Photo Credit: Christoph Eisenmenger

German prog metal trio The Hirsch Effekt have revealed their new single 'Granica' - the fourth and final single from Urian, the new album due 29th September via Long Branch Records.

Stream 'Granica' and pre-order the new album here: https://thehirscheffekt.lnk.to/urian

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

Corona infection-related isolation forced Nils (guitar, vocals) and Ilja (bass, vocals) to carry out their planned songwriting session in two different places. When recovered from Covid, their songwriting time was nearly at an end. 'Granica' is the virtue born of need, because the band had no more time to allow for another epic, technical prog song. In hindsight, a happy circumstance for the album, since it allows for a circular track, a shoegaze-like post-rock breathing point. And with it, a slice of colour you rarely see in The Hirsch Effekt universe.

The lyrics describe the protagonist's consternation that he "woke up in another world" on February 24th, 2022, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is made clear by his act of helplessness, hastily offering his driving services and The Hirsch Effekt's own trailer to an aid convoy to the Polish-Ukrainian border at short notice. Plagued by strong doubts during the journey as to whether this is really an effective way to get involved and help, it becomes clear at the first service area behind the German-Polish border: “we are by no means the only ones here who have the feeling 'You have to help'" and needed an outlet for their own actions. A formative journey, at the end of which there lies the following certainty: "Forget it now! Nothing, really nothing, will ever be the same.”

Three years after the release of their latest album Kollaps the band marks their return with the release of their upcoming full-length, entitled Urian, out 29th September via Long Branch Records. 

Urian is a deep musical dive into the increasingly obtrusive ambivalence between crises and everyday life. Significantly less conceptual than the 2020 album Kollaps, it is nevertheless an absolute evolution. Textual ciphers seem more intimate, relationships and references are apparently obvious. Socio-political topics are discussed, in which the musicians critically question themselves and current developments. In addition to democracy-destroying bots that nestle in people's heads in Instagram comments, The Hirsch Effekt gives a voice to those who don't have a voice, or to those for whom all the beautiful life is still waiting. From this dystopian, but clear understanding of the world and its values, a civilized hope arises, thanks to Urian.

After charting at #21 in the German album charts with previous album Kollaps, and formidable shows at Wacken Open Air, Full Force Festival, ArcTanGent and as recent headliners at the renowned Euroblast Festival, The Hirsch Effekt have impressively established themselves in the German progressive metal landscape.

The Hirsh Effekt are:

Moritz Schmidt (Drums)
Nils Wittrock (Guitar, Vocals)
Ilja John Lappin (Bass, Vocals)

For more information:
http://www.thehirscheffekt.de/
https://www.facebook.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.instagram.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.youtube.com/thehirscheffekt

1. Agora
2. Otus
3. 2054
4. Urian
5. Stegodon
6. Granica
7. Blud
8. Eristys

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Cornish alt-rock quartet Haunt the Woods have released their evocative new single 'The Line, Pt. II', from their upcoming second album, Ubiquity, to be released 29th September via Spinefarm.

Pre-order the album here: https://HauntTheWoods.lnk.to/Ubiquity

Fresh from the band's smash success performances at Reading & Leeds festivals, you can watch/stream 'The Line, Pt. II', here: https://HauntTheWoods.lnk.to/Ubiquity

The band comment: "'The Line, Pt. II' is a reprise of the themes covered in our first EP The Line. As we grow older, society and the unrelenting struggle to survive seems to drain the colour out of life, leaving a grey, monochromatic existence. Perhaps if we reconnected with the beauty of life and had the time to find peace of mind, the colour would return. In glimpses it does."

A soul-stirring listen, the new single showcases Haunt the Woods at their best - with frontman Jonathan Stafford's soaring yet elegant vocals, and finished with a stunning solo from lead guitarist Phoenix Elleschild. Snatches of Elbow, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley can be heard throughout, but the song still impressively remains uniquely Haunt the Woods.

Watch the band's previous singles here:
'Now Is Our Time': https://youtu.be/36wfIcCqHFY 
'Gold': https://youtu.be/LBsunA4yXY0
'Fever Dream': https://youtu.be/2VpERm3HJhc

Haunt the Woods are a curiously unique, effortlessly stunning band.

In the deepest reaches of the English countryside there is a sublime sound emanating from the landscape, and its name is Haunt the Woods. Timely and yet oddly timeless, this surprisingly youthful quartet span musical decades and worlds.

Recently signed with Spinefarm, it won't be long before you hear plenty more from these musical mavericks, and with good reason. Formed in the hinterlands between Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall, Haunt the Woods deftly interweave alt-rock, folk, prog and pop with an epic level of pomp and poetic elegance that suggests a far longer tenure than their young years suggest. There are tips of the hat to Queen and Muse, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, and a sprinkled-in tinge of Beatles-loving pop sensibility and Manchester Orchestra-esque poignancy: Haunt the Woods have that rare ability to conjure legacy while creating a bold sound that is newly their own.

With two warmly received EPs and a debut album, Opaque (2020) which was released in 2020, the stage has been set for their overdue introduction to the world, which began with their stunning new single 'Fever Dream'. Cinematic in scope, operatic in texture, new album Ubiquity is a fitting illustration of the band's prowess and talent. 

Follow Haunt the Woods:
https://www.facebook.com/hauntthewoodsofficial
https://twitter.com/hauntthewoods
https://www.instagram.com/hauntthewoods

Tracklisting: 

1 Fever Dream
2 Gold
3 Save Me
4 Equilibrium
5 Home
6 The Line Part II
7 Now Is Our Time
8 Ubiquity
9 Overflow
10 Sleepwalking
11 Numb
12 Said And Done

Italian extreme metal stalwarts Blasphemer have released a re-recorded version of their 2020 track ‘Stabat Mater MMXXIII’, featuring new drummer Francesco Vella. The track was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audio Siege Engineering (Obituary, Sunn 0))) ) and features a stunning live video filmed recently at the Metalitalia Festival in Italy. 

Watch the video in full here: https://youtu.be/zJ0-udaFBHM 
Stream the track here: https://Blasphemer.lnk.to/StabatMaterMMXXIIIPR 

The band commented: "Recorded during a blazing live performance at Italy’s finest extreme metal festival, the official video of ‘Stabat Mater MMXXIII’ depicts Blasphemer in its element: a stage draped in red mist and fire, an audience exposed to profanity, human remains, nudity and blood. 

"Completing the sensorial bombing of this fresh visual assault, the band recorded a renewed version of 2020’s live workhorse track ‘Stabat Mater’, to match the result of its current, well experienced live rendition: a sharpened drum work, an enriched guitar arrangement, an earthquaking, live-like loud mixing.”

The original version of the track, 'Stabat Mater' can be found on the band's album, The Sixth Hour, which was released by Candlelight Records in 2020 and showcases twelve songs of pure blackened-death metal. Fundamentally a concept album, The Sixth Hour's main theme is the way of the cross, i.e., the last day of Jesus Christ, the path that led him from the Gethsemane to Golgotha. The aim of the album is to depict Jesus as merely human, trying to transpose into music the agony he felt in the last day. 

BLASPHEMER online:

Facebook | Bandcamp | Candlelight Records

Photo Credit: Jared Shute

US screamo ensemble Dreamwell have revealed their new single 'Blighttown Type Beat', from upcoming second album In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You - due for release on 20th October via Prosthetic Records.

Stream the single and pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/Dreamwell
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Kww30CzBa9E

Of the upcoming album, vocalist KZ Staska comments: “The song tells the story of a character happening upon an abandoned home whose former inhabitants intentionally flooded it and died in the basement, and his horror as he hears voices coaxing him to do the same. It is an allegory for feeling so empty that you latch onto people and relationships you know are destructive and harmful simply because they are available to you. The music video reflects this by interrupting old home videos of a wedding with gruesome footage of things like dental and ocular surgery..”

New album In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You, is Dreamwell's follow-up to widely-lauded debut album Modern Grotesque.

The patchwork, stop-start approach taken to create their previous record served a hard-won purpose as the band refined their line-up and honed their sound. Their early trials by fire stood them in good stead as they started work with a clean slate and contemplated what would later take shape as In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You - their first foray into consciously and deliberately writing an album, start to finish. The result is a blistering take on screamo, with flourishes of post-hardcore and metalcore for good measure. 

Dreamwell demonstrate artistic influence drawn from a multitude of genres, from doom to black metal. Some artistic influences - such as Botch or The Blood Brothers - are easily distinguishable, whilst others - such as Khanate, The Mountain Goats or Elizabeth Cotten - are buried deep in the DNA of Dreamwell. The album was recorded at Format Audio in Dover, New Hampshire by Ryan Stack in September of 2022, bringing together a cohesion of sounds and ideas from a group of individuals operating perfectly in tune with each other. 

Since their inception in 2017, Dreamwell have been refining and reshaping the parameters of what screamo can be. On In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You, they have provided a structure within which their own chaotic take on the genre is able to flourish.

Dreamwell are: 
Aki McCullough - Guitar 
Ryan Couitt - Guitar 
Justin Soares - Bass 
Anthony Montalbano - Drums 
KZ Staska - Vocals 

For more:
https://twitter.com/dreamwellri
https://www.instagram.com/dreamwellri
https://www.facebook.com/dreamwellband

Track-list:

1. Good Reasons to Freeze to Death
2. Studying the Greats in Self-Immolation
3. Lord Have MRSA On My Soul
4. All Towers Drawn in the Equatorial Room
5. Obelisk of Hands
6. It Will Hurt, and You Won't Get to Be Surprised
7. Reverberations of a Sickly Wound
8. Blighttown Type Beat
9. Body Fountain
10. I Dream't of a Room of Clouds
11. Rue de Noms (Could Have Been Better, Should Have Been More)

Photo Credit: Emmett Moore

Irish thrash metal legends Gama Bomb have today announced details of their upcoming eighth studio album BATS, to be released 10th November via Prosthetic Records.

The band have also revealed their first single from the album, with accompanying video - which finds the quartet in the aftermath of the untimely demise of their beloved mascot, Snowy The Gamabominable Snowman. 

Watch 'Speed Funeral' here: https://youtu.be/ZXbk1KX5xyE

Pre-order BATS here: https://lnk.to/GamaBomb

Of the new album, Gama Bomb vocalist Philly Byrne comments: “BATS is the weirdest album we’ve ever made. It has a guest spot by hip hop legend The Egyptian Lover, a surprise sax solo, a futuristic prologue, and a crossover song with lyrics by Percy Bysshe Shelley - we finally felt confident enough to take the brakes off and had a lot of fun with the writing. Weird is good!”

Regarding 'Speed Funeral', he adds: “There are songs on our new album that diverge from the ‘Gama Bomb formula’ a lot, so we wanted to lead with 'Speed Funeral' because it’s a fun, catchy, classic GB mosher. We’re breaking you in gently with this one!

“The lyrics are about something I’ve always dreamed of - when I die, I want to be strapped to a rocket and blasted off into space as my family and friends watch. We’re middle-aged men now, so maybe death is on our minds a bit more.”

From the tombs of Egypt to the faded glamour of old Hollywood, Philly, Domo, John, Joe and James (Vader and Decapitated) lead us through new sonic landscapes and all manner of novel adventures on BATS. BATS is an album that could only be borne from Gama Bomb; they have embraced their inner absurdities, they’ve taken a trust fall into each other's arms, relying on the idiosyncratic glue that has bound them together over the last 21 years to propel them forwards. BATS is the first Gama Bomb album to be entirely produced, mixed and mastered by guitarist Domo Dixon; utilising the remote recording skills picked up during various lockdowns over the past few years, recording for BATS was approached with a deliberately self-sufficient attitude.

Whilst the lyrical content veers into various different directions, the album is tied together with a 1960s-inspired aesthetic as demonstrated via the BATS artwork - serving as a visual tribute to the iconic design trends and pop culture of the 60s. The art was created by the legendary Graham Humphreys, the artist behind iconic posters for A Nightmare on Elm Street, Evil Dead and What We Do In The Shadows, now in his fourth collaboration with Gama Bomb.

John Roche (guitars) comments: “The accompanying artwork and inlay by the lovely Rory McGuigan are based on 1960s exploitation movies in the vein of Russ Meyer and other directors who didn't want to put their name on their films.” Longtime GAMA BOMB fan and accomplished painter, Kirsty Clark, takes the starring role on the album artwork - welcoming you into the entirely fictional BATS cinematic universe.

Sonically, Gama Bomb manage to stay true to their distinctive thrash sound, honed to perfection over two decades at the frontline of headbanging and fist-pumping. There are nods to heavy metal titans such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, there’s even a sliver of Bad Brains-esque punk attitude, and more familiar influences such as Tankard and Sodom are still evident. But if you think Gama Bomb are serving up something run of the mill then you’ve clearly not accounted for the guest appearance by Irish musician Gavin Kerins or a star-turn from hip hop pioneer The Egyptian Lover who raps on - naturally - 'Egyptron'.

GAMA BOMB tour dates:

Oct 7: FRA Rising Fest
Oct 20: UK Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms
Oct 21: UK Derby Alt Fest
Oct 22: UK London Boston Music Rooms
Oct 23: UK Manchester Deaf Institute
Oct 24: UK Newcastle Anarchy Brewing Co.
Oct 25: UK Edinburgh Bannermans
Oct 26: UK Carlisle The Brickyard
Oct 27: UK Sheffield Corporation
Oct 28: UK Swansea The Bunkhouse
Oct 29: IRL The Siege of Limerick
Dec 03: MX Life After Death Horrorfest 

 GAMA BOMB are:
Domo Dixon - Guitars and Vocals
John Roche - Guitars
Philly Byrne - Vocals
Joe McGuigan - Bass and Vocals
James Stewart - Drums

More information:
https://linktr.ee/gamabomb

Tracklisting:

1. Prologue Under the Pyramids
2. Egyptron (feat. The Egyptian Lover)
3. Living Dead in Beverly Hills
4. Rusted Gold
5. Materialize
6. Mask of Anarchy
7. Don't Get Your Hair Cut
8. Dreamstealer
9. Speed Funeral
10. Secular Saw
11. Bats in Your Hair

Photo Credit: Arne Beschorner

Fiery multinational rock quartet PLAIINS are back with their new single 'Blood Doping', the first new music from the band since the release of their Puppet EP earlier this year.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1advbXLR7V4 

Frontman Chris Reardon comments: "I wanted us to explore some new sounds and approaches and 'Blood Doping' was the first song written for our upcoming new record. I had recently read an article about Lance Armstrong and the blood doping scandal and soon after started messing around with some chords on an acoustic guitar. It's very rare with PLAIINS any song starts on an acoustic guitar, but this one came really fast and the idea for the song and lyrics came out very fast in one sitting. The whole blood doping scandal got me thinking on a broader spectrum and the motivation behind it all. Man's desire to be the best as something regardless of collateral damage, fairness or regulation. The character in lyrics became a Picasso-like, almost cartoonishly vulgar protagonist with a relentless addiction and desire to fulfil their lust. Following that I then demoed the song and sent it to the guys and they loved it. We then went worked with our producer Manuel Renner down at Ueberlaerm Studios and really worked the song. It was the first time we all sat down as well and also worked on some of the lyrics refining them. It was really fun and I really enjoyed the process of all of us throwing ideas and trying to get the lyrics as strong as we could. We then finished off some of the recordings back in our studio in Hamburg."

On the video, he continues: "We shot a music video working with Tim Erdmann who we've worked with on all the music videos so far. Flo (guitar) and I directed the video and we wanted something that used interesting shots and angles and pulled from surrealist paintings and photography incorporating band performance and some gnarley bloody singing from me haha! In a very cool king jacket I must add that Flo found online.

"We're excited that this is the first song released, something a bit different from us but still retaining a lot of the PLAIINS characteristics."

PLAIINS hit you like a freight train - fast-paced songs that infect you with their fist-pumping, feet-stomping power. Founded in Hamburg by singer Chris shortly after his move there from London, the quartet have been drawing inspiration from the likes of Idles, QOTSA and Turnstile. 

In the short time since the release of their debut single 'The Wolf' in March 2022, Dizzy, Flo, Timon and Chris have already racked up over 250k streams on Spotify alone and caught the attention of industry players and fans alike. Alongside radio airplay on stations in Germany and internationally, they were featured extensively in the BBC Introducing programme as well as on BBC Radio 1. 

The band will be releasing their debut full-length in 2024.

PLAIINS are:
Timon Lanzinger - bassist
David "Dizzy" Suhlrie - drums
Flo Kaninck - guitarist 
Chris Reardon - singer, guitarist 

PLAIINS online:
LinkTree Facebook Instagram

Photo Credit: Duncan Tyler

British modern rockers Amongst Liars have released their new single 'The Shameful', along with a striking music video courtesy of JR Lewis and Robert Ruardy. It is the first glimpse of the band's upcoming second album Design, due March 2024.

Watch the video to 'The Shameful' here: https://youtu.be/_r6V4bvEuB8
Stream 'The Shameful' here: https://earache.lnk.to/TheShameful

Amongst Liars comment: “'The Shameful' is a song that reflects the world of bias and misinformation that we are living in today. Government and media are increasingly bending perceptions to their own narrative and it is becoming common place. This gaslighting and brainwashing creates false narrative and distorts reality for many people and is causing anger, hurt, pain, division and distrust in society."

Eastbourne/Brighton based Amongst Liars formed in early 2020 and play a unique blend of energetic, modern rock. Critically acclaimed debut album Amongst Liars was released in July 2022, receiving widespread support from BBC Introducing, Kerrang! and Planet Rock, with singles A-listed on Primordial Radio. Spotify streams are currently hitting the 500K mark, while their YouTube views amount to over 200K.

The band won the prestigious Great Music Stories ‘Band of the Year 2021’ and 'Album of the Year 2022', completed two headline tours and supported Theory Of A Deadman, as well as a full UK tour with Ayron Jones. They will be spending the rest of 2023 putting the finishing touches to their upcoming sophomore album Design, as well as playing a select few live dates, including a UK tour supporting of Theory Of A Deadman this month.

Catch Amongst Liars supporting Theory Of A Deadman:

Sep 22: London Electric Ballroom
Sep 23: Nottingham Rock City
Sep 24: Glasgow Garage
Sep 26: Manchester 02 Ritz
Sep 27: Cardiff Tramshed
Sep 29: KK's Steelmill
Sep 30: Cambridge Junction
 

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

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

Capital Artist Group celebrates its partnership with The Orchard/Sony by today unveiling its newly established label Passion Eight Records.

“This is something that has been in the pipeline for a while” says Capital owner Daryl Pryor. “Since Capital’s inception in 2015 I’ve always wanted to build a company that truly represents what we do, and having the amazing opportunity to partner up with a powerhouse like The Orchard was really a no brainer when the idea was put on the table.” Capital teamed up with The Orchard in late 2022 after a number of its management clients found themselves free from contractual obligations with their original homes. “We soon realised that we had a great opportunity to create something special after a number of our clients had been released from their current deals in one way or another. It gave us a platform to help grow their businesses in a way that they hadn’t had before, by actually having full control over their music.” Daryl continues “With Passion Eight we are excited to grow the brand, and work with artists in a way that we haven't had the chance to in the past.”

View the full roster here: http://www.passioneight.co/artists

The launch of Passion Eight additionally brings expansion within the team. Marianna Baptiste joins as the company's Social Media and Marketing Manager, Shaun Brady heads up Capital’s Public Relations and General Management. Also in the team is Georgia Chard, D2C & Product Manager. “I have been a fan of this industry since I was a shaggy haired, skinny-jean-wearing kid getting crushed in mosh pits. To be involved in something like Passion Eight, and be around people who are just as passionate as I am about this ever-shifting industry is a wonderful blessing.” Says Shaun. Included on the Passion Eight roster are current management clients Eat Your Heart Out, Skyler Acord & BESTIES, alongside new artists Days to Waste, Darkmatter, and Shallow Truths.

“My two main passions in life are music and fashion, so working with Daryl and the team at Passion Eight as product manager has allowed me to pursue something I love & in a creative based industry that I’m invested in,” explains Georgia. “Being involved at the start of the label is exciting for me as I get to both develop myself in this role and help Passion Eight and their roster achieve great things.”

Fans can expect a plethora of music this year, with releases in the pipeline for Between You & Me, Skyler Acord, Days To Waste, Shallow Truths, GLU, BESTIES and more. “I started as a fan and that’s really where my passion for this comes from.” states Marianna. “I love being a part of the bigger picture, watching projects come into fruition, creating communities and fan experiences with bands and musicians to pay homage to the communities I came from that sparked the love I have for music and the work we do today."

Connect with Passion Eight:

https://www.instagram.com/passioneightrecords
https://www.tiktok.com/@passioneightrecords
https://twitter.com/passioneightrecords
https://www.facebook.com/passioneightrecords
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsv7EiN7BQrrDjW7LL2XIrw

UK-based metal and punk label 783punx has released Blast No.1, a grindcore tribute album to Brooklyn goth metal icons Type O Negative. A variety of international death, grind, crust, d-beat and powerviolence bands appear on the record, including Hellbastard (UK), Schismopathic (Poland), Proletar (Indonesia) and Abaddon Incarnate (Ireland). The compilation is now streaming online, and will be available in various physical formats from 22nd September.

Stream the album here: https://bit.ly/3sFSsJX

Pre-order physical copies here: https://linktr.ee/783punx

Blast No.1 was premiered via Decibel Magazine on Monday 4th September. The album blends blast beats, harsh guitars and growls, along with the melancholy and atmosphere that was always an essential part of Type O Negative's music. This tribute is brave, vulgar and extending the boundaries of both grindcore and Peter Steele’s songs.
 

783punx owner Edi comments: "When I talked to the bands, I gave them just one condition: take a slow and long Type O Negative song and convert it into short and super-fast grindcore song, but try to keep it as recognisable as possible... Easy for me to say." 

This unique compilation will be available ina variety of variants and formats from 22nd September, including deluxe CDs, boxsets, strickers, postcards, t-shirts, cassettes and more. Vinyl records will also be available from December.

All physical variants can be pre-ordered here: https://linktr.ee/783punx

For more:
https://www.783punx.com

Blast No. 1 track list

1 Are You Afraid [Kannibal Kris]
2 Prelude To Agony [Task Force Beer]
3 I Don't Wanna Be Me [Schismopathic]
4 We Hate Everyone [Hellbastard]
5 Xero Tolerance [Dishell]
6 Love You To Death [Verano's Dogs]
7 All Hallows Eve [Herida Profunda]
8 Be My Druidess [Bottom]
9 Kill You Tonight [Gendo Icari]
10 Creepy Green Light [Plague Bearer]
11 Angry Inch [Proletar]
12 Everything Dies [Boycott The Baptist]
13 Some Stupid Tomorrow [Will Cope]
14 Christian Woman [Assur]
15 Black No. 1 [Emissaries Of Sin]
16 My Girlfriend's Girlfriend [Hot Cops]
17 Unsuccessfully Coping With The Natural Beauty Of Infidelity [Skitzo]
18 Dead Again [Abaddon Incarnate]
19 Der Untermensch [The Atrocity Exhibit]