Guitars, seeing them represent the brands with performances at the Melbourne Guitar Show, bringing attention amongst the ‘Gear-Nerd’ community. Coupled with their online play-through, gear demo and music videos, the band’s reach is beyond what many would expect from this impressive Melbourne trio so early in their career.

They are also no stranger to the live circuit with a stack of domestic and international touring under their belt, having toured with Between the Buried and Me (Australian Tour) Cog (Sold Out Australian Tour), Intervals & Sithu Aye (European Tour), several of their own headline Australian tours as well as supporting Ne Obliviscaris, Galactic Empire, Circles and others.

The band are currently preparing for the 21st May release of 'Wax & Wane', the first single from their forthcoming album due later in 2021.

Pre save 'Wax & Wane' now: smarturl.it/theomnific

Watch a teaser of the mesmerising music video for the track here: https://youtu.be/iB8RucZKvdE

Follow The Omnific:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

Follow Wild Thing Records:
Web | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

New metal group Heriot have streamed their brutal new video 'Dispirit' ahead of its single release on 7th May via Church Road Records.

The news continues Heriot's brilliant rise, following the releases of their two previous singles 'Recreant' and 'Cleansed Existence' and their label signing. Heriot will also be releasing a B-side with 'Dispirit', a surprise new track, 'Absolute'.

The video was premiered via Revolver who have marked Heriot as "one of the most promising young bands in modern metalcore".

You can now watch 'Dispirit' here: https://youtu.be/p57G5jJWtpA
Pre-save: bit.ly/HERIOTDI

The band comment: "With each single we’ve released so far we’ve constantly pushed ourselves, working on exploring new elements to drive our sound and 'Dispirit' is no exception. Lyrically, the track speaks of how having a highly regarded status can be manipulated and abused, allowing them to appear to live two lives. This is a topic that rings true with all of us, if it's not something you’ve come across personally, it is something you can agree is evident and all around us in some way. Only when the abuser is exposed, do they face justice - “Deceiver, It's too late for cowards truth.” This song is a call straight to the manipulator."

'Recreant' video: https://youtu.be/ixIe8g1vHiY
Stream: https://smarturl.it/4k713e

'Cleansed Existence' video: https://youtu.be/weofUP67QH4
Stream: https://smarturl.it/owuk54

Heriot are a triumphant new group, fully-focused and with a razor-sharp edge. Now a fourpiece with the addition of guitarist/vocalist Debbie Gough, the group have already started to turn heads in the UK metal scene and beyond. Weaponising metallic sludge and hardcore with their terrifying singles, Heriot have caught the attention of Rock Sound, Kerrang!, Revolver, and Knotfest, among many others. Elements of Nails, Knocked Loose, Code Orange, and Vein combine to create a new sound that is truly groundbreaking and fully worthy of the notice the band are achieving.

Heriot are:
Jake Packer - Vocals/Bass
Debbie Gough - Vocals/Guitar
Erhan Alman - Guitar
Julian Gage - Drums

For more information:

https://heriotmetal.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/heriotmetal
https://www.instagram.com/heriotmetal
https://twitter.com/heriotmetal

Sydney, AUS deathcore quintet To The Grave have released a lyric video for 'Recoil In Horror', taken from their new album, Epilogue, out now via Unique Leader Records.

Watch the lyric video here: https://youtu.be/OW5-7S4oK8I

Stream / purchase Epilogue here: https://orcd.co/epilogue

'Recoil In Horror' is the final moment of Epilogue's journey, closing the album in an abrupt, violent few minutes. The lyrics drive home what it must feel like to be an animal in their last moments before slaughter. An hour of misery, frustration and horror halted by an inevitable yet surprisingly visceral climax.

To The Grave recently announced the Epilogue Tour for August in Australia with special guests Earth Caller. The response has been overwhelming with Sydney and Melbourne selling out within 24 hours of going on sale and Brisbane only having a handful of tickets left. Due to demand, they have added extra shows in Sydney and Melbourne. See the band's social media pages for dates.

To The Grave's objective has always been to create sonically and thematically heavy music, charged with a grim, confronting message. Featuring their entire self-released debut album Global Warning, plus seven new songs, Epilogue is a huge 19 tracks of intense brutality.

After releasing the No Lives Matter extended play and touring Australia relentlessly with the likes of Alpha Wolf, Justice For The Damned and Gravemind, To The Grave put themselves firmly on the global metal map in 2019 with Global Warning. Closing 2019 as main support for Vulvodynia on their Australian run and opening a show for Cattle Decapitation elevated them further, earning them sold out headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney.

2021 is the year To The Grave take to the global stage. Be ready.

To The Grave are:
Dane Evans - Vocals
Simon O'Malley - Drums
Tom Cadden - Guitars
Jarrod Smith - Bass
Jack Simoni - Guitars

To The Grave online:
https://www.facebook.com/tothegraveau
https://twitter.com/tothegraveau
https://www.instagram.com/tothegraveau
https://tothegraveau.bandcamp.com

Tracklisting:

01 Holocaustralia : Global Warning
02 Ecocide
03 Pest Control
04 Hell Hole
05 Slaughter Forever
06 Gristle Blower
07 The Devil in Sheepskin
08 Wastage
09 Skin Like Pigs
10 Lips & Assholes
11 Seven Billion Reasons Why
12 Hear Evil, See Evil (The Haunting of 2624 Dog Trap Rd)
13 Miserable Summer
14 [•REC]
15 Terrorist Threat
16 Kill Shelter
17 Deat By A Thousand Cuts
18 Recoil in Horror (活き締め)

UK grime-metal quintet Hacktivist have revealed a new take on their single 'Reprogram', originally released in 2019. The new version, which features on their eagerly anticipated album Hyperdialect, sees Hacktivist's new line-up put a fresh spin and shine on their earlier material, with new instrumentation throughout.

Check out the new recording of 'Reprogram' here: https://youtu.be/nY9PJWSnuhY

Co-vocalist Jot Maxi comments:

"There’s a double meaning to this one. Society needs reprogrammed, Hacktivist has been reprogrammed, so if you’re listening and you’re vibing out to it, have a little think about what you might need to do in your own life to reprogram – to make yourself like yourself better, or to have less regret.

"Society needs a reboot, our band has had a reboot, so why don’t you? At the same time, it’s got this little science fiction story within it, about a future that breaks down and actually needs reprogrammed from zero. In an ideal world, hopefully, we will have all reprogrammed before anything like that happens to us for real."

Hyperdialect will be released on 18th June 2021 via UNFD, and is available to pre-order here: https://unfd.lnk.to/hyperdialect

Hacktivist recently announced a special one-off headline show to celebrate the release of Hyperdialect. Set to take place on 29th July 2021 at London's Signature Brew, support will come from rising artist Kid Bookie who features on the band's single 'Armoured Core'.

Tickets for the show are on sale here: https://www.hacktivist.uk.com/shows

Check out 'Armoured Core' featuring Kid Bookie here: https://youtu.be/kuN7AbgZzao

Watch the video for recent single 'Planet Zero' here: https://youtu.be/zcjxxoJ8BHU

Hacktivist will also bring Hyperdialect to life on festival stages later this year, having been confirmed to appear at RADAR Festival, Bloodstock and Slam Dunk Festival.

Question everything. Consider your sources. Be wary of ulterior motives, insidious media narratives and even your own unconscious bias. Trust sparingly and try to make smart, informed choices. As the world slides further into ruin at the behest of old, rich white men ruling with catastrophic, zero-sum thinking, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant and fight back against the forces that be who seem hell-bent on creating a dystopian future for us all.

Luckily, Hacktivist are back to help cut through the noise and bullshit, tooled-up and ready to attack with renewed vigour and reinforced ranks; with Jot Maxi and J. Hurley now sharing the vocal and lyrical load, drummer Rich Hawking and bassist Josh Gurner bringing the beats and rhythms, and guitarist and production don James Hewitt fleshing out the group’s genre-fluid muscle. Hewitt played a very active role in Hacktivist's writing and recording process, bringing a new and compelling dynamic to the table.

In 2016, when Hacktivist initially set sights on their enemies with debut album Outside The Box, the world wasn’t fully equipped to heed their warnings and pay attention to its timely rallying cries. They return into a very different one, however – a world that’s sadly now all-too-finely-attuned to the horrors they first forecasted four years ago. In the wake of a global pandemic that has sharpened collective senses and exposed the systematic flaws across society, these should be times primed and ready for the truth-bombs that Hacktivist are about to drop. But recent hardships only amplify the band’s messages – these dispatches from the edge were written way before a virus brought humanity to its knees.

If all of that sounds grim and miserable, fear not, because Hacktivist aren’t here for unhelpful told-you-so's or sensationalist scaremongering. What use would holding a mirror up to all of this ugliness be if there weren’t some lessons to learned from the reflection, or at least to offer even the faintest glimmers of hope? "It’s becoming clear that we are on the brink of some type of revolution," says Jot Maxi, with no small dose of conviction or optimism. "Hacktivist are here to bring truth and positivity – the silver lining of a society clouded in poisonous fear. Hacktivist also represents a voice that isn’t afraid of saying what needs to be said. We’re already living in the future. We have the choice to either be shaped by it or to stand up and shape it ourselves. Which path will you take?”

It was with those battle lines clearly drawn and ambitions duly set that Hacktivist entered into the creation of Hyperdialect. Starting almost two years ago and developing on the acerbic sonic filth introduced by 2019 singles 'Reprogram' and 'Dogs Of War', the five-piece felt fired up by their new working dynamic and the collective process involved, with each member actively encouraged to contribute ideas until the best outcome was reached. Unusually, for such a group of bloody-minded insurrectionists, this democratic approach worked wonders – a testament to how much they were all on the same page on these 12 tracks. Aside from guest spots from rapper Kid Bookie on the monstrous Armoured Core and Betraying The Martyrs’ Aaron Matts lending his vocal talents to the title-track, this was all Hacktivist: no filter, no frills, and no holding back.

For more information:
https://www.hacktivist.uk.com
https://www.facebook.com/Hacktivistband/
https://twitter.com/hacktivistuk
https://www.instagram.com/hacktivistuk

Hyperdialect tracklisting:

1. Anti-Emcees
2. Luminosity
3. Lifeform
4. Armoured Core (feat. Kid Bookie)
5. Turning Tables
6. Currency
7. Hyperdialect (feat. Aaron Matts)
8. Dogs Of War
9. Ultima Dies
10. Planet Zero
11. How Dare You Exist
12. Reprogram