Photo Credit: @Ismrtnck

Hamburg heavy hitters Half Me release their visceral new track 'Fatalist', following the exhilarating previous singles 'Nothing Left To Lose But The Chains', 'Quitter Talk' and 'Concrete Ceiling'. The new track and video are out now via Arising Empire

Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/us826HSUf6c

Stream the single here: https://arisingempire.com/fatalist

The track channels raw frustration with a disposable society, combining bone-crushing heaviness with anguished, soul-piercing vocals. 'Fatalist' showcases the band's relentless drive to push genre boundaries, marking another bold step in their musical evolution.

Half Me have recently been nominated for the Heavy Music Awards 2024 in the category 'Best International Breakthrough Artists'. The event will take place on 22nd August and votes can be cast HERE.

Formed in Hamburg in 2018, Half Me - guitarists Chris and Julius, vocalist Chris, drummer Max and bassist Tobias - are one of the latest additions to the Arising Empire roster. Musically, Half Me blend a modern rendition of metal and hardcore with highlights of 90s nu-metal. Pounding riffs and breakdowns are accompanied by brutal, yet sometimes elegant, vocals that all balance together to formulate the band’s own distinctive sound. 

In just a few years, Half Me have made an impact in the music scene by self-producing their music and videos, displaying their intensive and energetic demeanour. Debuting with four singles initially, it was their their single 'Exitwound' (featuring Jack Bergin of Void of Vision) that gave the group a breakthrough and landed the band in the spotlight of Knotfest’s Countdown to Oblivion.

Riding the high of their recent success, Half Me’s highly anticipated debut album SOMA was met with huge critical acclaim. 2024 promises to be a big year for this fiery quintet.

Half Me are:
Christopher Zühlke | vocals
Christopher Hesse | guitar
Silvan Petersen | guitar
Tobias Max Sajons | bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff | drums

Half Me online:
Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || TikTok

Photo Credit: Xavier Metral

French extreme metal avant-gardists CELESTE (Nuclear Blast Records) have announced an extensive European tour, including UK dates, which will take place in the Summer and Autumn of 2024. 

You can find all dates below, with more TBA.

14.06    HANNOVER - CAFÉ GLOCKSEE
15.06    ESSEN - TUROCK - WACKEN WARM UP
18.06    WIESBADEN - SCHLACHTHOF
20.06    WARSAW - PROXIMA
21.06    GDANSK - DRIZZLY GRIZZLY
22.06    POZNAN - 2PROGI
23.06    WROCLAW - ŁĄCZNIK
25.06    BERLIN - LIDO
26.06    LEIPZIG - MORITZBASTEI
27.06    BRNO - KABINET MUZ
28.06    SPALENE PORICI - BASINFIREFEST
06.07    COLOMBIER SAUGNIEUX - PLANE’R FEST
28.09    SAINT RAPHÄEL - ESTEREL ARENA
05.10    ARLON - L’ENTREPÔT
16.10    BARCELONA - LA NAU
17.10    PORTUGALETE - GROOVE
18.10    BORDEAUX - SEISACH’ METAL
19.10    JURANÇON - LA FERRONNERIE
20.10    MADRID - NAZCA
21.10    MURCIA - GARAJE
24.10    MONTPELLIER - MAISON DES CHOEURS - ÉGLISE
25.10    TURIN - ZIGGY CLUB
26.10    BULLE - EBULLITION
27.10    MILAN - ARCI BELLEZZA
29.10    NANCY - L’AUTRE CANAL
31.10    LONDON - 229 VENUE
02.11    MANCHESTER - DAMNATION
03.11    GLASGOW - AUDIO
04.11    NEWCASTLE - THE CLUNY
05.11    BIRMINGHAM - DEVIL’S DOG
07.11    NIJMEGEN - DOORNROOSJE
08.11    CHARLEROI - LE ROCKERILL
10.11    GENT - WINTERCIRCUS
15.11    OIGNIES - MÉTAPHONE
16.11    NEUNKIRCHEN - GLOOMAAR FEST

Having played more than 500 shows around the world, including appearances at several prestigious extreme music festivals, theatres and venues (Hellfest, Roskilde, Copenhell, SummerBreeze, Brutal Assault, Roadburn, Psycho Las Vegas...), with one EP and six albums under their belt, CELESTE have succeeded in creating their own musical atmosphere and are today considered to be one of the most important bands of the "French avant-garde black-metal" scene.

For 15 years, this French metal band has crafted a hybrid sound that defies easy categorisation but remains unmistakable. By skillfully blending elements of black metal, post-metal, and hardcore, CELESTE have created a singular and immersive musical experience, characterised by its violence, oppressiveness, and darkness.

While CELESTE are renowned for their musical prowess, their live shows are equally famous for their apocalyptic and suffocating experiences. Immersed in complete darkness and thick smoke, the audience relies on strobe flashes and the red beams of the musicians' headlamps for guidance.

"This band has become one of the defining groups of their generation. Cult favorites for a notoriously picky group of fans, it's easy to see why CELESTE are viewed as some of the best out there right now" - METAL INJECTION

Revisit CELESTE's most recent album, ASSASSINE(S):
https://celeste.bfan.link/assassine-s

CELESTE are: 
Johan Girardeau - Vocals & Bass
Guillaume Rieth - Guitar
Antoine Royer - Drums
Sébastien Ducotte - Guitar

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/celesteband
https://x.com/celeste_bandfr
https://www.instagram.com/celeste_band
https://celesteband.bandcamp.com/album/epilogue-s

Photo Credit: Patric Ullaeus

EVERGREY, Gothenburg’s pioneering masters of darkness, have unveiled a new official video for 'Cold Dreams' from their upcoming fourteenth studio album, Theories of Emptiness, set for release this Friday, 7th June via Napalm Records.

This sonic majesty cut from the new album showcases an out-of-this-world vocal performance by band leader and vocalist Tom Englund, alongside a guest appearance by Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Englund’s daughter, Salina – contributing lush backing vocals that enhance the song’s dynamics and highlighting another intense facet of the album.

Taken from forthcoming album Theories of Emptiness (7th June, Napalm Records), you can watch the video for 'Cold Dreams' here: https://youtu.be/tXWj0lEXkNc

Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/EG-TheoriesOfEmptiness/napalmrecords

Tom Englund on 'Cold Dreams': “’Cold Dreams’ is probably the darkest piece of music on Theories of Emptiness. Its somber power is quite overwhelming. It's a composition that honestly leaves me feeling a bit uneasy. To have Jonas Renkse of Katatonia singing words describing fates that we both encountered makes it even more special and intriguing. Jonas’ unique voice of sadness spreads like a disease and to hear him growl, again, is just fucking great!

"To balance the darkness, we decided to bring in some angelic qualities, and at the time of composing, I couldn't imagine anything more suiting than my daughter Salina Englund's voice. We cannot wait to hear what you feel after these 6 minutes and 46 seconds of soul searching. Enjoy!”

Theories Of Emptiness stands as the distinguished successor to their worldwide chart-topping release, A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament), and is leaving critics breathless all over the world. Seamlessly blending dark, emotive themes with complex progressive elements and melodic heavy metal, the album is already making waves, ranking #1 in the soundcheck charts of German Rock Hard, German Metal Hammer, Aardschok and Sweden Rock. With Theories Of Emptiness, EVERGREY have crafted an absolute masterpiece and goose-bump generator, solidifying their legacy as they continue to shape metal history after 30 years in the industry.

Theories of Emptiness was produced by Tom S. Englund and Jonas Ekdahl, and was mixed by Adam "Nolly" Getgood (ex-Periphery), who worked closely with the band from the start - bringing out the vividness of the album’s overall sonic profile. Rounding out the album’s production, mastering was helmed by Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra, Onslaught, The Gems, Eleine and many more).

“For us, progression is paramount”, states Tom S. Englund when discussing the eleven track opus, Theories of Emptiness. “We're dedicated to ensuring that our music remains innovative and avoids stagnation. With each album, we strive to introduce something new — a unique flavor, a different key or chord, fresh voices in our writing, or innovative production techniques.” In fact, no stone has been left unturned. Tracks are created to balance each-other mutually: from the aggressive tones of 'Misfortune' contrasting the light-hearted opening of 'To Become Someone Else', to the ballad 'Ghost of My Hero' leading into the furious riffs of 'We Are the North'. Album opener 'Falling From the Sun' and 'Say' interweave heaviness with mesmerising keyboards and unpredictable instrumental parts, as also heard on 'The Night Within'. On 'Cold Dreams', Englund’s distinctive voice is accompanied by Jonas Renkse of fellow Swedish metal icons Katatonia, splicing the song with a stellar performance that underlines another intense facet of the album. In addition, Englund’s daughter Salina provides lush backing vocals that enhance the song’s dynamics even more. Ending on a quiet note, Theories of Emptiness depicts exactly what emptiness is about, first with the immersive 'Our Way Through Silence', and then with 'A Theory of Emptiness' which, with timid piano, makes us rationalise our innermost feelings. Navigating realms of darkness and light, Theories of Emptiness takes listeners on a carefully balanced roller coaster ride - showcasing EVERGREY's ever-evolving sound in 2024 and beyond.    

Tom Englund adds: “Our new album is soon to be yours! We can’t wait for that to happen, there are so many new and refreshing elements on it as well as respect paid to every part of our past. We have just refined what we always have done and tried to make it as contemporary as we possibly could to please ourselves and our sonic expectations. With the presence of Adam ”Nolly” Getgood, we felt fired up, hungry and eager to do our utmost to ensure that we would write the best songs we possibly could - I really feel we have achieved that. Sound quality wise we feel that it is on par with the best the world has to offer today. It is a brave statement that I will stand behind for the rest of my life. Taking EVERGREY into a new cycle feels just as when I did it the first time. We are more motivated than ever, and with a lot of touring to be announced very soon, we cannot wait to come and play this new music for you.

"Finally, we need to mention that we couldn't be prouder to announce our guest vocalist for this album. Jonas Renkse has graced KATATONIA’s music with his unique atmosphere for decades. Now we in the band and the fans of EVERGREY get to experience the same and we couldn't be more excited! You might even get to hear Jonas growl for maybe the first time in many years…
Much love, Tom”

EVERGREY are:
Tom S. Englund - Vocals, Guitar
Henrik Danhage - Guitar
Rikard Zander - Keyboard
Jonas Ekdahl - Drums
Johan Niemann - Bass

EVERGREY online:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Napalm Records

EVERGREY will be performing at Bloodstock Festival on 8th August where they headline the Sophie Lancaster Stage.

Tracklisting:

1. Falling From the Sun
2. Misfortune
3. To Become Someone Else
4. Say
5. Ghost of My Hero
6. We Are the North
7. One Heart
8. The Night Within
9. Cold Dreams
10. Our Way Through Silence
11. A Theory of Emptiness

Theories of Emptiness will be available in the following formats:             
Deluxe Bag incl. 1CD Digisleeve, 1CD Cardboard Sleeve with 2 Bonus Tracks, Pendant, Patch Album Artwork, Sunglasses with band logo, Artprint DIY Puzzle, all packed in exclusive cotton bag – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 400 copies worldwide)
1LP Die Hard Gatefold PURPLE/WHITE SPLATTER incl. 24pp booklet, record butler – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide)
1LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
1LP Gatefold BLACK
Digisleeve
Digital Album

'A sucker punch of sludge-punk' - Knotfest.com 
'Riff merchants expertly balance filth and ambience' - Metal Hammer
'Beautifully devastating' - Kerrang!

UK quartet Sugar Horse tackle power imbalance with brooding single 'Office Job Simulator', taken from their new album Grand Scheme Of Things, to be released 4th October via Pelagic Records. The band have also announced a co-headline UK / EU tour with UK post rock mavericks Pijn and Hippotraktor in October and November.

Watch the video to 'Office Job Simulator' here: https://youtu.be/9vA86Qli06w

Stream the single and pre-order the record here: https://li.sten.to/officejobsimulator

Vocalist / guitarist Ashley Tubb commented on the single: "Now people that know me definitely wouldn’t describe me as a supporter of the British monarchy….however…a few months after the death of my father, The Queen died. First of all I wasn’t bothered by this…then after about two straight days of non-stop press coverage it started really getting to me. Why does this random woman deserve weeks of non-stop press coverage and faux-outpourings of 3rd hand grief, when regular everyday people (like my dad) are more or less ignored. Life carries on as if nothing has happened. It’s kind of disgusting to me in a way. The imbalance of power. Think of this as our comrades call to arms."

'Office Job Simulator' is the third single taken from the upcoming new album, following the release of 'The Shape Of ASMR To Come' and 'New Dead Elvis'.

Catch Sugar Horse, Pijn and Hippotraktor on the following dates:

24/10 Ghent - Wintercircus
25/10 Paris - Glazart
26/10 Maastricht - Samhain Festival (no Hippotraktor)
27/10 Neunkirchen - Stummsche Reihalle
28/10 Jena - Rosenkeller
29/10 Berlin - Neue Zukunft
31/10 London - Downstairs At The Dome
01/11 Damnation Festival (no Pijn)
02/11 Damnation Festival (Pijn only)
02/11 Cardiff - The Moon (no Pijn)

On new album Grand Scheme Of Things, Sugar Horse comment: "This album was intended to be a sideways step. A move away from the kind of thing that is expected of us… if anything is at all. What I mean by that, is the songs are more direct. They take a much shorter amount of time to “get to the point”. We also wanted to make this one noticeably “less Metal”. While we love being a bit boneheaded and confrontational, we definitely wanted to explore the more melodic, song-based side of the band’s sound. Normally you’d see shortened song structures and more singing and think “Oh these guys are going for gold….they wanna get on the radio and make millions of bloodstained pounds.” Well…you’re very much entitled to think that if you wish, but it felt like more of a songwriting challenge than anything else to be honest. We’ve done the whole drawn out, endless Space Rock thing a good few times now and it would’ve been easy to rest on those laurels. Do something we’re comfortable with. Alas, that is not really the point of this band. We’d much prefer to make it difficult and take the long route."

Grand Scheme Of Things follows Sugar Horse's titanic split 7'' with new labelmates LLNN, and previous EP Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. An epic and ambitious achievement, Truth... is, in signature Sugar Horse style, one single long song: a meditation and exploration of everything the note A has to offer.

Sugar Horse have recently toured with LLNN, and previously with post-rock luminaries 65daysofstatic across Europe, as well as dates with Pianos Become The Teeth, Liturgy, Chat Pile and an appearance at ArcTanGent festival.

A lot of people take the name Sugar Horse to be a drug reference - perhaps fitting for a band that sound like the last moments of a three-day binge. Darting wildly between dark/light, pain/bliss, sacred/profane, Sugar Horse are unpredictable and unrestrained.

Formed in what is now considered to be the utopian dreamscape of 2015, the band grew slowly at first. Far from fully formed, but steadily gaining limbs, heads and vital organs. Finally, 2019’s DRUJ followed swiftly by 2020’s DRUGS saw them hit on a relentless stride of eclectic releases that simultaneously confused and entranced audiences.

2021 saw the band encamp in a former Lutheran church to record their debut album, The Live Long After, releasing it via Brighton’s own Small Pond Records. Publications such as The Quietus describing the record as “shift[ing] dispositions fluidly, taking elements of extreme aggression alongside floaty Post-Metal” and Echoes & Dust calling it “a monumental achievement”. The album took every disparate element that Sugar Horse previously employed and amplified them, while juxtaposing each next to each other, with genuinely unpredictable and exciting consequences.

2022 saw no relent from the band’s fast paced release schedule, as they put out an anthemic shoegaze single in 'Pictures Of Dogs Having Sex', followed swiftly by their collaborative Waterloo Teeth EP. A release that paired Sugar Horse’s terrifying eclecticism with guest appearances from twelve other artists in just four short(ish) songs. Each artist coming from a different area of the modern British music scene, whether that be world conquering post-punk bass lines from IDLES’ Adam Devonshire, heavy titans Conjurer and Pupil Slicer’s throat crippling wails, or a shredding guitar solo from Biffy Clyro/Oceansize axe wielder Mike Vennart. The EP packs in an album’s worth of genre mutilating twists and turns into just 25 minutes of music.

Sugar Horse are:

Ashley Tubb (Vocals/Guitar)
Jake Healy (Baritone Guitar, Keyboards)
Chris Howarth (Bass)
Martin Savage (Drums)

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/sugarhorseruinedmybirthday
https://www.instagram.com/sugarhorse.are.awful
https://twitter.com/sugarhorse666

Track list:

1 The Grand Scheme Of Things
2 The Shape Of ASMR To Come
3 Corpsing
4 Mulletproof
5 Spit Beach
6 New Dead Elvis
7 Jefferson Aeroplane Over The Sea
8 Office Job Simulator
9 Space Tourist

Photo Credit: Jason Nocito

Ahead of the release of their new album It’s Inside You, out this Friday, 7th June, via Relapse Records, CANDY have shared the single 'Dreams Less Sweet.' The new single, which references experimental outfit Psychic T.V.’s album of the same name, follows 'You Will Never Get Me' featuring Justice Tripp (Angel Du$t, Trapped Under Ice), which Revolver described as “a post-genre fusion of nu-dustrial menace, with thick and meaty guitar riffs slapping against fast-whirled turntabling and cavernous kick-drumming,” 'Love Like Snow' featuring MIRSY and mmph, which arrived with a video directed by CANDY’s Michael Quick, and 'eXistenZ,' to which The FADER stated, “the jewel at the bottom of the 81-second bone cruncher is, essentially, ‘follow your dreams.’”

Listen to the new single here: https://youtu.be/opc6OlzXP74

Pre-save / pre-order It's Inside You here: https://orcd.co/candy-itsinsideyou

CANDY will celebrate the release of It’s Inside You with a show at Salty’s Beach Bar in Lake Como, New Jersey on 6th July with Everybody Gets Hurt, Division of Mind, Final Resting Place, Sector, and Last Man Out. Tickets are available HERE. Additionally next month, CANDY will perform two nights with The Dillinger Escape Plan at New York City’s Brooklyn Paramount on 21st June and 23rd June. Both shows are now sold out.

It’s Inside You expands upon CANDY’s lauded brand of metal-warping, digitally-coated hardcore across 12 tracks produced by Quick along with Uniform’s Ben Greenberg and mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City Studios (NAILS, High on Fire, The Armed). It’s Inside You is a manifesto of kinship and inner strength. The album serpentines its way through the dark and bright corners of the human psyche. While nihilism and the pains of the modern world still exist on the album, It’s Inside You sees the band turn toward tenderness more than ever before. It’s Inside You creates an energising and empowering atmosphere, in which seeking connections with oneself and with others is central. While constructing the album, CANDY opened up and invited collaborators  — like Aaron Melnick (Integrity), Justice Tripp (Angel Du$t, Trapped Under Ice), David Gagliardi (Trash Talk), MIRSY (Fleshwater’s Marisa Shriar) and mmph (Sae Heum Han) — who all helped enrich and further define the band’s already distinctive energy. 

It's Inside You follows CANDY's sophomore album Heaven Is Here, which arrived in 2022 and was described by The FADER as “hardcore that sounds like a nuclear meltdown” and includes the tracks 'Human Condition Above Human Opinion,' 'Transcend To Wet' and 'World of Shit.' In 2018, CANDY released their debut album Good To Feel, which includes the standout tracks 'Good To Feel' and 'Lust For Destruction.' In 2019, the band released the standalone singles 'Super-Stare' and 'Win Free Love' and acted as the distinct bridge between Good To Feel and Heaven Is Here.

CANDY are:
Zak Quiram - Vocals / Lyricist
Michael Quick - Lead Guitar
Steve DiGenio - Drums
Drew Stark - Bass Guitar

For more information:
Instagram \\ Twitter/X \\ Facebook 

Track listing:

1. eXistenZ
2. Short-Circuit (feat. Aaron Melnick)
3. You Will Never Get Me (feat. Justice Tripp)
4. It's Inside You (feat. David Gagliardi)
5. Love Like Snow (feat. MIRSY & mmph)
6. Dehumanize Me
7. Faith 91
8. Terror Management
9. Dreams Less Sweet
10. Silent Collapse
11. Dancing to the Infinite Beat
12. Hypercore

Photo Credit: Aslak Junttu

"This rips" - Daniel P. Carter / Radio 1 Rock Show

"grooves deeper than the Mariana Trench" - Metal Hammer
 

Swedish heavy weights thrown follow up on their previous singles - the latter nights hitting the Viral Top-50 in the USA and Australia this year and together amassing over 23 million streams worldwide - with their brand new track 'look at me'. The band have also announced the release of their debut album EXCESSIVE GUILT, set for release on 30th August via Arising Empire.

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

Pre-save EXCESSIVE GUILT here: https://arisingempire.com/excessiveguilt

Physical pre-orders coming soon.

thrown are undoubtedly the most listened to new metal artist right now, having already amassed over 72 million streams worldwide, all off the back of one EP and singles.

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 42 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.

See thrown live on the following shows:
Tickets

Alpha Wolf - Half Living Things Australian Tour 2024
Special guests: thrown, Dying Wish
01.08.24 Perth @ Magnet House
03.08.24 Melbourne @ Forum
04.08.24 Adelaide @ The GOV
08.08.24 Sidney @ Liberty Hall
09.08.24 Newcastle @ King St Band Room
01.08.24 Brisbane @ The Tivoli

Spite/Bodysnatcher - The Common Enemies Tour
Special guests: thrown, Knosis, Cell, Psycho-Frame
31.05.24 CO, Denver @ Summit
01.06.24 UT, Salt Lake City @ The Complex
03.06.24 OR, Portland @ Hawthorne Theater
04.06.24 WA, Seattle @ The Crocodile
06.06.24 CA, Sacramento @ Ace Of Spades
07.06.24 CA, Pomona @ The Glasshouse
08.06.24 CA, San Diego @ House Of Blues
09.06.24 AZ, Mesa @ Nile Theater
11.06.24 TX, Dallas @ House Of Blues
12.06.24 TX, San Antonio @ Vibes Event Center
13.06.24 TX, Houston @ White Oak Music Hall
14.06.24 OK, Oklahoma City @ Beer City Music Hall
15.06.24 AR, Little Rock @ The Hall
16.06.24 LA, New Orleans - House Of Blues 

Festivals around the globe
21.06.24 DE, Ferropolis @ Full Force Festival
23.06.24 FR, Gisors @ Kave Fest
27.06.24 FR, Clisson @ Hellfest
28.06.24 NL, Ysselsteyn @ Jera On Air
30.06.24 CZ, Tábor @ Mighty Sounds Festival
26.07.24 UK, Manchester @ Radar Festival
28.07.24 FR, Le Garric @ Xtreme Fest
16.08.24 DE, Sulingen @ Reload Festival
17.08.24 CH, Vallamand @ Rock The Lakes
23.08.24 DE, Lich @ Music Forge Festival
24.08.24 DE, Bad Dürkheim @ Fallen Fortress Open Air

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

EXCESSIVE GUILT track listing:

01. guilt
02. backfire
03. on the verge
04. bitter friend
05. nights
06. look at me
07. dislike
08. ignored
09. bloodsucker
10. vent
11. so done

Today, US thrash metal masters EXODUS release their live album British Disaster: The Battle of '89 (Live At The Astoria).

35 years of being locked away in the band's vault, the album now sees the light of day. The energy and heaviness that EXODUS radiate on these live recordings give every metal fan a reason to add it to their personal collection. A must for every metalhead!

To commemorate this massive release, the band have released a great visualiser video for their new live single 'Piranha (Live At The Astoria)'.

Gary Holt comments on the live album:
"I, as well as all the band, former members and current, are super excited for the release of the new(old!) live record, British Disaster: The Battle of '89 (Live At The Astoria)! When we first discovered these long hidden master reels, we were intrigued. When we listened, we were crushed! Can’t wait for everyone else to hear this record! A band on fire."

Purchase British Disaster: The Battle of '89 (Live At The Astoria) here: https://exodus.bfan.link/british-disaster-the-battle-of-89

Watch the new visualiser video for 'Piranha (Live At The Astoria)' here: https://youtu.be/nnguSQHzWqc

Recorded on the 8th of March in 1989 at The Astoria in London, fans witnessed a night that went down in history and became legendary among EXODUS and thrash metal fans worldwide. The band had just released their third studio album Fabulous Disaster and started a five month run to promote the album which brought the Americans to Europe for a month of live shows. During this European run EXODUS decided to record the show in London, but never released it. This recording remained unheard of in the EXODUS vaults - until now. 

Be prepared for a much more aggressive and rawer sound than on the studio albums. British Disaster: The Battle of '89 (Live At The Astoria) is the ultimate live album presenting the sheer energy of what made EXODUS famous and notorious during the 80s, and what made them a legendary thrash metal band. A best of setlist compiled from the band's first three classic albums. The live album, mixed and mastered by Zeuss and the artwork done by Mark DeVito, will be available as CD, 2LP vinyl and digital.

EXODUS are: 

Steve 'Zetro‘ Souza  - vocals
Gary Holt – guitars
Rick Hunolt – guitars
Rob McKillop – bass
Tom Hunting – drums

EXODUS online: 
https://exodusattack.com/site
https://www.facebook.com/exodusattack
https://twitter.com/exodusattack
https://www.instagram.com/exodusbandofficial
https://www.youtube.com/exodus
https://open.spotify.com/artist/76S65NHJHrNy4JTrXHP2BH

Tracklisting:

1. The Last Act Of Defiance
2. Fabulous Disaster
3. 'til Death Do Us Part
4. Corruption
5. The Toxic Waltz
6. A Lesson In Violence
7. Chemi-Kill
8. Piranha
9. Like Father, Like Son
10. Deliver Us To Evil
11. Parasite
12. And Then There Were None
13. Verbal Razors
14. Brain Dead
15. Strike Of The Beast

Photo Credit: Kate Demina

Marjana Semkina has unveiled a video for for the positively dark single 'Swan Song', the third taken from her stunning new solo LP, Sirin, released today.

Produced by Crystal Spotlight, watch the video for 'Swan Song' here: https://youtu.be/bWHlaSGI5q8

Purchase Sirin here: https://marjanasemkina.bandcamp.com/album/sirin

Marjana comments on the single: "Swan Song is a meditation on death, a memento mori if you will. It’s all about remembering that everything is going to end one day, good things and bad, and accepting it with a light heart and a clear head. Making peace with leaving things behind and moving on to wherever we go next, even if it’s nothingness."

One of the most highly anticipated progressive releases of the year, Sirin smashed its Kickstarter target within 24 hours of launch, achieving over 200% before release.

Sirin is a journey of dark stories and fairy tales, told with Marjana’s uniquely captivating voice, on a foundation of detailed musical arrangements. However there is a prevailing darkness and grief, inspired by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the first single about by the protests.

On the album Sirin, she continues: "Sirin is a mythical creature from ancient Slavic mythology, half-bird half-woman, she's a harbinger of bad luck and death, and it's believed that if you meet Sirin a big catastrophe will happen - except in case with the events surrounding this album it's already happened. Sirin cries and mourns for humankind, and nothing can be more appropriate in this day and age. Sirin is one of very few creatures that can travel between worlds - a world of gods of light, a world of dark deities (in some versions an alternative to the underworld) and a world of mortals. This felt appropriate because the album is quite diverse in sound and some might think parts of it sound happy, but the subject matter is almost always quite morbid, which creates a contrast that I enjoy.

"I was never very political and I always tried to keep my art within the realms of lore, literature and imagination. But when events like the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine happen, it is impossible - and I'd even say, unforgivable - to stay silent and do nothing. Thankfully being based in the UK I feel rather safe speaking out against the current regime and I do have a platform that I can use to try and show the world that Russians disagree with the actions of the Russian government, and there are so many of us that only wish for this to be over. I'm just trying to show it in the most artistic way I can muster."

Now permanently based in the UK, Marjana has been an active campaigner against the Russian occupation in Ukraine and has raised thousands of pounds via her activities to support the victims of war. She will continue her work, including selling a number of a limited run of handwritten lyrics from Sirin, with the money going to Ukrainian charities. Acts punishable by 15 years imprisonment should she return home.
 
Marjana is joined by an array of world class musicians (detailed below), which includes two very special guest vocal performances from Jim Grey (Caligula’s Horse) and Mick Moss (Antimatter).

Known for her work as the vocalist of prog duo Iamthemorning, self-exiled Russian Marjana has forged a successful solo career with two critically acclaimed solo releases: her 2020 debut solo album Sleepwalking, and 2021 follow-up EP Disillusioned.
 
Marjana has previously collaborated with many incredible artists, including The Flower Kings, Jordan Rudess, Blackbriar, as well as Anna Murphy with their Maer project. Combined with her work in Iamthemorning, her experiences have enabled her to become one of the most unique and exciting solo artists in the progressive world today. 

 
Recording musicians:
Grigoriy Losenkov - piano, bass guitar, synths, drum programming
Vlad Avy - electric guitar, synths, drum programming
Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco) - drums 
Charlie Cawood (Mediæval Bæbes, Knifeworld) - acoustic guitar, bouzouki, glockenspiel, hammered dulcimer, luiqin, guzheng
Liam McLaughlin (Sithu aye, iamthemorning) - electric guitar
Margarita Chernyshevskaya - 1st Violin 
Petr Chepelev  - 2nd Violin 
Julia Uliashcenkova - Viola 
Julia Romashko - Cello 
 

Marjana Semkina online:
https://www.patreon.com/marjanasemkina
https://marjanasemkina.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/marjanasemkina
https://twitter.com/marjanasemkina

Sirin track list:

01 We Are The Ocean
02 Lost But At Peace   
03 Anything But Sleep (feat. Jim Grey)           
04 Pygmalion  
05 Angel Street           
06 Gone           
07 Death And The Maiden (feat. Mick Moss)  
08 The Storm  
09 Swan Song  
10 This Silence This Dreaming

UK alt-rock quartet The Fever Kings have released a video for their new single 'Illusion'. The track is another glimpse into the band's self-titled debut EP, due for release on 21st June. 

Check out the video for 'Illusion' here: https://youtu.be/gjn3KVLY1Ms

Stream 'Illusion' here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thefeverkings/illusion

The Fever Kings comment:

"'Illusion' is about the struggle of trying to convince yourself that you are okay, pretending to be happy walking a pathway that you don't truly connect with, and trying desperately to hold on. Some people are forced into scenarios and situations they're completely unaccountable for, and regardless, we just have to suck it up and get on with." 

Hailing from the North East of England, alternative rock four-piece The Fever Kings were born out of the brutal COVID lockdowns, and the burning desire that Jack, Chris, Alex and Thomas felt to get back to music after long months of social hibernation. Since January 2022, the band have been writing music to serve the soul, carrying influences from Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Jimmy Eat World and Lifehouse through their tasteful sense of melody, and their incredibly dynamic energy.

Balancing soft rock with heavy melodies, The Fever Kings' sound leans towards nostalgic 00's rock. Since forming the four-piece have released three singles, one of which spent two weeks at No.1 in the Independent Music Charts in the Netherlands. 

Last year, The Fever Kings completed their first UK tour across three cities, concluding with a hometown headline show in Newcastle. The band have also performed at Heveningham Hall in Suffolk, supporting Mel C of the Spice Girls. 

See The Fever Kings live: 

Jun 29: Newcastle The Cluny 
Jul 06: Leeds Santiagos 
Jul 09: Cambridge Six Six Bar
Jul 10: Huddersfield Parish 
Jul 11: Edinburgh Bannermans (headline)
Jul 12: Dunfermline PJ Malloys (headline)
Jul 13: Glasgow Audio 
Jul 26: Northampton Northants Rocks Festival 

The Fever Kings are:
Jack Songer - Guitar & vocals 
Thomas Myerscough - Keys/Synths
Alex Brown - Bass 
Chris Gilks - Drums 

For more:
https://www.thefeverkings.com
https://www.facebook.com/thefeverkings 
https://www.instagram.com/thefeverkingsofficial