Photo Credit: UlleMedia

'BEASTMODE' out now via Arising Empire

German nu-metal quintet From Fall To Spring have released a video for their new single 'BEASTMODE', out now via Arising Empire.

Check out the video for 'BEASTMODE' here: https://youtu.be/Xx5SUHdR3G4

Stream/purchase 'BEASTMODE': https://arisingempire.com/beastmode

'BEASTMODE' follows previous singles 'BARRIERS', 'BLACK HEART', 'RISE', 'BRAINFCK' & 'DESTINY', which have accumulated more than 4.5 million streams on Spotify, underlining the band's potential to become one of Germany's breakout acts.

From Fall to Spring bring nu-metal to the forefront on 'BEASTMODE', crafting a masterpiece that serves as another taste of their highly anticipated debut album. Bringing an energy unmatched in the modern scene, the new single will pull the band's audience to the edge of their seats. Jumping from blasting 808’s to heavy breakdown elements, From Fall to Spring continue to define their unique sound, just in time for their upcoming tour through Europe.

Formed in Germany, identical twins Philip and Lukas Wilhelm, both in charge of vocals and guitar, keyboard player Simon Triem, bass player León Arend and drummer Benedikt Veith, are showing off a new standard within the nu-metal scene.

With a unique approach to the genre, From Fall To Spring combine bone-crushing 808s with heavy guitars and catchy harmonising melodies, crowned with high speed rap rhythms.

With this mixture, From Fall To Spring create an unprecedented sound in the modern rock scene. Working with producers Seb Monzel and head of Pitchback Studios, Aljoscha Sieg (Eskimo Callboy - 'Hypa Hypa'), From Fall To Spring are building a production which can easily hold its own among international acts.

From Fall To Spring have remained unstoppable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, generating a massive hype across online platforms. Starting a new sonic chapter, their single 'RISE' went viral on TikTok and instantly became a milestone not only in the band’s career, but in the whole German metal scene. Follow-up 'BR4INFCK' left no doubt that From Fall To Spring have what it takes to make it to the very top. Despite being an independent release, the song was championed by Spotify’s biggest metal playlists, garnering attention from both fans and industry alike. Now signed to Arising Empire, From Fall To Spring have found their perfect match and can’t wait to conquer the world.

From Fall To Spring are:
Philip Wilhelm | Vocals / Guitar
Lukas Wilhelm | Vocals / Guitar
León Arend | Bass
Simon Triem | Keys
Benedikt Veith | Drums

For more information:
https://www.fromfalltospring.de/
https://www.instagram.com/from.fall.to.spring
https://www.facebook.com/from.fall.to.spring
https://twitter.com/from.fall.to.spring

Credit: Joe Guppy

Páthos out now via Nuclear Blast

'Conjurer have somehow outdone themselves again' - 9/10, Metal Hammer
'One of the finest metal bands out there right now' - Kerrang!

Conjurer, the future of British metal, today release their monumental new record Páthos via Nuclear Blast, alongside focus track 'Suffer Alone'.

Stream and purchase Páthos here: https://conjurer.bfan.link/pathos-album.ema

The band comment: "'Suffer Alone' is our radio-friendly track. A sub-three minute outing, our best attempt at a Converge song. If we were to sum up what the track's about, it's this: shitty people doing shitty things can fuck off."

Conjurer will be touring Páthos across UK and Europe. Dates as follows:

Fri 21.10.2022 NL Nijmegen Soulcrusher Fest
Sat 22.10.2022 DE Mainz Kulturclub Schon Schön
Sun 23.10.2022 DE Bochum Die Trompete
Mon 24.10.2022 DE Leipzig Bandhaus
Wed 26.10.2022 SU Lucerne Sedel
Thu 27.10.2022 FR Lyon Le Farmer
Fri 28.10.2022 FR Lille Brat Cave
Sat 29.10.2022 BE Hasselt Samhain Fest
Mon 31.10.2022 UK Bristol The Exchange
Tue 01.11.2022 UK Manchester Rebellion
Wed 02.11.2022 UK Glasgow Cathouse
Thu 03.11.2022 UK Leeds Key Club
Fri 04.11.2022 UK London The Dome

Páthos is not an album for the half-hearted or faint-hearted. Elements of Sumac, Gojira, old Mastodon and Oathbreaker, the new record is a multi-layered beast – sludge, death, doom, black metal and hardcore influences clash and collide throughout, all masterfully finished by Will Putney’s exquisite mix and master.

The fifty-minute runtime of Páthos is not without its moments of the sublime, with post-metal nods to Conjurer and Pijn’s acclaimed Curse These Metal Hands project throughout.

Conjurer’s debut full-length Mire (2018) was released to a storm of attention from across the metal world, garnering significant acclaim from Metal Hammer UK, Kerrang!, BBC R1, NME, Visions Mag (DE), MetalSucks, Metal Injection, Loudwire and many more. Recipients of award nominations (Kerrang!, Heavy Music Awards, Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods) and countless albums of the year lists, Mire is a stunning listen, capturing the attitude of a young band who already know exactly who they are.

Hailed as one of the metal world’s most devastating, thrilling experiences, Conjurer are a band never content to rest. Following Mire’s release in 2018 the quartet soon toured Europe for the first time, appeared at multiple UK festivals, and support of doom titans Conan and Will Haven.

In the following years the band have toured the US twice, supporting Rivers of Nihil (stopping to record an Audiotree session along the way), and then Voivod, with Revocation. 2019 also saw Conjurer’s debut Download Festival appearance, thrilling a packed-out Dogtooth stage, and the release of the joyous collaborative project with Pijn, titled Curse These Metal Hands.

It was only at the end of 2019 that Conjurer closed out their triumphant Mire cycle, with a sold-out UK run – their debut headline tour. Using the COVID-19 pandemic to record and craft Páthos, Conjurer returned to the live setting performing at the Download Pilot 2021 and Bloodstock 2021 mainstages.

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/conjureruk
http://www.instagram.com/conjureruk
http://www.twitter.com/conjureruk

Conjurer are:
Brady Deeprose (guitars, vocals)
Dan Nightingale (guitars, vocals)
Conor Marshall (bass)
Noah See (drums)

TRACKLISTING:
1 It Dwells
2 Rot
3 All You Will Remember
4 Basilisk
5 Those Years, Condemned
6 Suffer Alone
7 In Your Wake
8 Cracks In The Pyre

Photo Credit: Peter Leukhardt

New album JULI due for release 29th July 2022 via Arising Empire

German rock quartet blacktoothed have released a video for their new single 'Tidal Wave'. The track is another glimpse into their upcoming album JULI, due for release on 29th July 2022 via Arising Empire.

Check out the video for 'Tidal Wave' here: https://youtu.be/ZAHli2LoExI

Pre-order/pre-save JULI here: https://arisingempire.com/juli

'Tidal Wave' delivers the poppiest hook on JULI, however the dark lyrics contrast with the feel-good summer song, exploring stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Matti and Hendrik comment:

“'Tidal Wave' is definitely our favourite track of the whole album because of its fresh vibe, despite the rather heavy lyrical theme.”

Produced by Annisokay guitarist Cristoph Wieczorek and Julian Breucker at Sawdust Recordings studio, JULI is blacktoothed narrowing their style. “Recording JULI was a funny three-way experience, involving three different recording sessions over the course of two years, changing band members, finally getting the flow in our songwriting process and, of course, lots of bad jokes and food with our producing team (cheers!) - to sum it up, we might finally know what we are doing musically,” David, Matti and Hendrik recall.

“With JULI, our main concern is to create awareness that we carry a lot of potential to change the lives of our loved ones for the worse, but at the same time recognise how we might be able to help those affected.”

blacktoothed stand out from the crowd, combining an array of stylistic elements from a variety of genres. JULI is characterised by the band's unique combination of striking rock, filigree guitar work and catchy pop-hooks, with a hint of 80's inspiration.

Despite the inspiring and motivating times during their songwriting and recording process, blacktoothed long to be back on stage, as soon as the global pandemic allows. The band have previously performed at Impericon Festival and shared stages with Annisokay, Bad Omens, Hands Like Houses, Polaris, Thundermother, Acres and many more.

blacktoothed are:
Hendrik | vocals
Mathilde | guitar
Steven | bass
David | drums

For more information:
https://www.instagram.com/blacktoothed
https://www.facebook.com/blacktoothed
https://www.tiktok.com/@blacktoothed

JULI tracklisting:

01. If You Wanna Say So
02. Saviour
03. So Real
04. Tidal Wave
05. You Never Know
06. Between You & The World
07. Pulse
08. Body Bag
09. Seasons
10. JULI

Credit: Jan Season

'Unstill Life' streaming now

Queen of Broken Dreams due 30th September via SPV Recordings

German dark rock quintet Scarlet Dorn have revealed their new single/video 'Unstill Life'. The track is the second single to be released from the band's upcoming third album, Queen of Broken Dreams, due for release 30th September via SPV Recordings.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/6lt3igqlgXc
Stream the single here: https://scarletdorn.lnk.to/queenofbrokendreams

The album contains 12 new songs and will be released as a limited LP edition, including red coloured vinyl, CD edition in a digipak, as well as stream and download.

Scarlet Dorn combine the elegance of darkness with the catchiness of pop. Free of genre boundaries, vocalist Scarlet sings herself directly into the heart of the listener. With industrial sounds, rock ballads and electronic beats, the band takes the listener on a journey through complex human abysses, the world of hope and sorrow, but also directly into the arms of life in all its glory. With her captivating voice, singer Scarlet Dorn exudes a variety of emotions ranging from gentle and tender to menacing and sombre.

Scarlet Dorn was founded in 2016 by the producers Chris Harms and Benjamin Lawrenz, together with the singer Scarlet Dorn. Not only through the release of the albums Lack Of Light and Blood Red Bouquet, but also through tireless touring with Within Temptation, Joachim Witt, Letzte Instanz, Lord Of The Lost among others, the band have already made a name for themselves in the dark music scene in those six short years.

Watch Scarlet Dorn live (w/ Lord Of The Lost)

06.10.22 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
07.10.22 DE – Stuttgart / LKA-Longhorn
08.10.22 DE – Cologne / Essigfabrik
12.10.22 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
14.10.22 AT – Vienna / Szene
15.10.22 DE – Munich / Backstage
20.10.22 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp
21.10.22 DE – Leipzig / Täubchenthal
22.10.22 DE – Hanover / Pavillon
27.10.22 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater
28.10.22 CZ – Prague / Club Storm
29.10.22 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka
02.11.22 DE – Bochum / Zeche
03.11.22 FR – Paris / Petit Bain
04.11.22 FR – Lyon / CCO
05.11.22 ES – Barcelona / Salamandra
06.11.22 ES – Madrid / Mon
09.11.22 IT – Milan / Legend Club
10.11.22 CH – Pratteln / Z7
11.11.22 DE – Kaiserslautern / Kammgarn
12.11.22 DE – Herford / X

Scarlet Dorn are:
Scarlet Dorn - Vocals
Bengt Jaeschke - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Benjamin Mundigler - Bass, Backing Vocals
Gared Dirge - Piano
Henrik Petschull - Drums

Scarlet Dorn on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/scarletdornofficial
https://www.instagram.com/scarletdorn_official

Queen of Broken Dreams Tracklisting:
1. Falling
2. Born to Suffer
3. Queen of Broken Dreams
4. Your Highness
5. A Light That Blinds the Truth
6. Meteor
7. Unstill Life
8. When You See Me Again
9. Love Wasn't Made For Me
10. What Are We To Do
11. Tonight
12. A Million Miles Away

Photo credit: Duncan Tyler

Debut album Amongst Liars due 8th July

Modern rockers Amongst Liars have released a new single and music video tackling the dangers and toxicities of social media with 'Reign'. The track is the third to be taken from the band's debut self-titled record, due to be released 8th July.

Watch the video to 'Reign' here: https://youtu.be/0B_KNNaVqdU
Stream 'Reign' here: https://linktr.ee/amongstliars

On the inspiration behind the latest single, vocalist Ian George explains:

“The message of 'Reign' is that too many people get lost in narcissism and social media, building themselves up only to self sabotage and burn it all down. The lyric ‘all these gods and social demons, self promoting instant fame, whilst choking on the smoke they pour’ paved the way for the video and we really wanted to try and recreate a visual of our debut album cover, as we love the powerful and thought-provoking design. We worked with our video director Josh to create a reflective dreamlike story that represents the subconscious of someone who lives and breathes social media, with ranging emotions going from happiness and confidence to the inner demons, anxiety and self-destruction it ultimately creates."

The artist who created the album's artwork, Pierre Englebrecht, says:

"The forest is a setting that evokes the feelings of being lost, and clocks amplify the struggle we face with feeling like we have to live in the present, which is in reality is the only moment that matters and that we can control. Fear stops us from enjoying the present."

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

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.”

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

Born during the initial lock down of Rome and New York City, and incubated as the seasons passed, doom metal supergroup MMXX is the sound of global pandemic isolation. Joining Candlelight Records for the release, the band have debuted an ethereal new single 'This Breath Is Not My Breath' which features guest vocalist Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun).

Check out the single, ‘This Breath Is Not My Breath Feat. Mikko Kotamäki’: https://youtu.be/7W-lN7xPbh4

Streaming and purchase options here: https://mmxx.lnk.to/ThisBreathIsNotMyBreath

On the new single, the band comment: "Essentially 'This Breath Is Not My Breath' is trying to tell the story of the hellscape that was January to March 2020 from the perspective of someone who first viewed Covid as a disease that is only really an abstraction and has zero impact and poses zero threat. Then gets sick and spreads the disease to everyone around him. The idea in the chorus is that your breath literally and metaphorically is owned by and only shared at the discretion of the disease. Your blood (body) is now a harbinger of other's suffering."

MMXX is Andrea Chiodetti (ex-The Foreshadowing) on guitars and keys, Jesse Haff on drums (Daylight Dies and Gökböri) and Egan O’Rourke on bass (Daylight Dies). Together they channelled inspiration for composition after composition to collaborate with a geographically, culturally, and stylistically diverse collection of celebrated vocalists and musicians from around the world. The end result is a dynamic and diverse sound, simultanously densely heavy whilst retaining elements of etherealness and light, with each guest vocalist layering in their own perspective to culminate in this eclectic compendium of music reflecting an experience sadly understood by all.

Appearing on the forthcoming album, guest vocalists include Dan Swanö of Edge of Sanity, Nightingale(Sweden), Yann Ligner of Klone (France), Mick Moss of Antimatter and Sleeping Pulse (UK), Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride (UK), Mikko Kotamaki of Swallow the Sun (Finland), Carmelo Orlando of Novembre (Italy), Marco Benevento of The Foreshadowing (Italy), Chris Cannella of Autumns End (USA), and Egan O’Rourke of Daylight Dies (USA).

Full album details will be released shortly. Stay tuned for news.

MMXX are:
Andrea Chiodetti - Guitar/Keys
Jesse Haff - Drums
Egan O’Rourke - Bass

MMXX online:
Website || Facebook || Instagram

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

photo - Alexander Bemis

'NWWM' video streaming now via Arising Empire

UK genre-defying quartet Borders and have released 'NWWM', their new single featuring US rap-metal band Dropout Kings. This is their second release on Arising Empire.

Watch the video to 'NWWM' here: https://youtu.be/BM_cxdoLHL4

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/nwwm

On the single, vocalist Jordan Olifent comments: "'NWWM', which stands for Nothing Wrong With Me, is a track all about battling the demons in your head. It's written about me at my lowest point and how when everyone was counting me out and throwing me to the wolves, it took telling myself what nothing was wrong with me to overcome my problems. We're glad the guys in Dropout Kings could join us for this one - we can't wait to perform it for you live on our upcoming UK tour this July."

Borders combine ferocious, hard-hitting metalcore with elements of hip-hop, grime, hardcore and alternative metal, completed with a dash of introspection and brazen, no-holds-barred atmosphere. The quartet are a young but driven collective hellbent on taking the heavy music community by storm with an onslaught of thought-provoking, sinister and brutally aggressive tracks. Built around an impetus that obliterates any notion of single-genre classification in favour of an immersive yet punishingly heavy experience, Borders continually push the limits of what's expected from any band in the metalcore circuit.
From taking the UK’s live music scene by storm supporting legendary deathcore act Martyr Defiled on their last run to their immersive, conceptual and thought-provoking 2019 debut full length release Purify, the band are well on their way to making themselves a staple in the underground heavy music community - a goal sure to be achieved with their addition to Arising Empire’s ever-growing roster.

The band will be touring the UK with US rap-metal act, Dropout Kings in July. Dates:

15.07.22 - Southampton, UK @ Joiners
16.07.22 - Plymouth, UK @ Junction
17.07.22 - Bridgwater, UK @ Cobblestones
19.07.22 - Cardiff, UK @ Club Ifor Bach
20.07.22 - Sheffield, UK @ @ Corporation
21.07.22 - Birmingham, UK @ The Flapper
22.07.22 - Leeds, UK @ The Key Club
23.07.22 - Glasgow, UK @ Attic
24.07.22 - Newcastle, UK @ Cluny 2
26.07.22 - Manchester, UK @ Satans Hollow
27.07.22 - Bristol, UK @ The Exchange
28.07.22 - Telford, UK @ Firefly
29.07.22 - Stoke, UK @ Underground
30.07.22 - Milton Keynes, UK @ Craufurd Arms
31.07.22 - London, UK @ The Black Heart

Watch the video to previous single 'Fade To Black' here: https://youtu.be/xtt7QQ61mCA

Borders are:
Jordan Olifent | vocals
Gavin Burton | guitar & vocals
Tom Britton | bass
Dan Hodson | drums

Borders online:
https://www.instagram.com/bordersbanduk
https://www.facebook.com/bordersbanduk
https://www.tiktok.com/@bordersbanduk
https://twitter.com/bordersbanduk
https://bordersbanduk.com/

Photo Credit: Adam Chandler

'Immurement' streaming now

Spiritual Disease EP released 9th September

Grief Ritual are a band sitting at a musical crossroads – caught between blackened metallic hardcore, post-metal, and the heavier, slower sides of black and death metal, Grief Ritual are as heavy and as miserable as their name suggests.

The trio have released their debut single 'Immurement', which you can view here: https://youtu.be/N23ko_6upuc

'Immurement' is the first glimpse of Grief Ritual's debut EP, Spiritual Disease. Spiritual Disease - a metaphor for the mental illness brought on by the despotic state of the world - will be released on 9th September.

Pre-order and pre-save Spiritual Disease here: https://linktr.ee/grief_ritual

'Immurement' is about feeling trapped by the world, cut off by your health - and the anxiety, paranoia, and trauma this can cause. The word itself means 'Live entombment or a form of imprisonment, usually until death, in which a person is sealed within an enclosed space with no exits'.

Grief Ritual comment: “'Immurement' is about about airing the very real struggles that way too many people face on a day to day basis. At a time when more and more individuals and families are finding it harder to get by and are forced to make painful choices, this can only affect their mental health, and with support in short supply, things are only going to get worse unless major political policy and party changes occur.”

Human rights continually stripped away, poverty increasing, inequality propping up the super-wealth of the few: these are the themes which Grief Ritual play on. Spiritual Disease is a haunting listen, grim and cathartic, a twenty-minute release of paralyzing, fearful, angry emotion, reminiscent of END, Leeched, Harms Way, Nails, and early Napalm Death.

Spiritual Disease was recorded with Joe Clayton at No Studio (Pijn, Curse These Metal Hands) in the shadow of Strangeways Prison.

Such a thoughtful approach has already led the young, new band to be described as a “nuanced exploration of caustic catharsis” by The Quietus, as well performing at Bloodstock Open Air and at ArcTanGent x 2000trees crossover event in Summer 2021.

In their brief time as a group, Grief Ritual have already supported Heriot, Heart of a Coward, Knocked Loose, Static Dress, Wiegedood and END. This Summer will see the quartet playing at 2000trees, Burn It Down Festival, and touring England and Wales co-headlining with Gutter.

Grief Ritual are:

Chris Ward (guitar) (he/him)
James Broady (drums) (he/him)
Jamie Waggett (vocals) (they/them)

For more information:

Website - https://griefritual.co.uk/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/griefritual
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Grief_Ritual
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/grief_ritual
Bandcamp - https://griefritualmusic.bandcamp.com/

FORTHCOMING GIGS/TOUR DATES:
01/07 - Creature support (Birmingham - 2000 Trees warm-up)
07/07 - 2000 Trees Festival (Cheltenham - The Cave)
31/07 - Attitude Festival (Bristol Exchange - Second Stage Headliner)
04/08 - Co-headline w/Gutter (Luton)
05/08 - Co-headline w/Gutter (Birmingham - Supporting Ithaca and Pupil Slicer)
06/08 - Co-headline w/Gutter (Liverpool)
07/08 - Co-headline w/Gutter (Cardiff)
02-03/09 - Burn It Down Festival (Torquay)
22/10 - Furnace Festival (Swindon)

TRACKLISTING:
1: Dissolution
2: Immurement
3: Telluric
4: Atrophy
5: Pareidolia

'The Encounter' streaming now, featuring Nili Brosh (Danny Elfman, The Aristocrats) and Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats)

New progressive guitarist Jan Rivera has announced his entry onto the global music stage with his debut single, 'The Encounter'.

Watch 'The Encounter' here: https://youtu.be/RbBD8RvP3_g

Stream / purchase here: https://janrivera.bandcamp.com/track/the-encounter-feat-nili-brosh-marco-minnemann-eli-marcus

Jan Rivera comments: “Being able to share this music with you means the world to me. That it could be delivered to you alongside these amazing musicians that I respect and admire so much, only amplifies that feeling. I can’t wait for all of you to hear it!”

Featuring guitarist Nili Brosh (Danny Elfman, The Aristocrats, Tony MacAlpine), 'The Encounter' is but a glimpse into Jan Rivera's sonic world and impressive musical prowess. Completing the stellar single line-up is drumming legend Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats) and bassist Eli Marcus (Nili Brosh, Lee Ritenour, Dave Fiuczynski, Steve Vai).

Nili Brosh comments: "He brings to the table only the freshest concepts. Like, kind of, beyond everyone and above everybody's head; all the crazy rhythmic stuff that he comes up with..."

Elements of Allan Holdsworth, Dream Theater, The Aristocrats, and Scott Henderson abound throughout 'The Encounter', displaying a musical sensitivity and rhythmic guile which marks out this new voice as one to watch. Much like his esteemed predecessor John McLaughlin, Jan displays a strong Indian Classical musical influence, including tabla master Zakir Hussain. For example, compositionally, Jan's musical counting is based upon Konnakol, an Indian rhythmic method of counting metre. This is very apparent in 'The Encounter'.

'The Encounter' is Jan's first foray as a recording artist. Well-regarded in as a music educator, Jan is a graduate of the revered Musicians Institute's Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, where he studied under Alex Machacek, Greg Howe, and Scott Henderson, among others. His 2014 textbook 'Advanced Rhythmic Concepts for Guitar' was a bestseller, and received rave reviews globally. Jan is an on-set consultant and curriculum designer for Fender Guitars and has taught and performed with Guitar Workshop Plus, which commonly features guitarists such as Tosin Abasi, Paul Gilbert, and Andy McKee, among others.

For more information:

https://www.youtube.com/c/JanRivera
https://janrivera.bandcamp.com