Canadian post-hardcore quartet Rarity will make their long-awaited return this year, with the release of their third album Lower Feeling on 7th June via New Damage Records. The band have also revealed a video for their new single 'Brain Dance'. 

Check out the video for 'Brain Dance' here: https://youtu.be/2bN3g7neyRM

Stream 'Brain Dance' here: https://raritystream.com/braindance

Pre-order Lower Feeling here: https://www.dinealonestore.com/collections/rarity

Vocalist Loeden Learn comments: 

"This song is all about cruising in the left lane, going a bit too fast while everything else seems to slow down. It's about hopping in the car, hitting the gas with one mission: getting home as soon as possible. Once you're there, it's all about locking the door, slipping back into your room, and zoning out from the world for a while longer."

Rarity's follow-up to 2019's lauded record, The Longest Lonesome, finds the perfect balance between catchy pop-punk anthems and the gripping intensity of their post-hardcore roots.

Discussing the new album, Learn adds:

"This record at the end of the day is about growth. Growth as human beings, growth as friends, growth as four musicians trying to make the best songs they possibly can in a band they love. This record is a record of love, a record of passion and a record of brutal honesty. The lyrics are personal and introspective, with themes that I absolutely hated talking about with every fibre of my being. My worst fears and greatest dreams. This record is about losing self control, not being able to hold your brain together in times of sadness and pain, and taking things you have no control over way too seriously.

"While the lyrics may convey feelings of sadness and anger, the record itself couldn’t be further from. We loved writing this record, and we miss waking up every day being able to make this record. It is everything Rarity as a band have always wanted to be, and we’re just so happy to be here. We’re happy we’re able to make music and live this crazy emotional rollercoaster of a life that we live. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We truly sincerely hope people enjoy Lower Feeling as much as we enjoyed making it, because we really truly loved every second of it."

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

Lower Feeling Tracklisting: 

1. Keep it to Yourself  
2. OKAY 
3. Brain Dance 
4. who gives a fuck?
5. Kiss! 
6. Sick to my Stomach 
7. New Paint 
8. Creature Comfort 
9. Shit Eater 
10. Ignore Everything

Photo Credit: Andrew Basso

Fresh off the back of supporting UK giants TesseracT across Australia in May, Melbourne phenomenon Future Static head on their first ever UK headline tour this July and August - the Liminality Tour, alongside their highly anticipated appearance at Radar Festival in Manchester. 

Tour Dates:

July 24: UK Glasgow, Garage Attic
July 25: UK Newcastle, Zerox
July 26-28: UK Manchester, Radar Festival
July 29: UK Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
July 30: UK Birmingham, Asylum 2
July 31: UK Bristol, The Louisiana
Aug 01: UK London, 229
Aug 2-3 - CH Open Air Gränichen

Tickets: - Futurestatic.Net

An innate fusion of metalcore, progressive metal, alternative rock, and pop sensibilities, their fierce sonic output is epitomised by infectious hooks against their explosive sound. The group are led by their breathtaking lead vocal tandem, a magical chemistry of bassist Kira Neil, alongside the electrifying Melbourne born, Barcelona raised front-woman Amariah Cook. 

Now one of Australia’s most talked about breakthrough heavy acts, Future Static unveiled their critically acclaimed debut album, Liminality, on 24th November 2023 via Wild Thing Records - landing #1 on the Australian AIR Independent Album charts. Following taking the Australian live circuit by storm and their first international touring adventures, the release of Liminality marked the next step in the band’s hugely promising career. 

In the UK, Future Static early on were championed by Alex Baker of Kerrang! Radio, announcing “big things are on the horizon for this band”. Stunning UK reviews of Liminality followed, with Soundsphere Magazine proclaiming “Future Static are one of the most exciting bands on the planet…They have put out an album that is the future of metal”, while Metal Hammer declared they’re “striking a balance between enormity and viciousness that makes their debut album Liminality so fresh and exciting”.

Last fall, the group concluded their first international jaunt across Europe and the UK, including dates with The Omnific, plus appearances at legendary German festivals Reeperbahn and Euroblast. At home, Future Static have toured with German superstars Electric Callboy, Ukrainian prog-metal powerhouse Jinjer, and Eurovision alumni Aussies Voyager, plus being hand-picked for shows with artists as diverse as Crossfaith, Alpha Wolf, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, Caligula's Horse, Clowns, RedHook, Windwaker, Bloom, Circles, and Casey; plus performing at iconic festivals UNIFY, Knight & Day, and more. 

Future Static are primed to make a lasting impression on the global stage, bringing its visceral fusion of heavy and alternative sub-genres to the world at large. Don’t miss out on their very first UK headline tour.

Stream / purchase Liminality here: https://ffm.to/futurestaticliminality

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

Photo Credit: Zachary Jones

American grindcore outfit Full of Hell will release their brand new full-length Coagulated Bliss on 26th April via Closed Casket Activities. The album's first single 'Doors to Mental Agony' premieres today alongside a music video directed by Eric Richter.

Check out the video for 'Doors to Mental Agony' here: https://youtu.be/oZ26WDVpVnQ
Stream 'Doors to Mental Agony' here: https://orcd.co/coagulatedbliss

Dylan Walker (vocals/electronics) comments on the track: "In this life there are many doors. Rural America exists in a vacuum with its own mundane horrors and dead ends. Every person you know will stumble through one of these doors at some point, falling into mistakes that can’t be undone. Look on reality and weep."

Pre-orders for Coagulated Bliss are available here: https://closedcasketactivities.com/collections/full-of-hell

Full of Hell burst forth with incredible force from the small, dagger-shaped city of Ocean City, Maryland, 15 years ago. Over five full-lengths, five collaborative full-lengths, and countless splits, EPs, singles, and noise compilations, they’ve evolved at extraordinary speed, their music becoming more complicated and technical without ever slowing down or losing its soul. Everything on a Full of Hell album feels like a blur: smears of guitar, harsh noise shaken like gravel in a bag, singer Dylan Walker’s snarl and bite carrying him into outer space or into the core of the earth. They’re coiled, interlocking, impossible to penetrate, and they move with alarming speed. 

They have now reached terminal velocity. Having created their own context, they’re now able to walk around within it, to survey its terrain, to visit far corners and see who’s nearby. Their forthcoming album, Coagulated Bliss, sounds like Full of Hell, but it’s nothing like any Full of Hell record that’s come before it. These songs are trimmer, less freighted with anxiety, more interested in opening up than speeding away. Its bile is sometimes funnelled into traditional song structures. It never shies away from the extreme harsh noise, unrelenting spirit, and pitch-black sadness of previous Full of Hell records; if anything, the leanness of these songs makes them feel even heavier. Nevertheless, there are tracks here you might find yourself whistling hours after listening. It’s an extraordinary and unexpected evolution in sound for a band who made their name on rapid metamorphosis, and it’s the logical endpoint of everything Full of Hell has covered so far. “I wanted to try to take every aspect of what we’ve done from previous releases and integrate it into this one,” guitarist Spencer Hazard says.

These songs feel huge, totemic, groundshaking. Take the album's first single, 'Doors to Mental Agony'— which premieres today alongside a music video directed by Erich Richter— which sets up a circle pit, then blasts it apart with a grindcore chorus, and slides away on a slanted riff. 

Coagulated Bliss was written and recorded shortly after Full of Hell completed When No Birds Sang, their collaborative album with Nothing. Working with the Philadelphia shoegazers gave Full of Hell new insight into the emotional and artistic power of classic pop songwriting, and to the importance of following a song where it wants to go. “That was a good experience of learning how to find what actually services a song,” Hazard says. “Even with Roots of Earth Are Consuming My Home, even when we’ve had an extreme grindcore influence, I still wanted it to be catchy.” Walker also cites the band’s work with The Body for helping him to “recognize that there was value in pop music.” Accordingly, Coagulated Bliss features some of Full of Hell’s strongest songwriting: Gone is the frenetic flailing of Garden of Burning Apparitions and Weeping Choir; in its stead is a richer, thicker sound, one that’s considerably less ornamented—and somehow heavier than ever.

While the focus on songwriting already makes Coagulated Bliss the most grounded album in Full of Hell’s catalogue, it’s also the first Full of Hell record that tries in earnest to reflect the world around it—not in some broad, monotony-of-evil way, but the everyday horrors of life in small town America. Three of the four members of the band were raised in Ocean City. Hazard and Bland still live there, while Walker is located in central Pennsylvania and bassist Samuel DiGristine relocated to Philadelphia. “The American dream is small towns,” Hazard says. “But anyone that’s grown up in a small town realizes it’s just as f*cked up in a small town as it is in a big city—if not more, because it’s more condensed.” 

Walker’s lyrics have always framed their suffering with what he calls “fantastical, metaphorical sh*t,” but on Coagulated Bliss his writing is clear and direct. The album’s title is meant partly to reflect the idea of the over-pursuit of happiness leading to misery—whether in addiction, greed, or anything else. “Your happiness is just out of reach and you don’t know why,” he says. “Too much of this bliss, you think you’ve found your endpoint, but it’s really just this small, tiny, little thing that’s going to ruin your f*cking life. And that could be anything."  The album’s viciousness and Walker’s clear reading of the world around him might scan as misanthropy, but it comes from a place of disappointment that’s driven by a deep love for people and life and the world. “There’s not a lot of anger, to be honest,” he says. “I’ve never felt anger when we’re playing, ever. It feels like electricity that’s built up in my body that has to get out. But I feel more profoundly sorrowful than I ever do anger.” 

The world may be in a constant state of bitter flux, but Full of Hell have never sounded more at home in it. “We’ve shed any kind of ‘do we belong in this space, what do people expect of us,’” Walker says. “The joy is in the pursuit.” The loosening of their grip on the direction of their music has made it feel paradoxically closer to the bone. “People tend to burrow themselves so deeply into things they love,” Walker says. “It’s too much of a good thing, and it almost cheapens it.” By paring back their sound, Full of Hell aren’t just finding a new way forward: They’re proving that a little bit less of a good thing can add up to so much more.

See Full of Hell on the road in April and May across North America with Dying Fetus.

Coagulated Bliss was recorded at Developing Nations in Baltimore by Kevin Bernstein, mixed by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio in Van Nuys California and mastered by Nick Townsend of Infrasonic Sound in Los Angeles California. Full of Hell is Spencer Hazard (guitar/electronics), David Bland (drums/vocals), Samuel DiGristine (bass/sax/vocals), and Dylan Walker (vocals/electronics/lyrics), with new guitarist Gabriel Solomon joining following the album’s completion.

For more:
https://www.facebook.com/fullofhell
https://www.instagram.com/fullofhell
https://www.fullofhell.com

1. Half Life of Changelings
2. Doors to Mental Agony
3. Transmuting Chemical Burns
4. Fractures Bonds to Mecca
5. Coagulated Bliss
6. Bleeding Horizon
7. Vomiting Glass
8. Schizoid Rupture
9. Vacuous Dose
10. Gasping Dust
11. Gelding of Men
12. Malformed Ligature

Photo Credit: Sam Singer

The wait is almost over! KK's Priest - featuring Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award winning/nominated musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals) - will kick off their very first international headline tour tomorrow at a sold out show in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Along for the wild ride is L.A. Guns (US dates) and Napalm Records label mates Burning Witches. 
 
In celebration of tomorrow's tour kick off, KK's Priest have dropped a dark, visually eerie new video for the menacing The Sinner Rides Again track 'Keeper Of The Graves'. The high energy track provides a taste of what fans can expect on stage this month.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/X-aWOR431eU

Purchase the album here: https://lnk.to/KKsPriest-TheSinnerRidesAgain/napalmrecords
 
From May onwards KK's Priest will continue onwards with their first ever headline tour and shows in Europe, as well as several festival appearances, including the legendary Wacken Open Air.

K.K. Downing says:
"'The 'Keeper of The Graves' is the defender, the sentinel and the protector of all of the dead. This ageless being, throughout many centuries, has fought many battles with marauders that seek to prey on the souls of the buried and entombed. But alas, it would be inevitable that one day the kiss of Judas would land on his lips and the cold steel of the evil ones would thrust forward and penetrate the heart drawing the blood of death. As the moon turns red, no one will be saved. Who will avenge the 'Keeper of The Graves'?"

This past September, KK's Priest unveiled their blistering sophomore offering, The Sinner Rides Again, to rave reviews. Blabbermouth dubbed it "an absolutely ripping metal record", while Paste stated, "…with all respect to Rob Halford and co., nothing they’ve produced in recent years feels as dynamic and as heavy as the material that their former guitarist has been forging with his project KK's Priest."

The album debuted at #1 on the US Hard Music Albums chart, #3 on the Top New Artist Albums chart and #6 on the Current Rock Albums chart, as well as reaching several high chart entries in Europe. The Sinner Rides Again also landed at #6 on the end of year NACC Heavy radio chart, while resulting as one of the top spun albums of the year at Metal Contraband.
 
With The Sinner Rides Again, KK's Priest 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. The celebrated new album is a call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.

US dates with L.A. Guns and Burning Witches:

07.03.24 US - Fort Lauderdale, FL / Culture Room - SOLD OUT!
08.03.24 US - Mount Dora, FL / Mount Dora Music Hall
09.03.24 US - Destin, FL / Club LA
10.03.24 US - Atlanta, GA / Buckhead Theater
12.03.24 US - Baltimore, MD / Rams Head Live
13.03.24 US - Buffalo, NY / Riverworks
15.03.24 US - St. Charles, IL / Arcada Theatre
16.03.24 US - Columbus, OH / King Of Clubs
17.03.24 US - Pittsburgh, PA / Stage Ae
19.03.24 US - Newport, KY / Megacorp Pavilion
20.03.24 US - Cleveland, OH / Agora Theater
22.03.24 US - Sayreville, NJ / Starland Ballroom
23.03.24 US - Patchogue, NY / Patchogue Theatre
24.03.24 US - Glenside, PA / Keswick Theatre

Catch them live across UK and Europe at the following dates 
Featuring Special Guests: Burning Witches* & Xandria#
 
12.05.24 NL – Utrecht / Tivoli*
14.05.24 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn*
15.05.24 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colossaal*
16.05.24 DE – Hamburg / Docks#
19.05.24 DE – Munich / Backstage#
13.07.24 PL – Wroclaw / A2
 
KK's Priest Festival Tour Dates 
11.05.24 BE – Bomal-sur-Ourthe / Durbuy Rock Festival
18.05.24 DE – Gelsenkirchen / Rock Hard Festival
15.06.24 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Festival
05.07.24 ES – Barcelona / Barcelona Rock Fest
14.07.24 CZ – Vizovice / Masters Of Rock Festival
01.08.24 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air
03.08.24 HU – Szekesfehervar / Fezen Festival
04.08.24 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme Fest
16.08.24 FR – Carhaix / Motocultor
24.08.24 UK – Nottinghamshire / Stonedead Festival

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

Alternative Brightonian quartet El Moono have released their new single 'Haunting', another glimpse of their forthcoming debut album, The Waking Sun, to be released 10th May via Lockjaw Records. 

Pre-orders for The Waking Sun are now available here: 
https://elmoono.lnk.to/thewakingsun

Stream and watch the video here: https://elmoono.lnk.to/haunting

The band comment: "'Haunting' was written from the perspective of my partner. The lyrics address the toxicity of body dysmorphia, and immerse the listener in the body of someone experiencing it. The shoegaze-influenced choruses of 'Haunting' are punctuated by Chris’ blastbeat sections, while Jim’s overdubs of a Rhodes keyboard re-amped through tonnes of reverb are providing the spacey highs. We didn’t have the opportunity to record a real choir for the breakdown, but we layered multiple Zac's alongside vocals from Rebecca Tranter."

The Waking Sun was recorded at Middle Farm Studios with Sam Conevey, and have meticulously carved a fully immersive experience for listeners to explore. El Moono will be unveiling the album at a special session at Dolby Screening Room, London, 8th May, where the album's 360-degree spatial Dolby Atmos mix will deliver depth, clarity, and sonic details unheard of elsewhere. The band will also be giving a Q&A - and tickets will be offered to the first 50 album pre-orders. An additional session will be held on 17th May in Brighton.

RSVP on a limited first come, first serve basis: https://elmoono.lnk.to/thewakingsun

El Moono have also announced their headline tour. Dates as follows:

May 31: Brighton, Hope & Ruin
Jun 01: London, Paper Dress Vintage
Jun 02: EBGBS, Liverpool
Jun 03: Legends, Edinburgh
Jun 05: Bristol, Crofters
Jun 06: Birmingham, Subside
Jun 07: Cheltenham, Frog & Fiddle
Jun 08: Exeter, The Cavern

Get tickets here: bnds.us/3gxjch

The long-awaited album debut marks an exciting turn for El Moono toward the darker and more abrasive - a more mature release from a band already marked for greatness. 

The Waking Sun follows El Moono's highly-regarded 2022 Temple Corrupted EP (released via Lockjaw Records). Previous tours alongside Black Peaks, Haggard Cat, St Pierre Snake Invasion, and Press to MECO elevated El Moono within the new British underground, and the EP release garnered notable praise from Metal Hammer, Kerrang! and Guitar World. With influences of rock, hardcore, metal and grunge, the band's off-kilter and oftentimes mind-bending riffs, emotive songs and expressive lyricism combine to create a sound that’s difficult to pigeonhole.

For more information: 
https://www.elmoono.com
https://www.facebook.com/elmoono
https://www.instagram.com/el.moono
https://twitter.com/elmoono4

The Waking Sun tracklist:
 

1. Dawn
2. Illusionist
3. The Waking Sun
4. The Charm
5. Haunting
6. Chains
7. The First Man On Mars
8. Orbit
9. Phantom
10. Screw Loose
11. Marionettes
12. Soul Eclipse
13. Dusk

Last autumn saw Creeper amplify the scope of their blackened tapestry of sounds, as their latest album Sanguivore demonically danced across an even broader array of influences. Taking in gothic grandeur, swaggering ‘80s style hard rock, and their apparently disparate loves of rock opera and punk, it became their most acclaimed project to date. Hailed by incredible reviews across the board, it went on to win Metal Hammer’s Album of the Year and land at #2 on Kerrang!’s year-end list too.
 
Now Creeper put the sepulchral sounds of Sanguivore back in the spotlight, by revealing the video for the fan-favourite and live staple ‘Lovers Led Astray’. It emerges from the abyss as Creeper prepare to hit the road for this month’s 12 Days Of Night tour.

[Please get in touch with hannah@holdtight.co for a WAV or MP3 for airplay.]

Check out the video for 'Lovers Led Astray' here: https://bit.ly/LoversLedAstray

Stream/purchase Sanguivore here: https://creeper.lnk.to/SanguivorePR

‘Lovers Led Astray’ plays to the anthemic side of the Sanguivore spectrum. William Von Ghould’s devilish croon paints a blood-soaked portrait of obsessive love with a vampiric murder ballad for a hook, while crunching riffs, foreboding synths and whip-cracking rhythms erupt around him. Its accompanying black-and-white video focuses on the band’s charismatic performance and introduces touring member Lawrie Pattison on guitar duties.
 
William Von Ghould says: “We made the video for 'Lovers Led Astray' with one of our favourite visual artists, Harry Steel. The video explores the themes of the song while experimenting with light and shadow. It is an unholy communion of light and dark which threads together the themes of the existing Sanguivore universe, while presenting something new and provocative at the same time.”

Having taken Sanguivore on the road last autumn, with a headline tour that included a sold-out O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Creeper will embark upon their intimate 12 Days Of Night tour next Friday, when they take their nightmarish visions to Dreamland in Margate. Multiple shows are sold-out, but remaining tickets for the tour are available here: https://www.creepercult.com/

Creeper will then head out on an extended North American tour as special guests to Black Veil Brides, interspersed with headline shows in Reno (26th April) and Des Moines (1st May). Their first festival dates of 2024 are already confirmed: 2000trees in July and a headline set at Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival in November.

12 Days Of Night tour dates: 

Mar 15: Margate Dreamland [LOW TICKETS]
Mar 16: Brighton Chalk [SOLD OUT] 
Mar 17: Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms (matinee show) [LOW TICKETS]
Mar 17: Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms (evening show)  [SOLD OUT] 
Mar 18: Norwich Epic 
Mar 20: Newcastle Boiler Shop  [SOLD OUT] 
Mar 21: Leeds Project House 
Mar 22: Lincoln The Drill  [LOW TICKETS]
Mar 23: Sheffield The Leadmill  [SOLD OUT] 
Mar 25: Edinburgh La Belle Angèle
Mar 26: Dublin Whelan's 
Mar 27: Belfast The Limelight 2 
Mar 28: Liverpool Furnace 

For more information:
http://www.creepercult.com/
https://www.facebook.com/creepercult/
https://twitter.com/creepercultuk/
https://www.instagram.com/creepercult/

Sanguivore tracklist:
 
Further Than Forever
Cry To Heaven
Sacred Blasphemy
The Ballad Of Spook & Mercy
Lovers Led Astray
Teenage Sacrifice
Chapel Gates
The Abyss
Black Heaven
More Than Death

Photo Credit: Gustaf Sandholm Andersson

The Gems are giving the celebrations surrounding International Women’s Day later this week an early kickstart by releasing an official music video for their track 'Queens', representing a story of struggle and unity. The trio made up of ex-Thundermother members Guernica Mancini, Emlee Johansson and Mona “Demona” Lindgren released their debut album, Phoenix, on 26th January 2024, which has already won high praise from fans and the press.

Watch the 'Queens' video here: https://youtu.be/_LJrPJhAN4Y

With their previous band, The Gems toured with Scorpions, played a VR concert during the Covid pandemic in Berlin's iconic Olympiastadion, as well as performed at many huge international festivals such as Wacken, Sweden Rock and Alcatraz. Now, as a Phoenix, they rise from the ashes and return with even more extraordinary songs. 

The Gems on 'Queens': “Queens is our tribute to all the strong individuals who have paved the way for us all. We want to remind people about the tough roads they had to walk on, for us to have the possibilities that we have today, as well as acknowledging that the work is far from done and that we aim to carry on in their footsteps.”

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 are conquering the international rock scene.

Phoenix is available in the following formats:
•    Die Hard Edition, 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Orange, Red Marbled (incl Slipmat, 16p booklet, cotton bag (38x42cm) – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Blue – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Violet – The Gems Shop exclusive – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide
•    1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
•    1 CD Digisleeve
•    Digital Album
 
The Gems live 2024:
18.05.24 SE – Stockholm / Downtown Riot
06.06.24 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival 
12.-13.07.24 DE – Neukirchen / Dong Open Air 2024  
10.08.24 SE – Falköping / Nestorfest  
16.-17.08.24 DE – Sulingen / Reload Festival  
31.08.24 DE – Wisselsheim / Wisselsheim Rockt 24  

More dates to be announced.

The Gems are:
Guernica Mancini – Vocals 
Emlee Johansson – Drums 
Mona 'Demona' Lindgren – Guitar, Bass

The Gems online:
FACEBOOK
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Phoenix track list:
a
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: James Rexroad

Iconic GRAMMY-winning U.S. rock band High on Fire have released a video for new single 'Burning Down', taken from their upcoming full-length Cometh the Storm due for release on 19th April via MNRK Heavy. 

Watch the video for 'Burning Down' here: https://youtu.be/2eaYjKB_Phc

Pre-order/save High on Fire's Cometh the Storm here.

The 'Burning Down' video was captured live and on location at GodCity by Jason Zucco during the recording of Cometh the Storm. Portions of the video footage feature direct takes of the album's recording sessions, including the fervent vocals of Matt Pike. 

The 'Burning Down' video drop follows the release of a haunting, fever dream visualizer for the powerhouse song, created by Lars Kristoffer Hormander. Experience High on Fire's 'Burning Down' visualizer here: https://youtu.be/MJ9yIWBb4pY

“'Burning Down' kicks off with a classic Pike riff,” says Jeff Matz. “I think this song harkens back to the early High on Fire sound, but infused with fresh, new elements. It has a killer groove that you can really sink into. The body of the song took shape in our PNW rehearsal space, and we came up with the bridge/solo section and finalized the arrangement while we were at GodCity. Kurt Ballou’s input as a producer was also hugely helpful. His keen ears and fresh perspective were invaluable in making this album.”

The GRAMMY Award-winning group, celebrating their 25th anniversary, recorded Cometh the Storm at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort - the band's ninth studio album - marks the release of the first new High on Fire music since 2018's Electric Messiah and the first to feature drummer Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils), alongside bassist Jeff Matz, and guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike.
 
It has been more than five years since the band’s revered Electric Messiah earned High on Fire ‘Best Metal Performance’ at the 2018 GRAMMY Awards, placing the unit among the ranks of groups such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as winners of the prestigious award. “Being nominated for a Grammy was pretty mind blowing, but winning one was truly surreal,” says bassist Jeff Matz. “A Grammy win was certainly not something we were aiming for, but it’s quite an honor to be recognized in that way, and we are grateful. In terms of how it’s affected us, it has definitely opened some new doors—we’ve gained some new fans and wider recognition, but it hasn’t changed how we approach our craft. We’ve always tried to create uncompromising music that feels good to us, and is in line with what we would want to listen to.”
 
In the half decade since the band’s Grammy nod, the world has seismically shifted and is a different place. The same can be said for High on Fire. The band’s musical archetype has been modded, morphed, and evolved; its blast radius widened. Bassist Jeff Matz joined Mutoid Man and traveled abroad to study and learn the techniques of Middle Eastern folk music and the plucked string instrument, the bağlama (or saz), Matt Pike formed a solo band, released an LP, and toured the U.S., and world-renowned percussionist, Coady Willis, he of Melvins, Big Business, and Murder City Devils united with Pike and Matz to breathe new life into the group a quarter century into their captivating career.
 
The lead track on High on Fire’s new album, Cometh the Storm, is the invigorating 'Burning Down', a vigorous barrage which exemplifies the prowess the unification of the three professional musicians owns. 

Universally recognized as one of the most potent acts in music today, High on Fire creates dynamic metal that merges primal fury and aggression, hesher bombast and hall of fame heaviness. Described as "a supersonic exercise in conquest by volume," High on Fire has rewritten the hard rock rule book since their formation in 1998, forging a style and sound that is both critically celebrated and unique. The group features vocalist and cult guitar hero Matt Pike (also a founding member of the famed underground band SLEEP) singular bassist Jeff Matz, and powerhouse drummer Coady Willis. 

High on Fire recently announced new EU and UK tour dates this Summer.

Jun 04: CZ Brno Kabinet MUZ
Jun 10: DE Hamburg Bahnhof Pauli
Jun 11: DE Cologne Gebäude 9
Jun 12: NL Nijmegen Doornroosje
Jun 14: UK London Islington Assembly Hall
Jun 15: UK Manchester Rebellion
Jun 16: UK Glasgow Slay
Jun 17: UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Jun 18: UK Bristol Thekla
Jun 20: FR Wasquehal The Black Lab
Jun 25: FR Toulouse Le Metronum
Jun 26: ES Bilbao Kafe Antzokia
Jul 02: DE Aschaffenburg Colos Saal
Jul 03: CH Dudingen Bad Bonn
Jul 04: IT Torino Ziggy
Jul 06: AT Vienna Arena

High on Fire are:
Matt Pike: guitar, vocals
Jeff Matz: bass, guitar, bağlama, mellotron, percussion
Coady Willis: drums, percussion, vocals

High on Fire online:
https://www.facebook.com/highonfire
https://twitter.com/HighonFireBand
https://www.instagram.com/highonfireband
https://mnrkheavy.com

Track-list: 
1. Lambsbread (5:45)
2. Burning Down (6:13)
3. Trismegistus (5:36)
4. Cometh The Storm (6:12)
5. Karanlık Yol (3:46)
6. Sol’s Golden Curse (4:52)
7. The Beating (2:29)
8. Tough Guy (3:44)
9. Lightning Beard (3:33)
10. Hunting Shadows (5:40)
11. Darker Fleece (9:59)

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.To learn more visit mnrk.com.

Photo Credit: Goran Fransman

Finnish progressive rock masters Von Hertzen Brothers have recently released their magical live performance at Tavastia, Finland, recorded in 2023. Performing songs across their extensive catalogue, Live at Tavastia was released as a live album on 16th February, and the concert is available to watch as an on-demand stream.

Today, the band have unveiled another video, this time for the live version of 'Frozen Butterflies'.

Watch the video for 'Frozen Butterflies' here: https://youtu.be/EPNzQzi_QZg

Watch the full show on demand here: https://vonhertzenbrothers.vhx.tv/

Shop Live at Tavastia here: https://www.vonhertzenbrothers.com/

Live at Tavastia was released as a limited edition (1000) gatefold double vinyl LP, limited edition (1000) gatefold double CD, and on all streaming platforms.

Live at Tavastia is the first release since Von Hertzen Brothers' highly acclaimed 2022 album Red Alert in the Blue Forest, which Prog magazine described as "A masterpiece". Von Hertzen Brothers have consistently achieved top 5 albums including three number 1s in their homeland with Love Remains the Same (2008), Stars Aligned (2011), Nine Lives (2013), New Day Rising (2015), War Is Over (2017) and Red Alert In The Blue Forest (2022).

Their ability to mould complex arrangements into vivid musical landscapes led to an Emma Award (the Finnish equivalent of a Grammy) and a Progressive Music ‘Anthem of the Year’ Award in the UK as well as nominations and plaudits along the way.

This success has made them one of the most important rock acts to have emerged from Finland in recent times. A stunning live force, the band have performed in 22 countries.

The three brothers are joined by one of Finland’s finest drummers, Sami Kuoppamäki, known for the acclaimed Finnish cult band Kingston Wall, and for performing in metal giants Apocalyptica and Stratovarius. Visionary keyboard player, Robert Engstrand, best known for his work with Turisas and the Swedish progressive band The Flower Kings completes the Von Hertzen Brothers line-up.

Next year Von Hertzen Brothers will enter the studio to record their ninth studio album, more news soon.

Von Hertzen Brothers are:
Mikko von Hertzen - vocals, guitars
Kie von Hertzen -  guitars, vocals
Jonne von Hertzen - bass, keyboards, vocals
Sami Kuoppamäki - drums
Markus Pajakkala - keyboards, woodwind, percussion, vocals

Von Hertzen Brothers online:  
http://www.vonhertzenbrothers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/vonhertzenbrothersofficial
https://www.instagram.com/vonhertzenbrothers/
https://www.youtube.com/vonhertzenbrothers
https://twitter.com/vonhertzenbros

Track list:
1. Day of Reckoning
2. Blue Forest
3. The Promise
4. Frozen Butterflies
5. Jerusalem
6. Peace Patrol
7. Trouble
8. You Don't Know My Name
9. Flowers and Rust
10. New Day Rising
11. All of a Sudden, You're Gone
12. Long Lost Sailor
13. Sunday Child