Modern rock powerhouse Pop Evil return with the new single ‘What Remains’, via MNRK Heavy. It’s the dawn of a new era for Pop Evil, which the band promises will be its most sonically heavy. The track, with its thunderous riffs and rhythmic thrust, fulfills that promise.
Watch the lyric video for the song, which was produced by Wage War‘s Cody Quistad, here:
“Over the years, I’ve been faced with torment; departures, failures, and uphill climbs,” says singer Leigh Kakaty. “It takes a reckoning to strip us to our core and confront our true selves. What endures beyond these trials is who you are, your essence. That is what remains. On our upcoming album, we have dared ourselves to make the most lyrically raw and sonically heavy album of our career. ‘What Remains’ sets the tone of what is to come.”
Kakaty continues, “We are also proud to officially announce the newest member of the Pop Evil lineup — Blake Allison.”Allison replaced departed member Hayley Cramer on drums, joining Kakaty and fellow bandmates, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, and bassist Joey “Chicago” Walser.
Pop Evil first rose to international prominence with debut album Lipstick on the Mirror, featuring RIAA Certified Gold Single ‘100 in a 55’. After Kakaty famously tore up the band’s major label contract onstage, Pop Evil signed with MNRKHeavy (formerly eOne Music). 2011’s War of Angels debuted in the Top 10 of the Rock Albums chart and produced three Top 10 singles.
The band’s 2013 album Onyx put them in the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 for the first time and boasted three consecutive No.1 rock songs, two RIAA Gold Singles, and one Platinum Single ‘Torn to Pieces’. Pop Evil‘s next release, Up, was the No.1 Independent Album in America and made it to #25 on the Billboard 200. It featured several Top 5 rock songs and a chart-topper with ‘Footsteps,’ which also went Gold.
Pop Evil‘s 2018 self-titled set included the No.1 hit and newly certified Gold single ‘Waking Lions’ and two other Top 10 hits. 2020’s Versatile, meanwhile, scored two No.1 rock songs: ‘Breathe Again’ and ‘Survivor’. In 2023, the band released its seventh studio album Skeletons, which spawned their eighth and ninth No.1 singles: ‘Eye of the Storm’ and ‘Skeletons’.
Renowned blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor has released her brand new single, “Hold Of My Heart”, available now on all major streaming platforms. A twangy, Americana-infused track featuring the exceptional talents of violinist Sav Madigan, “Hold Of My Heart” marks the first release from a slate of material Joanne is set to unveil over the next year, signalling an exciting new chapter.
As a Nashville resident, Joanne is embracing the local music culture and infusing it into her style of Blues-Rock. Following the release of her critically acclaimed album ‘Heavy Soul,’ Joanne, in partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, plans to bypass traditional release strategies by delivering a steady stream of high-quality singles, ensuring that new music consistently reaches her fans.
In “Hold Of My Heart,” Joanne explores the vulnerable and exhilarating experience of confessing feelings to a close friend, capturing the emotional turmoil and bravery required to take that leap of faith in a relationship. “This song is about telling a good friend that you actually like them as more than a friend,” Joanne shares, “and realizing, if only for your own sake and the sake of honesty in a friendship to finally tell them.”
Sav Madigan, known for her multifaceted musicianship and soulful playing, contributes her violin prowess to this track. One-third of the all-female indie-folk-roots band, The Accidentals, Sav is an award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and session player with roots in Nashville, TN, and Traverse City, MI. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, including Lainey Wilson, Hannah Wicklund, and Peter Mulvey.
The release of “Hold Of My Heart” follows the critical success of Joanne’s album Heavy Soul, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album has been lauded for blending contemporary soul-pop with traditional blues roots, showcasing Joanne’s growth as a songwriter and musician. Tracks like “Change of Heart”, “Wishing Well” and “Drowning In A Sea Of Love” have further solidified her reputation as a powerful voice in the blues-rock genre.
With a career enriched by acclaim from legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, Taylor’s Heavy Soul offers a fusion of contemporary soul-pop and traditional blues. Critics have praised the album as a significant milestone in Joanne’s career, with Classic Rock Magazine describing it as “a winning balance between maturity and raw, gut-punch blues,” and Glide Magazine calling it her “most complete ‘triple threat’ effort yet.” The album highlights Joanne’s expressive vocals and exceptional guitar skills, with standout tracks such as “Devil In Me” and “A Good Goodbye.”
Joanne continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic live performances. She recently performed at notable summer festivals, including the Songs at Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, NY, and the Mammoth Festival in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Looking ahead, she is set to embark on “The Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour this fall. Fans can expect an electrifying experience with a mix of new songs from Heavy Soul, including some of her upcoming new singles and fan favourites. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visitjoanneshawtaylor.com.
Photo by Adam Kennedy
‘Heavy Soul’ – Album Track Listing 1. Sweet ‘Lil Lies 2. All The Way From America 3. Black Magic 4. Drowning In A Sea Of Love 5. A Good Goodbye 6. Heavy Soul 7. Wild Love 8. Someone Like You 9. Devil In Me 10. Change Of Heart
Summer 2024 Tour Dates: August 10 – Duluth, MN – Bayfront Blues Festival August 15 – Asbury Arts Center August 16 – Northampton, MA – The Iron Horse August 17 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival August 31 – Bremerton, WA – Kitsap Blues Festival September 14 – Morristown, NJ – Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
“The Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour: October 23 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium October 24 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre October 25 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater October 28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater October 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center October 31 – Boise, ID – The Egyptian Theatre November 1 – Spokane, WA – Bing Crosby Theater November 2 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center for the Arts November 4 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre November 6 – Menlo Park, CA – The Guild Theatre November 7 – Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre November 8 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre November 10 – Montclair, CA – The Canyon Montclair November 13 – Cerritos, CA – The Cerritos Center November 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre November 17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre November 19 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater November 20 – San Antonio, TX – Empire Theatre November 22 – Arlington, TX – Arlington Music Hall November 23 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater November 24 – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
HEILUNG are known around the world for transcending the boundaries of music. They don’t play shows but perform a ritual, fusing together earth, fire and incense with throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show and instruments made from human bone.
Today, Christopher Juul, Maria Franz, Kai Uwe Faust and their Nordic collective are sharing Heilung’s most sacred ritual yet. Lifa Iotungard was recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheater in October 2021 during Heilung’s first sold-out performance at the renowned venue. This special performance is now available today for the very first time on CD and vinyl through Season of Mist.
Watch the full footage of Lifa Iotungard on Heilung’s YouTube channel. Feel the torches blaze and the drums echo between the sand stones, carving a sacred space for the hearts of the present to connect with the spirits of the past.
Remember that we all are brothers. All people, beasts, trees, and stones, and wind. We all descend from the one great being.
Already this year, Heilung have performed their ritual at Glastonbury, Download and Roskilde Festival, as well as in front of another sold-out crowd at Red Rocks.
This fall, the Nordic collective will embark on a tour of Europe before closing out 2024 in Australia and New Zealand with their label mate Eivør. More dates at European arenas will follow in 2025.
Dreki Ferdhast – Heilung Europe Tour 2024 August 29 @ Edel Optics Arena, Hamburg DE August 31 @ Zitadelle, Berlin DE September 3 @ Liederhalle Beethoven Saal, Stuttgart DE September 5 @ Kia Arena, Nurnberg DE September 7 @ Boijste Amphitheatre, Trutnov CZ September 9 @ Barba Negra, Budapest HU September 11 @ Arena Open Air, Vienna AT September 13 @ Zenith, Munich DE September 15 @ Lotto Arena, Antwerpen BE September 17 @ Zenith, Paris FR September 19 @ Palladium, Cologne DE September 21 @ AFAS Live, Amsterdam NL [SOLD OUT]
Heilung with Eivør Australia & New Zealand 2024 October 30 – Perth @ Red Hill Auditorium November 2 – Adelaide @ AEC Theatre November 4 – Melbourne @ Palais Theatre November 8 – Sydney @ Enmore Theatre November 13 – Brisbane @ Riverstage November 16 – Auckland @ Kiri Te Kanawa
Albion, Eiru ok Erop Ferdhast – EU 2025 Spring Tour: March 7 : Helsinki, FI @ Ice Hall March 9: Stockholm, SE @ Hovet March 12: Oslo, NO @ Spektrum March 14: Aarhus, DK @ ACC March 16: Copenhagen, DK @ Black Box March 19: Oberhausen, DE @ Turbinehalle March 21: Zurich, CH @ Hallenstadion March 23: Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Rockhal April 15: London, UK @ O2 Brixton Academy April 17: Dublin, IR @ 3Arena April 19: Edinburgh, UK @ O2 Academy April 21: Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo April 23: Lille, FR @ Zenith April 25: Lyon, FR @ Halle Tony Garnier April 27: Milan, IT @ Teatro Arcimboldi
Albion ok Eiru færdhask 2025 Dates: April 15: London, UK @ O2 Brixton Academy April 17: Dublin, IE @ 3Arena April 19: Edinburgh, UK @ O2 Academy April 21: Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
HEILUNG don’t play shows. They perform a ritual. Every performance begins with Kai Uwe Faust leading Christopher Juul, Maria Franz and the rest of the Nordic collective in an ancient prayer. Soon after, the audience is swept into rapture, swayed by incense and throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, an army of warriors and bursts of fire.
Since they began in 2015, Heilung have been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music.
“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation”, says Faust, a throat singer and one of Heilung’s three composers. “With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other”.
While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.
Indeed, Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length Ofnir in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.
As Heilung trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself.
By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, Futha, which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale.
Their music has even appeared in places that extend far beyond typical concert venues. From hit television series like Game of Thrones and Vikings to video game giants like Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film The Northman, Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down Heilung’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on their third album. In English, Drif translates as “Gathering”. The music embodies this philosophy by tying together the beginning of civilization with today’s modern society.
Heilung now perform their rituals all over the world. They sold out their first North American tour in 72 hours. Upon returning to the United States in 2021, they were greeted by another sold-out crowd, this time at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance will be released on vinyl and CD in 2023. A Blu-Ray edition will follow in 2024, along with the release of their performance at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London.
During the lead-up to the new LIFAs, Heilung will embark on headlining tours of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, they will cast their spell over more of the world’s biggest stages, including Roskilde Festival, Download Festival and Glastonbury. But no matter where they are, Heilung always begin their performance with a humbling reminder of where we all come from.
“Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”
Line-up: Kai Uwe Faust Christopher Juul Maria Franz
Progressive metal juggernaut Cypher emerges from the United Arab Emirates, prepared to conquer the world with their self-titled EP, signed to label Wormholedeath. Brace yourselves for a blistering August 23rd release date!
“Cypher is extremely happy to have been discovered by WormholeDeath Records,” exclaims the band in a collective roar. “We’re excited for our future partnership and can’t wait to get this music out there!”
Cypher’s sound falls within the realm of Progressive Metal and is heavily influenced by modern progressive metal, Djent, and touches of black and death metal. Each track on their EP is a testament to their diverse influences and musical prowess. “Digital Vortex” was conceptualized by Emadi, “Vacuous Beings” by Nishit, “A Marker’s Clone” is the brainchild of Mehdi Riaz, and “Relativity of Existence” is a collaborative effort from all members. These four punchy tracks are set to captivate and challenge metal enthusiasts worldwide.
To celebrate this monumental occasion, Cypher is thrilled to unleash their single and video, “A Marker’s Clone.”
“A Marker’s Clone” is available on all digital platforms here:orcd.co/markersclone
Tracklist
A Marker’s Clone
Relativity of Existence
Vacuous Beings
Digital Vortex
Meet Cypher:
Ahmad AlEmadi (guitars): A stalwart of the UAE metal scene with a decade of experience and ambient black metal influences.
Nishit Ramesh (guitars/bass): A 13-year veteran of the scene, formerly with Discord and Maticrust, bringing technical and progressive death metal expertise.
Aaron Wadia (vocals): known for his Basswork to A Shot of Adrenaline & Billy Bob’s Blood Drenched Brew.
Mehdi Riaz (guitars/bass): A versatile guitarist with ten years in the UAE music scene, adding fresh riffs and new directions to Cypher.
Ahmed Elkholy (drums): From Alexandria, Egypt, known for his work with Paranoia, Mythos, and solo project Exiled Fame, bringing his dynamic drumming to the mix.
Greek black metal outfit ISOLERT to its family will release their new album on September 13, 2024 through their new label Non Serviam Records.
Today the band unveils the first single ‘Where Dreams Die’.
“‘Where Dreams Die’ is the all consuming void. Ever thirsty, ever hungry, satiated by naught. It reaches deep in granite mazes and pitch black caverns. And as everything else turns to noise, it reverberates with deafening silence and spreads like a virus. Alas nothing stands no more. Nothing but ash,” comment ISOLERT.
Known for their style which combines intense melodies with aggressive elements and merciless vocals, ISOLERT create an epic atmosphere amidst a landscape of agony.
Founded in 2015 as a duo by Panagiotis T. (vocals) and Nick S. (drums, vocals), the band will release their third studio album, “Wounds Of Desolation”, on September 13, 2024.
“Four years have passed since the release of ‘World in Ruins’. And in idle times we stayed nothing but idle. “Wounds of Desolation” is our third full length album and with it a new era dawns for Isolert. With the addition of George S. (Kosmovorous, Herald) in our ranks, it marks a shift in sound for us as this is the most complex, demanding and ferocious material we have recorded so far,” explains the band.
ISOLERT are: Panagiotis T. – Vocals Apostolos K. – Guitars, Bass George S. – Guitars Nick S. – Drums, Vocals
International Melodic Heavy (Power) Metal outfit TIMELESS FAIRYTALE has dropped their latest single, “Emptiness”, a sonic journey into their upcoming debut album release, “A Story to Tell”, slated for September 13 on ViciSolum Productions. The single is now available on all major digital platforms.
Speaking about the track, guitarist Luca Sellittoshared: “‘Emptiness’ is the most aggressive track from the album and, at the same time, the one which displays our classical and symphonic influences better. It starts with an epic intro, followed by a sinister verse characterized by an intriguing dark melody which leads to a majestic chorus, full of backing vocals and epicness.
From the mere technical standpoint ‘Emptiness’ is most impressive track we’ve come up with. Our drummer Viktor Enebjörn and bassist Carmine Vivo lay down the demanding fast groove with total ease and precision. My guitar solo is one of the sickest things I’ve ever played. I really wanted to challenge myself on this track, pushing the limits of my abilities. Our singer Henrik Brockmann really shines on this song. His performance is very intense, with various changes of register and a wide dynamic range. Overall, I consider ‘Emptiness’ one of our most exciting tracks!“
Founded by Danish vocalist Henrik Brockmann (known for his work with Royal Hunt and Evil Masquerade) and Italian guitarist Luca Sellitto (Stamina), TIMELESS FAIRYTALE is a powerhouse collaboration showcasing a diverse fusion of neoclassical, power metal, symphonic elements, and classic rock influences. The band’s formidable lineup includes Carmine Vivo on bass and Swedish drummer Viktor Enebjörn. TIMELESS FAIRYTALE promises a captivating melodic experience for fans of elaborate vocal harmonies, classically-inspired instrumentals, and grandiose arrangements.
“A Story to Tell” will be coming out on September 13 via ViciSolum Productions. The album is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION
“A Story to Tell” track listing:
Entering the Fairytale (Intro)
Forever and a Day
New Dawn
Master of Illusion
Emptiness
A Story to Tell
The Best Part of Your Life
Forsaken Dream
The Last Chance
Trust Your Heart
Farewell Fairytale (Outro)
TIMELESS FAIRYTALE are: Henrik Brockmann – Vocals Luca Sellitto – Guitar, Keyboards Carmine Vivo – Bass Viktor Enebjörn – Drums
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 