US blackened deathcore six-piece The Breathing Process have unveiled their new single ‘Heir to None’, another glimpse of their new album Labyrinthian, out 8th October via Unique Leader.

Stream 'Heir to None' here: https://youtu.be/bKB9ypKfKq0

Pre-save Labyrinthian here: https://orcd.co/labyrinthian

Pre-order Labyrinthian here: 
https://www.indiemerchstore.com (NA)
https://www.impericon.com (Europe)

The band comment: "‘Heir To None’ explores the orchestral and theatrical elements within our sound. Lyrically, Heir to None is a mad ballad, celebrating an inherent bloodlust. There’s insanity at the core of narcissism. To be of no flag, and no affiliation with your fellow man. In this madness, one will crown themselves their own king."

This follows previous single 'Shroud' and the band's first single 'Wilt', which featured David Simonich from Signs Of The Swarm. Watch the 'Wilt' video here: https://youtu.be/hJ9HHX7bksI

Alongside their counterparts in Abigail Williams and Winds of Plague, TBP were the first out the gates in terms of bringing a symphonic, melody driven black metal influence into modern deathcore, setting the benchmark in 2008 with their genre melding debut In Waking : Divinity.

Fusing Unearth Oncoming Storm era style breakdowns with Dimmu Borgir flair reminiscent of Puritannical era, then adding the syncopated attack of the likes of Decapitated, TBP had unknowingly created a sound that would be imitated by many to come. TBP are the true originators of modern blackened deathcore and have returned to claim their crowns.

Their fourth album Labyrinthian is a majestic and nightmare fuelled journey deep into blackened death metal done how it's supposed to be. Featuring guest vocals from David John Simonich (Signs of the Swarm), Jamie Graham (Viscera) & a monumental mix and master from Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Rivers of Nihil)

The Breathing Process are:
Chris Rabideau - Vocals
Jordan Milner - Guitar
Sara Loerlein - Guitar
Dan Patton - Bass
Bryan Bever - Drums
Alexander Verschoor - Keys

More info: 
https://www.facebook.com/thebreathingprocessusa
https://www.instagram.com/thebreathingprocess
https://thebreathingprocess.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/UniqueLeaderRecords
https://uniqueleader.com

Track-listing:
01 – Terminal
02 – Shadow Self
03 – Wilt
04 – A Savage Plea
05 – Labyrinthian
06 – I Sleep, I Wake
07 – Heir to None
08 – Shroud
09 – Atlas
10 – We, The Drowned

Photo Credit: Kathi Sterl

German post-hardcore outfit Our Mirage have released a video for their brand new single 'Through The Night', another taste of their upcoming third album.

Using the pandemic to reboot and powerfully return, 'Through The Night' is a hard-hitting masterpiece, written straight from the heart. The emotional lyrics accompany the listener in the real-life situations of the ever-changing times, whilst the band experiment with new sounds, as melody is paired with heavier, heart-crushing vocals.

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

Stream/purchase 'Through The Night' here: https://ourmirage.lnk.to/throughthenight

Hailing from Germany, Our Mirage hit your feelings deep. From their ambient music to poignant lyrics that really strike a nerve, this young group are becoming known for the emotion that they pour into their music. On their 2020 album Unseen Relations, released via Arising Empire, Our Mirage delved deeper, using their intuition to focus on relatable problems and struggles that we deal with on a regular basis.

Watch their previous videos here:
'Remedy': https://youtu.be/Idao4nFlOoQ
'Falling' feat. Telle Smith (The Word Alive): https://youtu.be/eUGZNmiUZ-4
'Unseen': https://youtu.be/yTXlJgjQ_xQ
'After All': https://youtu.be/db2poByTU-U
'Different Eyes': https://youtu.be/BfwdyIFETXE
'Lost': https://youtu.be/sGc3gM3GVyY
'The Unknown': https://youtu.be/36j03cY1SIw

Our Mirage will tour across Germany with Vitja, Breathe Atlantis and The Narrator in October.

Dates:

01.10.2021 - Berlin | Cassiopeia
02.10.2021 - Hamburg | Logo
06.10.2021 - Nürnberg | Z-Bau
07.10.2021 - Wiesbaden | Schlachthof
08.10.2021 - Bremen | Tower
09.10.2021 - Bochum | Rotunde
15.10.2021 - Hannover | Lux
16.10.2021 - Köln | Helios37
14.01.2022 - Stuttgart | JUHA WEST
15.01.2022 - Leipzig | Naumanns
21.01.2022 - Düsseldorf | Tube
22.01.2022 - Münster | Sputnikhalle
28.01.2022 - München | Backstage
29.01.2022 - Trier | Mergener Hof

Tickets: https://www.ourmirage.de/tour

Our Mirage are:
Timo Bonner | Vocals
Steffen Hirz | Guitars
Manuel Möbs | Bass
Daniel Maus | Drums

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/OurMirageBand
https://www.instagram.com/ourmirageband/
https://www..ourmirage.de

Photo Credit: Alexander Crispin

Tim Burton’s dream band, Diablo Swing Orchestra, are parading down the rabbit hole on album number five. The fearlessly progressive eight-piece Swedish ensemble are poised to return with their fifth album Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole, on Día de los Muertos, 2nd November, via Candlelight/Spinefarm.

Ahead of the album the band have released their first single 'War Painted Valentine'. DSO are known for pairing elements of jazz, swing, classical and progressive rock with just about everything in between, so it comes as no surprise that the first single from Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole is a fusion of genres best described as if Sepultura and Die Antwoord decided to write a song for the Carnival in Rio.

Watch first single, ‘War Painted Valentine’ here: https://youtu.be/jAGzkoGkc-c

Pre-order Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole here: https://diabloswingorchestra.lnk.to/SwaggerandStrollDownTheRabbitHole

Since their foundation in 2003 the band have released four studio albums which push musical boundaries to the extreme with humour, creativity and a healthy dose of positive aggression. Their debut The Butcher’s Ballroom was a breath of fresh air when it came out in 2006 to worldwide critical acclaim. The band's fifth effort Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole is by far their most ambitious undertaking which pays tribute to all four previous releases and adds some new colours to their already broad pallet of sounds.

DSO have once again teamed up with producer Roberto Laghi (In Flames, Hardcore Superstars) who has become almost the ninth member of the orchestra. Together they've dug deeply into each of the genres explored in the thirteen album tracks and worked hard to find the appealing genre characteristics to forge their own sound. This approach has resulted in a impressive list of guest musicians and some very interesting clashes between sounds which, at least on paper, shouldn’t work. Listeners with an open mind will be rewarded by numerous goodies littered throughout the album, ranging from the tribal assault that is 'War Painted Valentine' to the Zeppelin-gospel-infused 'Snake Oil Baptism'.

As with many bands Covid-19 presented multiple challenges but also granted opportunities which allowed them to take their time in the studio since there was no tour waiting to happen. The mixing process alone took over half a year but Diablo Swing Orchestra are confident that they've produced an album which will leave an indelible mark, whilst inspiring others to try out fresh ideas on genre blending.

Diablo Swing Orchestra online:

Facebook | Instagram || Youtube || Twitter | Spotify

Swagger & Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole Tracklisting:

1. Sightseeing In The Apocalypse
2. War Painted Valentine
3. Celebremos Lo Inevitable
4. Speed Dating An Arsonist
5. Jig Of The Century
6. The Sound Of An Unconditional Surrender
7. Malign Monologues
8. Out Came The Hummingbirds
9. Snake Oil Baptism
10. Les Invulnéables
11. Saluting The Reckoning
12. The Prima Donna Gauntlet
13. Overture To A Ceasefire

Melodic metalcore outfit Placeholder have returned with their first single, 'Faith', featuring new vocalist, Lee Male.

Watch the video for 'Faith' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiLqhaf7zSM

Stream/purchase 'Faith' here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/placeholder/faith

‘Faith’ explores the emotional stress of needing your loved ones when you’re struggling with the weight of the world; how one person’s kind words or ‘check in’ can feel like the most important message you have ever received.

On 'Faith', Male states: "'Faith' is the product of pushing through and persevering. I started speaking to the guys in the first lockdown and we had planned on getting into a room together and seeing how my voice sat within their new demo’s. Six months later we were in a studio recording our first single having never actually played live together. This was a very different approach to creativity, writing and demoing everything remotely. That being said, hearing it come together in the studio was massively rewarding but a world away from our roots of practice room writing / demoing for months, but we managed to turn that slight bump in the road into a massive positive and are all so proud of how ‘Faith’ sounds. Hopefully ‘Faith’ will help you realise that no matter how heavy your burden, opening up and talking about it will always help."

Placeholder are a four-piece melodic metalcore band from Southampton, influenced by the likes of Thornhill, Northlane, and Dayseeker. Having re-formed with a new vocalist in March 2020, ‘Faith’ is the creation of months of anxiety and frustration trying to function as a band during a pandemic. Given the circumstances, Placeholder have created diamonds out of sand and are making their own opportunities to bring their melodic metalcore sound to the masses.

Placeholder online:
https://www.facebook.com/PlaceholderUK/
https://twitter.com/placeholder_uk
https://www.instagram.com/uk_placeholder/

'A sucker punch of sludge-punk' - Knotfest.com

The Live Long After released 27th August via Small Pond Records

Self-described 'decidedly average' Bristol rockers Sugar Horse have released their new single 'Shouting Judas At Bob Dylan', taken from their long-awaited debut LP, The Live Long After, to be released 27th August via Small Pond Records.

Stream here: http://listen.smallpondrec.com/bob-dylan

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

New single comes ahead of their Bloodstock Festival performance this weekend

“They’re a band that already sound so colossal, they could probably beat Magneto in a fight.”
– Alex Baker, Kerrang! Radio Fresh Blood

Irish metallic hardcore outfit BAILER mark their return with a video for their gut-punching new single 'Gateway Drug', out today (11th August 2021) via Blood Blast Distribution. The track is the first taste of the band's upcoming debut album, due for release later this year.

Watch the music video for 'Gateway Drug' here: https://youtu.be/TEbhGEPMavc
Stream 'Gateway Drug' here: https://bfan.link/gatewaydrug

On the new single, vocalist Alex O'Leary states: "The root of addiction is misery. I feel like if misery was a drug, it'd be the gateway drug to a life consumed by addiction for those who may be exposed to it too often or too early. This song highlights the acceptance that there might be no escape from suffering, but it's not the problems you face, its all about how you deal with them. That's what matters."

Following on from 2018's self-titled EP (Distroy Records), 2017’s 'PTSD' and 2016’s 'Shaped By The Landscape', BAILER’s ambitious collection of tracks is about to expand and truly propel their notoriety outside of their native Ireland.

Having impressively garnered attention from Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, Metal Injection and Heavy Blog Is Heavy so early into their career, BAILER have proven to be Ireland's most exhilarating heavy band. Now with their debut album on the horizon, the quartet are setting their sights on becoming one of hardcore's most exciting prospects.

BAILER have already a strong reputation on their home ground, playing shows alongside Norma Jean, Sick Of It All, The Black Dahlia Murder, Conjurer, Employed To Serve, Palm Reader, Malevolence, God Mother, Coilguns and more.

2018 and 2019 saw the band start to mark their territory further afield, having successfully toured Russia and the UK extensively in support of their self-titled EP. In 2021, BAILER are eager to get back on international stages to launch the new era of the band. Starting with Bloodstock Festival in August, expect to hear a lot more from BAILER over the coming months.

BAILER online:
https://www.facebook.com/bailerofficial/
https://twitter.com/BAILEROfficial
https://www.instagram.com/bailerofficial/

Bailer - Gateway Drug

Authority Through Intimidation album out 22nd October via Unique Leader

'Human Chop Shop' streaming now

US death metal kingpins Waking The Cadaver return with new single and graphic video 'Human Chop Shop', taken from their forthcoming album, Authority Through Intimidation, out 22nd October 2021 via Unique Leader.

Watch the video to 'Human Chop Shop' here: https://youtu.be/T2iPOaEasv0

The band comment: "We are very excited for our fans to hear our next single 'Human Chop Shop'!! It is definitely one of our favorite tracks on the new album because it encompasses everything Waking the Cadaver sets out to do, which is creating hardcore-influenced brutal death metal with catchy hooks. Human Chop Shop is predominately a mid-paced jam with a ton of groove, but don’t let that fool you, Authority Through Intimidation is chock-full of blasting brutality as well. We are beyond stoked to unleash this monster of an album October 22nd to show the world how far we’ve come as a band."

Pre-order/save Authority Through Intimidation here: Orcd.co/authoritythroughintimidation

Waking the Cadaver are an American death metal band from Jersey Shore, New Jersey, formed in 2006. The quartet grew to become one of the most exciting bands in the US underground, touring with the likes of Napalm Death and Immolation, and releasing three albums within a six-year span; Perverse Recollections of a Necromangler (2007), Beyond Cops, Beyond God (2010) and Real-Life Death (2013). Their live shows became somewhat legendary for their brutality and power.

Following a huge tour in 2013 with Dying Fetus, Exhumed, and Abiotic, Waking the Cadaver went on hiatus, but returned in 2018 with fresh sound and new line-up, with only vocalist Don Campan and guitarist Michael Mayo remaining. Now signed to Unique Leader Records and armed with their phenomenal new album Authority Through Intimidation, Waking the Cadaver are ready to reclaim their crowns as the kingpins of death.

Guitarist Mike Mayo commented on the new album: "I believe Authority Through Intimidation is the definitive Waking the Cadaver album. Our mission statement for writing it was SLAMMING GORE GROOVE. That’s been our slogan since the beginning and I think this collection of songs exemplifies its meaning more than any of our previous albums. We really wanted to level up the technicality and song writing of Real-Life Death, while also having more nods to our first album Perverse Recollections of a Necromangler. I think we succeeded in doing just that. Listeners will be able to hear our love for bands like Dying Fetus, Last Days of Humanity, and Disgorge, as well as our love for early Hatebreed and All Out War.”

Produced by AJ Viana (Cognitive, Through the Eyes of the Dead), Authority Through Intimidation hits harder than a hammer to the head and takes no prisoners with its polished but powerful live production.

Vocalist Don Campan commented: "I am extremely proud of Authority Through Intimidation for the intensely disgusting brutal vibe it has casted out into the Universe and beyond. Slamming gore groove has been summoned by its worldwide fans and they will not be let down. This album has all of our infamous alien guttural overlord vocal styles and raw signature slam dunks, with wicked fresh ferocious shredding attacks delivered from a musical-masterminded line up. The Kingpins of Death are stoked and proud to have the one and only next level blasting machine Lord Marco on drums giving this new material a cutting edge injection."


Waking The Cadaver online:
Bandcamp || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

Unique Leader Records online:
Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || YouTube

Authority Through Intimidation Track listing:

1. Civic Assault
2. Corpse Decomposition
3. Human Chop Shop
4. Frenzied Vehicular Rampage
5. Arbiter of Punishment
6. Threaten Physical Force
7. Asphyxiating Ligature
8. Authoritative Aggressor

DAMNATION album due 29th October via Candlelight Records

New single 'Warrior' ft. Simon Girard of Beyond Creation available now

Candlelight Records is excited to announce signing Canadian death metal quintet Burning The Oppressor and the release of new album DAMNATION on 29th October. The band have released the first single from album, 'Warrior', featuring guest vocals from Beyond Creation's Simon Girard.

Watch the lyric video for 'Warrior' here: https://youtu.be/-aEy0uQMlpk

Pre-order DAMNATION here: https://BurningTheOppressor.lnk.to/DamnationPR

On the signing to Candlelight Records, the band state: "It is with great pride and enthusiasm that Burning The Oppressor joins the legendary and incredible Candlelight Records roster. Working with such an experienced and professional team means a lot to us. We grew up listening to the artists who have evolved on this label, and now we are part of it...It's amazing!"

On the upcoming album, the band continue: "We are extremely proud to present our next album; Damnation, produced by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Shadow Of Intent, Ingested, Despised Icon, Beneath The Massacre, Beyond Creation). As an album with heavy social criticism where the dark side of the human experience coexists with mental illness and degradation, we are confident that we will be able to make the metalheads headbang to the sound of our music."

Burning The Oppressor was founded in 2012 by passionate musicians with different influences and armed with remarkable stage dynamism. With intense texts and brutal riffs, BTO puts into words and sounds the trials of modern life and the sufferings of a society in turmoil. Militant in favour of social equity and the inclusion of all people, the band denounces discrimination and oppression through its work.

Strong from their experiences and numerous performances, from the early days at the Montebello Rockfest Festival to the latter days at Heavy Montréal Festival, BTO's reputation is now stronger than ever. The name still resonates in the minds of all of those who have seen them live. BURNING THE OPPRESSOR has taken the metal scene with strength and burned down each and every venue it has performed at. It proudly shared the stage alongside great bands such as Skeletonwitch, Mass Hysteria, Tagada Jones, The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Jungle Rot, The Browning, The Acacia Strain, After the Burial, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Jinjer.

The band also left its mark with its three previous albums: The Ignition (2012), Verbal Aggressor (2013), and Bloodshed (2017). Each one of these albums were nominated for "Best Independent Metal Album" at GAMIQ Awards and Bloodshed won the public's choice award for the "Metal Album Of The Year" in 2017.

With their forthcoming album DAMNATION, Burning The Oppressor will raise the rage to new heights and pursue its ascent on the metal scene. Armed with its groove death metal, the Canadian lineup is ready to rip your ears apart with blistering, yet catchy riffs, energy and passion.

Burning The Oppressor online:
https://www.facebook.com/BurningTheOppressor
https://www.instagram.com/burningtheoppressor/
https://burningtheoppressor.bandcamp.com/

DAMNATION Track listing:

1. Cannibal K
2. The Oppressor
3. Martyrize
4. Black Eye
5. Wrongdoers Of The Seas
6. Crackhead
7. Damnation
8. Darkest Moonlight
9. Seven Generations Raped
10. Infamous Human Beast
11. Insanity
12. Warrior (Ft. Simon Girard)

Hush due 22nd October via Church Road Records

'Hush' streaming now

Hush is the gloomy & dreamy second album by Belgium based and internationally celebrated shoegazers Slow Crush. Out 22nd October via Church Road Records.

Check out the single for title track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVt4NfPDiu8

Hush is the result of songs written in between tours, unexpected downtime during a pandemic and turbulent times. At the end of 2020, focus was shifted towards finishing their second album and this resulted in an album with stark contrast. Some of their darkest but hope filled music to date was recorded.

Radiating moonlit warmth through a haze of abrasive whirling layered guitars and soul soothing vocals by Isa Holliday, the lull of wistful longing and tranquil bearing, contrasting cascading echoes of beautiful noise surpassing their highly acclaimed debut album Aurora in both song writing and musicianship.

After touring pretty much non stop all over the world from the end 2018 til January 2020 including tours with bands like Pelican, Torche, Soft Kill, Gouge Away and playing festivals like Road Burn, Arctangent, 2000Trees, and Groez Rock, Slow Crush was forced to take a touring break when Covid-19 hit.

Having to cancel two European tours and one US tour last minute was actually a blessing in disguise, allowing the band to regroup & rethink. Despite the lack of live shows, 2020-2021 was anything but “calm” for the band. Unexpected success of their debut album Aurora and the impact that heavy touring had already taken on their private lives was intensified with the departure of two band members and the need to scout for their perfect replacements.

Slow Crush have announced their European tour dates, and UK dates are yet to be announced.

Slow Crush are:
Isa Holliday
Jelle Harde Ronsmans
Frederick Meeuwis
Jeroen Jullet

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/slowcrushband
https://www.instagram.com/slowcrushband
https://twitter.com/slowcrushband

Hush Track Listing:

1. Drown
2. Blue
3. Swoon
4. Gloom
5. Swivel
6. Réve
7. Hush
8. Lull
9. Thrill
10. Bent and Broken