One of the UK's most thrilling new metal prospects, Insurgent, have announced the release of their debut EP Sentient, on 6th August. The band have also issued a new single 'Colours Bleed'. 

Watch the video 'Colours Bleed' here: https://youtu.be/j75zsKrV6iU

Add 'Colours Bleed' to your Spotify Playlists here: https://spoti.fi/3zPLvoD

Pre-save Sentient EP digitally here: https://backl.ink/147049650
Pre-order physical copies of Sentient EP here: https://insurgentband.bigcartel.com/

Finely-crafted and fully mature songwriting belies the quartet’s youth – a foursome who met in music college and who in their short time together have already toured as far afield as Ukraine. Elements of prog metal in the vein of TesseracT and The Agonist meld with stadium-filling anthems not far removed from Alter Bridge, Trivium, and Jinjer.

Comments guitarist Joe Rowley: "We always chase that perfect blend between heavy rhythms and memorable, powerfully delivered vocal melodies and we feel that Sentient is the perfect collection of songs with which to present our sound to the world. Lyrically, we like to challenge the status quo and tackle the various problems associated with modern society whilst encouraging people to reflect on their behaviour and how they could change it for the better. There is always a tricky balance to be struck between sounding new and exciting whilst still remaining identifiable, and without alienating your audience. We feel like this is the musical space in which we thrive and we will always promise to deliver music that exceeds the expectations of the rock and metal world."

Insurgent deliver beyond musical excellence – the songs on offer across Sentient are all written from the perspective of a God-like figure. Through this figure the band analyse negative behaviour of humans (track one, ‘Zero Sum’) and spiritual reflection and criticism of our creator (track six ‘My Sentence Awaits’). Ultimately Insurgent look to inspire, with the overriding message of the EP being that each individual has the power to improve the world, by improving themselves.

Led by Kate Teitge’s brilliantly powerful, emotive vocals, and backed by the technical skill and intensity of Joe Rowley (guitar), Jake Brettle (bass) and Mike Tebone (drums), Insurgent are a new group ready to take your notice.

Insurgent are:
Kate Teitge - Vocals
Joe Rowley - Guitar
Jake Brette - Bass
Mike Tabone – Drums

More Insurgent info: Facebook || Website || Twitter || Instagram || Spotify || Youtube 

Track-listing:
1: Zero Sum
2: Counterpart
3: Dogma
4: Colours Bleed
5: Eclipse
6: My Sentence Awaits

South African death metal six-piece Vulvodynia have released new single / video 'Eternal Wasteland of Galaxies' ahead of their new album Praenuntius Infiniti, which is out 17th September via Unique Leader Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/yypdPjtc4To

Pre-order Praenuntius Infiniti here: https://orcd.co/praenuntiusinfiniti

The band commented: "This single is definitely one we've really been looking forward to releasing. It showcases a very different side of Vulvodynia that we are very proud to finally be unveiling! Praenuntius Infiniti is a concept album and 'The Eternal Wasteland Of Galaxies' is a small chapter where our main character has swallowed the world and all events henceforth are taking place in his belly! We hope critics and fans alike will accept this new sound and concept and fall in love with it as much as we have!"

An unending sea of carnage, a God-turned-beast devouring everything within its path, an epic, sprawling tale of the consumption of galaxies and their inhabitants - and the duality of battling deities that takes place to bring the reign of Praenuntius to an end. What does this all mean? Simply put, it means Vulvodynia - South Africa’s premium death metal export - are back with Praenuntius Infiniti, their fourth full-length release and a label signing to boot. Completing the tale established in their critically acclaimed 2015 EP Finis Omnium Ignorantiam, Praenuntius Infiniti is one hour of flesh-melting, bone-busting death metal, infused with slamming elements and spine-shrinking breakdowns that capture the very crux of heavy, intense music. Produced by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy), the band’s Unique Leader Records debut displays Vulvodynia’s continued maturation and incorporation of melodic, technical and hyper aggressive elements into their backbone of brutal slamming death metal, to achieve what stands as their most diverse, engaging and immolating offer to date.

On the concept, the band conclude: "Praenuntius Infiniti tells the story of an interdimensional godlike being and his quest for ultimate power. After being cast out into the abyss by the elder Gods, Praenuntius begins devouring all of the known Multiverse on his journey to divine omnipotence. At the end of our 2015 release Finis Omnium Ignorantiam the earth gets eaten and travels through centuries of darkness down his gullet into the eternal wasteland of galaxies. The heavens are slowly torn asunder as the Gods scramble for a plan to defeat him. Battles rage and drama unfolds as the earth and other planets within his belly try to fight off the ruthless invasion of his spawn. Shall the Gods prevail or shall Praenuntius devour all!?"

Vulvodynia are:
Duncan Bentley: Vocals
Luke Haarhoff: Guitar
Kris Xenopoulos: Guitar
Lwandile Prusent: Guitar
Chris Van Der Walt: Bass
Thomas Hughes: Drums

Vulvodynia online:
Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Spotify || Bandcamp || TikTok || YouTube

Track-listing:

01 - Praenuntius Infiniti
02 - The Shadowy Descent Of Gaia
03 - Eternal Wasteland Of Galaxies
04 - Praenuntius Ascends [Ft. Matti Way & Jon Huber]
05 - Banquet Of Enigmatic Horrors I: Terror
06 - Banquet Of Enigmatic Horrors II: Agony [Ft. Oliver Rae Aleron]
07 - Whispers Of Calamity
08 - The Seven Judges
09 - Ravenous Revolution
10 - A Cosmic Betrayal
11 - The War Within [Ft. Jamie Graham]
12 - Forging The Deity Crusher [Ft. Jawd James]
13 - Funeral Ov The Gods [Ft. Elliot Einstein]
14 - Deicidal Finality

Swedish metalcore five-piece Forgetting The Memories have released their new single 'Mask Ov Lies', the second track taken from the album Vemod, out 24th September via Long Branch Records.

Watch the video for 'Mask Ov Lies' here: https://youtu.be/Y7MH9cp7KTo

Listen to 'Mask Ov Lies' and pre-order Vemod here: http://smarturl.it/ftm_vemod

Forgetting The Memories comment on 'Mask Ov Lies': "This song is about a journey through the life of a person who has a very distant relationship with his dad and the effect it has to the beholder. The song takes a dark dive into what goes through the head of the son who sees nothing but the wrong doings of his father. When it comes to becoming a parent of his own, he is eager to be the better parent to give a better life to his child."

Watch the video for previous single 'The Solstice Rebirth' here:
https://youtu.be/TIgNcWZE1LA

Forgetting the Memories combine intricate, headbangable rhythms with melodic choruses that will have you singing along in no time, constructing a unique blend of deathcore and metalcore that is unparalleled in complexity and intensity.

Monophobia, their first self-released full-length in 2016, was a sprawling labyrinth of ferocious, hard-pounding breakdowns and catchy choruses, peppered with meaningful lyrics detailing deeply personal journeys through issues like battling cancer, losing a friend, and heartbreak. The band continued on this path on their first release with their new label Long Branch Records. The EP Known Darkness was released in 2019 and featured six songs, further confirming the band's rapid growth and potential.

Now Vemod, the second LP from the five Swedes, is a clear further development of the already known trademarks of the band and thus comes across even more intense than its predecessors. The 10 tracks on the new album, which was mixed and mastered by Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Humanity's Last Breath), are lyrically haunting and deal with personal setbacks, world-weariness, anger and melancholy or wistfulness (= "Vemod" in Swedish).

Over the years, Forgetting The Memories have remained true to their particular style, yet have constantly evolved and defined themselves as a truly essential force within the genre.

Forgetting the Memories are:

Bastian Kempe - Vocals
Gustav Holst - Guitars
Adrian Lyxell - Guitars
Lukas Löken Olsson - Bass & Vocals
Johan Blomberg - Drums

Track-listing:

1. Beneath The Creek
2. The Solstice Rebirth
3. The Lake
4. A Voice In The Static
5. Mask Ov Lies
6. Cowards Tongue
7. From Soot
8. Cursed Earth
9. Komma Skall
10. Trauma

One of the most beautiful, haunting, unique releases of the year arrives in the form of ‘world citizen’ Dikajee, and her debut full-length album Forget~Me~Nots, released 13th August.

Dikajee has also released her first single from the album, the hauntingly evocative 'Forest'.

Premiered via Prog, you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/D1VlJhuVU3Y

Pre-order Forget~Me~Nots here: dikajee.com

Forget~Me~Nots is a stunning display from the originally Russian-based musician, which throughout places her incredible voice front and centre. It’s a fitting tribute to an artist who considers herself a globalist. In her words: “I am a citzen of the world. No age, no nationality, no gender, no religion. I know we can’t completely run away from reality, but as R.P. McMurphy said, “At least I tried”.”

Such an esoteric, worldly approach is truly typical of this brilliant artist, and an album recorded throughout Europe, and with a truly international cadre and calibre of musician. Recording and producing in Norway, Portugal, Germany, France, Latvia, Russia, Forget~Me~Nots features guest appearances from Faun’s Fiona Rüggeberg (bagpipes), Klone’s Guillaume Bernard (guitars), Erik Truffaz's Artis Orubs (drums) and Amber Foil’s João Filipe (guitars) among others.

The international, collaborative outlook pays dividends across a record that showcases the best of folk, minimalist electronic, neo-baroque, neo-classical and truly inventive progressive rock. Above all else shines through Dikajee’s voice, a once-in-a-generation talent that recalls the best of Bjork and Kate Bush. Musically, shades of Steven Wilson, Nightwish, and Gentle Giant shine through.

Across Forget~Me~Nots Dikajee’s gloriously imaginative ethos is heard again and again. Track Four, ‘River Rite’, is a self-described “pagan ritual” song, which plays on the dual parables of the energy of floral wreaths, and of the wiseman by the river. The closing track, ‘Something Mystique’ is an exploration of the state of loss, and involved the visiting of more than ten abandoned grand estates of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

An artist who previously toured Germany and Switzerland, opened for Yann Tiersen, Recoil (Depeche Mode’s Alan Wilder), and Nils Petter Molvær; and placed in Prog Magazine’s Top Unsigned Bands, Dikajee will deservedly have a bright and illustrious future.

dikajee.com
https://www.instagram.com/dikajee
https://www.facebook.com/Dikajeepic

TRACKLISTING:
1: Forest
2: Lily Of The Valley (João Filipe (Amber Foil))
3: Millions Of Flashes
4: River Rite
5: Dead Garden (feat. Guillaume Bernard (Klone))
6: Misery
7: Scriptwriter
8: Glorious Beautiful Magical
9: Gloomy Flowers Blooming (feat. Fiona Rüggeberg (Faun, Tvinna))
10: Something Mystique (feat. Andreas Ulvo)

Progressive death metal quintet Alustrium release their stunning new album A Monument To Silence today, 18th June, via Unique Leader Records.

A Monument To Silence full album stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1rnM5zqEwY

Order the album here: https://orcd.co/amonumenttosilence
Bundles available here: https://www.indiemerchstore.com

Emerging from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alustrium are introducing the world to their unique form of progressive death metal. With intense, technical riffs and soulful ear-bending solos, Alustrium create a unique blend between melody and fierce brutality that sets them apart from the norm. Following up their 2020 EP Insurmountable, their forthcoming concept record A Monument to Silence further pushes the boundaries of contemporary heavy music.

Elements of Between the Buried and Me, Necrophagist, The Haunted, and Black Crown Initiate combine to create a thrilling an exhilarating effect. A melodic, intense, technically-gifted group, A Monument to Silence is an instantly gratifying record, that goes far beyond the already impressive sum of its parts.

In their history, Alustrium have opened for a wealth of similarly-talented bands, including Between the Buried and Me, Rivers of Nihil, Scar Symmetry, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and Deicide.

Alustrium are:
Jerry Martin
Chris Kelly
Mike DeMaria
Kevin Penny
Kevin Corkran

Alustrium online:
https://www.facebook.com/Alustrium
https://www.instagram.com/alustrium
https://alustriumofficial.bandcamp.com

Track-listing:

01 This Hollow Ache
02 Join the Dead
03 Hunted
04The Accuser
05 The Plea
06 Dreamless Sleep
07 Blood for Blood
08 Deliverance for the Damned
09 Worthless Offers
10 A Monument to Silence

Photo Credit: Arne Bru Haug

Norwegian powerpop quartet Beachheads are back with their brilliant new summery single 'Jupiter', streaming today 18th June via Fysisk Format.

Stream 'Jupiter' here: https://smarturl.it/Beachheads

Powerpop with punk urgency that is both "Catchy as fuck" (Stereogum) and "Resiliently heart-heavy" (Rolling Stone), Beachheads features two members of renowned metal band Kvelertak in an entirely different guise.

In the band's own words: "This song was written last year, as Jupiter and Saturn came together in the night sky. It’s a celebration of love, ecstasy – and adventurous, sleepless nights."

Reminiscent at times of Hüsker Dü, Idles and The Marked Men, the new single is a brilliant meld of modern day post-punk and upbeat, classic surf rock.

'Jupiter' is taken from Beachheads forthcoming second album and is produced by Frode Strømstad of I Was A King. Their self-titled debut album from 2017 received widespread acclaim from magazines globally, and was marked as album of the month in tastemaker publications, including Visions and Slam.

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/beachheadsband/
https://beachheads.bandcamp.com/

German modern metal outfit Venues have released a powerful and entertaining video for new single 'Mountains'. The track is the fourth single from their forthcoming album Solace, due for release on 27th August 2021 via Arising Empire.

Once again, Venues worked with videographer Marius Milinski to create the music video for 'Mountains', continuing the story that began in previous singles 'Rite Of Passage', 'Shifting Colors' and 'Uncaged Birds'.

Check out the video for 'Mountains' here: https://youtu.be/HF6U53TTznw

Vocalist Lela says: "For me, 'Mountains' sums up the ups and downs of last year perfectly, but also the hope and confidence that the band gave me. For me, the song represents the inner struggle with myself and the resulting strength, about to grow out of it."

Stream/purchase 'Mountains' here: https://Venues.lnk.to/mountains

Pre-order Solace in various formats here: https://Venues.lnk.to/solace

From the depths of their deepest crisis, Venues emerge victoriously, welcoming two new members - clean vocalist Lela and guitarist Valentin. When former vocalist Nyves quit the band mid-tour, following the release of their pivotal debut Aspire (2019), the modern metal juggernaut was shaken to the bone.

Despite this, the remaining members refused to give up and tirelessly searched for new talent. Following guitarist Constantin witnessing a performance of Lela at (of all places) at a Steel Panther show, the band found their new clean vocalist.

Venues went into the studio with producer Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay) to record Solace, who coated their massive sound with a metallic alloy of remarkable precision.

“We wanted to be more metal,” Robin comments. “There were some pop sensibilities of Aspire we wanted to replace with rather the opposite.”

Melody and punch-drunk heaviness, metal and alternative rock, zeitgeist and authenticity, barbed choruses and unleashed creativity: with their soaring sophomore release, Venues fulfil every single promise they gave on Aspire.

“2020 showed all of us how much the band is helping us keep our sanity,” guitarist Robin muses. “Almost the whole band went through minor or medium crises since the release of our debut. Relationships went sour, things were ended and begun. In times like these, our second album was the light at the end of the tunnel. Something we all could look forward to. Our music held our heads above water.”

It’s a big leap, going from Aspire to Solace, and it’s a logical one, too. Ten songs, ten exorcisms of negative energy, ten lifesavers.

Check out Venues' previous singles below.

'Rite Of Passage' video: https://youtu.be/tiPFQNDrGRs
Stream / purchase 'Rite Of Passage' here: https://Venues.lnk.to/riteofpassage
'Shifting Colors' video: https://youtu.be/3RSvRsp2YGU
Stream/purchase 'Shifting Colors' here: https://Venues.lnk.to/shiftingcolors
'Uncaged Birds' video: https://youtu.be/F1Unf6bC2e8
Stream / purchase 'Uncaged Birds' here: https://Venues.lnk.to/uncagedbirds

Venues are:
Lela | clean vocals
Robin | shouts
Constantin | guitar
Valentin | guitar
Dennis | drums

Venues online:
www.facebook.com/venuesofficial
www.instagram.com/venuesofficial
https://twitter.com/venuesofficial
https://venues.bigcartel.com/

Track listing:

1. Razorblade Teeth
2. Whydah Gally
3. Rite of Passage
4. Uncaged Birds
5. Into the Fire
6. Down Below
7. Shifting Colors
8. Our Destiny
9. Deceptive Faces
10. Mountains

Self-described 'decidedly average' Bristol rockers Sugar Horse have announced their long-awaited debut LP, The Live Long After, to be released 27th August via Small Pond Records.

In recognition of the news, the band have released the first single from the monstrous record. Premiered on Knotfest, you can watch the video for 'Fat Dracula' here: https://youtu.be/DIU0L11f5tQ

Pre-order The Live Long After here: https://link.smallpondrec.co.uk/sugar-horse

Lyrically based around the fear of the unknown, The Live Long After is a caustic, visceral, and highly engaging listen. From the uneasy opening notes of the introduction 'I Am Not Now' (an anti-hymn based on an ancient Byzantine chant), to 'Live Long' (a doom track about the endless void) and 'Death Cult', (which discusses Aleph, the Japanese doomsday movement), the record is an indication of a band bursting with things to say.

It's not for nothing that Sugar Horse have become known as a nonconformist band. Their previous EPs Druj and Drugs were acclaimed amalgams of doom, hardcore, stoner and punk, and The Live Long After continues this curious trend.

Indications of My Bloody Valentine, Cult of Luna, Deafheaven and Oceansize can be heard throughout the record, but still only touch upon the wide variety of sounds and influences Sugar Horse explore. A band who were due to tour with Black Peaks before the inevitable Covid disruption, and who have toured with Vennart and played ArcTanGent, Sugar Horse have received early praise from Upset Magazine, Metal Hammer, and Kerrang!.

Forming in 2015 as a trio in a flat in Bristol, Sugar Horse fully came into being in 2019 with the addition of Jake Healy on baritone guitar and keyboards. Seeking to break away from emerging trends in their scene, the band's emphasis on simplicity and down-tempo heft belies an impressive sense of self-awareness and maturity. In their own words: "I think the best art is formed when it's creators enforce rigid rules on themselves. Mondrian had geometry, Mark E Smith had his hatred for cigarette taxation and we have a complete disregard for urgency."

Despite what they say about themselves, Sugar Horse are anything but "average."

Sugar Horse are:

Ashley Tubb (Vocals/Guitar)
Jake Healy (Baritone Guitar, Keyboards)
Chris Howarth (Bass)
Martin Savage (Drums)

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/sugarhorseruinedmybirthday
https://www.instagram.com/sugarhorse.are.awful
https://twitter.com/sugarhorse666

The Live Long After tracklisting:

1. I Am Not Now, Nor Have I Ever Been…
2. Shouting Judas At Bob Dylan
3. Fat Dracula
4. Phil Spector In Hell
5. The Live Long After
6. Terrible Things Are Happening As We Speak
7. The Great British Death Cult
8. Dadcore World Cup
9. …A Las Vegas Showgirl

Photo Credit: Andy Ford

Sleep Token have today (18th June 2021) revealed that their second studio album, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, will be released on 24th September 2021 via Spinefarm. This new 12-track offering delves further into the enigmatic universe of Sleep Token, pushing boundaries and blurring genres, whilst retaining their signature sound.

Experience the video for the first single 'Alkaline', which collectively conveys a sense of darkness and evil, but also of power and control.

[Please contact hannah@holdtight.co for a WAV/MP3 download of the single for radio airplay]

Watch 'Alkaline' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU5vVT_Cp7c

Pre-orders for Sleep Token’s second studio album This Place Will Become Your Tomb are now live, with an instant download of the first single 'Alkaline' and special bundle options, including limited vinyl, t-shirts, hoodies and longsleeve shirts. Pre-order here: https://sleeptoken.lnk.to/ThisPlaceWillBecomeYourTomb

On the live front, Sleep Token are due to headline the second stage of the Download Pilot event this evening. A moment in history, Sleep Token’s performance will be a special occasion for music fans.

Additionally, Sleep Token will perform at ALT+LDN this year, set to take place on 30th at Clapham Common. Sleep Token will be performing alongside acts such as Playboi Carti, Architects, Machine Gun Kelly and Princess Nokia.

For more information:
https://www.sleep-token.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sleeptoken/
https://twitter.com/Sleep_Token/
https://www.instagram.com/sleep_token/

This Place Will Become Your Tomb track list:
1: Atlantic
2: Hypnosis
3: Mine
4: Like That
5: The Love You Want
6: Fall For Me
7: Alkaline
8: Distraction
9: Descending
10: Telomeres
11: High Water
12: Missing Limbs

About Sleep Token:

Beneath the Sleep Token banner lies the unique, broad-based vision of one individual – anonymous, silent, masked, armed with a staggering vocal range, a deft touch on the keyboards, plus a live approach that is never less than fully engaged. The UK underground entity only known as Sleep Token, fronted by Vessel, began the Sundowning ritual on 20th June 2019 with ‘The Night Does Not Belong To God’. Sleep Token began to release their ‘offerings’ bi-weekly, released Thursdays at Sundown BST with accompanying visualisers. Each offering had its own emblem, establishing the Sleep Token universe on the debut album Sundowning. This 18th June, 2021, the cycle begins again but born anew. The new album, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, pushes the boundaries of Sleep Token's sound into new avenues of blurring genres while still retaining the signature sound.