Photo Credit: Tom Green

'Everywhere, Everything' streaming now via Arising Empire

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

Check out the video for 'Everywhere, Everything': https://youtu.be/wbMkKxgKqZs

Stream/purchase 'Everywhere, Evereything': https://arisingempire.com/everywhereeverything

Vocalist Adam Woodford comments on the single:

"During the periods of lockdown and being isolated from all I have ever known, I felt a great distance grow between myself and my friends which was a very hard process to digest. While walking around old paths in my surrounding areas, I had serious moments of reflection and however far apart the distance becomes between everyone, I know the memories and connections we had always stand up against the test of time.”

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 after releasing their previous 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

They Fear Us album due 29th July via Hassle Records

"An absolute beast" - Rock Sound
"Scarily good" - Kerrang!

Acclaimed UK metallic hardcore troupe Ithaca have streamed their huge new single 'The Future Says Thank You', the final glimpse of their long-awaited second album, They Fear Us, due 29th July via Hassle Records.

Pre-order the album and stream the single here: https://orcd.co/theyfearus

Ithaca comment: "This song is about putting yourself first and moving on from a deeply toxic environment. It's the most technically difficult song we've ever written - the constant changes and relentless pace are designed to make you feel trapped right up until the ending where hope breaks through. There is light at the end of where you find yourself."

Ithaca are one of the most exciting and vital voices in the UK heavy scene currently. Formed out of a mutual love of metallic hardcore but despair at its lack of ambition, Ithaca exist to challenge everything you thought a band that makes heavy music should look and sound like.

A glitter-covered nailbomb, Ithaca seamlessly blend the brutality of Relapse Records metalcore with blackgaze, 90s industrial metal, 70s prog and even tinges of 80s power pop. Their influences stretch beyond the musical - this album comes with a clear vision and aesthetic: drawing from members’ different ancestral heritage, queer/non-conforming identities and iconic figures in avant-garde, new wave and post-punk culture.

Their upcoming second album They Fear Us is the sound of a band healing from trauma - standing in their own, unapologetic voice. Furious and wildly inventive while also being more coherent and accessible, this album will introduce Ithaca to a wider audience than they’ve ever had before. In the words of the band: ‘those who oppose us; your sins will catch up to you. You will fear us’.

Ithaca's 2019 lauded debut The Language of Injury was followed by their early 2020 tour with Grammy-nominated indie-rock band Big Thief, starting at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

Press support from The Guardian, Pitchfork, BBC R1, Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, Revolver, Decibel, BrooklynVegan, and performances with Bleeding Through, Jamie Lenman, Anaal Nathrakh, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, at Boomtown Fair and ArcTanGent Festival position Ithaca as a great hope in the future of new UK music. Ithaca have also appeared on Ed Gamble’s Spotify podcast ‘Lifers’, Sky News and BBC3.

Watch Ithaca on tour:

03.08 The Deaf Institute, Manchester UK
04.08 Boston Music Rooms, London UK
05.08 The Victoria, Birmingham UK
06.08 Garage Attic, Glasgow UK
07.08 Rough Trade in-store, Nottingham UK
08.08 Rough Trade in-store, Bristol UK

27.08 V11, Rotterdam NL
28.08 Willem Twee, Den Bosch NL
29.08 Hafenklang, Hamburg DE
30.08 Bei Chez Heinz, Hanover DE
31.08 Die Trompete, Bochum, DE
01.09 P8, Karlsruhe DE
02.09 Le Desorde C'est Moi, Potsdam DE
03.09 La Zone, Liege BE

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/IthacaUK
https://twitter.com/ITHACABAND
https://www.instagram.com/ithacaband
https://www.hasslerecords.com/

Tracklisting:

1. In The Way
2. The Future Says Thank You
3. They Fear Us
4. Camera Eats First
5. Cremation Party
6. Number Five
7. Fluorescent
8. You Should Have Gone Back
9. Hold, Be Held

Photo credit: Andrew Basso

'Venenosa' streaming now via Wild Thing Records

One of Australia’s most talked about breakthrough acts, Melbourne-based alternative heavy outfit Future Static have today returned with their potent new single ‘Venenosa’, via Wild Thing Records.

Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/futurestaticvenenosaYT

Stream here: https://ffm.to/futurestaticvenenosa

Following up the highly-praised release of their previous single ‘Waves’ (the debut of charismatic new singer Amariah Cook), which saw them explode onto the international heavy music consciousness, ‘Venenosa’ reveals a heavier, more intense side of the band. The single was produced by Christopher Vernon (Windwaker) with the theatrical music video helmed by fabled director Colin Jeffs (Alpha Wolf).

‘Venenosa’ explodes with scorching guitars and thunderous drums, while Amariah’s melodies swell with a distinct blend of seduction and venom. The group’s diverse capacities for salient hooks and stifling passages are cleverly illuminated through brusque production and dynamical flair, piloted by Amariah’s relentless vocal range. Unafraid to be vulnerable while flaunting penetrative intensity, ‘Venenosa’ fittingly compliments Future Static’s breakthrough status.

Alongside the immense single is the mystifying accompanying video. Taking cues from archetypal films such as The Shining and The Evil Dead, and featuring bewildering special effects, the video clip shows the band being subject to sickening anguish within the confinements of a supposedly possessed manor. Containing body horror and spectacular aesthetics, the clip skilfully depicts the song’s dark sentiment.

Future Static explain the meaning behind ‘Venenosa': “‘Venenosa’ (Spanish for 'poisonous') is based on Amariah’s experience of coming to realise that the negative energy surrounding her was in fact due to her own toxic behaviour towards the people who she was supposed to care for. It takes the listener through the very intense journey she took to rid herself of this toxicity that was festering inside the depths of her subconscious, and how she came out the other side full of love and respect for herself and those around her again.”

To support the release of ‘Venenosa’, Future Static will join alternative-metal giants Circles on an Australian tour. This comes off the back of show-stopping performances appearing at the inaugural Knight and Day Festival as well as the momentous UNIFY Gathering 2022, where they were triple j Unearthed competition winners. What We Did On The Weekend Podcast proclaimed “they were made for the big festival stage”. Such festival slots have seen the band share the stage with heavyweights Parkway Drive, Polaris, The Amity Affliction, Trophy Eyes, Thornhill and Yours Truly, while further scoring tour support slots with RedHook, Windwaker, Caligula’s Horse, Pridelands, Bloom and Stories.

Since signing to Wild Thing Music Group and Destroy All Lines, Future Static have seen themselves impelled with significant gains and incredible openings. Previous single ‘Waves’ landed over 110k YouTube views, and elevated the group with resounding tastemaker support from Spotify, Apple Music, triple j, Distorted Sound, Broadway World, MANIACS, Hysteria Magazine, Music Feeds and HEAVY Mag. The release led to the band becoming triple j Unearthed Feature Artist as well as Kerrang! Radio Feature Artist Of The Week, and the accompanying music video was added to rotation on ABC’s rage.

‘Venenosa’ is a fierce taste of what’s to come from Future Static, who are currently planning their debut album release for 2023.

“Big things are on the horizon for this band” - Kerrang! Radio

“…firmly positioned on the cusp of being one of 2022's breakout bands” - Maniacs

Follow Future Static:
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | Spotify

Follow Wild Thing Records:
Web | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

Photo Credit: Jodi Cunningham

New album The Warring Twenties out 30th September via Dharma Records

Hyper-melodic, epic rock trio LostAlone have announced a UK headline tour, set to take place in December. The six-date run will follow the release of their long-awaited fourth album The Warring Twenties, out on 30th September via Dharma Records. 

LostAlone have also released a video for their new single 'Enduring The Dream', the third glimpse into their upcoming album. The video contains footage from the band's recent shows supporting My Chemical Romance. 

Check out the video for 'Enduring The Dream' here: https://youtu.be/Q1fsxxZliog

Stream 'Enduring The Dream' here: https://ffm.to/enduringthedream

Tour dates: 

09.12.22 - London, Boston Music Room 
10.12.22 - Bristol, The Lanes 
12.12.22 - Manchester, Star & Garter 
13.12.22 - Glasgow, Classic Grand 
15.12.22 - Leeds, Key Club
16.12.22 - Derby, The Venue 

Tickets will be on sale on 22nd July, available here: https://lostalone.com/shows/

Pre-order/pre-save The Warring Twenties here: https://ffm.to/thewarringtwenties

LostAlone surprised fans with their return in March, eight years since they originally split, announcing a run of shows supporting My Chemical Romance, as well as a hometown headline show which subsequently sold-out. The band's fourth album, The Warring Twenties, marks their first full-length since 2014's Shapes of Screams.  

Frontman Steven Battelle comments: "When we played our 'final' show I barricaded the doors to that version of me and, without looking back, walked away into a future of unknowns. Two solo records and an EP later in the pre-pandemic world of 2019 I felt a looming presence, a constant barrage behind me. A melodic paranoia that I couldn’t shake."

Despite travelling the world to write country songs in Nashville and pop songs in LA, Battelle still dreamt of "fireballs of melody and incredible, stolen faces singing still-unwritten words back at me." Now, that dream has turned into reality.

A personal dystopia, The Warring Twenties was written and produced by frontman Steven Battelle. LostAlone called upon a variety of friends to mix the songs: Greg Wells (The Greatest Showman, Deftones, Twenty One Pilots), Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari),  Adam Noble (Biffy Clyro, Placebo, Liam Gallagher) and Rich Collins.

Battelle continues: "Unbelievably this has been the most geographically diverse of anything we’ve done. Whilst isolating in my apartment during lockdowns, the record owes its existence to remote work in London, Derby, Los Angeles, Nottingham, Glasgow, Hastings and New York."

Check out LostAlone's previous singles:  

'The Last Drop Of Forever': https://ffm.to/lastdropofforever
'Punchline Punched Back': https://ffm.to/punchline

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

Credit: Andy Julia

New album Drif to be released 19th August via Season of Mist

Pre-orders available now

Enigmatic world music collective Heilung have unveiled their stunning new single / video 'Asja', the second glimpse of their upcoming new full length Drif, to be released 19th August via Season of Mist.

Listen to the magical new single here: https://youtu.be/q4DvaaWeN5o

The group comment on the new single:

"This is a love song. Maria sings to the listener of love, recovery and prosperity, chasing away evil and welcoming love. The piece contains a quotation of some lines of “Hávamál”, combined with a selection of blessing words meant to provide help to the listener in a troubled time. Kai brought his vocal part of 'Asja' back to us after a month of isolation, fasting and meditation in nature. Only the spirits know the full meaning, but we do know that the context is love, prosperity and protection. We are releasing Drif on Midgardsblot, the 19th of August, with an exclusive listening session and meet and greet in the Viking longhouse for a limited amount of people, stay tuned for info about tickets.

Love from Heilung."

The album can now be pre-ordered here and pre-saved here.

Track-list:
1. Asja (5:17)
2. Anoana (4:57)
3. Tenet (13:05)
4. Urbani (2:55)
5. Keltentrauer (8:26)
6. Nesso (7:54)
7. Buslas Bann (5:03)
8. Nikkal (3:04)
9. Marduk (8:34)
Total: 59:15

Watch Heilung on tour:

14 Jan 23 London (UK) O2 Academy Brixton
17 Jan 23 Manchester (UK) Bridgewater Hall
19 Jan 23 Dublin (IE) National Stadium
22 Jan 23 Glasgow (UK) Barrowland

Heilung means "healing" in the German language, and aptly describes the core of the band's sound. The 'amplified history' trio reach back into our collective past to present a truly immersive experience, leaving the listener at ease and in a relaxed state, after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

Heilung reach far back in time to the Northern European Iron Age and Viking period to create the foundations of their sonic experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings. It’s difficult to simply categorise a band that uses such a variety of influences, traditions, and instruments to create immersive soundscapes. Hence, the group settled on the description 'amplified history' to best describe their music.

When Heilung self-released Ofnir in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length led to Heilung’s new label Season of Mist re-issuing Ofnir in several collector's edition formats. Heilung's live album, LIFA (2017) was released in parallel.

The visionary three-piece continued gathering praise with their latest full-length Futha, released in 2019 which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Charts in the United States, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts within the first week of its release. For the single 'Norupo' a music video was filmed at the Neolithic standing stones at Les Menhirs de Monteneuf in France, which can be viewed HERE.

The band’s music has been widely used in pop culture and transcends the traditional genre boundaries in music. Not only did leading television broadcaster HBO use their music in the trailer for the hit series Game of Thrones, Heilung’s sounds can also be heard in series like Vikings and Ragnarök on Netflix, as well as in the trailer for 2022's blockbuster The Northman.

Furthermore, the group has been collaborating with game studios for the soundtrack of several mainstream video games. In 2020, gaming company Ninja Theory and Heilung started to work on the soundtrack for their upcoming game, 'Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.' The announcement trailer for the new game features Heilung's song 'In Maidjan,' which is taken from their debut album, Ofnir. Watch the trailer HERE.

Later, Heilung was invited to join in another video game collaboration with MY.GAMES and Booming Tech for the new season of the 'Conqueror's Blade' video game, 'VII: "Wolves of Ragnarok." The trailer for the game, featuring the track 'Galgaldr', can be found HERE. Heilung will also see their name being immortalised in one of the new combat map locations, which is now officially called ‘Heilung Fjord,’ and serves as a place for healing.

While the world came to a stop during the pandemic, the three-piece retreated into the studio to write and record the forthcoming album Drif. In classic Heilung fashion, all sounds are hand-crafted organically by the group. To create Drif, Heilung sought for forgotten songs, hand-crafted ancient instruments, and transcribed dead languages to spread messages of love and nature-respect. Drif will be Heilung's most immersive and successful work to date.

In their own words:

“Drif means “gathering”. A throng of people, a horde, a crowd, a pack. In symbiosis with the album title, Drif consists of a flock, a collection, a gathering, a collage of songs, that much like little flames were seeking towards each other, to join, to bond, to create, and be greater together. This album has very clearly dictated its own path. Our attempts to tame it was repeatedly fruitless and once we came to this realisation, the creative flow surged forward with immense force. So much so that sometimes it felt like the songs wrote themselves. All the songs on Drif have their own stories. They have each their place and sense of belonging, with inspiration not only from Northern Europe, but from the ancient great civilisations.”

Heilung are:
Kai Uwe Faust
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

Recording studio: Lava Studios Copenhagen
Producer / sound engineer: Christopher Juul
Mix/Master: Lava Studios Copenhagen, Christopher Juul

Guest musicians:
- Annicke Shireen, Emilie Lorentzen, Mira Ceti, on track: 1, 2, 3 and 8
- Jacob Hee Lund and Nicolas Schipper on track: 1, 2, 3 and 7
- Ruben Terlouw, Pan Bartkowiak, Marijn Sies, Gwydion Zomer, Isabella Streich, Martin Skou, Samiye van Rossum, Nadia Kalamieiets, Edward Boyter, Nina Cornelia Schilp, Mitchell Bosch, Gwydion Zomer and Katalin Papp on track: 2, 4 and 5
- Vilja Christine Agger, Ea Christine Agger and Michael Berberian on track: 3

Heilung online:
www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory
www.instagram.com/amplifiedhistory

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/anoana

Shop SoM: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Heilung
Shop Heilung: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/heilung-tvm-shop

Live at The Bread Shed, Manchester - Saturday 17 Sept 2022

British black metal pioneers Winterfylleth have announced an exclusive UK show. In collaboration with Sleeping Eye Promotions, Winterfylleth, Arð & Trivax will come together on Saturday 17 September at The Bread Shed in Manchester for an exclusive event.  

Tickets are on sale now here:  https://winterfyllethmerchandise.bigcartel.com/product/ticket-winterfylleth-ard-trivax-the-bread-shed-manchester-sat-17th-sept-2022

In what will be their only headlining UK club show of 2022, Winterfylleth will be playing a unique set of the most atmospheric songs from across their discography (featuring never-before-played material), with Mark Deeks appearing live on keys for the first time. This is a rare opportunity to see some of the more expansive material from the bands discography live, and is not one to be missed!

Listen to Winterfylleth: https://winterfylleth.bandcamp.com/album/the-reckoning-dawn-deluxe-edition

Fresh from the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Take Up My Bones, Arð will be performing their unrivalled style of monastic doom, live with a full band for the first time on this occasion.  Playing the new album in its entirety, Arð in a band setting will bring together the creative output of Winterfylleth keys player Mark Deeks, with live collaborations from members of Winterfylleth, Atavist & Pantheist. 

Listen to Arð:  https://ardnorthumbria.bandcamp.com/album/take-up-my-bones
[ Arð Promo Photo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jkro851lr10sigo/Deeks%20ard%20picture.jpg?dl=0 ] 

Finally the show will be opened by rising black metal stars, Trivax who will be appearing live in Manchester for the first time in over 3 years. Their explosive and passionate brand of black metal is the ideal tonic to the current state of the world. Another band not to be missed.

Listen to Trivax: https://trivax.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-void
[ Trivax Promo Photo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/u8f7jhj6pr2hzdo/Trivax%20Promo%20Shoot%202022.jpeg?dl=0 ] 

The Fundamental Slimes and Humours album out now

Bloodstock, Brutal Assault, Summer Breeze, Open Air Gränichen and more in August

The self-proclaimed "Best Goblin Metal Band on the Planet" known as Nekrogoblikon, have shared new video 'Going To Die', taken from their new album The Fundamental Slimes and Humours, out now.

Watch 'Going To Die' here: https://youtu.be/s-IJ584iCCU

Nekrogoblikon will be hitting the UK / EU this summer for a number of festivals, with dates confirmed at Bloodstock, Summer Breeze, Brutal Assault, headline shows and more this August.

*Contact james@holdight.co for interview and review opportunities*

Dates:

5/8 - Gränichen, CH @ Open Air Gränichen
7/8 - London, UK @ Underworld
8/8 - Manchester, UK @ Satan’s Hollow
9/8 - Glasgow, UK @ Classic Grand
11/8 - Walton-on-Trent, UK @ Bloodstock
13/8 - Jaromer, CZ @ Brutal Assault
14/8 - Warsaw, PL @ Hydrozagadka
16/8 - Hamburg, DE @ Headcrash
17/8 - Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia
18/8 - Dortmund, DE @ Junkyard
20/8 - Dinkelsbühl, DE @ Summer Breeze

Watch the videos to previous singles:
'Bones': https://youtu.be/lNTesmfospM
'Golden Future': https://youtu.be/kvBEWx473K0
'This Is It,': https://youtu.be/DAf1j3u8i-M
'Right Now': https://youtu.be/0Ij38K5iCfk

Purchase The Fundamental Slimes and Humours here: https://linktr.ee/nekrogoblikon

Nekrogoblikon online:
Website || Facebook || Twitter || Spotify || Instagram

Tracklisting:

1. Right Now
2. Golden Future
3. Yin
4. Supernovas (Exploding in Space)
5. Bones
6. Going to Die
7. A Lesson in Hate
8. This Is It
9. Fancy Wind
10.Carousels
11. No Such Thing as a Key

Los Angeles, California's Nekrogoblikon are melodic hard rock pranksters who deploy gnarly death metal earworms filled with crafty hooks, claw-pumping choruses, lightning-fast riffs, and over the top, EDM-style keyboard flourishes. With their ostentatious goblin hypeman John Goblikon, the band takes cues from hyperbolic horror-metal enthusiasts like GWAR, Finntroll, and Dethklok, while maintaining an affable, self-referential sense of humour. The group's early outings, like 2007's Goblin Island, were largely low-fidelity affairs, but by the early 2010s, Nekrogoblikon were operating at a far higher technical level, and employing a rotating cast of talented players.

Founded in 2006, Nekrogoblikon self-produced their debut album, the relatively lo-fi Goblin Island, in a basement. The LP was released in 2007, and an expanded line-up was quickly assembled to help flesh out the fledgling group's audacious live shows. The more technically proficient Stench arrived in 2011, and included the single 'No One Survives' — the video written and directed by Brandon Dermer (Panic At The Disco, Every Time I Die, Diplo, Dillon Francis) became a viral hit, and landed the band festival slots at Download Festival in the UK and Rock Im Park/Rock Am Ring in Germany. The Power EP was issued the following year, and in 2014 the band joined Limp Bizkit on the Kerrang! Tour. In 2015 they released the concept LP Heavy Meta via their own Mystery Box label, and in 2018, Nekrogoblikon issued their fourth studio long-player, Welcome to Bonkers, which was followed by extensive touring including performing on the entirety of the final cross-country Vans Warped Tour and Summer Slaughter. In between touring stints, the band (along with Brandon Dermer and writer/actor Dave Rispoli) released three seasons of RIGHT NOW, a comedic talk show starring band mascot John Goblikon. The series features a wide array of high profile guests including comedian Bobby Lee, The Used, Keith Buckley from Every Time I Die, Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit, and Joe Trohman from Fallout Boy.

Photo Credit: Andrew Basso

'Sleepwalking' streaming now via Wild Thing Records

"A modern progressive tapestry" - Metal Hammer

Melbourne prog/alt metal giants Circles have released a pulsating new single 'Sleepwalking', streaming now via Wild Thing Records.

Watch the video for 'Sleepwalking' here: bit.ly/circlessleepwalkingYT
Stream 'Sleepwalking' here: https://ffm.to/circlessleepwalking

In a metallic blitz of earth-shattering riffs and electronic textures, ‘Sleepwalking’ is razor-sharp and fierce. Putting it all on the line, vocalist Ben Rechter's fervent melodic tone intertwines with volatile guitars and hammering drums that surge with unbridled energy. At full force, ‘Sleepwalking’ is the band’s cathartic absolution.

On the inspiration behind 'Sleepwalking', frontman Rechter explains:
“Essentially, it’s a song of fear and regret, of feeling like so much time has been wasted while you’ve unconsciously gone through the motions to arrive at your current situation. But you’re struggling to push yourself into the unfamiliar territory that holds the potential to provide you with what you’re searching for. It’s so easy to live and die in a comfort zone, even when all you want is out of it.”

The new single was produced by Circles’ own Ted Furuhashi, with the music video directed by the band’s David Hunter, and the track mastered by Luke Cincotta (Karnivool).

In the midst of being in the longest locked down city in the world, the group found solace in writing the next chapter of Circles' story, commencing with ‘Sleepwalking’. Smashing right into the fray with their first release since 2018’s internationally acclaimed album The Last One (the group’s debut with frontman Ben Rechter), Circles are bringing their textured prog/alt metal flair to their newest single, which shudders with densely-packed melodies and artful songwriting.

Drummer Hunter comments:
“The last few years have been pretty damn tough on the music industry. We locked ourselves away and wrote the next chapter in the Circles story. The band is ready to road test some of this new material, along with some old favourites. So for the first time since 2019, we're stoked to be able to see all of you legends again. This is going to be something really special for us.”

Circles' tour-de-force live show has taken them across Australia, Europe, and the UK, complemented by festivals including Euroblast, Prog Power, and Progfest. The band boast a touring history with some of the who’s who of international progressive/alternative heavy music, such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Opeth, Fear Factory, Periphery, TesseracT, and Twelve Foot Ninja.

Circles return to the live circuit for the Sleepwalking Australian Tour across August and September. Joining them on all dates is an epic assortment of some of Australia’s best up and coming acts; The Omnific, Future Static, and Heartline.

Sleepwalking Australian Tour Dates:
19/08 - Stay Gold, Melbourne
26/08 - Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
02/09 - The Zoo, Brisbane
03/09 - Crowbar, Sydney
04/09 - The Basement, Canberra

Circles are:
Ben Rechter - vocals / guitars
Ted Furuhashi - guitars
Drew Patton - bass
David Hunter - drums

For more information:
https://www.circles.band/
https://www.facebook.com/listentocircles
https://twitter.com/listentocircles
https://www.instagram.com/listen_to_circles/

[Photo: Jonathan Vahid]

Fast-rising Massachusetts grinders signs to MNRK Heavy; watch new video 'Cliffhanger'

"bursts of unthinkable sonic rage that still manage to keep the listeners rapt with their density and dynamics...Escuela Grind’s misanthropy as enjoyable and intelligent as it is unending." - Kerrang!

"discombobulating drum patterns and staccato guitar chugs...enough force to level an office park." - Revolver

Massachusett grinders Escuela Grind have announced a new album, Memory Theater, set for release on 30 September via the band's new label home of MNRK Heavy.

Produced by Converge guitarist/ God City producer Kurt Ballou, the album features nine tracks of sharp, scorching underground music that rage and rip in equal measure. Escuela Grind excel at stitching together a new metallic hardcore monster, borne from the rotten corpses of grind and power violence and littered with gleefully unhinged blasts of percussive bombast and chaos.

Ahead of the new album the band have released a video for their first pulverising single, 'Cliffhanger', which encapsulates the kinetic energy of the group's much talked about live performances.

Watch 'Cliffhanger' here: https://youtu.be/iD83fotpjAY
Pre-order Memory Theater now here: https://escuelagrind.ffm.to/memorytheater

“'Cliffhanger'' is us branching out and including all of our influences into a heavy, danceable song. It’s a perfect representation of all the new things to expect from Escuela Grind," says vocalist Katerina Economou. "The lyrics are about the people that try to play both sides of the fence, play devil's advocate and drag you down with them. It’s about fighting crab mentality. This is just a taste of all the killer stuff coming on Memory Theater!"

Memory Theater, Escuela Grind's sophomore album, is seven minutes shorter than Slayer’s Reign in Blood, but with a few songs running past the three-minute mark, it’s downright epic by grindcore norms. Delivering on the promise of several split records, a handful of EPs (including GGRRIINNDDCCOORREE and PPOOWWEERRVVIIOOLLEENNCCEE, both released in 2020), and the full-length, Indoctrination, the nine songs on Memory Theater offer a near-psychedelic trip to the genre’s soul.

For more information on Escuela Grind:
Facebook || Website || Twitter || Instagram || MNRK Heavy

Track listing:

1. Endowed With Windows
2. My Heart, My Hands
3. Cliffhanger
4. Strange Creature
5. Faulty Blueprints
6. All Is Forgiven
7. Forced Collective Introspection
8. The Feed
9. Memory Theater