UK sister duo ALT BLK ERA have announced their Rave Immortal UK headline tour throughout April 2025, celebrating the release of their debut album, out 24th January via Earache Records. They have also launched an exclusive ticket pre-sale on Wedneday 20th November for those who have pre-ordered the album.

To get first dibs on the tickets, pre-order Rave Immortal now here: earache.com/altblkera

Tickets will be on general sale from 10am on Friday 22nd November.

Dates: 

15 Apr: Manchester, The Deaf Institute
16 Apr: Leeds, The Key Club
18 Apr: Sheffield, Corporation
20 Apr: Birmingham, The Flapper
21 Apr: Southampton, Heartbreakers
23 Apr: London, The Underworld

Vocalist Nyrobi comments: 

"OMGGGG!!! We are so excited to be heading out on our UK headline tour in April

"We’ve been waiting to bring you this news for so long!!

"As an extra special thank you for pre-ordering our debut album – we will give you exclusive access so you can grab your tickets first!

"Simply order before 11:59 on Tuesday (from the Earache Records webstore) and we’ll send through a secret link on Wednesday at 10am.

"If you’ve already bought the album – thank you so much – we’ll be sending you the exclusive pre-sale link too. "

The announcement follows the release of the new version of their huge single 'My Drummer's Girlfriend', featuring US alt-rock legends Wheatus. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/XIDS4Gan1lA

ALT BLK ERA have also announced a number of in-store appeareances:

Jan 24: Bristol, Rough Trade
Jan 25: Nottingham, Saltbox
Jan 27: Liverpool, Rough Trade
Jan 28: Oxford, Truck
Jan 29: Brighton, Resident
Jan 30: Kingston, Pryzm 

Limited tickets are available at linktr.ee/altblkera.instore

Within just a year ALT BLK ERA have established themselves as one of the most unique and exciting new alternative acts today, winning over audiences at major festivals including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, and opening for artists such as Tom Morello, Lord Of The Lost and many more. Their highly acclaimed debut EP Freak Show accelerated their meteoric rise, earning them nominations in both the 2024 MOBO and Heavy Music Awards. The album announcement comes after their triumphant set at Download Festival, where Metal Hammer magazine described them as one the bands that defined this year’s event.

As two alternative people who understand living life outside of the edge of social norms, ALT BLK ERA have created a wonderful safe space and a community for alts and their allies. This ethos has earned them a loyal and diverse following, who see no barriers and boundaries musically and socially. 

This safe space has allowed the girls to open up even more on Rave Immortal, which among its themes around diversity and inclusion, centres around Nyrobi coming to terms with a disabling illness, and the support she received from Chaya. From pain and struggle to newfound strength and unconditional love, this is a story that will resonate with anyone who has faced barriers, and is an inspiration overcome them and to be yourself no matter what.

On Rave Immortal, Nyrobi comments: "You might not notice on a first listen that this album is about my hidden disability that is a result of chronic illness that took hold during my teens and left me bed-ridden for years. I take the listener through the shadows and share the pain of abandonment I felt, and the solace that I found in my younger sister's unwavering support.

"This part of the album is so painful for me and at the same time it feels beautiful because it shows my sister by my side, every step of the way; through each emotion and every story. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to share this part of me without Chaya and the track 'Come On Outside' is a beautiful reflection of her.

"But we don’t stop there! The album then captures the defiant energy that grew within us, as I became more able. The songs show us crashing through the imposed barriers and boldly claiming spaces that we were once excluded from. As the songs transition into a dreamscape, they delve into the exploration of relationships; the clash of personalities when fitting into a new friendship group and the dangerous mind of an infatuated person who is scarred by illness and years of isolation.

The rebellion then builds as we begin to host wild celebrations, fiercely defending our joy after so many years of imposed restriction. The final tracks turn the tide, transforming our pursuit of freedom into an exhilarating hunt, where those who once stifled our spirit are drawn into our eternal dance of liberation, freeing them from all worldly constraints."

Chaya continues: "This album starts as a deeply personal story of the physical and emotional pain that my sister went through when she first became ill. I was about twelve at that time. It was during the pandemic so it was a time of worry and isolation for me also but as Nyrobi slowly became more able to communicate, we spent every minute that she was awake together. I would sit in her room and contribute to her creations whilst she wrote song after song after song. From my more introverted perspective, the calmer songs reflect my nature, so 'Straight To Heart', 'Come On Outside' and 'Run Rabbit'. However,  I’ll ride-or-die for my big sis, so when it’s time to be defiant or to be rebellious, or when it’s time to scream, I’m right there too. This is what the album is about for me - our bond, that also respects who we are as individuals."
 
ALT BLK ERA are:
Nyrobi - vocals
Chaya - vocals

ALT BLK ERA online:
Instagram || TikTok

Rave Immortal tracklist: 

01. Straight To Heart
02. Come On Outside
03. Crashing Parties
04. My Drummer’s Girlfriend
05. Hunt You Down
06. Upstairs Neighbours
07. Come Fight Me For It
08. Run Rabbit
09. Catch Me If You Can
10. Rave Immortal 

Photo Credit: Andy Ford

UK metal legends Raging Speedhorn have releaased a video for their new single ‘Night Wolf’, their debut release on new label Spinefarm Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/mCu7ylblNHc

Stream ‘Night Wolf’ here: https://ragingspeedhorn.lnk.to/nightwolfsingle

The band comment on the video: "Shot in just over a day, the 'Night Wolf' video was inspired by our love of 80s movies and plays on a line taken from the single, "the animal inside is you". With tongue firmly in-cheek, it shows the transition from day into night and human turning into wild animal."

A major presence within the UK metal scene for the past two decades, with half a dozen crushing studio outings to their name (and what a name!), Raging Speedhorn have forged their reputation through hard touring, hard music, plus a no-compromise attitude… to everything.

New single, ‘Night Wolf’, the band’s first for Spinefarm, produced by Russ Russell, sees the six musicians – as much gang as band – delivering one of the most memorable moments of their career, with all valves glowing, all faders up and all needles flicking red.
 
The band comment on the single: “We’re super excited to release our new single ‘Night Wolf’, produced by our brother Russ Russell at Parlour Studios. It’s got everything you need in a classic Raging Speedhorn song:  big riffs, thundering drums and great vocals. To us, it’s a mixture of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath with a unique Speedhorn sound. 

 “We’ve been inspired by one of our favourite 80s movies, and we hope our fans will enjoy the retro vibe in our artwork.”

Catch the band live:
 
UK headline tour with Kill The Lights in support:
07 March: Norwich, Waterfront Studio               
08 March: Manchester, Rebellion                         
09 March: Newcastle, Cluny                    
10 March: Glasgow, Cathouse                                                
12 March: Belfast, Voodoo                        
13 March: Dublin, Grand Social                             
14 March: Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach                         
15 March: Nottingham, The Old Cold Store                      
16 March: Bristol, The Fleece                  
17 March: Exeter, Cavern                           
18 March: Southampton, The Joiners                                                  
20 March: Herne Bay, Kings Hall                            
21 March: London, The Underworld                     
22 March: Birmingham, o2 Institute 2                 
23 March: Sheffield, Corporation                          
 
Tickets: https://routeonebooking.fanlink.tv/rshnightwolfuk

Raging Speedhorn are:
Frank Regan – vocals
Daniel Cook – vocals
James Palmer – guitar
Daf Williams – guitar
Andy Gilmour – bass
Gordon Morison – drums
 
Raging Speedhorn online:
https://www.facebook.com/ragingspeedhorn
https://www.instagram.com/raging_speedhorn_
https://x.com/Speedhornuk

Photo Credit: Malcolm Pugh

SCOUR, the extreme metal collective featuring an impressive lineup of heavy music veterans, including Philip H. Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals), John Jarvis (Nest, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), and Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Lock Up), will release their long awaited debut full-length, Gold, on 21st February 2025 via Nuclear Blast in Europe.

In advance of the release of Gold, today the band unveils first single, 'Infusorium', and its accompanying video, filmed and edited by Malcolm Pugh.

Watch 'Infusorium' here: https://youtu.be/kppI8ZZi4ng
Stream and purchase the track here: https://scour.bfan.link/ifsg

Pre-order Gold here: https://scour.bfan.link/gold

Deepening the experience set forth on SCOUR’s previously released EP trilogy, Gold pulls the listener through a blistering vortex of speed, aggression, and, above all, absolute horror. Drawing from a deep framework of literary horror masterworks, Gold guides the listener beyond the realm of death and through the metaphysical anomalies of a disheveled and decaying mind. In-so-which the pall of a savage universe is lifted, an inconceivable puppet master revealed, the remaining self of the listener excruciatingly dissolved, and left asking, “who is it that pulls the strings?”

Musically, SCOUR fuses the raw aggression of black metal with grindcore, punk, and thrash influences, manifesting a sound that honours extreme metal’s roots while pushing it into modern territory. Their minimalist approach is relentless and brutal, perfectly embodying this vision.

Comments Engemann, “SCOUR is storming back onto the scene with our new single, ‘Infusorium,’ a relentless blend of intricate guitar work and raw, unforgiving intensity. This track raises the bar, with more intricate guitar work, and featuring a searing solo by Mark Kloeppel, undoubtedly some of his finest work that cuts straight to the core. 

“Inspired by Jon Padgett’s haunting short novel, Infusorium, the lyrics channel the story's eerie depth and darkness, bringing a literary edge to the metal mayhem. As the lead single and first music video from our upcoming full length album, Gold, ‘Infusorium’ proves the SCOUR is fiercer and more dynamic. The SCOUR boys are back, more ripping than ever!”

Forged in 2015, SCOUR quickly made their mark with the blistering debut single 'Dispatched.' Their first release, The Grey EP (2016), came via Anselmo's own Housecore Records, followed by The Red EP in 2017. In 2020, SCOUR unleashed their most aggressive effort yet, The Black EP, released under Housecore and Nuclear Blast Records and featuring guest appearances from notable figures like Erik Rutan, Pat O’Brien, and actor Jason Momoa.

And now SCOUR elevates their intensity with the announcement of their first full-length album, Gold, which includes a guest solo by Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus). Recording for Gold began in February 2023 at Nodferatu’s Lair -- Philip Anselmo’s personal studio and rehearsal space -- which saw the band highly engaged in a concentrated effort toward a truly diabolical composition, with Anselmo leading the charge at every turn. One would often find the entire band in the control room in ecstatic debate, meticulously mulling over every blast beat and divebomb. The album was intermittently refined, and lyrical concepts finalised, over the course of 2023 as touring schedules would allow.

Anselmo began vocal recordings in Autumn 2023 at The Lair. Backup vocal recordings were then executed by the rest of the band in arena backstage rooms over the course of Pantera’s February 2024 tour, where the full band would also thoroughly review the instrumentation mixes. Once the tracks were finalized by SCOUR and mixing engineer Dennis Israel, they were then passed to Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden for mastering by Jens Bogren. 

Despite their relatively short career, SCOUR has performed at some of the world’s most prominent festivals, including Roskilde, Hellfest, Tecate Metal Fest, and Maryland Deathfest. With such a powerful pedigree, SCOUR remains a dominant force in both live performances and studio recordings, and fans can expect even more from them in the future.

Rejoice! Today, high-energy rock'n'roll royalty, The Hellacopters, have graced us with the first single from their upcoming brand new studio album Overdriver, which will see the light of day on 31st January 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. 

Pre-orders for Overdriver are available now, from: https://hellacopters.bfan.link/odlp

The aptly titled new single 'Leave A Mark' unites two styles that The Hellacopters have become known for over the course of their 30-year career - the full-blown guitar assault reminiscent of The Stooges and MC5 as well as the anthemic, hook-laden approach to rock'n'roll, which is topped with a hint of melancholy.

Listen to 'Leave A Mark' here: https://hellacopters.bfan.link/lamsg

Watch the video for 'Leave A Mark' here: https://youtu.be/ww7iDotqQ0s

Less than three years after their triumphant, chart-storming comeback record, Eyes Of Oblivion, which entered on #1 in their home country and on #3 in Germany, Sweden's most consistently great rock outfit is back with another banger of an album. Overdriver was recorded at Strawberry Studio & The Honk Palace and is the first The Hellacopters album entirely produced by Nicke Andersson. As you might expect from a The Hellacopters album it's filled to the brim with roaring guitars and earth-shattering grooves, fist-raising energy and anthemic choruses, while keeping the variety richer than ever before. The striking cover for Overdriver was created by German illustrator Max Löffler.

As of today, you can pre-order Overdriver on LP as well as CD. On top of the regular editions there's a Ltd. Digipak, incl. a patch, and a Ltd. Deluxe LP with a bonus 12''. Both special products contain two bonus tracks. More info on available formats below.

Coinciding with today's single drop, a music video for 'Leave A Mark' has been released. The video was directed and edited by Emil Klinta with whom the band have already worked on their most recent videos. 

And since they're also celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2025, The Hellacopters will have a few more tricks up their sleeves to keep you boys and girls in line, so keep your eyes peeled! First off will be a run of Overdriver release shows in Scandinavia. Please scroll to the bottom for all confirmed dates.

Overdriver tracklisting:

1    Token Apologies    03:21
2    Don't Let Me Bring You Down    03:15
3    (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory    03:23
4    Wrong Face On    02:57
5    Soldier On    04:15
6    Doomsday Daydreams    03:13
7    Faraway Looks    02:52
8    Coming Down    03:53
9    Do You Feel Normal    03:35
10    The Stench    03:56
11    Leave A Mark    05:21

AVAILABLE FORMATS:

- Ltd Edition Digipak CD /w Patch & 2 Bonus Tracks * (3.500)

- Ltd. Deluxe LP (Apricot & Black Marbled)
  + Bonus Maxi 12'' * (via NB Mailorder & band store US) (1.200)

- Ltd. Deluxe LP (Magenta Transparent)
  + Bonus Maxi 12'' * (only via band store EU) (1.000)

       * Bonus Tracks: Wild Night (Van Morrison Cover), What's Going On? (Al Stewart Cover)

- Black LP (unlimited)
- Brick Red LP (unlimited)
- Apricot + Purple Black Splatter LP (1.500)
- Apricot LP (only in Nordic countries) (1.000)
- Yellow Transparent LP (only in Sweden) (1.000)
- Oxblood LP (via Sound Pollution) (500)
- Red Gold LP (via Sweden Rock) (500)
- Picture LP (only via band) (1.000)

- Cassette (only via band) (200)

- CD Jewelcase

- Digital Album

ABOUT THE HELLACOPTERS
Swedish high energy rock and roll band The Hellacopters released their eighth studio album, Eyes Of Oblivion, on April 1st, 2022. It marked the first full-length since the release of their temporary farewell record Head Off in 2008, which Nuclear Blast Records reissued in October 2024. Eyes Of Oblivion was met with massive acclaim from fans and media alike. Charting #1 in Sweden, #3 in Germany, #6 in Finland, the band celebrated a triumphant return culminating in a show with the mighty Iron Maiden in Gothenburg in July 2022, and apart from their own string of shows, gigs with Ghost in Germany in June 2023. Eager to keep the rock flowing, February 16th, 2024 saw The Hellacopters release not one, but two stunning versions of their classic Grande Rock album, which was originally released in 1999. Grande Rock Revisited included a remastered original version and a remixed and partially re-recorded version showing how the album could have sounded in a parallel universe with guitarist Dregen being in the band at the time. After making rock grande again, the group set sights on new material, debuting the phenomenal single 'Stay With You'  in May 2024 and releasing it as limited 7inch via Lightning Records. 

For more:
https://www.facebook.com/thehellacopters
https://www.instagram.com/thehellacopters
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXYfoQipr6Unnyb-WKbkjw
https://linktr.ee/thehellacopters

Photo Credit: Jay Russell 

As UK black metal luminaries The Infernal Sea launch their European tour in France tonight, the band have also unleashed the deluxe edition of their acclaimed 2024 album Hellfenlic. Titled Hellfenlic Deluxe (Reincarnated Evil) this expanded version is now available through Candlelight, offering fans a deeper dive into the band’s unrelenting darkness.

Originally released in January, this enhanced version takes each track to new, reinterpreted heights, offering fresh arrangements that reimagine the original compositions. With every song reworked, Hellfenlic in its deluxe form challenges listeners to approach the album from a completely different perspective, inviting them to rediscover its dark intricacies in a whole new light.

Check out ‘Black Witchery (Curse of The Coven Remix by Nekravol)’ here: https://youtu.be/akygFvolDy0

Stream Hellfenlic Deluxe (Reincarnated Evil) here: https://theinfernalsea.lnk.to/HellfenlicDeluxe

The Infernal Sea draw from a vast musical palette, influenced by a wide array of genres, including electronic and industrial. Having come of age in the 90s, they were immersed in a time when metal bands were boldly crossing genre lines, experimenting with new sounds and styles. Acts like Fear Factory and White Zombie were at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of their art and creating genre-defying remix albums that shattered conventions and expanded the possibilities of what metal could be.

Comments The Infernal Sea, "Our goal was to imagine how these songs might have sounded if someone else had shaped them – to explore the possibilities of an alternate vision. These reimagined tracks aren’t meant to replace the originals; far from it. Instead, they’re designed to challenge listeners, encouraging them to approach Hellfenlic from fresh perspectives and discover new layers within the music.

"It's been highly satisfying if not mind-bending to hear other people's takes on these tracks, in a genre where you almost never see this happen. There is a wide range of sounds, influences and flavours on offer here all while staying true to the intent of the original songs, infernal gratitude to all who gave their most precious time to this unusual project."

The Infernal Sea have been a plague on this Earth since 2011, composing fierce and terrifying black metal from the Fenlands of England, conjuring compelling tales of English & European history throughout the Medieval period.

Over several releases, The Infernal Sea have solidified their reputation as black metal wraiths—enigmatic and elusive, their true identities obscured by plague doctor-inspired masks and shadowy shrouds. In January 2024, they released Hellfenlic, a ferocious new album whose title, derived from Old English, translates to "a Fen of Hell." The record delivered eight tracks of seething, raw black 'n' roll fury, continuing the band's unrelenting assault on the senses. Hellfenlic follows their trio of studio albums—Negotium Crucis (2020), The Great Mortality (2016), and Call of the Augur (2012), further cementing their place as one of the genre's most powerful and uncompromising forces.

The Infernal Sea have continued to elevate their live performances with a terrifying and captivating ritualistic stage show, enthralling audiences wherever they may roam. This has included performances at key UK festivals such as Bloodstock Festival, Incineration Festival, Damnation Festival, A Night of Salvation, Reaper Fest, Cosmic Void as well as a whole host of key support slots to bands such as Anaal Nathrakh, 1349, Taake, Napalm Death, Akercocke, Nargaroth, Primordial, Hellripper, Tsjuder, Mork, Rotting Christ, Hulder, Strigoi, Abigail Williams, Arch Enemy and many more. 

Continuing to captivate audiences with their electrifying, raw live performances, The Infernal Sea kick off their European headline tour in France today. Full dates below. 

The Infernal Sea online:

Bandcamp || Facebook || X || Instagram || Spotify || Candlelight

Hellfenlic Deluxe (Reincarnated Evil) Tracklisting
1. Lord Abhorrent (Scream Bloody Heretic Remix by601)
2. Shadow Of The Beast (Dark Despair Remix bySombre Goblin)
3. Witchfinder (Peasants Fear Remix by601) 
4. The Hunter )Tormented Wrath Remix byRuss Dobson) 
5. Bastard Of The East (Path of the Righteous Remix byNekravol) 
6.Black Witchery (Curse of The Coven Remix byNekravol)
7. Frozen Fen (Fen of Hell Remix bySombre Goblin)
8. Messenger Of God (Zealous Redemption Remix byNekravol) 

Photo Credit: Oli Duncanson

TheCityIsOurs have unveiled their new single, 'Hot Mess'. Building on the band’s knack for blending raw emotion with energetic soundscapes, 'Hot Mess' sets the stage for their upcoming album, Will You Still Love Me?, slated for release on 31st January 2025 via Arising Empire. 

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

Listen here: https://arisingempire.com/hotmess

Vocalist Oli Duncanson commented: "'Hot Mess' is an open, honest address to living closeted. The denial of lying to myself that I would be able to live the rest of my life hiding my true self and running from a small part of my life that I cannot change. But as time goes on, I felt my world starting to crash around me, the crushing realisation that if I tell my family about my sexuality I may hurt them but if I don't, I also realise that'll I'll never be happy and eventually die alone. 

"The track was a way of trying to exorcise the burden of feeling unable to really connect with anybody, in a relationship and even friendship, as I'll always have a wall up unless I give every single aspect of my whole being to everyone I want to stay in my life."

TheCityIsOurs are a five-piece metal band from London who have quickly garnered attention and growing support from peers, industry and fans alike, with their high-octane live show and the success of their second album. Coma (2021) smashed into the Top 5 iTunes Metal Charts with several singles appearing in editorial playlists with the likes of Amazon Music, Deezer and Spotify (including two covers on New Core and Metal UK) supporting the band.

TheCityIsOurs have become a upcoming staple on UK and EU festival line-ups, with appearances at Camden Rocks, Macmillan Fest, Burn It Down, Holloween, a fly in appearance at High 5 Festival in Sweden, and a headline set in the Doghouse Tent at the revered Download Festival to a 4000+ audience of festival-goers. After a sold-out album release show at The Underworld in London, 2022 saw TheCityIsOurs break out into the European scene, with a full-length tour across the mainland. Most recently, the band toured across the UK supporting Heart Of A Coward. 

Catch TheCityIsOurs live on the following dates with Self Deception and Eyes Wide Open:

15.12.24 Czech Republic Prague @ Rock Café
16.12.24 Poland Warsaw @ Voodoo Club
17.12.24 Hungary Budapest @ Durer Kert
18.11.24 Austria Vienna @ Chelsea
 
02.02.25 Germany Augsburg @ Kantine
04.02.25 Germany Leipzig @ Neues Schauspiel
05.02.25 Germany Hannover @ Béi Chéz Heinz
09.02.25 Italy Milan @ Legend Club
  
05.03.25 UK Manchester @ Academy 3
06.03.25 UK Bristol @ The Exchange
07.03.25 UK London @ The Underworld
08.03.25 UK Birmingham @ Asylum
09.03.25 UK Glasgow @ Garage 2

TheCityIsOurs are:
Oli Duncanson | Vocals
Mikey Page  | Vocals / Guitar
Jamie Deeks  | Bass
Stuart Mercer  | Guitar
Louis Giannamore | Drums

More info:
https://www.instagram.com/thecityisoursuk
https://www.facebook.com/thecityisoursuk
https://www.tiktok.com/@thecityisoursuk
https://twitter.com/thecityisoursuk
https://thecityisours.bigcartel.com/

Tracklist:
1. Shame
2. In The Dark
3. Hot Mess
4. Sugar
5. Dopamine
6. Freak Like You
7. Work It Out (If You Let Me)
8. Hush! Hush!
9. Psycho
10. I See You
11. Can You Feel It?

Photo Credit: Luke Tatlock

A beautifully curious blend of pop-sensibility, delicacy and experimentation. Piano led, guitar-less trio Exploring Birdsong are paving their own musical path with their latest single 'Stitch'.

The video to 'Stitch' premieres at 8pm GMT here: 
https://youtu.be/lMuwg1E2-KI

Stream the single here:
https://orcd.co/exploringbirdsong_stitch

“'Stitch' was a song that came together really quickly for us," comment Exploring Birdsong. "In a moment of borderline crazed inspiration, a lot of the key elements for 'Stitch' have existed more or less since the very first demo. We’re always keen to try new things and pull influence from lots of obscure places - this one unapologetically referencing the Davy Jones organ scene from Pirates of the Caribbean (if you know, you know). The song itself is essentially about teamwork in a relationship, trying to feel strong in the face of adversity because someone you have helped to carry in the past is now carrying you. Despite 'Stitch' being a return to heavy Birdsong, we wanted the message to be a fairly sweet one.”

The young group this year have performed two sold-out headline shows in London and Manchester, and previously joined Katatonia as special guests for their shows in Ireland. Their Ireland shows marked the band's first live performances since their European debut at Euroblast Festival (Cologne, DE), mainstage set at RADAR Festival, and inaugural headline tour across the UK in September 2021, including London, Manchester and Birmingham, and following successful support tours with the likes of Sleep Token and Thank You Scientist.

Rarely are new groups as exciting, talented or unique as Exploring Birdsong. Straddling pop, progressive rock and uncategorisable genre-blending beauty, the band are unplaceable for the most part, but bring to mind elements of Kate Bush, Sleep Token, Everything Everything and Agent Fresco.

Rarely too do you hear voices as captivating as frontwoman Lynsey Ward’s. Powerful, controlled, and spine-chillingly tender, Lynsey’s vocals help mark Exploring Birdsong as a prospect to watch, from the release of their acclaimed debut The Thing With Feathers (2019, Long Branch Records) to 2023's EP Dancing in the Face of Danger.

Exploring Birdsong are:
Lynsey Ward - vocals, piano
Jonny Knight - bass, synthesisers
Matt Harrison - drums, percussion

Exploring Birdsong online:
https://www.instagram.com/exploringbirdsong
https://www.facebook.com/ExploringBirdsong
https://www.exploringbirdsong.com
https://twitter.com/exbirdsong

Photo Credit: Andy Ford

UK progressive metal giants TesseracT’s War of Being album was met with widespread acclaim upon its release in 2023, regarded by many as their strongest and most ambitious work to date.

Now, War of Being receives a special Tour Edition release on Kscope to coincide with the band's War of Being Part 2 Tour – an extensive run of European shows kicking off in February 2025. 

Pre-order: https://tesseractkscope.lnk.to/WoB_tour_edition

The new edition is available on 2LP and 2CD, with both formats including the Live At Radar EP - three bonus tracks recorded live from TesseracT’s headline set at Radar Festival 2024 (Manchester, UK) where they were joined on stage by Choir Noir’s Kat Marsh. The LP edition has also been newly mastered at half-speed for the highest audio quality and is pressed on black and red marble vinyl. 

Speaking on the new tour edition, TesseracT bassist Amos Williams said: "It has been a wild adventure for TesseracT since the release of War of Being back in September 2023. We have travelled the world and experienced many career highlights during these last 12 months, or so. There's a sense of great fulfilment, but also a tinge of sadness as you know that the unique campaign that led into the release of War of Being has passed. So, it's truly awesome to be able to release a Tour Edition version, that as a bonus, includes live recordings from a very special headline show we performed in the summer of 2024, where we were joined on stage by the indomitable Choir Noir (featuring Kat Marsh/Cestra, whom many of you will know, that along with Producer Peter Miles, was part of the team that brought War Of Being from demos to album).

"Exploring this exciting side of ourselves, and bringing the full realisation of the album production to stage, has given us a passion and a drive. One that we're looking forward to developing more and bringing to the stage as we begin the War of Being World Tour Part Two this coming January 2025 in Europe."

Dates:

Feb 11 - Brighton, UK - Chalk
Feb 12 - Cambridge, UK - Cambridge Junction
Feb 14 - Cardiff, UK - Tramshed
Feb 15 - Leeds, UK - Project House

The double vinyl edition of War of Being is presented on transparent Red & Black Marble 2LP and includes the Live at Radar EP - 3 bonus tracks recorded live at Radar Festival in July 2024 - 'Natural Disaster', 'Tender' and 'War Of Being'. 

The 2 Disc CD Tour Edition of War of Being features two digipacks in a slipcase, including the original album and the new Live at Radar bonus EP.

TesseracT online:

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

TesseracT are:

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

Photo Credit: Alex Krauss

Today, (13th November), avant-garde metal trio Imperial Triumphant (Century Media) have released a new single with an accompanying video - 'Hotel Sphinx'.

'Hotel Sphinx' is taken from Imperial Triumphant's upcoming sixth LP Goldstar, which will be released in 2025 via Century Media Records. 

The video for 'Hotel Sphinx', directed by the band's own Steve Blanco, can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/KnNHaH2kfkE

Stream here: https://imperialtriumphant.lnk.to/HotelSphinxPR

Imperial Triumphant comment: "The 'Entertainer extraordinaire' leads a gullible audience through the sinister halls of the 'Hotel Sphinx'. Behind the lights, cameras, and endless action lies a disturbing undercurrent—where power is fed by the innocence of youth. The lines between entertainment, initiation, and exploitation blur as a conspiracy of silence reigns in the 'Illuminated Valley of the Kings', where political celebrity celebrates death. Rites of passage too dark to speak, promising false salvation in a world where the show never ends."

Equally rooted in eclectic black metal, the most claustrophobic notions of free jazz, and the concept of urban cityscapes as canyons of horror, Imperial Triumphant's signature sound has set a new standard for the possibilities of extreme music. Fans can expect Goldstar to continue down this sonic path next year, with media already hailing first single 'Eye of Mars' as "chaotic, eerily-atmospheric" (Metal Injection). Stay tuned for more details to come soon...
 
Imperial Triumphant are:
Zachary Ezrin - Vocals, Guitar
Steve Blanco - Bass, Keyboards
Kenny Grohowski - Drums
 
Imperial Triumphant online:
http://www.imperial-triumphant.com/
https://www.facebook.com/imperialtriumphant
https://www.instagram.com/imperialtriumphant/
https://twitter.com/imperialnyc