Photo Credit: Andy Ford

After releasing the album of their career in the form of War Of Being, UK prog metal titans TesseracT invite fans once more to a beautiful listening experience in the form of ‘Echoes’, the newest single from the record.

Watch the lyric video for 'Echoes' here: https://youtu.be/HBuZjg4aSA0

Tomorrow, the band will kick off their biggest tour to date in North America, bringing listeners right into ‘The Strangeland’, the concept world of War Of Being. This leg of TesseracT's world tour will span from 5th October in North Carolina right up to 13th November at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The track lands with earth-shattering impact as guitar riffs collide with polyrhythmic drums, giving way to malleable basslines, coupled with a vocal performance that is as vulnerable as it is brilliant. Gearing up for the track’s climactic grand finale where aftershocks of groove reverberate throughout the listener, it’s the perfect prologue in understanding the relationship between 'El' and 'The Scribe'.
 
Regarding the track, Daniel Tompkins had the following to say:
 
“The concept of 'Echoes' is based around one of our main characters, ‘El’, and 'The Scribe'. They play a major part in the concept and game as 'The Scribe' is a splintered part of 'El's ego that has the ability to control destiny and rewrite the past."
 
Dan continues:
 
"This has always been a hard-hitting song and it adds a real dynamic to the album. As a standalone track it exudes feelings from the heights of euphoria but also the depths of desperation. There's a real sense of frustration and regret throughout, especially as the song climaxes with its brutal admission.”
 
The visualiser, created by Asiel Manuel Rodriguez Espinosa (@asiel_type ) peels back yet more layers from the mysterious world of ‘The Strangeland’. It moves from peaceful moonlit plains to fiery ruins taking with it the listener to another world.
 
Now, for the first time, the band will be bringing 'The Strangeland' to the live arena with their worldwide tour. Alongside regular tickets, fans will also have to opportunity for VIP experiences which consist of an exclusive stripped down performance, Q&A with TesseracT, limited signed art print, laminate with lanyard, early merch access and early entry.

Order the album here: https://tesseractkscope.lnk.to/warofbeing

TesseracT marked their return with their statement of intent that was the 11 minute ‘War Of Being’, a world tour announcement and the unveiling of the world’s first ever VR concept album experience in ‘The Grey’ bringing fans directly into the world of ‘The Strangeland’. Now, the band now plot their course for the heart on the emotive ‘Legion’ as we hurtle towards the release of their magnificent fifth album.

Fans can download and play the War Of Being game here: 
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475790/War_Of_Being

TesseracT have also unveiled the Kickstarter for the full VR + Desktop game, ‘War Of Being’, as frontman Daniel Tompkins elaborates more here: 
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmtesseract/war-of-being

Alongside the brand new album the band will be embarking on a worldwide tour that will begin in 2023 running through to 2024, performing shows throughout the US, EU, UK, Asia and Australia with support from Intervals, Unprocessed, Alluvial and The Callous Daoboys.

UK dates are as follows: 

Feb 20: UK Nottingham Nottingham Rock City
Feb 21: UK Birmingham O2 Institute
Feb 22: UK Bristol O2 Academy
Feb 23: UK London O2 Forum Kentish Town
Feb 24: UK Manchester O2 Ritz
Feb 25: UK Glasgow SWG 3 Studio Warehouse
Feb 27: IE Dublin Academy

Tickets onsale from: https://www.tesseractband.co.uk/tour-dates

War Of Being was recorded at Middle Farm Studios in the United Kingdom with Peter Miles (Architects/Sylosis/Dodie) co-producing with the band alongside Katherine Marsh of Choir Noir (Bring Me The Horizon / Architects / Marillion). Assisting with additional programming and production, the band were joined by Randy Slaugh (Periphery, Architects, Devin Townsend). With additional engineering by Forrester Savell (Karnivool). The artwork, which features characters ‘Ex’ and ‘El’ was created in collaboration between AI and human as a means to extend the concept into its presentation.

TesseracT online:

https://www.tesseractband.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tesseractband
https://www.instagram.com/tesseractband
https://twitter.com/tesseractband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/23ytwhG1pzX6DIVWRWvW1r
https://kscopemusic.com/artists/tesseract

TesseracT are:
Daniel Tompkins (vocals)
Acle Kahney (guitar)
James Monteith (guitar)
Amos Williams (bass) 
Jay Postones (drums)

Photo Credit: Sönke Dannemann

Progressive boundary pushing quartet Unprocessed have released their new single / video ‘Blackbone’, taken from their upcoming third album ...and everything in between, set for release on 1st December 2023. 

Watch the video for 'Blackbone' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTlO8cQ0nVY

Stream 'Blackbone' here: https://ffm.to/blackbone

Pre-save ...and everything in between here: https://ffm.to/andeverythinginbetween

Pre-order ...and everything in between here: www.unprocessed.band

The band comment: “‘Blackbone’ is a modern metal hymn, with signature Unprocessed riffs, a big chorus, a brutal breakdown and one of [guitarist/vocalist] Manuel’s epic guitar solos. The song is about the inter dialogue one has with their inner child that’s forever present. It speaks of the longing to be brought back to the times of being carefree and just living the day, as well as the anger that comes with the dawning realisation that those times will unlikely ever return.”

‘Blackbone’ is the second single taken from the upcoming album, ...and everything in between, is a bold and complex record pushing the boundaries of technical musicianship, song construction, sonic production and more. Inspired by the emotions conjured from life experiences, Unprocessed have channelled their raw visceral power through their musical talent to create this special record. Never before could one have considered a band being likened to artists as extreme as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Polyphia and Bring Be The Horizon, yet Unprocessed have done it. 

On ... and everything in between, the band are: “Taking all influences and combining them into an ultimate evolution of everything Unprocessed has ever been, while still adding a new flavour and style to the mix. Epic riffs with intricate licks and mind-bending rhythms, brutal breakdowns, epic guitar solos and big and catchy choruses.

“...and everything in between can quite literally be described as everything in between the extremes of life. Dealing with anger, sorrow, nostalgia, love and fear the album reflects on the different shades of a personality that everyone is made out of (e.g. there is evil in everyone). “

Be ready for a whole host of surprises on ...and everything in between, including a special guest appearance from recent tour mates Tim Henson and Scott LePage of Polyphia.

The masters of merging guitar-driven and virtuosic flavours of pop, rock and metal - Manuel Gardner Fernandes, David Levy (bass, synths), Christoph Schultz (guitar) and Leon Pfeifer (drums) are back with their most adventurous record yet.

Having toured the world numerous times, sharing stages with the likes of Polyphia, Spiritbox and many more, Unprocessed have established themselves as one of the most exciting live acts today. This album will take Unprocessed on their first consecutive cycle of headline tours through Europe and the USA. Unprocessed have also been announced as support to TesseracT on their upcoming EU & UK Tour in Jan/Feb 2024 with Callous Daoboys opening.

EU/UK dates with TesseracT & Callous Daoboys:

Jan 18th: Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette, LUX
Jan 19th: CCO la Rayonne, Villeurbanne, FRA
Jan 20th: Apolo, Barcelona, ESP
Jan 21st: Mon Live, Madrid, ESP
Jan 23rd: Bataclan, Paris, FRA
Jan 25th: Artefact la Laiterie, Strasbourg, FRA
Jan 26th: Trix, Antwerp, BEL
Jan 27th: Im Wizemann, Stuttgart, GER
Jan 28th: Alcatraz, Milan, ITA
Jan 30th: Komplex 457, Zurich, CHE
Feb 01st: Palác Akropolis, Prague, CZE
Feb 02nd: Backstage Halle, Munich, GER
Feb 03rd: Simm City, Vienna, AUT
Feb 04th: Barba Negra, Budapest, HUN
Feb 06th: Columbia Theater, Berlin, GER
Feb 07th: Progresja, Warsaw, POL
Feb 09th: Tampereen Tavara-asema, Tampere, FIN
Feb 10th: Tavastia, Helsinki, FIN
Feb 12th: Fryshuset Klubben, Stockholm, SWE
Feb 13th: Vulkan Arena, Oslo, NOR
Feb 15th: Amager Bio, Copenhagen, DEN
Feb 16th: Grünspan, Hamburg, GER
Feb 17th: Carlswerk Victoria, Cologne, GER
Feb 18th: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, NLD
Feb 20th: Rock City, Nottingham, UK
Feb 21st: Institute, Birmingham, UK
Feb 22nd: Academy, Bristol, UK
Feb 23rd: Forum, London, UK
Feb 24th: Ritz, Manchester, UK
Feb 25th: SWG3, Glasgow, UK
Feb 27th: Academy, Dublin, IRL

Unprocessed are:
Manuel Gardner Fernandes - Vocals, Guitars
Christoph Schultz - Guitars
David John Levy - Bass & Keys
Leon Pfeifer - Drums

Unprocessed online:
www.unprocessed.band
www.facebook.com/unprocessedofficial
www.Instagram.com/unprocessedband 

...and everything in between tracklisting:

I Hell (4:48)
II Lore (3:50)
III Thrash (3:36)
VI Blackbone (4:32)
V Die on the Cross of the Martyr (featuring Tim Henson and Scott LePage of Polyphia) (4:30)
VI Glass (3:46)
VII Abysm (5:39)
VII I Wish I Wasn’t (3:05) 
IX Purgatory (4:51)

Photo Credit: Mikael Hultén

Rising from the ashes, The Gems redefine the very essence of rock music with their upcoming debut album, Phoenix, out 26th January 2024 via Napalm Records. With unwavering determination and raw talent, this trio hailing from Stockholm, Sweden is ready to rewrite the rules and inspire a new era.

Today, the trio also reveal their second single, 'Send Me To The Wolves'. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/lG5yz8yA0pc

Their first ever single, 'Like A Phoenix', released in June 2023, isn't just a song title; it's a prophecy, a prediction, and a promise. Straight away it gained a remarkable amount of Spotify streams and YouTube video views, and reached #2 on rock radio airplay charts in Germany in no time.
 
The explosive trio consists of incomparable rock vocalist Guernica Mancini, powerhouse drummer Emlee Johansson, and guitar and bass virtuoso Mona "Demona" Lindgren. Breaking free from the confines of their previous band, Thundermother, they unite under the banner of The Gems in early 2023, igniting a seismic shift in the rock scene. Inspired by legends such as Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden, The Gems breathe new life into the genre, infusing it with raw power and untamed energy.

With Thundermother, they commanded international stages - electrifying crowds at renowned rock festivals like Wacken, Sweden Rock, and Alcatraz, while supporting legendary acts such as the Scorpions. Three highly acclaimed albums further solidified their place in rock history, with their highest chart entry reaching an impressive #6 with the last two albums on the Official German Album Charts, as well as #2 on the German Airplay Single Charts. Witness the birth of a rock revolution as The Gems take centre stage, ready to unleash a storm of pure sonic brilliance. 
 
The Gems commented on 'Send Me To The Wolves': “‘Send Me to the Wolves’ is all about overcoming and fighting back, not letting bullies control the narrative. This empowering track is the perfect mix between groovy 70s rock vibes and our modern sound. It is also the first song we wrote together for The Gems and we love it so much!”

The Gems on Phoenix: "Phoenix marks the beginning, the rise of The Gems. This album takes you on a journey through one of our toughest times. Through this creative process we were able to really dig deep and let go of a lot of emotional baggage, and find true happiness in music again. The new found freedom our band has been given us shines through on this album. We couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished, and the true Rock n Roll Sisterhood and community we've built through these few months of our existence. Phoenix is the perfect album for anyone going through a tough time, having the rug pulled out under you and somehow finding the strength to rebuild. You'll get the full range of emotions, masterfully produced by our dear friend Johan Randén, who we also wrote some of the songs with."

Phoenix will be available in the following formats:
•    1 CD Digisleeve
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Violet
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Blue
•    Deluxe Box, 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Orange, Red Marbled (incl Slipmat, 16p booklet, cotton bag (38x42cm)
•    Digital Album

Captivating, chanting intro track 'Aurora' allows vocalist Guernica Mancini's distinctive, strong and bluesy vocals shine, and sets the scene before the catchy rock’n’roll anthem 'Queens' roars as a celebration of feminine power. Standing up for oneself, fighting back and rising above are some of the main lyrical themes of Phoenix, which 'Send Me To The Wolves' is an outstanding example of. The song’s storyline champions overcoming and not giving in to oppressors, before 'Domino' takes The Gems’ grooviness to the level of legendary classic rock bands of the 70s. With emotional tracks like 'Undiscovered Paths' and 'Fruits Of My Labor', The Gems bring significant depth and variety to the album, distancing themselves from their history. Stunning interlude 'Maria's Song', featuring violinist Maria Jern, fades into the touching ballad 'Ease Your Pain' - giving extra space to the exceptional guitar work of Mona 'Demona' Lindgren. Following track 'Running' shines as a surefire future hit with more impressive guitar work and Emlee Johansson’s hard hitting drums, before the beautifully stripped down acoustic version of 'Like A Phoenix' - backed with acoustic guitar by producer Johan Randén - wraps up The Gems’ debut album. Phoenix was mastered by Plec Johannsons (Soilwork, Hank von Hell, Firewind) and its artwork was created by ex-Thundermother member Giorgia Carteri (Soilwork, The Nightflight Orchestra).

It is clear that the seasoned musicians of The Gems won’t settle in the shadows of their prior successes. With their fresh, convincing debut offering, The Gems take a stand and leave the past behind. Make no mistake - with Phoenix, The Gems will conquer the international rock scene in a heartbeat.
 
The Gems are:
Guernica Mancini – Vocals 
Emlee Johansson – Drums 
Mona Lindgren – Guitar, Bass

The Gems online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK

Phoenix tracklist:

1          Aurora - Interlude
2          Queens
3          Send Me To The Wolves
4          Domino
5          Silver Tongue
6          Undiscovered Paths
7          Maria's Song - Interlude
8          Ease Your Pain
9          Running
10        Renaissance - Interlude
11        Like A Phoenix
12        P.S.Y.C.H.O
13        Kiss it Goodbye
14        Force Of Nature
15        Fruits Of My Labor
16        Like A Phoenix - Acoustic Version

Photo Credit: Grace Elkin Photography

Progressive death metallers Beyond Grace are banning books and setting pages aflame on their latest single, 'The Burning Season'. It is taken from their forthcoming new EP Welcome To The New Dark Ages Part 1, which is released on 24th November. 

Eschewing the standard album cycle, Welcome To The New Dark Ages will be released as a series of three digital EPs – each of which will include an exclusive cover track, as well as eye-catching artwork by Gary Ronaldson of Bite Radius Designs (Napalm Death, Misery Index, Benighted), all culminating in a physical release which will collect the entire saga together in one cohesive whole.

Watch 'The Burning Season' video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QvLXFIDWU

Welcome To The New Dark Ages Part 1 pre-orders are available here:  https://beyondgrace.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-new-dark-ages-part-1

Vocalist/bass player Andy Walmsley comments: “It only made sense, after going with the obvious water-theme for the 'Here Comes the Flood' video, to follow it up with something fire-based, and once we'd decided that 'The Burning Season' was going to be the lead/main single for the first EP, well... that just sealed the deal.

"Musically speaking 'The Burning Season' is easily one of the heaviest songs we've ever written, and features some of the tightest, sharpest songwriting of our career. 

"The lyrics reflect my own very real fears and anger about the path we're on, where it seems like more and more people are rejecting science in favour of superstition, demonising ideals like compassion and understanding while lionising cruelty and ignorance as if they were virtues. It seems to me that there's not a huge step from banning books to burning them, and if we're not careful – as comfortable and as complacent as we've become – we're in danger of repeating the same mistakes that led to all our past dark ages all over again." 
 

Over the course of two albums (2017's Seekers and 2021's Our Kingdom Undone) and a host of tours and shows supporting the likes of Hour of Penance, Blood Red Throne, The Monolith Deathcult, Cryptopsy, Darkane, and more, the group have built up a dedicated cult-following around the world with their distinctive blend of hook-laden heaviness and subtly proggy extremity. 

Following their split from Prosthetic Records at the end of 2022 the band knew they needed to do something differently. The industry had changed, the musical landscape was still in flux, and the group themselves had experienced a series of trials, tribulations, and tragedies which had changed them in turn – if they were to survive and keep moving forwards.

Thus the seeds for the band’s third album, Welcome to the New Dark Ages, were sown.

Part 1 is set for release on 24th November and features three brand-new tracks – explosive lead-single 'The Burning Season', the cynically savage, prog-tinged 'Buyer's Remorse', and the infectious, in-your-face intensity of 'Misinfodemic' - as well as the band's crushingly creative cover of Peter Gabriel's 'Here Comes the Flood', showcasing an even heavier, angrier, and more aggressive sound while also expanding the group's creative palette with injections of moody clean vocals and brooding atmosphere along the way.

Whether this is the beginning of a whole new era, or simply the soundtrack to the end of the world as we know it, one thing is for certain... this is Beyond Grace at their very best.

Watch the previous video Here Comes The Flood

For more information:

Bandcamp || Facebook || Instagram || TikTok || X || Youtube || Spotify || Apple Music 

Track listing:

1. The Burning Season
2. Buyers Remorse
3. Misinfodemic
4. Here Comes The Flood (Peter Gabriel cover)

Photo Credit: Neil DaCosta

Portland progressive sludge masters Lord Dying will release their long-awaited new full-length, Clandestine Transcendence, on 19th January 2024 via MNRK Heavy, and today unveil their new single / video 'I Am Nothing. I Am Everything'.

Watch the video to 'I Am Nothing. I Am Everything' here: https://youtu.be/lCvbV8J2EVI

Pre-order Clandestine Transcendence here: https://lorddying.ffm.to/clandestinetranscendence

Front man Erik Olson comments: “We are super psyched to announce the release of our new album Clandestine Transcendence on MNRK Heavy, recorded by the incredible Kurt Ballou at God City Studios.  In addition to our new album, we are premiering the first single/video 'I Am Nothing. I Am Everything'. The video was directed by the incomparable Zev Deans, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. We are touring Europe with mighty UK doom legends Conan this Fall. Come out and bang your head! Tour starts in under two weeks. Let’s do this!” 

Lord Dying transform tragedy into triumph. From the earliest rumblings of their first demo and self-titled EP (both issued in 2011), through the piledriving force of Summon The Faithless (2013) and crushing despair of Poisoned Altars (2015), the band have conjured masterfully melancholic heavy music for the misanthropic, with grit and grime.

In 2019, they delivered Mysterium Tremendum, a record Kerrang! declared a “prog-metal masterpiece.” The heady and adventurous existential meditation on death kicked off a trilogy and that story continues in 2023 with an increasingly ambitious follow-up, the aptly named Clandestine Transcendence.
 
Lord Dying cofounders Erik Olson (guitar, vocals) and Chris Evans (guitar) are joined by Alyssa Mocere (former bassist for Eight Bells), and Kevin Swartz (current drummer of Tithe). Chicago Reader crowned Mysterium Tremendum, “a beautiful meditation on tragedy.” Produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou (High On Fire, Code Orange, Kvelertak) at his God City Studios, Clandestine Transcendence steps even further into the great unknown, filled with riffs and vibes.
 
Mysterium Tremendum (Latin for “awe-inspiring mystery” or “terrible mystery,” depending on one’s view of existence) began a narrative centered on a central character the band calls The Dreamer, a conceptual theme that drove expansive, sometimes monstrous, and even plaintive and vulnerable music.
 
Olson describes The Dreamer as an immortal being who wants to die. On Clandestine Transcendence, he gets that wish. “This one is about what happens beyond death,” the frontman explains. Woven throughout the songs, that story and its rich thematic material inform an immersive listen. Tension, drama, and atmosphere abound all over songs like 'The Universe Is Weeping' and 'Unto Becoming.' The massive scope and melodic vocals found on album three expand further on Clandestine Transcendence. Sharpened songwriting, emphasising hooks, helps push both extremes of the band beyond prior limits. Simply put, the softer side is even dreamier; the heavy side is twice as brutal.

Lord Dying are:
Erik Olson – vocals/guitar
Chris Evans – guitar
Alyssa Maucere – bass/vocals
Kevin Swartz – drums

For more information:
http://www.facebook.com/LordDying
http://twitter.com/Lorddying
http://instagram.com/lorddying
https://www.mnrkheavy.com
https://www.facebook.com/MNRKHeavy
https://www.instagram.com/MNRK_heavy
https://www.twitter.com/MNRKHeavy

About MNRK Music Group
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, with recording, music publishing, and management divisions operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists and works with some of the greatest musical talent, including The Lumineers and Pitbull, the music publishing catalog of Chuck Berry, plus premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. The company’s music department services Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producers. Its catalog across divisions consists of 54,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.

Clandestine Transcendence track listing:

1. The Universe Is Weeping
2. I Am Nothing. I Am Everything
3. Unto Becoming
4. Final Push Into The Sun
5. Dancing On The Emptiness
6. Facing The Incomprehensible
7. A Brief Return To Physical Form
8. A Bond Broken By Death
9. Break In The Clouds (In The Darkness Of Our Minds)
10. Soul Metamorphosis
11. Swimming In The Absence
12. The Endless Road Home

Photo Credit: Mind Art Visual

KK's Priest - the iconic heavy metal group of Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award winning/nominated musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), along with A.J. Mills (guitar), Tony Newton (bass) and Sean Elg (drums) - release new album, The Sinner Rides Again, today via Napalm Records.

In celebration of today's release, the band has revealed another blistering new music video, this time for the menacing track 'Hymn 66'. The weighty riff-fest boasts slow and low, metallic-soaked punches of heavy metal fire. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/5NKkdaGjl3s

The album is already being praised by critics around the world as an impressive follow up to the band's acclaimed 2021 debut. “The Sinner Rides Again is an absolutely ripping metal record, with a huge, gleaming production job and performances that crackle with passion and intensity," offers Blabbermouth, while Metal Hammer UK lauds the album as “…tapping into the fist-pumping energy of classic heavy metal like it’s 1983 all over again.”

Purchase the album here: https://lnk.to/KKsPriest-TheSinnerRidesAgain/napalmrecords

K.K. Downing says about 'Hymn 66' and today's album release: "It’s time to take a look into another world - a world where the most powerful have to succumb to enduring their penance for all eternity. So best beware, as those of the highest power may one day gather to summon you as their victim, and be certain there will be no escape as your presence will be demanded by singing 'Hymn 66'!

"I am truly excited that the time has come to release our second album, The Sinner Rides Again. I hope that fans all over the metal world will enjoy it, and I am looking forward to playing these songs for you on our upcoming world tour."

Make sure to catch KK’s Priest on their upcoming headline tour of the UK, with support from former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno and Napalm Records labelmates Burning Witches.  See below for all confirmed tour dates:

October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
 
KK’s Priest live one-offs:
December 2, 2023 – Mexico City, MX @ Life After Death Horror Fest
March 2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise

On the heels of their highly-lauded 2021 debut album, Sermons Of The Sinner - which debuted within the Top 20 on charts in the United States, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Finland and more - KK's Priest return to sin again. With The Sinner Rides Again, KK's Pries double down on the ripping melodic force of their debut, Sermons Of The Sinner - which Metal Hammer UK dubbed “hugely enjoyable” and Metal Injection cited as boasting “catchy hooks and plenty of guitar wizardry”. The Sinner Rides Again wields nine tracks of pure hellfire, produced and written by Downing and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen.

After stepping out of the Judas Priest spotlight, the return of K.K. Downing was uncertain. Nearly ten years after its onset, the genre-defining guitar icon returned from his hiatus with proof that he was nowhere ready to cease writing classic metal songs or to put away his famous Flying V guitars - taking part in acclaimed international comeback performances (including with his former Judas Priest bandmates when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022) that would act as harbingers of the formation of KK's Priest.

Downing was recently quoted saying, “We've lost a lot of great people – Dio, Lemmy, for example – but this amazing and unique style of music must be preserved for as long as possible and I feel it within me to continue to play my role, as I always have, and to defend this metal genre, which we all know and love.” The Sinner Rides Again is a testament to this call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.
 
KK's Priest are:
Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
K.K. Downing - Guitar
A.J. Mills - Guitar
Tony Newton - Bass
Sean Elg - Drums
 
KK's Priest are:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS

The Sinner Rides Again track listing:
1. Sons Of The Sentinel
2. Strike Of The Viper
3. Reap The Whirlwind
4. One More Shot At Glory
5. Hymn 66
6. The Sinner Rides Again
7. Keeper Of The Graves
8. Pledge Your Souls
9. Wash Away Your Sins

The Sinner Rides Again will be available in the following formats:
-Digital Album
-1CD Digipak Edition          
-1LP Gatefold in Black
-Wooden Box Edition (incl. Digipak, Flag, Logo Wristband, Artprint, Patch) - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-1LP Gatefold in Marbled Orange and Black - Napalm International (excl. North America) Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Transparent Orange - Napalm North American Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Orange, Blue and Black Inkspot - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-Cassette Tape Edition in Red with White Print - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 200

Taiwanese black metal duo Laang 冷 have unveiled 'Riluo 日落' the titletrack of forthcoming new album Riluo, to be released 24th November via Talheim Records.

Pre-order Riluo here: https://laang.bandcamp.com/album/riluo
Watch the lyric video to 'Riluo 日落' here: https://youtu.be/FtMt9cPnIEc
Stream: https://laang.bandcamp.com/track/riluo-single

Laang 冷 comment: "'Riluo' is a very personal song to me, and was the most emotional to write. Riluo, meaning 'sunset' reads as a goodbye. Not a goodbye to life, but rather to a past life. Riluo expresses the fears, regrets, and reconciliation of being forever changed by trauma. 'Like leaves in winter, I shiver'. "

Laang 冷 ("cold") are born from an unearthly near-death experience, and the post-traumatic stress suffered by vocalist-guitarist Haitao Yang. The band's music exquisitely explores the pain, misery, and struggle of trauma and recovery - a unique and highly cathartic project.

Laang 冷's musical style combines aggressive and non-canonical black metal riffing with melancholic melodies, tortured vocals performed in Mandarin Chinese, dark orchestras, and traditional erhu & guzheng instrumentation. Haunting and captivating, Laang 冷 provide a highly-charged tormented soundscape - heard throughout the meditative Riluo ("sunset"), with eight new tracks ruminating on death and beyond. 

Although still a relatively new project, Laang 冷's list of achievements so far is impressive. Their debut album Haiyang 海洋 ("ocean") was released in 2019 on Talheim Records, and received the Kaohsiung City National Culture Award, followed by headlining tours through Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 2021 the band released their second album Xinteng 心疼 ("misery"), again on Talheim Records, followed by a headlining North American tour May 2022.

Laang 冷's music has also been featured in several movies and video games, including the Hollywood horror film Antidote (2021), directed by Peter Daskaloff, and the video game Dyslite and Silver Squad.

Laang 冷 are:
Haitao Yang – Vocals, guitar, erhu, synthesizers
Willy “Krieg” Tai – Bass

For more:

https://laang.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/LaangOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/laangblackmetal

Riluo tracklisting:
    
1. Baoyu 暴雨
2. Liuxue de Taiyang 流血的太陽
3. Honghai 紅海
4. Zhemo 折磨
5. Gui Xiang 歸鄉
6. Yequ 夜曲
7. Juren 巨人
8. Riluo 日落

Perpetua are a burgeoning metallic force from Scotland that have cultivated a dynamic and unique sound that will quickly catch the attention of the metal community. They have inked a worldwide deal with Seek and Strike and the first offering via this new partnership comes via an explosive new track, 'Overcome'. Its video can be seen below and showcases the band’s distinctive songwriting prowess, as well as their live performance intensity. Look for their new album next year. 

Watch the 'Overcome' official video here: https://youtu.be/sIGco2DDT_Q

Perpetua state: "The video for ‘Overcome’ is very much tied to the song's message of breaking through the worst of life’s struggles and rebuilding. It shows scenes of the band being tied and bound, and the hectic edit very much conveys the flooding of emotion in which we experience these difficult moments in our lives. We worked with Marc Sharp on this video, as well as the previous single ‘Tethered.' His artistic vision and talent really shines through and that’s something we knew we could count on him for. We all felt that this song perfectly encapsulates the overall musical feel and lyrical message of our upcoming album. 

"We chose to sign with Seek and Strike for many reasons, as we are all fans of their dynamic roster and also the relationship they appear to maintain with their artists. We noticed their quick and significant growth and the label managers are very approachable in all aspects, so we truly feel like we’re united in an awesome partnership.

"We also strived for a more technical and melodic approach in contrast to our previous work. The song structures are now more in-depth and progressively changing. Like the lyrical content, we feel the instrumental aspect of the song itself is very dark and moving. We hope you enjoy it and thanks for your support.” 

Perpetua online:

https://www.facebook.com/PerpetuaUK
https://www.instagram.com/perpetuaband
https://linktr.ee/perpetuaband

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Cornish alt-rock quartet Haunt the Woods today celebrate the release of the magical new album, Ubiquity, out via Spinefarm. 

The album release comes with a video for the track 'Said And Done', which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/hBF_u16oZ-4

Order the album here: https://HauntTheWoods.lnk.to/Ubiquity

The band comment: "Ubiquity is an immersive, sprawling album, defying genre in its attempt to ask the question “What is my place in this failing world?”.

"The world is full of beauty, but also immeasurable pain. This album is an honest, personal account of an emotional journey that everybody can relate to and the earth shattering realisation that life, loss, growth, love, joy and pain are ubiquitous things, that everything is connected, in limitless ways, some of which we cannot even begin to understand.

"We are so proud of this record, and it is our most collaborative and ambitious collection of work to date. We hope this music can help even just one person."

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