Nothing compares to the excitement of walking into a record store! Posters all over the walls. Music blaring. Racks of vinyl and CDs. You are on the hunt for a new release or looking for that lost treasure. Record stores are a rare breed these days and BraveWords.com wants to help fans around the worldwide find record stores.
Do you own or work at a record store that sells rock and metal albums? BraveWords.com is assembling a list of record stores around the world for fans to use. They will put this list online for all fans.
Note: Only store name, address and URL will posted. Phone number, email address and contact name will not be shared online.
To take part, find the BraveWords Record Store Submission Form, here!
Autarkh are locked in a state of constant evolution. After the dissolution of Dodecahedron, in 2019, frontman Michel Nienhuis assembled a new band of innovators for his blackened, electro-shocked vision of the future on Autarkh’s debut Form in Motion. Just last year, the contemporary metal band pushed their cybernetic view on the digital age to even greater extremes.
“It is even safe to say that the Autarkh that exists on Emergent is not the same Autarkh that existed on Form in Motion”, No Clean Singing wrote about their latest album, “…right when you’re able to put a pin in why you’re enjoying a particular segment of Emergent, Autarkh problem themselves off in a completely different direction with joyous abandon”.
The circularity that courses through Autarkh has even sparked two separate alter egos. Autarkh III re-imagines their cutting-edge contemporary metal as ambient drones, while Autarkh Collective is a fully improvised collaboration that features a revolving lineup around Nienhuis.
While their third album is already in its earliest test phases, before the band embarks on their first tour supporting Emergent, today, Autarkh are introducing two new members.
For the very first time, Autarkh will now feature a live drummer. Nienhuis’ old band mate Jasper Barendregt has earned a reputation as both a brutal metal drummer and a refined groove master during his time in Dodecahedron, Ulsect and Our Oceans. Adding him to the lineup will not only inject heart-pounding fervor to the band’s rhythm section but frees electronic wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to focus entirely on his dazzling synthetic textures and razor-sharp percussive layers.
“I find the synergy between these musicians inspiring, especially how it evolves new and existing cooperations”, Barendregt says. “Teaming up with Autarkh has been a logical and intuitive step for me. I appreciate the mutual trust, respect and admiration between these individuals, who also align with my hybrid live drumming experiments. It’s rewarding to work on new music as well as re-imagining work of Autarkh’s precursor, Dodecahedron, which I was part of from inception to disbandment”.
Unfortunately, former bassist Desmond Kuijk has left to focus on other priorities, but Autarkh have found a talented replacement. Max Blok is the bassist for the heavy rock band Dead Eyed Creek and live guitarist for Autarkh label mates and progressive metal scientists Alkaloid. He’s also worked as a session musician for Ruins of Beverast and Dark Fortress. His supercharged low-end will bring even more heft to the band’s industrial-sized riffs.
“It’s a pleasure to be working with people that are not afraid to try something different and keep re-inventing themselves in the process”, says Blok. “I’m grateful to be joining this group of very skilled musicians and composers”.
Autarkh will debut their new lineup live next year when they play a string of shows in The Netherlands and Belgium with Farer and Alkahest.
Emergent Live 2025
January 3 – Uden, NL @ De Pul w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 4 – Utrecht, NL @ DB’s w/ Farer & Anapoda [TICKETS] January 7 – Antwerp, BE @ Music City w/ Alkahest January 8 – Tilburg, NL @ Hall of Fame w/ Alkahest [TICKETS] January 9 – Groningen, NL @ Vera w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 10 – Apeldoorn, NL @ Gigant w/T.F.O. & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 12 – Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] February 21 – Bergen Op Zoom, NL @ Gebouw-T w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] March 15 – Leiden, NL @ Resistor w/ Farer & Alkahest
AUTARKH is a group of music adventurers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of their artistic development. The contemporary metal outfit was founded in Tilburg (NL) by vocalist/guitarist Michel Nienhuis and can be seen as a development of the artistic vision of his previous band DODECAHEDRON. In 2019, Nienhuis teamed up with producer Joris Bonis (DODECAHEDRON, ULSECT), guitarist/producer David Luiten (INFERUM), bassist Desmond Kuijk (DEAR MOTHER) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen, musicians with backgrounds ranging from metal to techno.
The debut album Form In Motion (Season Of Mist, 2021) feels like an evolution from the two albums Nienhuis released with Dodecahedron. Musically, because of the radical approach the band takes with their rhythm section: IDM-style beats, glitch effects and percussion are perfectly balanced with crushing riffs and vocals that range from tormented screams to exciting harmonies. Lyrically, because the album is more about a personal experience of human nature and the nature of the universe.
Autarkh continues its approach of inner exploration on its sophomore full-length album Emergent. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. On Emergent, composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements capture the same capriciousness and unease of Form In Motion, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint.
Circularity has become a key component of how these musicians handle their artistic content. An alternative three- piece band called AUTARKH III was founded in 2021 wherein Luiten, Verbruggen and Nienhuis reimagine their work in a different musical context. AUTARKH III focuses on ambient and drone atmospheres, improvised sound collages and heavier down-tempo arrangements while experimenting with inverted storylines and rearranged AUTARKH themes. When the opportunity arose in 2023 to participate in a 100% improvised collaboration with Drone Assembly and Kypski during Best Kept Secret festival, another corner of the Autarkh universe was unlocked and ultimately led to the establishment of a free improv group with a varying line-up known as AUTARKH COLLECTIVE. The debut of this collective will be released in 2024.
Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; Autarkh III’s Roadburn Redux 2021 showed subtlety, introversion and contrast; and Emergent sheds a brighter light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. The group shows diversity and nuance while preserving their intense and razor-sharp edge. With performances at Roadburn festival (NL) in 2021 and 2022, Dutch television show Muziekstad and Hellfest (FR) in 2022, 4 releases in 4 years and numerous press features praising their artistic endeavors, the group shows their vivid imagination and serious work ethic – and they are just getting started.
Autarkh are currently working on their third studio album with a new lineup featuring Jasper Barendregt (ex-DODECAHEDRON) on drums and Max Blok (ALKALOID, DEAD EYED CREEK) on bass.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats Jasper Barendregt: drums Max Blok: bass
Recording Studio: David Luiten Studio, Monodisc Studio, Moonbear Music & Engineering Mix/Master: David Luiten
Progressive psych rock masters ELDER have announced a European tour for 2025, playing their ground-breaking, third studio album “Lore” (released in 2015 on Stickman Records) in its entirety!
The band states:“Lore is turning 10 years old. This album marked a point of departure for Elder upon a path which the band is still walking now. For us, this is the record where the band came into its own as a unique voice in the heavy rock underground. As we approach our second decade as a band, we feel it’s appropriate to look back on this landmark for us and acknowledge it properly, which is why we’re doing a tour performing the entire album along with some other tracks from our earlier catalog; we’ll give this era of the band a proper celebration before turning our attention once again toward the future and the next album, currently being written.
We’ll also be doing a run in North America, which will be announced shortly as well.”
Alongside their just announced appearances at Desertfest Berlin, London and Oslo in 2025, and with many more dates to be revealed soon, the tickets will be on sale from Friday, September 27th via https://beholdtheelder.com/tour/! Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the masterpiece “Lore” and catch ELDER live at the following dates:
08.05.2025 Hamburg (DE), Bahnhof Pauli 09.05.2025 Copenhagen (DK), Colossal Festival 10.05.2025 Oslo (NO), Desertfest Oslo 11.05.2025 Stockholm (SE), Hus 7 13.05.2025 Esch-Alzette (LU), Kulturfabrik 14.05.2025 Tourcoing (FR), Le Grand Mix 15.05.2025 to be announced soon 16.05.2025 London (UK), Desertfest London 17.05.2025 Nijmegen (NL), Sonic Whip 20.05.2025 Wiesbaden (DE), Schlachthof Kesselhaus 21.05.2025 Lyon (FR), L’Epicerie Moderne 22.05.2025 Lucerne (CH), Sedel 23.05.2025 Munich (DE), Feierwerk 25.05.2025 Berlin (DE), Desertfest Berlin
SKAM release their huge new single ‘Rising Fever’ on 4th October, new album ‘From The Depths’ set for release on 29th November.
This hugely talented band release their rocking new single ‘Rising Fever‘ on 4th October, Neal states:
“This song is about our journey in the Music Industry, and tells the story behind the new album. We decided not to compromise on our sound and what we are about as a band, and write songs that we truly believe in and love. The lyrics are about all of the so called ‘industry experts’ we have come across over the years who have told us to write songs a certain way, or look a certain way. We aren’t built that way, and never will be, so this is for them!”
Formed in 2011, SKAM are a hard rock power trio band from the middle of England. They have a reputation for delivering no nonsense, gutsy, classic sounding contemporary British rock music. To date, the band have independently released 3 albums. ‘It’s Come to This’ (2011) and ‘Peacemaker’ (2014) were released to critical acclaim and the band established themselves as a live force to be reckoned with.
A drive to innovate inspired SKAM to release ‘The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard’ (2017), a concept record based on the diary entries of a time travelling RAF pilot. The songs were described as ‘gritty anthemic rockers’ by Classic Rock Magazine and the album received a number of 5 star reviews from the UK Music press. Lead single ‘Take it Or Leave it’ was voted as ‘track of the week’ by Classic Rock Magazine and has since been included on Earache Records ‘New Wave of Rock N Roll’ compilation vinyl. In 2021, broke into the Official UK Rock Charts with their ‘Intra’ EP hitting number 6. Part 2 ‘Venous’ went one better making it to number 5.
On 4th October, the band returns with new single ‘Rising Fever‘, taken from upcoming release ‘From The Depths’, their most eclectic and ambitious album yet. On this album they have pushed themselves into unknown waters, experimenting with everything from Metal to prog, to Acoustic balladry. The album is due for release on 29th November.
UK Tour dates: 12th Oct, KKs Steel Mill, Wolverhampton supporting These Wicked Rivers
1st Nov – Corporation, Sheffield 2nd Nov – Bannermans, Edinburgh 3rd Nov – Trillians, Newcastle 8th Nov – The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton 14th Nov – The Six Six Bar, Cambridge 16th Nov – Bear Cave, Bournemouth 17th Nov – The Black Heart, Camden, London 23rd Nov – Rebellion, Manchester 29th Nov – The Musician, Leicester 30th Nov – The Patriot, Newport 1st Dec – Planet Rockstock, Porthcawl
Steve Hill (guitar/vocals) Matt Gilmore (bass/backing vocals) Neal Hill (drums/backing vocals)
Following their recent signing with Massacre Records,new dark rock/metal act SCHÄDLICH & SÖHNE (feat. Yantit of Eisregen), has revealed details about their upcoming debut album, entitled “Zweckpessimismus”. The album is slated for release on November 22, 2024, and will be available as a 2-CD Mediabook, Ltd. Vinyl LP (2 colors: black / white), Ltd. Box Set and Digital formats. The Box Set includes the 2-CD Mediabook, a Patch, Flag and an Autograph Card. The pre-sale is now available at: https://lnk.to/zweckpessimismus
Stream their first single, the aptly-titled album opening track “Schädlich & Söhne”, now atthis location.
SCHÄDLICH & SÖHNE are Yantit and Guido Meyer de Voltaire – and in these dark times, they want to add a few dark grey splashes of color to your small and sad world with their new album. Abandon all hope, this music is not for everyone, and certainly no light entertainment. This is for listeners who are capable of thought, have a healthy sense of dark humor and find pleasure in tragedy.
It is an art to aptly describe one’s own lyrical outpourings without quickly sounding pathetic or even
ridiculous. There is certainly a similarity to Ewigheim here, but SCHÄDLICH & SÖHNE are much more direct and at the same time much more abstract. Or to put it a little more vaguely: total cynical negativity + the whole bitter truth = ZWECKPESSIMISMUS [Eng.: calculated pessimism (for people who can endure it)].
For the album’s musical realization, Yantit and Guido were joined by Markus Stock both on bass and as a producer. He was also responsible for the album mix and master. Kevin Olasz contributed some additional lead and solo guitars to selected songs on the album.
“Don’t be tight-fisted, spread the word! Only to people with the necessary understanding of humor and music, of course. We don’t want to upset anyone, do we?” – SCHÄDLICH & SÖHNE
CD Mediabook Track Listing:
CD 1
Schädlich & Söhne
Pathos, mein Freund?
Mit den Augen eines Toten
Katze Fröhlich
Tanz!
1000 Raben
Ein Leben
St. Nimmerlein
Vor uns der Tod
El mundo se está hundiendo
CD 2
Die Welt geht unter
Schädlich & Söhne RMX
Mit den Augen eines Toten RMX
SCHÄDLICH & SÖHNE Album Line-Up: Guido Meyer de Voltaire – Vocals Yantit – All Instruments Markus Stock – Bass
GUEST MUSICIAN Kevin Olasz: Additional lead guitars on “Schädlich & Söhne”, “Pathos, mein Freund?”, “Katze Fröhlich” and “Ein Leben”
Melodic death metal band Hagalas from Jyväskylä, Finland has released a new album titled “Mentes Reae”. The album’s tracks delve deeply into the darker aspects of mental health and human experiences. Themes explored include the hedonism fueled by social media, the struggles of life and the search for meaning, as well as violence and abuse. The songs address both the internal battles individuals face and the external pressures that affect a person’s mental state and behavior. The album as a whole is built around profound and often heavy topics that are particularly relevant in today’s world. Each track offers a unique perspective on the complexity of mental health and the vulnerability of the human mind.
In addition to the band, Samuli Raappana (Tuuliajo) contributed to the recording and mixing, while Tony Lindgren (Fascination Street Studios) handled the mastering. The album is released through the Finnish label Inverse Records.
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 ) 