Photo credit: Louis Cipher

'Backstabbers' out now via Out Of Line Music

Mexican industrial-electro duo Hocico are back with their new single, 'Backstabbers', out now via Out Of Line Music.

Watch the video to 'Backstabbers' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kBmSLo_FO0

Listen to 'Backstabbers' here: https://hocico.lnk.to/Backstabbers

On the new single, lyricist and vocalist Erk Aicrag comments: “’Backstabbers’ is an angry anthem for the betrayed. The lyrics deal with the problems many friendships and love relationships face, when someone you care for stabs you in the back and then pretends to be the one bleeding. I think we all can relate to that!”

Musician Racso Agroyam adds: “This is an energetic industrial/drum and bass song ready to set the clubs on fire!”

With their latest maxi-CD Broken Empires / Lost World released earlier this year, the Mexican industrial-electro legends Hocico presented a contemporary testimony in their usual aggressive and energetic way of expression. Hocico's distinctive talent creates catchy melodies and a highly creative sound designed for a club-ready hell ride with an addictive character. Hocico are also globally known as innovators in the dark and industrial scene.

Hocico online:
www.hocico.com
www.facebook.com/hocicoofficial
www.twitter.com/ocicoh
www.instagram.com/ocicoh

Out Of Line Music online:
https://www.outofline.de/
https://www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel
https://twitter.com/outofline
https://www.instagram.com/outoflinemusic1995/
https://www.youtube.com/user/outofline1995

Photo: Cornelius Qvist

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

Danish blackgaze masters MØL have released the stunning new single 'Vestige'. The track is the latest glimpse of their highly-anticipated second studio album, Diorama, which is set for release via Nuclear Blast Records on 5th November. 

Accompanied by a video that embraces MØL's deep sense of artistry and unfiltered sentiment, 'Vestige' is a perfect embodiment of a band caught between worlds. Lyrically the track deals with the subject of gaslighting and society's constant wish to free itself from reality by the cheapest means that the world has to offer us. 

Watch the music video, captured and edited by Tobias Scavenius, here: https://youtu.be/x2vjkHI2CJQ 
Stream or download the track here: https://bfan.link/vestige 

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

The band comments: "Gaslighting takes on many forms and our willingness to subject ourselves to an illusion knows no boundaries. However rotten and hollow the core, we still buy into the idea of purchasable raptures, frail salvations, an escape from modern meaninglessness. The video juxtaposes a sunbathed, stylised expression with inspiration from Dario Argento’s colorspace of Susperia from 1977 with vivid colors and high contrasts. Unpleasant and unnerving, yet lavish and extravagant shots are interposed with the performance of the band, spiraling through daylight to nighttime in the vibrant interior of the dome."

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 a pure manifestation of transcendent beauty and wretchedness. Now, with new single 'Vestige' establishing itself as an enticing teaser for one of the most anticipated metal albums of the year, MØL continue to be seen as one of metal's most relevant and inventive acts. 

Diorama was produced and mixed by Tue Madsen (Gojira, Meshuggah) and is graced by cover artwork from Jon Gotlev. With eight emotive 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 videos:
'Photophobic': https://youtu.be/ooY2JtQ6NXc
'Serf': https://youtu.be/T2l2tvw2n7c

MØL will hit the road with UK's Ithaca in early 2022 and tickets are now on sale:

11.02.22 - DE Hamburg - Hafenklang
12.02.22 - DE Köln - MTC
13.02.22 - UK Manchester - Satan's Hollow
14.02.22 - UK Birmingham - Dead Wax
15.02.22 - UK Bristol - Exchange
16.02.22 - UK London - Boston Music Room
17.02.22 - NL Haarlem - Patronaat
18.02.22 - DE Wiesbaden - Schlachthof
19.02.22 - DE Berlin - Nuke Club
20.02.22 - DE Munich - Feierwerk

Release gigs for Diorama:
28.10.21- Aarhus - Train (Diorama Release Show)
05.11.21 - Aalborg - Aalborg Metal Festival 2021
06.11.21 - Copenhagen - Hotel Cecil (Diorama Release Show)

-----
Follow MØL and get more info:
https://www.facebook.com/moeldk/
https://www.instagram.com/moeldk/
https://twitter.com/moeldk

Guitar play-through of 'Ghost' released

Heaven In Hiding due 26th November via Arising Empire

Swedish metalcore outfit Imminence announce the release of their fourth full-length album, Heaven In Hiding, due for release November 26th via Arising Empire.

Guitarist Harald Barrett has also just released a play through of recent single 'Ghost'.
Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-kX_vtOATU

Fronted by vocalist and violinist Eddie Berg, guitarists Harald Barrett and Alex Arnoldsson, drummer Peter Hanström and bass player Christian Höijer, the album includes the three latest singles that one by one have succeeded each other as the best performing songs ever released by the band.

Pre-order Heaven In Hiding here: https://imminence.lnk.to/heaveninhiding

On the release on the new album, guitarist Harald Barrett states: "With each new album, we tore the last one down to the ground. We built an idea of who we are as a band, then challenged that idea through new creative curiosity and influences. What we’ve discovered with Heaven In Hiding has never felt more like home, and never better embodied what Imminence is and will always be.”

Heaven In Hiding is an outstanding collection of songs written with an unhindered manifestation of emotional outburst and sincerity. With an organic approach and honest creativeness, the group delivers an album where each song stands out in character and story telling, whilst still connected in a larger concept. The new record undoubtedly displays a musical and visual persona that instantly challenges the idea of how a modern metal act is perceived today, and acknowledges Imminence as ready to take the place as one of the genres front line artists.

The new album was recorded, mixed, and mastered in Sweden by Henrik Udd: an award-winning producer that has worked on some of the most critically acclaimed albums with acts such as Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, At The Gates, and many more.

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.

Following the releases of recent singles 'Temptation', 'Heaven In Hiding' and 'Ghost',
Imminence have not only raised the bar of what’s expected from a rising modern metal band
in terms of production value and cinematic vision, but also gained recognition as some of the
most successful metalcore releases in 2021. Together with director Pavel Trebukhin from TRE
Films, the band have worked relentlessly on developing their unique visual universe with an
incomparable richness in details and grandiosity, in order to do justice to the songs
presented on the new 13 track album.

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

Single Artwork: Long-term friend and designer Jakob Koc has been responsible for the bands art development ever since 2014.

UKKO album due for release 10th December 2021 via Long Branch Records

Finnish metalcore quintet Atlas unveil new single 'UHRI', the fourth taste of the upcoming album UKKO, due for release on 10th December 2021 via Long Branch Records.

Watch the video for 'UHRI' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDyyPW4DAmk

On the new single, guitarist Tuomas Kurikka states: "'UHRI' is about the journey to death. Embracing the cold and letting the black river pull you into the depths, where time can start over. The raven's vision fulfilled, truly. The sun is engulfed and white horses gallop through the ever frosted fields. The sky will cry its last tear and Ukko passes us his wisdom."

Stream 'UHRI' and pre-order the album here: https://smarturl.it/atlas_ukko

Atlas are a five-piece modern metalcore band from Tampere, Finland labelling themselves as 'Northcore'. The quintet's sound combines mammoth riffs and gloomy soundscapes, that draw inspiration from the cold of the North. Their releases include 2016 EP Northern Lights, 2018 standalone singles 'Birthright' and 'The Catalyst' and debut full-length Primitive, as well as their 2019 single trilogy.

The quintet explore a new sonic palette on their second album UKKO, drawing inspiration from Finnish folk music and poetry, combined with the dark soundscapes and dynamic songwriting the band have become known for. Lyrically and thematically, UKKO explores themes of death, healing, rebirth and faith, presented in a seamlessly blended mix of English and Finnish. UKKO was mixed and mastered by Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Oceano, Humanity's Last Breath, Born of Osiris), who brought his unique approach and sound to the album.

Atlas have played throughout Europe with the likes of Monuments, Miss May I, VOLA, Kadinja, Adept, Eskimo Callboy, One Morning Left and We Butter The Bread With Butter. Their debut album Primitive climbed the Finnish album charts to number six and came to life on a European tour with Monuments, receiving praise from fans and critics alike.

Atlas are:

Patrik Nuorteva - Vocals
Leevi Luoto - Guitar & Vocals
Kevin Apostol - Bass
Tuomas Kurikka - Guitar & Vocals
Aku Karjalainen - Drums

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

UKKO tracklist:

1. Talvi
2. Synti
3. Taivaanranta
4. Susi
5. Ukko
6. Henki
7. Lehto
8. Veri
9. Joki
10. Uhri
11. Pohjannaula

Photo Credit: Sandra Krafft

UK/European tour announced supporting Deez Nuts

New album Afterglow due for release 10th December 2021 via Long Branch Records

German metalcore quintet Rising Insane have released a video for 'Something Inside Of Me'. The track is the fourth single from their upcoming album Afterglow, due for release on 10th December 2021 via Long Branch Records.

Check out the video for 'Something Inside Of Me' here: https://youtu.be/HZP45jCs0dM

The band comment:

"'Something Inside Of Me' is an announcement to all people who trivialise mental illness and give sufferers the feeling of rejection. The song is meant to slap them in the face with the suffering that mental illness causes and to make them rethink."

Pre-order Afterglow and stream 'Something Inside Of Me' here: https://smarturl.it/ri_afterglow

Rising Insane have also announced a UK/European tour, supporting Deez Nuts alongside Kublai Khan and UnityTX.

UK dates:

01.03.2022 - London, The Underworld
02.03.2022 - Birmingham, Mama Roux's
03.03.2022 - Bristol, Thekla
04.03.2022 - Manchester, Rebellion
05.03.2022 - Southampton, The Loft

Rising Insane quickly gained attention in the German metal scene after self-releasing their debut album Nation in 2017, supporting the likes of Stray From The Path and For Today, as well as touring alongside Annisokay in 2018. Their rise continued in 2019, where they performed at Impericon Festival and signed to Long Branch Records. Later that year, the five-piece released their album Porcelain, with rave reviews across the globe which accelerated the band into international focus. They followed with a well-received cover of The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights', which spread their name even further. Rising Insane's debut headline run in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however they used the time to record their Recovered EP, which featured additional cover songs.

Now, Rising Insane are back with new music and ready to elevate to a higher plane. Whilst staying true to their post-hardcore and metalcore roots, they have grown both as a band and individual musicians, evident on their new single which offers a more mature sound.

Rising Insane are:

Aaron Steineker - Vocals
Ulf Hedenkamp - Bass
Sven Polizuk - Guitar
Florian Köchy - Guitar
Robert Kühling - Drums

Afterglow tracklist:

1. Afterglow
2. Meant To Live
3. War
4. Flightless Bird
5. Serenade
6. Oxygen
7. Breakout
8. The Surface
9. Something Inside Of Me
10. Broken Homes
11. Bend And Break
12. Imprisoned

Bellum I out December 3rd via Blood Music

Atmospheric metal band Aquilus return with their second full-length album Bellum I on December 3rd via Blood Music.

The enigmatic, atmospheric metal band became one of the most whispered-about secrets in the metal scene, following the quiet release of their debut album Griseus in 2011.

A 2013 vinyl release rocketed the band into public consciousness, and Griseus slowly amassed a following of devoted fans, climbing its way to being voted one of the top albums of the decade on MetalStorm.

For eight years, a follow-up masterpiece was-in-the-making. The opus grew so furiously, the decision was ultimately made to split the work into two parts, culminating with the release of the first album, Bellum I.

Bellum I showcases the band's rare amalgam of authentic classical, European folk and black metal influences, alongside Aquilus's unique multi-instrumentation and compositional complexity.

Metal influences, ranging from early Metallica to the early works of Solefald, Opeth and Katatonia, combine with the classical romanticism of Rachmaninov and Chopin.

Bellum I also continues Aquilus's signature blend of acoustic elements with an assortment of acoustic guitars and pianos to violins, mandolas, fipple flutes, balalaika, gusli and bowed psaltery, recalling the aura and dexterity of emotive film composers Bernard Herrmann and Thomas Newman.

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Aquilus's music is composed and produced by Horace Rosenqvist and recorded in collaboration with session musicians. The amount of detail poured into each note is immeasurable; years of dedication undertaken to produce the final product.

Bellum I is a testament to the beauty and chaos of creation.

For more information:
http://www.facebook.com/AquilusMusic
https://aquilus.bandcamp.com/

Track listing:

1. The Night Winds of Avila

2. Into Wooded Hollows

3. Eternal Unrest

4. Moon Isabelline

5. The Silent Passing

6. Embered Waters

7. Lucille's Gate

8. Empyreal Nightsky

A Vast Field of Silence out 12th November

'Awareness' single streaming now

Chicago instrumental progressive quintet Outrun the Sunlight are ecstatic to announce their new album A Vast Field of Silence, to be released 12th November.

The band have also released their beautiful first single from the record, 'Awareness'. Watch the video for 'Awareness' here: https://youtu.be/ELYDotqLWDY

A Vast Field of Silence pre-orders:

Physical pre-order: https://www.athousandarms.com/collections/outrunthesunlight
Digital pre-order: https://outrunthesunlight.bandcamp.com/album/a-vast-field-of-silence

Outrun the Sunlight - Awareness

etal. Bearing comparisons to Cloudkicker, The Contortionist, and Russian Circles, A Vast Field of Silence is Outrun the Sunlight at their best.

The band have a huge depth and range of musical talent at their disposal: Kyle Kunkler (keys) is a professional dance piano accompanist (ballet, modern, and more) and composer, and custom-coded a majority of the synths heard on the album. Luke Angle (drummer) is a professional music instructor, from big-band jazz to math rock via country & western. Phil Kalas (bass) is also a composer, under the name Asleep In The Stars, while guitarists, Cody McCarty and Austin Peters formed the group in 2011, and have known each other since playing together in high school bands from 2008. Austin, aside from Outrun the Sunlight, has also practiced embodiment meditation since 2017, and is the founder of “Simple Being”, which produces recorded meditations with voice and ambient music.

With forming in 2011, the band released both Architecture of the Cosmos EP and debut LP The Return of Inertia in the same year. Signing with Rogue Records America in 2012, the duo re-released The Return of Inertia (Vocalist Version) which included vocalists from around the world, plus two bonus tracks. In 2014, the addition of drummer, Pedro Villegas, and bassist, Connor Grant, brought the band to the stage, and they released their second album Terrapin also on Rogue Records. In August 2015, following the release of Live at Electrical Audio EP, the group toured in the east coast United States with Native Construct (Metal Blade Records) and Wings Denied.

In 2016 Outrun the Sunlight went on to perform on Chicago internet music series, Audiotree, releasing the live album Outrun the Sunlight on Audiotree Live. They then released Red Bird independently in 2017, their third LP, the first instance that the group performed together on an album. A band not content to rest, they then released a live in-studio record, Emerge, in January 2021.

With the Covid-19 interruption and introduction of a new drummer, Outrun the Sunlight’s newest LP has eventually been four years in the making, from first conception ‘til release – but well worth the long wait.

Outrun the Sunlight are:

Austin Peters - Guitar
Cody McCarty - Guitar
Phil Kalas - Bass
Kyle Kunkler - Synth + Keys
Luke Angle - Drums

Track listing:

1. Awareness
2. Emerald Joy
3. A Way With Honesty
4. Old Wound
5. Dreamless Chaos
6. Luminous Stillness
7. Brindle
8. Zero Dimension
9. Molten Light
10. A Vast Field of Silence

'Kings and Toys' video streaming now

...In Plain Sight EP out 28th October via Time Wont Heal This / Bloodblast

London hardcore legends Knuckledust return with pummelling new single /video 'Kings and Toys'. The band have also announced the release of new EP, ...In Plain Sight, set for release on 28th October via their own label Time Won't Heal This in collaboration with Bloodblast / Believe.

Watch the video to 'Kings and Toys' here: https://youtu.be/v3KpWC-nn2w

Pre-order / pre-save ...In Plain Sight here: https://bfan.link/in-plain-sight

...In Plain Sight was written remotely in 2020 during the pandemic and recorded in 2021, and is set for release to coincide with their sold out show at the iconic 100 Club on 24th October.

Drummer Ray Bussey commented: "'Kings and Toys' is a crazy fast paced video with lots of violence, as usual for us. Director Jean-Christian Larche, who directed our video to 'Life Struggle', has once again come up with the goods".

Knuckedust have re-launched their website, sign up to the mailing list for exclusive content: www.knuckledustband.com

Since forming in 1997, Knuckledust - Nic (bass), Ray (drums), Wema (guitar), and Pierre (vocals) - have grown to become one of the UK’s most vital acts, with their hyper aggressive and distinctly London brand of hardcore.

Having released many 7 inches, EPs and albums over their career, with the likes of Rucktion Records, Blackfish, Household Name Records and GSR, the band have taken the leap to launch their own label, named after their pioneering debut album, Time Won't Heal This.

Armed with their own label and new EP …In Plain Sight, Knuckledust are ready for the next chapter of aggression and brutality. Be ready.

Knuckledust online:
Facebook || YouTube || Instagram

Track listing:

1. Dragged Through Life
2. Kings and Toys
3. Settle
4. Spark to Flame
5. Gone

German brutal surf-death-metal institution Stillbirth return with characteristic vibrancy on their new Strain Of Gods EP, which is set for release via Unique Leader Records on 19th November.

Pre-order and save here: https://orcd.co/strainofgods

The band have also revealed their first single from the record, 'You Can't Kill Us'. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/c7LQdEk8M-I

Comments vocalist Lukas Swiaczny: "We are very excited to release our new EP Strain of Gods via our favourite label Unique Leader Records. The EP contains six songs and is peppered with a mix of brutality, groove and chill. Look forward to razor sharp guitar riffs, unstoppable drums, a bass inferno with two basses and a gurglish vocal arrangement! Once again we had the pleasure of recording and mixing the album at DPK Studios. The master was done by our good friends at Demigod Recordings. Our cover designer Aghy Purakusuma went all out again and created a super-wide landscape cover. We can't wait to unleash this beast on you."

Strain Of Gods is a concept EP featuring six tracks of bludgeoning nastiness which rage with scorched earth guitar playing, brutally heavy grooves, sick slams and blast furnace vocals. Stillbirth are heavier and faster in 2021 but with groove very much at the forefront of their sound.

'You Cant Kill Us' is the first new music from the band since 2020's full-length Revive The Throne and the new Strain of Gods EP lyrically picks up where the previous album left off.

On the EP theme, the band continue: "The Gladiators are scarred from battle and they thirst for rest and relaxation. The new King organises a party on the beach for the Gladiators and their guests. The party escalates quickly and then things happen that no one could have imagined before. What exactly? You'll find out in the six brutally groovy songs. But something is brewing in the sky. The violence of nature will soon show its barbarous face."

Founded in Hagen, Germany in 1999 by former guitarist (now vocalist) Lukas Swiaczny, Stillbirth combine a heady mix of death metal, grindcore and deathcore. The band have generated a legacy of brutality stretching back two decades, releasing their first CD Happy Stillbirth Party in 2002 and have since gone on to release seven full-lengths, four splits and one forthcoming EP whilst touring every corner of the world along the way.

You can catch the band live this year at a handful of dates, with full tour details for 2022 to be announced shortly.

Catch the band live at the following shows:

Oct 3 - Braunschweig, Germany - Hotel666 Metalclub
Oct 23 - Basel, Switzerland - Conquering Basilea Fest
Nov 18 - Utrecht, Netherlands - dB's
Nov 19 - Dortmund, Germany - Junkyard
Nov 20 - Passau, Germany - Zauberberg
Nov 27 - Alkmaar, Netherlands - Herrie Metalfest

Stillbirth online:
Facebook || Website || Twitter || Youtube || Instagram

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

Track listing:

1. Ultimum Exitium
2. Surfers Paradise
3. Double Fire, Double Fun
4. Skinned By The Sun
5. You Can't Kill Us
6. Strain Of Gods