Photo Credit: Tom Wilkinson

Madcap Australian rockers Battlesnake have unveiled the video for their thunderous single 'Motorsteeple'. 

Watch: https://youtu.be/zVABLkcsfD8

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

The band comment: "So it begins... The Motorsteeple cometh on tracks of vengeful steel, the steeple pierces the sky with its chrome spire. A colossal church that hath no breaks, bound to the road eternally."

'Motorsteeple' comes before the band's first ever tour of UK and Europe, including appearances at The Great Escape and Bearded Theory festivals.

Dates for The Intercontinental Slither tour as follows:

May 15-18: UK Brighton The Great Escape
May 19: UK Manchester Gullivers
May 21: UK Bristol Crofters
May 22: UK London Black Heart
May 23: UK Bearded Theory
May 24: BE Liege La Zone
May 25: NL The Hague Sniester Festival

Tickets on-sale from: www.battlesnake.com.au

Battlesnake have already set tongues ablaze in the Australian scene - a seven-piece vortex emerging from the depths of the underworld. With a powerful sound that can best be described as the genetically-engineered cyborg super-child of Queen, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and Judas Priest, the band have quickly gained a reputation for their high-impact live performance and epic, theatrical songwriting.

Battlesnake released their debut EP in 2020, a powerful 6-track release entitled Myths and Legends from Gorbag's Domain. Their first full-length, self-titled, followed in 2023 - exploding them into the wider Australian consciousness. Recently the band have supported titans KISS on their End of The World Tour, The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction on the The World Is a Vampire tour. 

Now, Battlesnake are marching forward, and laying the foundations for their biggest year yet. Mortals tremble, all hail Battlesnake!

Watch Battlesnake's live show at SXSW Sydney: https://youtu.be/QDtBaNHxZrc

Battlesnake are:

Nick Zammit (drums)
Sam Frank (vocals)
Ben Frank (guitar)
Paul Mason (guitar)
Daniel Willington (guitar)
Billy O'Key (keytar)
Elliot Hitchcock (bass)

For more: 

https://www.instagram.com/battlesnakeband
https://www.facebook.com/battlesnakeband
https://www.youtube.com/@BattlesnakeTV
https://sptfy.com/PVxI

Guitar virtuoso and progressive instrumentalist Nick Johnston has announced the release of his new album, Child of Bliss, set for 8th March. Nick has also unveiled a video for the first single and title track from the record.

Watch the video to 'Child of Bliss' here: https://youtu.be/Dmb-na5kW7I

Pre-order Child of Bliss here: https://www.sheethappenspublishing.com/artists/nick-johnston

On the new single /  video, Nick comments: "'Child of Bliss' is a great representation of where I'm at as a musician. Instrumental music written on a piano and expressed on the electric guitar. I'm always looking for new ways of expressing myself and my melodies, and having string and brass accompaniment on this track really helps build the world that this song tries to live in. I'm happy with every aspect of this piece!"
 
Nick Johnston will tour Europe in 2024 as part of the Electric Guitarlands tour with Angel Vivaldi, Florian Opahle and Rowan Robertson. Dates to be announced soon. Nick will also appear at the Larvick Guitar Festival on 16th March alongide Nili Brosh and more.

On his seventh album, Child of Bliss, Nick explores new territory on his latest musical journey. Having discovered a love of synths over the COVID lockdown, Child of Bliss boasts layers of textures and atmosphere, which complement his unique and innovative guitar playing style.
 
With Nick handing keys / synths and guitar duties, Child of Bliss features a collection of incredible guest musicians who help bring his creative vision fully to life: Eli Bishop (strings),  Liam Mitro (sax, woodwinds) Mark Rynkun (bass) and Thomas Lang (drums). The album was mixed by Scott Giffin and mastered by Noah Mintz.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Nick Johnston is known for his catchy, melody-driven instrumental music. With his guitar, Nick has been able to carve out his own unique style within a crowded landscape of instrumental guitarists. Nick is a firm believer that “you are what you eat” and that by listening to many different styles, a songwriter can be exposed to different harmonies, rhythms, time signatures and tones. This eclectic inspiration is evident in his sound, which ranges from blues to prog, to jazz, to gypsy, spanning anything and everything in-between. Though his style is ever evolving, his music is consistently detailed and technical while managing to be instantly recognisable as Nick Johnston. 

Nick Johnston online:
nickjohnstonmusic.com
facebook.com/nickjohnstonofficial
instagram.com/nickjohnstonmusic

Child of Bliss track list:

1 Black Widow Silk    
2 Child of Bliss
3 Through The Golden Forest    
4 Moonflower    
5 Himawari    
6 Memento Vivere
7 Little Thorn
8 Voice On The Wind

Photo Credit: Kidpixel & Travis Nesbit

Canadian rock trio Royal Tusk have released a video for their new single 'Hated', taken from their third full-length album, Altruistic, due 23rd February via MNRK Music Group.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/8MC4F7I1fAs

Stream here: https://royal-tusk.ffm.to/hated

Royal Tusk bottle raw feelings of alienation into a clarion call on 'Hated'. The soaring melody resounds with undeniable honesty underlined by fret-burning lead licks.

“It was written from the point-of-view of someone who is labeled unredeemable,” said frontman, Daniel Carriere. “It doesn’t campaign for this person’s innocence, but it poses a question. If our world can’t believe an individual can change, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Change is a running theme for this body of work. I think people can and do change. It’s the hardest thing, yet it’s possible.”

Pre-order / pre-save Altruistic here: https://royal-tusk.ffm.to/altruistic

Spending nearly a year writing throughout the pandemic, the trio eventually hunkered down in Alberta’s Audio Department recording studio where they self-produced Altruistic. In the midst of the process, Carriere wound up in the throes of a year-long battle to get healthy after suffering from a blood clot in his lung. He lost over 20lbs and could barely speak. 

“Sandy [bassist] and Quinn [guitarist] helped me through the entire experience,” Carriere said. “These songs were written prior to this life-changing event, but they still tell a story of struggle, suffering, uncertainty, courage, and watching your back. It’s bizarre how that happened. When I think of them now, they definitely illustrate what we all went through.”

With an unwavering determination, the band faced highs and lows that pushed them to the brink, including an almost career-ending illness that threatened to shatter their dreams. Throughout their trials and tribulations of friendships, brotherhood and tenacity prevail. In the documentary, witness the raw emotion, sweat, and imaginative determination as they pour their hearts and souls into creating what is undeniably one of the most powerful rock albums of the decade. 

It's a story of passion, triumph over adversity, and the creation of a musical tour de force that will redefine your perception of rock 'n' roll and the human spirit.

Royal Tusk have already released three singles from this record including, 'All My Life', featuring vulnerable verses giving way to a riff-boosted refrain with words of encouragement, then there's 'Head Up', Carriere’s emotionally charged vocal delivery with a head-nodding guitar groove while, 'Relegate' stands out as a different kind of love song. Carriere says, “It’s about slipping away and losing your ground in a relationship like you can’t hold on.”

The Alberta trio consists of Daniel Carriere (vocals), Quinn Cyrankiewicz (guitar), and Sandy MacKinnon (bass). They fuse hypnotic hooks to hard-hitting riffs, offset by untethered rhythms and undeniably honest lyrics. 

In 2014, the band buzzed out of Edmonton with the Mountain EP. They evolved across releases such as DealBreaker (2017) and Tusk II (2018) which Billboard proclaimed “The LP steps beyond what fans heard on DealBreaker”. Among many standouts in their catalogue, 'Curse The Weather' generated 10.4 million+ Spotify streams, followed by 'Aftermath' with 6.8 million Spotify streams. Royal Tusk have toured with Pop Evil, Monster Truck, Slash and Big Wreck, and performed on the 2020 ShipRocked Cruise with Beartooth, Halestorm, and Alter Bridge to name a few. One moment they’ll serve up an earthquake barrage of distortion, only to incite a bold stadium-size singalong in the next breath.

Royal Tusk online:
www.facebook.com/royaltusk
www.twitter.com/royaltusk
www.instagram.com/royaltuskmusic 
www.youtube.com/c/RoyalTusk

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. 

Track listing:

01. Fire In Your Veins    
02. Hated    
03. Head Up    
04. Relegate    
05. All My Life    
06. The Death Of Common Sense    
07. Here On Out    
08. Altruistic    
09. Breathe    
10. Something Like The Truth

Photo Credit: Fragile Gold

German metalcore quartet Avralize have dropped a new single titled 'Higher', their second release through Arising Empire, following recent track 'Lotus'. 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/X6OVIg_dDZU

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

'Higher' reimagines the love narrative, guiding listeners beyond everyday experiences to delve into intense emotional bonds and connections, moving from the tangible to a deeply significant realm.

Valentin (bass) comments: "'Higher' embodies the very essence of Avralize - burning for what you love, sacrificing everything, and pushing the limits further into the unknown. Chased by self-doubt and anxiety, it’s about using this energy as fuel to push forward. With this track, we’re excited to show our clear vision and remind ourselves that in the pursuit of greatness, we must be willing to give everything away."

Having shared the stage with scene heavyweights like Ghostkid, Novelists, Paleface and Of Virtue, the group quickly established a reputation for their energetic live show that turns their crowds into a giant party on a regular basis. Despite their relatively short time as a band since their formation, Avralize have already performed at established festivals like Southside, Hurricane and RockXplosion.

Catch Avralize live:
Mar 30: DE Bietigheim-Bissingen Club 4D
Mar 31: DE Oberndorf am Neckar Neckarhalle

Avralize are:
Severin Sailer | Vocals
Philipp Tenberken | Guitar
Valentin Noack | Bass
Bastian Gölz | Drums

Avralize online:
https://www.instagram.com/avralizemusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@avralizemusic
https://www.facebook.com/avralizemusic
https://twitter.com/avralizemusic

The Wind Covenant return with new single 'Beyond The Mortal Sight'. It's the second track to be taken from forthcoming EP, Hiraeth, which drops on 8th March via Seek and Strike. 

Watch the 'Beyond The Mortal Sight' video here: https://youtu.be/IopN2bpg-Bg

Pre-save Hiraeth EP here: https://orcd.co/hiraethep 

The Wind Covenant said of the new single: “Our new track, 'Beyond The Mortal Sight' explores the legacy we leave behind after our departure. As we navigate life, our decisions often aim to make a lasting impact through our achievements, yet we may overlook the consequences these choices have on our personal connections with our loved ones. When we’re no longer here, what remains and how we are remembered are primarily the good and bad actions we've committed towards those closest to us. The writing process began with the instrumentals, and the vocals and lyrics were subsequently crafted to complement them. A few iterations were made to ensure the seamless cohesion of the music and vocals. Due to the intensity of the message and the emotional lyrics, we believe that this song stands out as one of the most defining tracks on the EP.

"Our main goal is to guide listeners through an emotive journey, inviting them to appreciate not only the genre essentials (impactful breakdowns and riffs), but also the deeply personal lyrics, unique sound elements, melodic intricacies and a solemn mood that transcends genres. If you’re looking for a band that brings a different flavour to the scene, we encourage you to give us a listen."

The Wind Covenant online:
https://www.facebook.com/thewindcovenant 
https://www.instagram.com/thewindcovenant

Hiraeth tracklist:

1. Beyond The Mortal Sight
2. The Wonders We Leave Behind
3. Doomed
4. The Straight And Narrow
5. Devotion

Grungy rockers Marisa And The Moths have released their new single, 'SAD', from their highly-anticipated second album, What Doesn't Kill You, due for release 3rd May.

Stream here: https://music.marisaandthemoths.com/sad

Pre-order the album here: https://marisaandthemoths.com/pre-order

Drawing inspiration from bands like Alter Bridge and Evanescence, Marisa And The Moths have created a sound that is both familiar and innovative. Drawing inspiration from pop-infused alt rock bands like Paramore and Flyleaf, 'SAD' is an exploration of the unspoken struggles beneath a seemingly content exterior.

On the single, Marisa comments, "This song is about the shame of feeling sad while projecting a different narrative to the outside world. It's the challenge of wearing a happy face while, internally, your world feels like it's falling apart. I wrote this song when I found myself in a situation where, despite logically recognizing things to be grateful for, I couldn't escape those overwhelming emotions. When I've opened up to people in the past, they have inadvertently belittled how I felt, saying things like 'it'll pass' or 'focus on the positive.' Sometimes all you want is to feel heard or listened to, but societal norms often mean that surface-level observations define how we are perceived. I think this is a universal situation that all of us find ourselves in at times, regardless of your social standing, wealth, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation."

'SAD' is another taste of what fans can expect from Marisa And The Moths' forthcoming second album. The album promises a collection of dynamic and diverse tracks that showcase the band's growth and musical evolution.

Known for their electrifying live performances, Marisa And The Moths have built a loyal and dedicated fanbase. Their ability to connect with audiences through their music and energetic stage presence has earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting rock bands on the alt-scene today.

Marisa And The Moths will be touring the album at a series of headline dates, as follows:

May 02: Reading Sub 89
May 03: Cardiff The Globe
May 04: Southampton The Loft
May 10: Manchester Star and Garter
May 11: Nottingham Rock City Beta
May 12: London Underworld
Jun 07: Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Jun 08: Newcastle Grove

Tickets from: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/marisa-and-the-moths

Marisa And The Moths (pronounced Muh-rees-ah) are one of the hottest unsigned rock acts in the UK right now. Their debut self-titled LP hit #66 in the Official Downloads Chart and has amassed hundreds of thousands of streams globally - as well as rave reviews from Kerrang!, Classic Rock, BBC Radio 2 Rock Show, and many more.

Marisa And The Moths are a group who bring to mind the best hard rock and grunge bands of the 90s, all while adding their own modern twist. Turning heads with their alternative rock sound and powerhouse vocals, frontwoman Marisa's raw and honest lyrics make for a unique and compelling listen. The band's 2023 run of singles have offered an intimate look at her grief in overcoming an abusive relationship, and an honest insight into her battle with anxiety, depression, whilst dealing with a relapsing eating disorder, amongst other things. Listeners can expect both hope and despair as they navigate through each track.

The band kicked off 2023 with their Damned If I Do EP, featuring singles 'Wither Away', 'Pedestal', and 'If You Knew', giving listeners a taste of what's to come with their forthcoming second album. 

With previous headline tours under their belt, support slots for artists like Kris Barras Band, Von Hertzen Brothers, Those Damn Crows, Elvana and As December Falls as well as appearances at festivals like 2000 Trees, Planet Rockstock and Primordial Radio's General Mayhem, Marisa And The Moths have proven themselves to be a top-tier live act.

Follow the band on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3bUzFMP

See more: https://linktr.ee/marisaandthemothsband

Purchase Marisa And The Moths' first LP here: https://www.marisaandthemoths.com/

Marisa And The Moths are:

Marisa Rodriguez / Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Songwriter
Liam James Barnes / Bass, BVs
Alex Ribchester / Drums
Alessio D'Elia / Lead Guitar

What Doesn't Kill You tracklisting: 

1: Cursed
2: Get It Off My Chest
3: Borderline
4: Wither Away 
5: Gaslight
6: State of Mind (Interlude)    
7: Who Are You Waiting For?
8: Pedestal
9: Straight-Laced
10: Fake It Till You Make It
11: SAD
12: Serotonin
13: Just Like Me
14: Sense Of Self (Interlude)
15: Devil You Know
16: Lungs

American progressive metal troupe Artificial Language have returned with their dynamic third offering Distant Glow EP, which is set for self release on 22nd March 2024.  

'Skinwalker' is streaming everywhere now, watch the video here: https://youtu.be/nyHudUCLQIM

Pre-orders for Distant Glow EP available soon.

The band comment: "Skinwalker is the concluding track to the Distant Glow EP. Sonically, it’s a slight step towards an aggressive sound for the group. It’s a song that lyrically deals with manipulation - one can be manipulated by loved ones, religious figures, people in power, and even our own social statuses we’ve built for ourselves. The EP’s narrative draws to a close by dealing with the consequences of this." 

Founded in 2015, the Californians exude a musical performance full of feeling, littered with jaw dropping vocal melodies, virtuosic ensemble playing, mind-bending riffs and a crushing rhythm section, bringing to the fore a hugely evocative, contrasting and inventive prog-orgasmic soundscape.

Forthcoming release Distant Glow EP is a bold and complex record, pushing the boundaries of technical musicianship, song construction, sonic production and more. Artificial Language's finely-crafted and fully mature songwriting delivers beyond musical excellence – the songs on offer across the EP are written with interwoven multiple themes. An exploration of the consequences of choices that are made languish at the surface. Lyrically set during a dust bowl-like apocalyptic event which centres around a father and son tangled in a web of conspiracy, the EP explores coincidental events during his son's birth, the father must make a choice to believe whether his son is an innocent soul or a harbinger of annihilation. 

From the killer high energy opener, 'Two Faced Star', until the very dying moments of the boldly aggressive 'Skinwalker', a dark piece about manipulation written from the point of view of a cult leader, which brings the Distant Glow EP to a thrilling conclusion, Artificial Language scale musical heights and demonstrate remarkable creative drive, eschewing the hallmarks of a future classic in the progressive genre.

Elements of prog metal in the vein of Leprous and Haken meld with stadium-filling anthems not far removed from Muse, with the musical eclecticism and wit of Between The Buried and Me.

Led perfectly by Shay Lewis’s brilliantly powerful, emotive vocals, and backed by the technical skill and intensity of Victor Corral (guitar), Charlie Robbins (guitar), Josh Riojas (bass), Jonathon Simpson (keys) and Jeron Schapansky (drums), Artificial Language are a group ready to ascend to the next level.

The band self-released their debut album The Observer in April 2017 to worldwide critical acclaim, followed by Now We Sleep in May of 2019 which featured guest vocals from Michael Lessard of The Contortionist on the title track. The band set out on their first tour in spring of 2022, headlining in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Artificial Language made their European debut in the Summer of 2022 with a UK Tour and performance at the renowned metal festival UK Tech Fest. 

Artificial Language are:
Vocals - Shay Lewis
Lead Guitar -  Charlie Robbins
Rhythm Guitar - Victor Corral
Bass - Josh Riojas
Keys - Jonathon Simpson
Drums - Jeron Schapansky 

Artificial Language online:
https://artificiallanguage.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/artificiallanguageofficial
https://www.instagram.com/artificiallanguageofficial/
https://twitter.com/artificiallband
https://www.youtube.com/@artificiallanguage

TRACKLISTING:
1. Two Faced Star
2. Rain Follows
3. Stranded
4. House of Hoarded Sands
5. Skinwalker

Canadian post-hardcore band Rarity have released a video for 'OKAY', which was released as a double single alongside 'Keep It To Yourself' earlier this year. The tracks are a taste of what's to come from the band's eagerly awaited, yet-to-be-revealed third album, due later this year via New Damage Records.

Check out the video for 'OKAY' here: https://youtu.be/3EtlXgyEvkA

Stream 'Keep It To Yourself' and 'OKAY' here: https://raritystream.com/ndrd208

Drummer Evan Woods comments: 

“We knew immediately after writing the song 'OKAY' that this was the video we had to make. Proudly self-produced and possibly our craziest idea yet, we piled into the back of a tractor trailer and gave the highway the best performance of its life.”

Watch the video for 'Keep It To Yourself' here: https://youtu.be/uhR0r1axElk

Originally uniting in 2014, the members of Rarity started touring straight out of high school and quickly amassed an avid following. In 2015, the Hamilton, ON-based outfit dropped their debut EP, Alive in Your Eyes, featuring the breakout single 'Anne Hathaway' and showcasing a mature blend of buoyant pop-punk and intricate post-hardcore that belied their relative youth.
 
A critically-acclaimed full-length, I Couldn’t Be Weaker, came the next year and, with fan-favourites like 'Stranger' and 'Exhale', proved the band’s quick rise to prominence was well-earned. Rarity saw their stock soar to impressive heights with high-profile tours and festival slots and, for a while, it seemed that they were unstoppable.
 
But then, in 2017, the band watched as their foundation started to weather and crumble. They faced a cesspool of legal struggles, illnesses, strained relationships, and the departure of two founding members. That left drummer Evan Woods, singer Loeden Learn, and guitarist Adam Clarke with some difficult decisions.
 
It would’ve been easy to throw in the towel – and they almost did – but self-doubt, strain, and conflict soon spurred unbridled creativity and Rarity, augmented by the addition of bassist Cole Gardner in 2018, realised there was plenty to fight for.
 
The band emerged in 2019 with their critically praised comeback record The Longest Lonesome, which was still rooted in accessible, hook-laden melodies, but with a sharper edge and more potent distillation of their various influences – from metal and hardcore to pop-punk, alternative, and much in between.
 
Now, Rarity look forward to starting their next chapter in 2024, re-energised and with a new found wealth of creativity, as they continue to carve their own niche in the pop-punk/post-hardcore scene. 

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

Photo Credit: Aslak Junttu

Swedish heavyweights thrown follow up on their previous singles 'guilt' and 'on the verge' - the latter having made a significant impact by hitting the Viral Top-50 in both the USA and Australia this year, and together amassing over seven million streams worldwide - with their brand new track 'backfire'.

'backfire' hits back hard, flipping the script on haters and standing tall against the unwarranted shade and obsession thrown its way. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/PV0GgQJubq8?list=PLTxuMaO_UnYWrtmQGs22BDUfl45IpuUZo

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

Last year thrown released their debut EP EXTENDED PAIN which has been sitting in Spotify's Top 200 Global Metal Chart for almost a year, with over 36 million streams across its five songs. From zero to nearly 1M listeners with their explosive tracks, thrown took the stage by storm touring with Knocked Loose, Fit For A King, Emmure. Counterparts and other massive artists throughour the US and Europe.

Catch the band live this year on tour with August Burns Red and Dying Wish in Europe (UK dates below), the US with Body Snatcher, and many summer festivals.

21.03.24 UK Manchester @ O2 Ritz
22.03.24 UK London @ Electric Ballroom
23.03.24 UK Bristol @ Marble Factory

thrown are:
Marcus Lundqvist | vocals
Johan Liljeblad | guitar
Andreas Malm | guitar
Buster Odeholme | drums

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/thrownband
https://www.instagram.com/thrownband
https://www.tiktok.com/@thrownband
https://twitter.com/thrownsthlm