Maurizio lacono, of Canadian death metal band Kataklysm, has launched new label Distortion Music Group. The label has also announced its first signing, Man Must Die, and released their new single / video ‘Bring Me The Head Of The King’.

Watch the video to ‘Bring Me The Head Of The King’ here: https://youtu.be/4Q3MqMOnv2I

Purchase / stream here: https://bfan.link/bring-me-the-head-of-the-king

Maurizio commented: "I’m extremely excited to launch my own imprint today called Distortion Music Group, a label focused on artist development. What better way to celebrate this day with the release of Man Must Die’s new single 'Bring Me The Head Of The King' a ferocious and powerful track coming from Scotland’s finest! I have been a fan of Man Must Die since their beginning and I’m honored to have them as part of our roster and growing family."

On the single, Man Must Die commented: “Our new single is a representation of the last year and a half of frustration and isolation. We've channelled all the negative energy into something positive and ultimately cathartic.”

Formed in Glasgow in 2002, the death metal legends Man Must Die are back with their angriest offering. Man Must Die once again bring the fight but in a bigger way than ever with their pummelling death metal rhythms, razor sharp guitars and cutting vocals. News on more music coming soon.

Distortion Music Group is a boutique record label, headed by industry veteran and Juno award winner Maurizio lacono, who has fronted the metal bands Kataklysm (Nuclear Blast), Ex Deo (Napalm Records) and Invictus (eOne) for the last thirty years. Maurizio has notably distinguished himself as a forward-thinking music Industry entrepreneur, having started HARD IMPACT MUSIC INC. in 2008, a music management company that quickly grew into a top performing home for metal artists worldwide. He also helped create two power house touring agencies: Continental Touring in North America and Decibel Touring in Europe. Partnerships with these companies give Distortion Music Group a big advantage for developing the careers of its artists.

Distortion Music Group’s main goal is to serve the artist needs and create a partnership that benefits everyone involved, not just for the record label, and put the power into the hands of the artists.

Distortion Music Group is working in partnership with Bloodblast Distribution, Nuclear Blast's distribution service.

Man Must Die

Photo Credit: Oscar Dziedziela

Swedish alternative metalcore outfit Imminence return with new single and accompanying music video for 'Ghost' - a psychedelic and supernatural cinematic experience, that flirts with the occult and explores the darkest corners of the mind.

Check out the video for 'Ghost' here: https://youtu.be/WrRSbvUZca8

Stream here: https://imminence.lnk.to/ghost

Guitarist Harald Barrett commented: ”'Ghost' is a perfect example of how the creative flow in Imminence just knows no boundaries. We don’t follow trends or try to fit our art into a format, rather we’re always eager to explore the unexpected.”

Following the success of previous single 'Heaven In Hiding', that instantly became the fastest growing release in the band's history, even surpassing the previous record held by 'Temptation' (May 2021), Imminence have in a matter of a few months released two of the most successful metalcore songs of this year. Once again, the group displays their unrestrained diversity and dynamic approach with the new song 'Ghost'.

Director Pavel Trebukhin and Imminence have invested more time and effort than ever on the video production, ensuring the viewer to experience a completely new level of artistic story telling, raising the bar even higher for what can be expected from a quickly uprising metalcore act today.

The new single is a hard-hitting fireball, mixing influences that haven’t been heard since the band's breakthrough single 'The Sickness' (2015) with all the unique features they have established as their very own, among others the unmistakable violin performance by singer Eddie Berg.

'Ghost' was mixed by award-winning producer Henrik Udd (Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, At The Gates),

After the remarkably successful announcement of the band’s exclusive acoustic tour 'Live In Concert Halls', the Swedish quintet were granted a placing in Eventim’s Official Charts as one of the fastest selling tours in Germany. Imminence recently announced a new European headline tour taking place in 19 cities during February & March 2022. All venue sizes have increased largely in capacity and these will be the band's biggest headline shows to date.

Imminence: Live in concert - Europe 2022
15.02.22 DE - Leipzig, Täubchenthal
16.02.22 DE - Hamburg, Gruenspan
17.02.22 DE - Schweinfurt, Stattbahnhof
19.02.22 PL - Krakow, Kwadrat
20.02.22 CZ - Prague, MeetFactory
22.02.22 HU - Budapest, Barba Negra
24.02.22 DE - Munich, Backstage
25.02.22 DE - Stuttgart, Im Wizemann
26.02.22 IT - Milan, Legend Club
27.02.22 CH - Zurich, Exil
01.03.22 BE - Antwerp, Kavka
02.03.22 DE - Cologne, Kantine
03.03.22 UK - London, The Garage
04.03.22 FR - Paris, La Boule Noire
05.03.22 NL - Utrecht, De Helling
07.03.22 DE - Frankfurt, Batschkapp
08.03.22 DE - Berlin, Festsaal Kreuzberg
09.03.22 DE - Muenster, Sputnikhalle
10.03.22 DE - Hanover, Musikzentrum

Tickets HERE

Fronted by vocalist and violinist Eddie Berg, guitarist Harald Barrett, drummer Peter Hanström and bass player Christian Höijer, Imminence was formed in the southernmost part of Sweden and have become one of the country's most promising acts, with their diverse sound embracing everything from metalcore to acoustic. Founded by Berg and Barrett when they were teenagers, the band grew organically with a constantly expanding global fan-base, as well as touring actively through Europe following the release of their 2015 breakthrough single ‘The Sickness'.

Since the release of their 2019 album Turn The Light On, the Swedish alternative metalcore band have strongly established themselves in Europe as one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands in the metalcore scene. From a successful run of sold-out album release shows, a 100% increase in ticket sales, and venue capacities doubling during their last European tour, Imminence have reached new heights and show no signs of stopping.

Imminence are:
Eddie Berg | Vocals/Violin
Harald Barrett | Guitar
Alex Arnoldsson | Guitar
Christian Höijer | Bass
Peter Hanström | Drums

For more information:
www.imminenceswe.com
www.facebook.com/imminenceswe
www.instagram.com/imminenceswe
www.twitter.com/imminenceswe

German trio Consvmer have released a lyric video for their new single 'Erklärt Euch' (Explain Yourself), out now via Out Of Line Music. The track is the third single from their upcoming album Obsession, details of which are yet to be revealed.

Check out the lyric video for 'Erklärt Euch' here: https://youtu.be/g8mGCJzrp2Q

Stream the single here: https://consvmer.lnk.to/Erklaerteuch

Consvmer once again tackle socio-critical topics in their new single, liberating themselves from musical boundaries, delivering a mix of progressive metal, beatdown, and metalcore.

The band comment on 'Erklärt Euch':

"The song 'Erklärt Euch' addresses the background of the industry in our society. After all, many large corporations still exploit people for their profits, torture animals and pollute our earth without remorse. But we as consumers are jointly responsible and therefore this song calls upon us to address the backgrounds in our society, in order to protect our environment and our fellow earthlings."

Talking about their all unique style and approach, the band state:

"We are a band that dishes out social criticism and thus create our own kind of music as well as our music videos, artwork, and merchandise. It is very important for us to remain artistically independent in everything we create."

Check out Consvmer's previous singles:

'In meinem Himmel': https://youtu.be/ro_UnJvb3Zg
'Für Eure Tyrannen': https://youtu.be/UiR0OmJzCpM

Consvmer are:

Dennis Ackermann - vocals
Daniel Fischer - bass & guitar
Dennis Fischer - drums

Consvmer online:
https://www.consvmer.de/
https://www.facebook.com/ConsvmerOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/consvmer_official/

Swedish metalcore five-piece Forgetting The Memories have released their new single 'A Voice In The Static', another glimpse of forthcoming album Vemod, out 24th September via Long Branch Records.

Listen to 'A Voice In The Static' and pre-order Vemod here: http://smarturl.it/ftm_vemod

Forgetting The Memories comment: "This song's story is about love, loss, and the aftermath of dealing with that horrible experience. To cope with being reminded by the little things you used to resemble with this person. The outcome of this incident causes depression and self-hatred in order to believe that you are in fact alright."

Watch the video for previous single 'From Soot' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuNnl1kyFdk

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

Photo Credit: Stephen Midgley

UK metal quartet Arkdown have released their punishing new single 'Harbingers'. The track is taken from the band's upcoming record Terra Phasma, due for release on 3rd December 2021.

Check out the visualiser for 'Harbingers' here: https://youtu.be/St1oKr6HTh4

Stream 'Harbingers' here: https://terra-phasma.arkdownmusic.com/f9at

The band explain the meaning behind the new single:

"'Harbingers' is about betrayal at its core. Broken promises and oppression, being let down and betrayed but finding the strength to move on through that and past it, and hopefully trying to realise that it can make you a stronger person when you emerge from the other side. I've been let down and lied to a lot in the past and I guess that Harbingers is a first step in letting whoever has gotten the better of me in the past know that they're the reason I'm still standing. They're the reason I am who I am today. Everyone experiences it in some form or another, but if they're like me they'll keep it bottled up. I hope that others listening to the song will get the message that they're not alone, even though it might feel like it when everyone lets you down."

Arkdown are a four-piece metal band from Sheffield, UK. Formed in late 2015, the quartet draw heavily on modern metalcore and death metal influences, framed by their signature melodic, yet heavy, riff-based style.

Self-releasing their single 'In Torment' and their debut EP The Calling whilst touring the length of UK, Arkdown have supported a glut of heavy hitters in the scene, from Fit For An Autopsy and Oceans Ate Alaska, to Kingdom of Giants and A Night in Texas.

With the release of their second standalone single 'Miasmic', Arkdown's sound matured and extended their reach, as they broke out of the UK to play shows in mainland Europe - before COVID-19 put on the brakes. Arkdown spent that time refining their line-up and sound before working on their upcoming record, Terra Phasma.

Photo: Cornelius Qvist

New album DIORAMA set for 5th November release via Nuclear Blast 

Danish blackgaze masters MØL have released the stunning second single 'Serf' from their highly-awaited second studio album, DIORAMA, which is set for release via Nuclear Blast Records on 5th November. 

'Serf' is accompanied by a music video with art direction by vocalist Kim Song Sternkopf and drummer Ken Lund Klejs, filmed and edited by Tobias Scavenius.

Watch the new video here:  https://youtu.be/T2l2tvw2n7c
Stream or download the track here: https://bfan.link/serf

Pre-order or pre-save album DIORAMA in the format of your choice here: https://møl.bfan.link/diorama

The band explains the title and unusual video format: "'Serf' refers to the position of servitude and submission to a master, taken from the feudal age. The title of the track comes from being accustomed to thrall to the underlying pattern of understanding. Our upbringing plays a huge part in the way we tend to act as grownups. 

"The protagonist of the lyrics feels the invasion of doubt corrupting his or her coding. Even though the desire for authentic change and transformation is signified through rites and other external signifiers - we are serfs to our need to fit in. Changing your appearance is simply an exchange of collars from one system of servitude and submission to another. 

"The video is intentionally shot in portrait-mode to emphasize the importance of consumed formats and leading the audience on by visual spectacle. Our era of mass-information demands a lot of multi-contextual knowledge. We are rigged to search for meaning, to find a reason behind the changing of colour, costume, and light. 

"The band is dressed in white elegance, the performance accompanied by images of heavy symbolism, with visual hints and references to our other works. This is in a way taunting our imagination - we poke fun at our human desire to pursue hidden meanings and messages in repetition which simply are empty rites serving no real meaning or purpose but the spectacle in itself."

Undeniably one of the most exciting and unique groups to set the metal landscape alight in recent years, MØL mix elements of black metal with the contrasting sub-genre of shoegaze. Meandering dreamy soundscapes intertwine with hellspawn vocal rasps and lush melodies to create an exceptional collision of beauty and wretchedness. Now, with new single 'Serf' establishing itself as an enticing teaser for one of the most talked about albums of the year, MØL continue to be seen as one of metal's most relevant and inventive acts. 

New album DIORAMA was produced and mixed by Tue Madsen (Gojira, Meshuggah) and is graced by cover artwork from Jon Gotlev. With eight new tracks totalling a playing time of over 46 minutes, the band's new offering will be available in the following formats:

• Limited digipak

• LP Black in gatefold

• LP Crystal clear in gatefold (MO+wholesale, lim. to 400 units)

• LP Red in gatefold (US exclusive, lim. to 500 units)

• LP Pink+black swirl in gatefold (NB mailorder, lim. to 200 units)

• LP Red transparent + black swirl in gatefold (Band exclusive, limited to 500 units)

• LP Silver in gatefold (Evil Greed exclusive, lim. to 300 units)

• Digital

Inspired by bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Drop Nineteens, Lantlôs and Alcest, MØL released their self-titled debut EP back in 2014. A year later they perfected their sound with their second EP II, produced by Jacob Bredahl and released in 2015. Both EPs were well received and drove them on to do some emphatic live shows which were praised by press. In 2018, MØL made an international breakthrough signing with Holy Roar Records (UK) who released their debut album Jord to worldwide critical acclaim. The record was recorded at Grapehouse Studios and mixed and mastered by Chris Kreutzfeldt. The album was also released as an instrumental version and in 2019, the band re-released their two first EPs, remastered for CD and vinyl.

Watch previous music video 'Photophobic' here: https://youtu.be/ooY2JtQ6NXc
-----
Follow MØL and get more info:
https://www.facebook.com/moeldk/
https://www.instagram.com/moeldk/
https://twitter.com/moeldk

Infernum In Terra out 24th September via Long Branch Records

A Pale Horse Named Death, the doom metal band led by founding Type O Negative and Life of Agony member Sal Abruscato, have released their new single 'Reflections of the Dead'. It's the third new track taken from upcoming album Infernum In Terra, out 24th September 2021 via Long Branch Records / SPV.

Watch the visualiser for 'Reflections of the Dead' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZuImiALICo

Stream 'Reflections of the Dead' and previous singles 'Shards of Glass' and 'Believe In Something (You Are Lost)', and pre-order the new album Infernum In Terra here: https://smarturl.it/infernuminterra

Sal Abruscato commented on the new single: “For me, one of the best doom songs I have simply ever written; nothing extravagant, just heavy, moody and dark. About a person with deep depression that has the ability to see the dead wherever they look, the gift tortures them but they're so enamoured by it that they want to crossover and join that dimension. Leave behind this cruel raging world!"

Infernum In Terra is the fourth studio album by the band and has been mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Meat Loaf, Yes, Sepultura, Halford) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering (California,USA) while the artwork was created by Kelvin Doran of Serpent Tusk Studios (Dublin, Ireland).

"The album to me represents a new beginning, turning a new leaf shall we say with the same vibe from past albums but with a fresh open minded approach," says band leader Sal Abruscato. He adds: "There is no real concrete specific concept, it touches on some personal topics in my life long, my interest in the dark arts, that to have light you must have darkness to balance everything. With daylight comes nightfall, with heaven there is hell and at this moment the world seems to be in a very dark place hence the title of the album ‘Infernum In Terra’. This is a very dark album, but what else is new I always write dark music to sooth a dark soul!"

Sal Abruscato was born in Brooklyn, NY and started playing drums at age 10. He is the co-founder of Type O Negative with Peter Steele and performed on Slow, Deep & Hard, Origin Of The Feces, Bloody Kisses and various best of and soundtracks. Sal was the drummer for Life Of Agony and performed on River Runs Red, Ugly, River Runs Again, Broken Valley and A Place Where There's No More Pain. Additional projects include Supermassiv & My Mortality. He is now the singer, songwriter and guitarist for A Pale Horse Named Death.

A Pale Horse Named Death are:

Sal Abruscato - Vocals Guitar
Eddie Heedles - Guitar
Joe Taylor - Guitar
Chris Hamilton - Drums
Oddie McLaughlin - Bass

A Pale Horse Named Death online:
Website || Facebook || Twitter || Spotify || Youtube || Instagram

Track listing:
1. Infernum
2. Believe In Something (You Are Lost)
3. Cast Out From The Sky
4. Shards Of Glass
5. Lucifer's Sun
6. It Is Done
7. Two Headed Snake (Propofol Dreams)
8. Slave To The Master
9. Devil's Deed
10. Reflections Of The Dead
11. Souls In The Abyss

Another glimpse of band's long-awaited fifth studio album, coming 2022

Acclaimed Chilean prog rockers Aisles have released their new single 'Megalomania', out now via the band's own Presagio Records. The song is the third glimpse of the band's new studio album, due in 2022 - more details to be announced soon.

Check out 'Megalomania' here: https://youtu.be/6sCzSsyKz0M

'Megalomania' was influenced by the heaviness of Animals as Leaders, the electronic sound of Richard Spaven, and Muse's most recent albums. "It is an ode to darkness and the nostalgia for what was left behind and the internal force that pushes you forward," explains Germán Vergara, the group's guitarist. The lyrics are inspired by “the use of pleasure to cover pain. It is like saying that beauty will drag you down, will take your soul, will heal your wound," says the musician.

The track was recorded at Estudio del Sur, produced by Angelo Marini and Germán Vergara, mixed by Pepe Lastarria (Kuervos del Sur, Nunca Seremos Dichosos) and mastered by American engineer Randy Merrill (Muse, Paul McCartney, Beck, Liam Gallagher).

The video was directed by the renowned Chilean filmmaker Bernardo Quesney and the script was written by Vergara. “The clip is about a polyamorous relationship that comes to an end. The characters deal with this break-up in a compulsive way, trying to fill the void in multiple sexual relationships with other people,” he explains. “The video also is about intolerance with other ways of life, violence against sexual minorities and alternative views of life. It's a story of true love with an unhappy ending."

The group, formed by Germán Vergara, Israel Gil, Rodrigo Sepúlveda (guitar), Juan Pablo Gaete (keyboard), Felipe Candia (drums) and Daniel Concha (bass), are working on their fifth studio album. The new album moves away from the sonic experiences and concept of the band's previous album Hawaii, to open up a more direct and powerful sound. “We have done a very exhaustive job: we put pressure on ourselves to change our paradigm,” says the producer and guitarist.

A shining example of prog rock's universal reach, the Chilean band, formed more than 15 years ago, have a long and illustrious history. Previously nominated in the Italian Prog Awards, Aisles are the only South American group to be invited to France's Crescendo Festival de Rock Progressif. The band released their fourth studio album Hawaii in 2016, a monumental, immersive, beautiful double-disc journey, reminiscent of Camel, Yes, Rush, Genesis, Marillion and more.

Aisles can lay claim to being South America's most important progressive band of the past two decades. Hawaii was declared a masterpiece and received attention from Prog, NeoProg, iO Pages and many more. An exciting new era awaits.

For more information:
http://aislesproject.com
https://www.facebook.com/Aislesproject
https://twitter.com/Aislesproject
https://www.youtube.com/aislesproject

Solace out now via Arising Empire

'Deceptive Faces' streaming now

German modern metal outfit Venues have released their second studio album Solace via Arising Empire. In celebration of the LP, the band also reveal the record's sixth single 'Deceptive Faces'.

Once again, Venues worked with videographer Marius Milinski to create the music video for 'Deceptive Faces'.

Check out the video for 'Deceptive Faces' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr7-Rk4PmQo
Stream/purchase 'Deceptive Faces' here: https://venues.lnk.to/deceptivefaces

Order Solace in various formats here: https://Venues.lnk.to/solace

On the new album, clean vocalist Lela states: "For me personally, Solace stands for the ups and downs of the last two years. While the world seemed to stand still, the album gave us the feeling of progression. With Solace we were able to create something that would still be present after the pandemic and that gave us hope and made us look positively into the future. I hope that we can give the listeners exactly this positive feeling and we can't wait to bring the new songs on stage."

Vocalist Robin continues: "Today is a special day for us as our second album finally sees the light of day and I am glad that I can celebrate this event with all of our friends around the world! There's so much energy, love, anger and personal stuff in Solace that I'm already looking forward to every single person listening to the album."

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) 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 has 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 Solace.

“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.

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