Photo Credit: Marcus Maschwitz

Sweden’s Orbit Culture are quickly taking the metal world by storm, continuing with the release of their vicious new single 'Vultures of North'. The single precedes Orbit Culture's debut USA tour supporting In Flames, which kicks off next month, and will feature on their upcoming full-length (due early 2023).

Premiered via Revolver Magazine, check out the video for 'Vultures of North' here: https://youtu.be/ZvKKbDaUFos

'Vultures of North' sees Orbit Culture honing their craft to perfection, delivering on all fronts and offering an enticing glimpse into their forthcoming album.

Vocalist/guitarist Niklas Karlsson comments on the message and tone behind the single:

"We feel that we’ve been waiting for too long now to get out there and play due to the pandemic. During COVID, of course, our fanbase has grown very strong and under the same banner, the antlers emblem, we’ll head out there together stronger than ever before. With this huge US tour coming up, we felt that we’re going to head out there with a new fast and heavy song. With all the European dates this summer that have gone so well, it’s time to put in a higher gear with this new song into the frontline. The riffs and the instrumental side of this track was born out of us wanting a song that just hammers through concrete. A simple 4/4 on the drums and an angry ‘Sawish’ riff on top.

"With ‘Strangler,' from our latest EP Shaman, being the latest video we put out, we wanted to create something that would be totally opposite of both that track and video. We teamed up with Riivata Visuals, who made our music video for 'Mute The Silent' back in 2021, to make the video for this one. It’s an angry song. Beware of every one of us under the flag, we are coming for you."

Orbit Culture will tour the USA with In Flames in September, before embarking on the UK/European leg of the tour in November/December alongside At The Gates and Imminence.

Dates with In Flames, At The Gates & Imminence:

12.11. EE Tallinn – Helitehas
13.11. LV Riga – Palladium
15.11. PL Katowice – Mck
16.11. CZ Prague – Mala Sportovni Hala
20.11. UK London – O2 Academy Brixton
21.11. LU Esch-Sur-Alzette – Rockhal
22.11. FR Strasbourg – La Laiterie
23.11. FR Paris – Bataclan
25.11. ES Bilbao – Santana 27
26.11. ES Madrid – Riviera
27.11. ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz
28.11. FR Lyon – Transbo
30.11. CH Zurich – Samsung Hall
01.12. IT Milan – Alcatraz
02.12. AT Vienna – Gasometer
03.12. DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee
04.12. DE Cologne – Palladium
06.12. NL Tilburg – 013
07.12. BE Brussels – AB
08.12. DE Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
09.12. DE Hamburg – Edel Optics Arena
10.12. DK Copenhagen – Store Vega
11.12. NL Oslo – Spektrum
14.12. FI Helsinki – Ice Hall
16.12. SE Stockholm – Hovet
17.12. SE Gothenburg - Scandinavium

For more information:
https://www.orbitculture.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OrbitCulture/
https://www.instagram.com/orbitculture
twitter.com/orbitculture
https://www.youtube.com/user/OrbitCultureOfficial

Photo Credit: David D'Agostini

Swiss progressive death metal quintet Kassogtha have revealed their stunning new single, 'Eclipse', along with news of their tour support of fellow compatriots Cellar Darling and British alternative rockers Black Orchid Empire.

Dates as follows:

22/10/2022 Sheffield, Corporation - TICKETS
23/10/2022 Glasgow, Stereo - TICKETS
24/10/2022 Newcastle, The Cluny 2 - TICKETS
25/10/2022 Nottingham, Rescue Rooms - TICKETS
27/10/2022 Manchester, Deaf Institute - TICKETS
28/10/2022 Leeds, Key Club - TICKETS
29/10/2022 London, The Dome - TICKETS
30/10/2022 Dover, The Booking Hall - TICKETS

'Eclipse' is another tantalising glimpse into Kassogtha's forthcoming concept album rEvolve, a chapter that will take you into the darkest parts of their journey. 

Stream 'Eclipse' here: https://found.ee/ks-eclipse

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/gIPjpnn-RdY

Of 'Eclipse', Stephany comments: 

“This is a song about anxiety. The eclipse is the image of this feeling that comes to extinguish everything at once and plunges everything into darkness, without any control. With this song, I put into words what anxiety means to me: an uncontrollable, irrational feeling that extinguishes everything around and plunges the world into darkness. A life driven by delusional thoughts and unrealistic fears making you believe that this is now all you really are.”

Kassogtha place authenticity and sincerity above smoke and mirrors: a genuine metal band for true metal fans that takes the genre further without abandoning its core ingredients. From Pink Floyd to Gojira, Kassogtha’s no-nonsense brand of groovy progressive death metal combines a variety of influences to create a steamrolling fusion of irresistible riffs, neck-breaking drums and a vocal range covering devastating growls and ethereal melodies.

Kassogtha was brought to life by vocalist-lyricist Stephany and chief songwriter Morty in Geneva, Switzerland. The band’s debut album A New World to Come (2017) was followed by their sophomore EP The Call (2019), where Kassogtha showcased their musical diversity with an edgy cover of Pink Floyd’s 'Welcome to the Machine'. Having shared the stage with the likes of Cellar Darling, Sirenia, and The Agonist across Europe, they will next appear with Triptykon in Lausanne, Switzerland, followed by a string of release shows in the autumn.

On the band’s upcoming concept album rEvolve, Stephany conquers her inner demons and tells the story of an endless self-destructive cycle of fear, anxiety, and jealousy. In a world that normalises negativity, we have forgotten how to be ourselves — and following a pandemic-enforced long, hard look at humanity and society, this is Stephany’s journey of dealing with these emotions. This album is a perfectly timed release valve for two years of isolation, anxiety and grief — a furious expression of frustration with your own inner demons.

On rEvolve, produced at Stockholm’s legendary Fascination Street Studios with David Castillo (Carcass, Opeth, Leprous), Linus Corneliusson (Ihsahn, Amorphis) and Tony Lindgren (Carcass, Opeth, Katatonia), Kassogtha showcase old school riffs and progressive inspiration, savage grooves and blast beats, creativity and speed, and pure, honest dedication to their craft. 

‘Eclipse’ is the fifth of a series of new songs leading up to rEvolve, out on Klang Machine Records, the newly-formed heavy music label co-founded by Swiss metal wizard Merlin Sutter (Cellar Darling, ex-Eluveitie).
 
For more:

kassogtha.com | facebook.com/kassogtha | instagram.com/kassogthamusic | klangmachine.com

Photo Credit: Felix Albertin

German alternative/dark-pop quartet Letters Sent Home are delighted to announce their new EP, Fire In Me, released 2nd December via new label home of Hassle Records.

The group have also shared their huge new single 'Born To Die', which you can stream here: https://hasslerecords.ffm.to/lsh_fire-in-me

Fire In Me will be available as a limited vinyl release of 200 copies, pressed on crystal clear vinyl and handnumbered and signed by the band. Available exclusively from the Hassle Records store, the physical EP features new versions of Letters Sent Home's hit 'Misery Loves Company', including a stripped-back version.

Letters Sent Home formed in 2017 in Wolfsburg, based on the close bonds of friendship of Emily, Lara and Robin, quickly finding a forth member in drummer Louis. The band began their journey fully in 2020 with their first single 'Mosaic Mirror' - and the process that the band have lived through can be described as rollercoaster, full of highs and lows.

Driven by courageous ambition, Letters Sent Home came closer to their goals with their first, self-titled EP in late 2020, which served as the foundation for an incredibly successful 2021.

The group's second EP, Misery Loves Company, offered a greater expansion of sound, but also two top-class guest features, underlines the band's increasing heft. Besides Being As An Ocean's Joel Quartuccio, Letters Sent Home also teamed up with Halflives singer Linda Battilani. Both post-hardcore-infused alternative rock songs, they sit alongside the band's synth-laden dark-pop influences, showcasing a fine modern pop-rock sound.

The Misery Loves Company EP led to national attention across key alternative media outlets and an ever-growing fanbase, as well as Hassle Records, their new label home for third EP Fire In Me. A stunning listen, it's a fine demonstration of Letters Sent Home's non-conforming rock sound and their strong lyrical identity. 

Thematically the band touch on the topic of mental health, and vocalist Emily's personal experiences. The band raise awareness on these themes not just through their music but with initiatives such as their Helpless But Hopeful Festivals and accompanying podcast. 

Having now signed with established London-based independent label Hassle Records, Letters Sent Home look set to establish themselves as one of the most promising acts to watch out for over the coming year – new EP Fire In Me coming December 2022, with the quartet already working on crafting their debut album. 

For more information:
Website: https://www.letterssenthome.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letterssenthomeband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letterssenthome/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7GuZKdkzjJgmsop5Zj767Q

Letters Sent Home are:

Emily Paschke (Vocals)
Robin Werner (Guitar, Keys)
Louis Schramm (Drums)
Lara Ripke (Bass, Backing Vocals)

Tracklisting:

 A1. Fire 
A2. Born To Die 
A3. Phoenix 

B1. Misery Loves Company (feat. Joel Quartuccio)
B2. Misery Loves Company (Stripped)
B3. Misery Loves Company (LSH Version)

Photo Credit: Martin Ruffin

UK rock quartet InTechnicolour have announced their new album Midnight Heavyweight, due for release on 4th November 2022 via their new label home, Small Pond Records. The sophomore record follows their hugely successful debut album Big Sleeper (2020, Big Scary Monsters) and recent standalone single 'San Francisco'.

The band have also released their new single 'The Wave', a song born from feeling bored with life's direction.

Check out 'The Wave' here: https://listen.smallpondrec.com/thewave

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Guitarist Dave Jackson comments:

"Midnight Heavyweight comes from a much darker place than we intended. Life got very real very quickly, so naturally what came out the other side reflected that... Made for a hell of an album though."

Hailing from Brighton, InTechnicolour are a riffy, groovy, rock band with a knack for creating a colourful song or two. Formed in 2015 through a want to play loud music through slightly broken amps, the basis of the band was created.

InTechnicolour are an inventive four-piece comprised of technically gifted musicians, cutting loose and playing music that’s about as far removed from their day jobs as it’s possible to get – and they are doing it better than a good portion of their contemporaries. Landing somewhere between the slack desert-groove of Kyuss and Karma to Burn, the band combine deeply satisfying riffs with a dynamic vocal style, which calls to mind the sounds of Baroness, Gojira and Mastodon.

InTechnicolour have previously toured across the UK and Europe with the likes of Physics House Band, Black Peaks, Town Portal, Bitch Falcon as well as Haggard Cat, and are gearing up to hit the road this autumn with dates to be announced very soon.

InTechnicolour online:
https://www.facebook.com/Intechnicolourband/
https://twitter.com/intechnicolour_
https://www.instagram.com/intechnicolour/

Midnight Heavyweight tracklist:

1. BloodMoonShine
2. The Wave
3. Tokyo Dream
4. Wake Up Dead Man
5. Corner of Time in the World
6. Turn It loose
7. Midnight Heavyweight
8. Remember Not to Forget
9. Fever Queen
10. Making Friends with Shadows
11. Eastman

Photo Credit: Piotr Kwasnik

International metal stars Alien Weaponry have released their new video for 'Down The Rabbit Hole', taken from their highly-regarded second album Tangaroa, released 2021 via Napalm Records.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/5IMLH9jyMOg

Order Tangaroa here: https://smarturl.it/Tangaroa-NPR

Spreading vital messages of peace, awareness and warning through the power of their culturally-driven music, Tangaroa proves a massive next step for the band – encompassing all of the elements that make Alien Weaponry heavy metal’s most authentic rising stars.

Following the release of their three previous Tangaroa music videos for 'Tangaroa', 'Buried Underground', and 'Hatupatu', today, in anticipation of their winter and early 2023 performance plans supporting both Guns N' Roses and Gojira, Alien Weaponry have dropped an official video for none other than their album closer track 'Down The Rabbit Hole'. The track extends an important proclamation against bullying through the eyes and experiences of frontman Lewis de Jong.

Lewis de Jong says about 'Down The Rabbit Hole': "This was an absolute blast to film! 'Down The Rabbit Hole' represents the growth I've experienced throughout my life and putting to bed demons from the past. The video captures the meaning well - the broken objects representing said demons. It’s the rough times in life that make you who you are, as long as you rise above it."

Since releasing their acclaimed debut Tū (2018), the New Zealanders’ kinetic presence and sound – combining elements of thrash and groove metal with lyrics in the native indigenous language, te reo Māori — has attracted throngs of fans and media supporters across the globe. As with their 2018 single 'Kai Tangata' – which has amassed more than 10 million views on YouTube and claimed the number-one spot on SiriusXM Liquid Metal’s “Devil’s Dozen” for 13 consecutive weeks – much of Tangaroa is immersed in the historical stories and cultural heritage of the Māori people.

In addition, Tangaroa details stories of personal struggle and growth, as well as crucial environmentalism topics.

Having achieved past and present tours and festivals with the likes of Slayer, Black Label Society and Gojira, and being hailed the “future of metal” by esteemed magazine Metal Hammer (UK) and voted by Revolver Magazine (US) fans as “one of the bands most likely to break out in 2021”, Alien Weaponry are poised to dominate with Tangaroa. The album coalesces Alien Weaponry's growing maturation with an undisturbed songwriting process, resulting in their most inspired, honest and informed material yet.

In addition to lyrics written in te reo Māori, many tracks feature traditional instruments, called taonga puoro, providing the tracks their own warrior-like attitude. Rhythmic, dynamic album opener 'Titokowaru' begins with determined rowing chants and depicts the tale of a famous war chief that challenged the colonial government in New Zealand and led a rebel army, backed by quick riffage and driving drums. Following standout 'Hatupatu', inspired by the harrowing, legendary tale of a de Jong ancestor facing off with a witch, is carried by frenzied guitars, spirited chanting and tribal-like percussion. While Alien Weaponry sourced inspiration from their culture and environmental surroundings while writing most of Tangaroa, the band also looked inward – drawing vision for other portions of the album from within. The album dives into some of their most effecting personal experiences, with English-language songs like the pensive 'Unforgiving' about facing self-loathing and insecurity, and the swirling, charging 'Buried Underground' detailing the aftershocks of drug abuse.

Accented by personal touches like its entrancing album art originally conceptualized from drawings by Lewis de Jong, Tangaroa is a massive next step for a band on the rise, encompassing all of the elements that make Alien Weaponry heavy metal’s most authentic rising stars.

Henry de Jong says about Tangaroa:
“The album is tied together with the message of ‘Tangaroa’ - the whole album is more a snapshot of the band’s brains during the writing process. We have also written songs that are about some of our first tūpuna (ancestors) who were here in Āotearoa (New Zealand). Hatupatu, who is very famous in Māori history, as well as Īhenga, who named a number of places in Āotearoa during his travels.”

Lewis de Jong adds about the album’s artwork and thematic details:
“The album is named after the track ‘Tangaroa’, and we went with this theme on the artwork. The album is drawn from some new experiences we've had as well as some ancient Māori tales. I think we have stepped things up from the last album.”

Bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds also adds:
"This album's use of even more traditional Māori sounds and styles is a very exciting step forward for us."

Tangaroa tracklisting:
1. Titokowaru
2. Hatupatu
3. Ahi Kā
4. Tangaroa
5. Unforgiving
6. Blinded
7. Kai Whatu
8. Crooked Monsters
9. Buried Underground
10. Dad
11. Īhenga
12. Down The Rabbit Hole

Alien Weaponry tour dates, with Gojira:

Sat, Feb 11 - IRE, Dublin @ National Stadium - SOLD OUT
Sun, Feb 12 - N. IRE, Belfast @ Ulster Hall
Tue, Feb 14 - ENG, Newcastle @ City Hall
Wed, Feb 15 - SCO, Glasgow @ O2 Academy
Fri, Feb 17 - WAL, Cardiff @ Motorpoint Arena
Sun, Feb 19 - ENG, Manchester @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
Tue, Feb 21 - ENG, Nottingham @ Motorpoint Arena
Wed, Feb 22 - ENG, London @ Alexandra Palace

Alien Weaponry on Tangaroa are:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong - Drums, Backing vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong - Guitars, Lead vocals
Ethan Trembath - Bass guitars, backing vocals & lead vocals on 'Dad'
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds - Backing vocals & guitar on 'Unforgiving'

Alien Weaponry online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS

Photo Credit: GLK Media

Mercurial Bristol quartet Phoxjaw have announced their hotly-anticipated new album notverynicecream, to be released 11th November via Hassle Records.

The band have released their new single 'thesaddestsongever', the second glimpse of notverynicecream following their previous single 'sungazer'.

Pre-order notverynicecream here: https://hasslerecords.ffm.to/notverynicecream

Watch the video for 'thesaddestsongever' here: https://youtu.be/EMZ8YKEbXLw

Watch the 'sungazer' video here: https://youtu.be/TyQlirPt-Fo

notverynicecream is another staggering release from one of the UK's most inventive and unusual bands. Eclectic, irreverent, titanically heavy and saturated throughout with a signature sense of British whimsy, the album will only see Phoxjaw's star rising further.

Written in various states of lockdown, notverynicecream is a glimpse into Phoxjaw's future mindset. A sugar-sweet sense of abandon covers darker feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation. Where the band's debut album, Royal Swan, was a record of nationally-expressed extroversion, notverynicecream is Phoxjaw's declaration of introversion. Nihilism, nostalgia and suffering served in a sugary cone; progressive, punishing sonics glossed over with lustrous hyper-pop influences.

notverynicecream follows a triumphant period for the Bristolian oddballs - the group made their debut Download appearance in 2022, performed two magnificent sets at 2000trees, and will shortly be touring with Norwegian deathpop group Blood Command.

September:
06 England, London, Camden Assembly
07 England, Bristol, Exchange
08 Scotland, Glasgow, Stereo

09 England, Manchester, Deaf Institute
13 Germany, Hamburg, Goldener Salon
14 Germany, Cologne, Blue Shell
15 Germany, Munich, Orangehouse
16 Germany, Berlin, Badehaus

Phoxjaw are:

Danny Garland - vocals/bass
Josh Gallop - guitar/keys
Kieran Gallop - drums
Alexander Share - guitar/vocals

For more information:
https://www.phoxjaw.com
https://www.facebook.com/phoxjawofficial/
https://twitter.com/phoxjaw
https://phoxjaw.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/phoxjaw/

Tracklisting:

1: evermore
2: apples
3: icecreamwitch
4: sungazer
5: thesaddestsongever
6: tortoise
7: dancingtrees
8: knives
9: thelastmackerel
10: shotgunlipstick
11: lastmancalledjohn
12: serpentsdripfromtheskies

Photo Credit: Joao Fitas

Cathartic black metal outfit GAEREA have released their new single 'Mirage', taken from the band's forthcoming album Mirage, set for release on the 23rd September via Season of Mist. 

The group's new single is accompanied by a tenebrous new video, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/PJC2CM4Z7Oo

Pre-order Mirage here: https://orcd.co/gaerea-mirage

GAEREA comment on the new offering: “The third single for the upcoming GAEREA album is finally upon us. The song is called 'Mirage' and serves as the bleeding, burning torch which also names this record. It represents a battle between high and low, reality and perception and solitude vs freedom. This is GAEREA in its purest form, where the body language dictates the increasing catharsis of one of the highest and important monuments within this album.”

'Mirage' is the third track to be released from the new album, following previous singles, 'Salve' and 'Mantle'. Assuming life is but a walking shadow, the song explores the act of leveraging the great disadvantages of consciousness of one's experiments. 'Mirage' is nothing but a prototype and painful dream where the necessary sufferings of being alive shall create the unnecessary fear of our demise. 

Behind black shrouds of obscurity and desolation, GAEREA deliver their odes in cascading maelstroms of aggression and beauty. Emerging from the age of pandemic to whatever awaits humanity next, the Portuguese horde remains on the frontlines of the next generation of extreme metal. With an EP and two albums to their name, GAEREA has rapidly distinguished themselves from the thousands of bands toiling away in the underground. Brewing their cauldron of sound from a recipe of pounding black-metal blast mixed with a touch of harrowed, reflective longing, many devotees of the darkened arts have flocked to their banner. With the emergence of third full-length album Mirage, those numbers are sure to grow. 

Mirage, as its name suggests, describes the inability to trust what our senses are telling us and this could be construed as one of the album’s central themes. Rather than constrict their art to mythological references or anti-religious tropes, GAEREA instead plumb the depths of the human experiences of isolation and suffering. “The concept, the subject, of each song is everyone, you, me . . . if people were alone together in Limbo, in Mirage they are truly alone. Nobody is truly real until they are alone.” 
 

Boasting a superior production that threads the needle between clarity and causticness, GAEREA unwaveringly admit their loyalty to countryman and producer Miguel Tereso of Demigod Recordings. The cover artwork for Mirage was created by the SAROS Collective. 

With talons dipped in the inky blood of black metal and scraped across the flesh of human suffering, GAEREA is leading a charge into the future of darkness, and all those who find beauty and power in the dark side of existence would do well to take heed. 

WE ARE GAEREA.

GAEREA online

Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Youtube 

Track-list:

1. Memoir
2. Salve [WATCH]
3. Deluge
4. Arson
5. Ebb
6. Mirage [WATCH]
7. Mantle [WATCH]
8. Laude
9. Dormant (Bonus track)
Total: 1:00:47

GAEREA previously announced new European tourdates, together with label mates GAAHLS WYRD and SAOR. A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.

GAEREA 2022
21 Sep 22 Riga (LV) NOASS
22 Sep 22 Tallin (EE) Sveta Baar
23 Sep 22 Helsinki (FI) On the Rocks

GAEREA
+Gaahls Wyrd +Saor +Winterfylleth
30 Sep 22 Haarlem (NL) Patronaat
01 Oct 22 Arlon (BE) Léntrepot
02 Oct 22 Cologne (DE) Club Volta
03 Oct 22 Berlin (DE) Holle 44
05 Oct 22 Poznan (PL) U Bazyla
06 Oct 22 Krakow (PL) Hol
07 Oct 22 Prague (CZ) Futurum
08 Oct 22 Vienna (AT) Vienna Metal Meeting
09 Oct 22 Budapest (HU) Instant
11 Oct 22 Milan (IT) Slaughter Club
12 Oct 22 Martigny (CH) Les Caves Du Manoir
13 Oct 22 Lyon (FR) CCO Villeurbanne
14 Oct 22 Barcelona (ES) Boveda
15 Oct 22 Madrid (ES) Story Live
16 Oct 22 Toulouse (FR) Le Rex
17 Oct 22 Paris (FR) Petit Bain
19 Oct 22 London (UK) The Garage
20 Oct 22 Antwerp (BE) Zappa
22 Oct 22 Essen (DE) Turock
24 Oct 22 Munich (DE) Backstage Halle
25 Oct 22 Frankfurt (DE) Das Bett
26 Oct 22 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser
27 Oct 22 Hamburg (DE) Logo
28 Oct 22 Copenhagen (DK) Vega
29 Oct 22 Gothenburg (SE) Pustervik
30 Oct 22 Stockholm (SE) Slaktkyrkan

Photo Credit: Kathi Sterl

'Ghost' out now via Arising Empire

US trio Sink The Ship return with a cover of Justin Bieber hit 'Ghost', out now via Arising Empire.

Check out 'Ghost' here: https://youtu.be/F_CCUPJBG3o

Stream/purchase 'Ghost' here: https://arisingempire.com/ghost

With tales of adversity, animosity and inspiration aplenty, Sink The Ship are a prominent powerhouse making monstrous waves.

Sink The Ship burst onto the underground music scene in 2012, blending an infusion of metalcore, post-hardcore and pop-punk. Within two years of forming, Sink The Ship released their debut EP Reflections, creating a sound true to themselves, worth its weight in powerful, emotive passion. The band followed with their debut alum Persevere in 2018, a masterful blend of melody, metallic aggression and brazen, bold honesty.

Sink The Ship have played alongside a variety of bands, including Architects, The Plot In You and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!.

Sink The Ship are:
Colton Ulery | Vocals
Brandon Knerem | Guitar
Zakk Godare | Bass

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/sinktheship
https://www.instagram.com/sinktheshipband

Credit: Andy Julia

Released today, 19th August, via Season of Mist

Ritual music collective Heilung are proud to reveal their new album Drif, released today, 19th August, via Season of Mist.

Order Drif here: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/HeilungDrif

Stream Drif here: https://orcd.co/heilung-drif

While the world came to a stop during the pandemic, the three-piece retreated into the studio to write and record the brand new 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 is 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.”

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.

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/heilung-drif

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