Uncompromising sludge juggernaut Armed For Apocalypse have announced their third album, Ritual Violence, is set for release on 7th October via Candlelight Records.

Serving as a punishingly-heavy taster for their new album, the band have released first single 'Full Of Phlegm', a blistering track that embodies the feeling of guilt and shame brought on by the decisions we make when we are in an intoxicated state.

Check out first single, ‘Full Of Phlegm’ and pre-save the album here: https://armedforapocalypse.lnk.to/RitualViolence

The band comments on the new album: "Ritual Violence was written in a time where everything seemed to be hopeless. A lot of the songs on the album revolve around an overall theme of being stuck in an inescapable self destructive rabbit hole, and the struggle to break free of those habits."

Ritual Violence, which sees the band at their most aggressive and unrelenting, is both a product and expression of their never-die attitude. It’s the album Armed for Apocalypse always wanted to make, with the engineer they wanted to make it Kurt Ballou, God City (Converge, High On Fire, Every Time I Die ) and the label they wanted to partner with, Candlelight Records. Featuring guest appearances from Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) on track 'Foredoomed' and Trevor Phipps (Unearth) on 'Suffer For A Living', it is Armed for Apocalypse refined to its purest form: 0 percent frills,100 percent heavy riffs.

Forming in California in the aughts, Armed for Apocalypse quickly released 2009’s Defeat (Ironclad Recordings). That’s where they laid out their mission statement: we are going to tune low, play riffs, and make heavy metal that makes you bang your fucking head. Real amps turned up, real drums hit hard, no bullshit. 2013’s The Road Will End (Ironclad) complicated their thesis, the band experimenting with new structures and incorporating a broader sonic palette. But member changes and new life directions led to a challenging five years before their next release, 2018’s Palm Reader EP. Now, in 2022, they return more focused than ever with their most potent and unwavering album to date. Ritual Violence is eleven tracks of bludgeoning skullfuckery; a record from a band who are confident in who they are, and what they want to do. And who won’t let anything get in the way of that. Not the years. Not the heartache. Not an industry that devalues its creators. Nothing.

Armed for Apocalypse has never done it the easy way. But on this latest record is a statement and a promise: they will do it their way.

Armed for Apocalypse are:
Nate Burman - Vocals / Guitar
Cayle Hunter - Guitar
Charlie Fischer - Bass
Nick Harris - Drums

Armed for Apocalypse online:
Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

Candlelight Records online:
Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Youtube

Tracklisting:
01: Under My Shame
02: Frail
03: Full Of Phlegm
04: Hourglass
05: Lifeless
06: Live Through The Storm
07: Foredoomed
08: Thieves Of Existence
09: Suffer For A Living
10: Flesh And Blood
11: Eternally Broken

Swedish symphonic metal quartet Tungsten have released their third album Bliss, out today (17th June 2022) via Arising Empire.

To celebrate, the band have released a video for 'Northern Lights'. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/KWnHq9-fhrE

Stream/purchase Bliss here: https://tungsten.lnk.to/bliss

Tungsten's third offering is their heaviest and darkest album to date, with the typical ingredients that define their music also breaking new ground and exploring fresh territories. The hooklines are stronger and more dynamic, with lyrics taking a darker turn whilst still focusing on relatable themes.

Andersson goes on to expand: "It all came naturally. Creating and recording this album truly put us in touch with the feeling of bliss. Nick and Karl, who wrote the music, have really shown their skills and musical talents. Bliss explores new musical ideas but is still based in the genre that we established in the band from the beginning."

Bliss was recorded at Harm Studios, Trelleborg (Sweden). Nick Johansson once again took care of the mixing, mastering and production duties with the albums artwork taken care of by Andreas Marschall.

Bassist Karl Johansson states: "We really hope that Bliss will reach an even broader fanbase than before. So much pain, sweat and love has been put into this album so we're truly excited to introduce Bliss to the world".

Anders Johansson agrees; "This album might be one of the hardest ones I've had to record. Nick is close to a perfectionist at the production helm, so if I can find something that has been good about the pandemic it might be the fact I could spend many more hours in the drum studio just to practise and develop my technique".

Tungsten re-emerge onto the live scene in 2022 and are already confirmed for Sabaton Open Air in August.

Tungsten were formed in 2016 when drummer Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Manowar) asked his sons Nick Johansson (guitars) and Karl Johansson (bass) if they were interested in starting a brand new band with him.

Tungsten's music has become synonymous with melodies, industrial power metal, and hints of Northern Folk music. Tungsten's first album, We Will Rise, was released in September 2019 with the track 'The Fairies Dance' close to passing 3 million streams on Spotify alone.

A year later, in November 2020, Tungsten released their second album, called Tundra. The song 'King of Shadows' was chosen as the first single, and has since gone on to become an anthem for Tungsten when performing live on stage.

Tungsten are:
Mike Andersson | Vocals
Karl Johansson | Bass & Screams
Nick Johansson | Guitar
Anders Johansson | Drums
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More info:
www.tungstenofficial.com
www.facebook.com/tungstenband
www.instagram.com/tungsten_online
www.twitter.com/onlinetungsten

Bliss Tracklisting:

1. In the Center
2. Dreamers
3. March Along
4. Heart of Rust
5. Come This Way
6. On the Sea
7. Bliss
8. Wonderland
9. Afraid of the Light
10. Eye of the Storm
11. Northern Lights

Photo Credit: Julia Schwender

German alt-rock duo Kill Strings have announced their debut album LIMBO, due for release on 23rd September 2022 via MNRK Music Group. The band have also revealed a video for their new single 'Navigation'.

Check out the video for 'Navigation' here: https://youtu.be/thRzqtY6Exs

Stream/purchase 'Navigation': https://lnk.to/kill-strings-navigation

"You have reached your destination" - isn't that one of the most promising sentences of our time? Even spoken by a disembodied voice, sounding from a chip-controlled navigation system, it resonates with a deep longing for security, almost like an allegory for life as such.

Kill Strings' new single, 'Navigation', is a massive groover, in which pure euphoria crystallises from the feeling of departure and new beginnings. A relatable song in recent times, vocalist and guitarist Lee explains: "Which things and people give you orientation and support? 'Navigation' is about this very question, which the lockdowns have so abruptly forced upon us all. What has become clear is that, whether it's family and friends or even our newly discovered hobbies and music, all of these things navigate us through life and make us who we are. Without all of that, our lives become silent."

With hard-hitting appearances at Germany's Open Flair Festival, the Oakfield and Hurricane Festival, as well as two successful EPs, Kill Strings have already garnered support from a variety of playlists including 'Rock Rotation', Germany's most popular rock playlist on Spotify.

Now comes the next step, their debut album LIMBO. Produced by Frieder Does (Blackout Problems, Antiheld), LIMBO unfolds in its perfect beauty. Singles 'Let Me Dream' and 'Navigation' hint at what's to come with a blend of alternative rock and epic pop, sometimes cinematically wide, sometimes with intense reduction. 'Orange Lilies' flickers between stirring anthem and intense calm, 'Whatever It Takes' wires dark moods with sky-high melodic arcs, 'Evermore' and 'Black Gold' groove like hell and 'Monster' combines thick beats, casual backings and features a stadium chorus worthy of the repeat button.

Kill Strings have picked up speed and the sky is the limit. Have you reached your destination?

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

Photo Credit: Tom Green

'Dissolve Me' out now via Arising Empire

Post-hardcore quartet Polar return with a video for their brand new single 'Dissolve Me', out now via Arising Empire.

Check out the video for 'Dissolve Me': https://youtu.be/yP_Ub3F5OKY

Stream/purchase 'Dissolve Me': https://arisingempire.com/dissolveme

Vocalist Adam Woodford comments on the single:

"'Dissolve Me' is all about the red mist of anger that seems to be within everybody in today’s world. A loss of patience like the final straw has been had within all walks of life. A feeling of privileges and freedom having been taken away and this song is a vessel to release the anger inside.”

At the beginning of 2020, the music world came to an abrupt stop. For Polar, that meant a conclusive end to their unfinished tour alongside After The Burial, Spiritbox and Make Them Suffer, following their 2019 acclaimed album Nova.

Filled with a sense of uncertainty in a world turned upside down, Polar (Adam Woodford, Fabian Lomas, Gav Thane and Noah See) took to work on brand new material, with lyrics that delve deep within the self and a sound that treads new, experimental grounds.

Now armed with their hard-hitting new material and releasing their first vital single 'Dissolve Me', Polar are raring to take to the stage, after years of musical and personal growth behind the scenes.

Expect the unexpected.

Polar are:

Adam Woodford | vocals
Fabian Lomas | guitar
Gav Thane | bass
Noah See | drums

For more information:

https://www.instagram.com/polaruk
https://www.facebook.com/polaruk
https://www.tiktok.com/@polaruk
https://twitter.com/polaruk
https://www.polaruk.co

Photo credit: Duncan Tyler

Debut album Amongst Liars due 8th July

Modern rockers Amongst Liars have released a club remix of their latest single, 'All Over Now'. Remixed by Pihka Is My Name, a Finland-based duo, the reimagined track combines analogue synthesisers, hypnotic piano patterns and cinematic orchestrations, making this new track the perfect summer bop.

Stream 'All Over Now (Club Remix)': here.
Watch the visualiser for 'All Over Now (Club Remix)' here: https://youtu.be/nEYS1vmsaTU

The first remix of the track was reimagined by Eastbourne rapper Alpha Whiskey and DJ Jonny Jazz, bringing a south coast rap and scratch element to the song, giving it a Linkin Park vibe. Both remixes follow the original 'All Over Now', the second single to be released from the band's upcoming debut album. The band's self-titled record is due to be released 8th July.

Stream 'All Over Now (Rap Remix)': here.
Watch the visualiser for 'All Over Now (Rap Remix)' here: https://youtu.be/-DFwW2OqFrs

Pre-order Amongst Liars here: https://earache.lnk.to/AmongstLiars

On the inspiration behind the remixes, vocalist Ian George explains:

“We decided that, for this single, we wanted to explore a multiverse of music and do B and C-sides, so have collaborated to produce two remixes of the song. We are really excited for people to hear all versions and have loved mixing things up, experimenting and showing what is possible when you work a song with different artists. People are so quick to label music these days and we love bringing different elements into our sound, showing that there can be way more to being a modern rock band!”

The self-titled debut album is produced by David Radahd-Jones (Heaven’s Basement, The Fallen State, The Cruel Knives, Death Blooms), and upon its release, will be accompanied by a UK tour.

On the new album, the band comment:

“Our self-titled debut album is a commentary on the world we currently live in, tackling issues such as abuse and bullying, war mongering for financial gain, poverty, greed, fake news, unjust and deceitful political misgivings, election fraud, human rights abuses and climate change concerns. But the message of the album is one of positivity and empowerment. There are a lot of inequities in this world, but people can and do get strength and take control, through challenging and standing up to abusers, politicians and general wrong doers.”

Tour dates:
June
23.06.22 - Love Rocks Festival, Bournemouth
30.06.22 - Alma Inn, Bolton
July
01.07.22 - Independent, Sunderland
02.07.22 - Wildfire Festival, Scotland
09.07.22 - HMV Instore, Eastbourne
15.07.22 - The Black Heart, London
22.07.22 - The Temple, Eastbourne
September
30.09.22 - Fighting Cocks, Kingston Upon Thames
October
06.10.22 - The Waterbear Venue, Brighton
07.10.22 - O2 Academy, Islington

Eastbourne/Brighton based Amongst Liars formed in early 2020 and play a unique blend of energetic, modern rock, taking influences from bands and artists such as Audioslave, Royal Blood, Rage Against the Machine, Bring Me The Horizon, Slaves, Jack White, Biffy Clyro, Shinedown, Cleopatrick and Queens of the Stoneage. Lyrically the band speak about modern life, tackling issues such as mental health, homelessness, fake news and government failings.

To date they have released six extremely well received singles amassing over 200k Spotify streams, as well as strong video views across all platforms, widespread support and plays from BBC Introducing, Kerrang!, Primordial and countless national and local radio stations. They recently won the prestigious Great Music Stories ‘Band of the Year 2021’, voted for by listeners across the year and they finished 2021 with an eight date UK headline tour.

Amongst Liars are:
Ian George - vocals
Leo Burdett - guitars
Adam Oarton - drums
Ross Towner - bass

Amongst Liars online:
https://www.amongstliars.com/
https://www.facebook.com/amongstliarsband
https://www.instagram.com/amongstliars/
https://twitter.com/amongstliars

Tracklisting:

1. Cut It
2. Reign
3. Money
4. Burn the Vision
5. All Over Now
6. Drown
7. Black Days
8. Over and Over
9. Slave to Right
10. Tick the Box
11. Without Grace

Band to make UK live debut and will perform at Wacken 2022

Groundbreaking Indonesian trio Voice Of Baceprot have released the video of their cover of 'Enter Sandman', filmed live at Les Transmusicales Festival, France.

View here: https://youtu.be/OU420zwX7do

The new video cements the group's position as one of the most exciting musical voices from Southeast Asia, and comes ahead of their much-anticipated appearance at Wacken Open Air 2022. Voice Of Baceprot will also be making their UK live debut, with shows at Manchester's Deaf Institute and London's Boston Music Room.

Full European dates as follows:

14 July: Colours of Ostrava 2022 (Ostrava, CZ)
22 July: Valkhof Festival 2022 (Nijmegen, NL)
27 July: UK Tour – The Deaf Institute (Manchester, UK)
28 July: UK Tour – Boston Music Room (London, UK)
2 Aug: Stengade (Copenhagen, DK)
5 Aug: Wacken Open Air 2022 (Wacken, DE)

The all-female trio Voice Of Baceprot have made headlines globally with their music, a fresh take on metal, rap-rock, and funk metal. Formed in 2014 in school in rural Indonesia, the three schoolgirls - Marsya (vocals and guitar), Widi (bass), andSitti (drums) - aged 14, began a musical revolution.

Initially drawn to covers of System Of A Down, Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, and Slipknot among others, Voice Of Baceprot soon found their unique authentic voice. True to their name, given 'Baceprot' in Sundanese translates as 'loud'.

Voice Of Baceprot's debut video, 2018's 'School Revolution', their thrash-funk metal amalgam, has gathered nearly two million views. It is a searing track, raising awareness about the inequality of education, and helped fully stamp VOB's name on the global map. Since then, the group have gone from strength to strength, releasing follow up singles 'God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music', and 2022's '[NOT] PUBLIC PROPERTY'.

Since their formation, Voice Of Baceprot's Marsya, Sitti, and Widi have been using their music to build their voices as activists and to raise awareness of the violations of women's rights globally. Their activism is only increasing and becoming more powerful as the trio age. This is reflected in the single '[NOT] PUBLIC PROPERTY', released in conjunction with the WoW Foundation and Indonesian crowdfunding platform Kitabisa to collect donations for victims of sexual violence and abuse. 

Voice Of Baceprot are:

Marsya (vocals, guitars)
Widi (bass)
Sitti (drums)
 
Official website www.voiceofbaceprot.com
Instagram www.instagram.com/voiceofbaceprot
Twitter www.twitter.com/baceprotvoices
Facebook www.facebook.com/voiceofbaceprot
YouTube www.youtube.com/voiceofbaceprot

Boss Keloid with Producer Chris Fielding

Family The Smiling Thrush: Live at Foel Studio arrives 1st July via Ripple Music

First single 'Hats the Mandrill' streaming now

"It could potentially change the game entirely." - Metal Hammer

"Wonderfully trippy....dextrous Prog." - Kerrang!

"Like a multi-megaton King Crimson." - Classic Rock Magazine

“A reptilian tail whip of harmony, symmetry and total self-alignment.” – Decibel Magazine

British heavy prog-psych band Boss Keloid will release a live album/DVD version of their critically acclaimed Family The Smiling Thrush, to be released worldwide 1st July via Ripple Music. The band have also released their first live video from the studio session, 'Hats the Mandrill'.

Check out the stunning live video for 'Hats the Mandrill' here: https://youtu.be/7YNdCSCcUJo

Pre-order the album here: https://bosskeloid.bandcamp.com/album/family-the-smiling-thrush-live-at-foel-studio

The band comments: "After working with Chris Fielding at Foel Studio on our latest album, we were really impressed by the set up there, and made an almost immediate decision to produce another, better live album than our last. The songs have a whole new energy and feel to them when they're played live, and that's something a lot of people prefer. There's a lot of history to that studio and we felt like we had a lot to live up to, but Chris has done an incredible job of capturing everything, and we're really pleased with the result."

Taking their most ambitious album yet into a fully live studio setting, Family The Smiling Thrush: Live At Foel Studio demonstrates Boss Keloid at their peak as one of the UK's most formidable live acts. Entering a realm leaning towards the soaring majesty of monumental prog-rock whilst still embracing their metal edge, the live album is a true masterclass in versatility and production. Recorded, produced and mastered by Chris Fielding at the legendary Foel Studios in Wales over two days in May 2021, the live album breathes new life into the seven towering tracks of emotional energy, psychedelic grooves and riff-oriented guitar work.

Lyrically throughout Family The Smiling Thrush Boss Keloid explore the notion of the collective being greater than the individual, embracing all flaws and the strengths of each. Each song burrows deeply into areas such as community, communication, family, personal growth, mindfulness and positive inner reflection, inviting the listener to not only join but truly revel in the journey of being alive.

Family The Smiling Thrush: Live At Foel Studio will be available from 1st July via Ripple Music as digital, LP and DVD bundles.

Boss Keloid are:
Paul Swarbrick | Guitar
Alex Hurst | Vocals and Guitar
Ste Arands | Drums
Liam Pendlebury-Green | Bass

Boss Keloid online:
Linktree || Facebook || Twitter || Bandcamp || Instagram || YouTube || Spotify ||

About Ripple Music:
California-based Ripple Music, founded in 2010, is widely regarded as one of the world's leading record labels for heavy psych, stoner, doom, and heavy rock.

Website || Facebook || Bandcamp || Instagram || Youtube

Family The Smiling Thrush: Live At Foel Studio track-list

1: Orang of Noyn
2: Gentle Clovis
3: Hats the Mandrill
4: Smiling Thrush
5: Cecil Succulent
6: Grendle
7: Flatt Controller

'A sucker punch of sludge-punk' - Knotfest.com
'Riff merchants expertly balance filth and ambience' - Metal Hammer

Mercurial Bristol rockers Sugar Horse have released their uniquely-titled new single 'Pictures of Dogs Having Sex'.

Stream here: https://sugarhorse.bandcamp.com/track/pictures-of-dogs-having-sex

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/sp6FBbG462Y

'PODHS' is the first new material from the UK band following their acclaimed debut album, 2021's The Live Long After. Despite the graphic title, the single is a stunning listen - a monolithic slab of post-metal, shoegaze majesty.

Sugar Horse have made their name on their dynamic extremes. In their own words: "Going from comedically quiet to annoyingly loud is a fun trick and something that rarely fails to force some kind of excitement into a song that is, let’s face it, just the note A over and over and over again. We thought we’d try going completely the other way with 'Pictures Of Dogs Having Sex'. We wanted it to be a giant slab that’s just on like a fire hose for five minutes at a time. Just a relentless brick wall from start to finish, that may differ texturally from section to section, but ultimately is just holding a hairdryer to your ear. In keeping with said hairdryer motif, we made an admittedly ill-advised decision to include almost no instrumental definition. Much like My Bloody Valentine’s 'Loveless' or The Cure’s 'Plainsong', all the guitar, synth and bass layers merge into one giant wall of noise.

"Lyrically 'Pictures Of Dogs Having Sex' revolves around ideas of genetic inheritance and genealogy. The idea of some degree of my destiny being controlled by the DNA of two people (who in my case at least I’ve never met) is slightly terrifying to me. Am I living this way because I am consciously choosing to, or because I’m genetically programmed to? Oddly specific I know, but these are the kind of semi-tedious thoughts that knock around in my giant head (thanks genetics) from time to time.

"All together quite a commercial song for us….shame we destroyed any chance of said commerciality with the stupid title. Je ne regrette rien."

Lyrically based around the fear of the unknown, Sugar Horse's 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."

Stream the new album, The Live Long After, here: https://sugarhorse.bandcamp.com/album/the-live-long-after

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

IT album due for release 15th July via Unique Leader Records

Progressive death metal pioneers Deathbringer have unveiled their latest single 'Pitfall (When IT Begins)', taken from their upcoming album IT, due for release on 15th July via Unique Leader Records.

Watch the visualiser to 'Pitfall (When IT Begins)' here: https://youtu.be/xbHuM8eDy90

This follows the album's previous singles 'A Place To Exist' and 'Inevitability (IT's Whip)'.

Formed in 2002 by guitarist Artyom Serdyuk, Deathbringer have toured across the globe sharing stages with Behemoth, Hate, Parricide, Dead Infection, and many more. Their debut album, Homo Divisis, came in 2007 and subsequently saw the band embark on their first European headline tour the following year to rave reviews.

IT emerges as the band's sophomore record which initially began in 2013, but due to health issues, personal lives, and a global pandemic, had to be postponed. Now, with guest appearances from Bobby Koelble (Death), Tommy Talamanca (Sadist), and Mariusz Domaradzki (Masachist, Yattering, Azarath), IT will finally see the light of day.

Deathbringer are:
Artyom Serdyuk // guitars
Krzysztof Bendarowicz // drums
Piotr Jablonski // vocals
Yahor Liatkouski // guitars
Tomasz Weglewski // bass

Deathbringer online:
Facebook || BandCamp || Instagram

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

IT Track Listing:

1. Delta
2. Frozen Beliefs
3. Per Aspera
4. Ypsilon
5. A Place to Exist
6. Pitfall (When IT Begins)
7. Theta
8. Nihil Messiah
9. Lambda
10. Inevitability (IT's Whip)
11. Impartial Beholder
12. Tau
13. Omega
14. IT
15. Epsilon