Swedish melodic death metal band Sailor Hunter released a new EP ‘Evolution’ on May 24th 2024 via Finnish Inverse Records.
This EP is about humans’ complex history of adoption. Over time, our species has developed advanced cognitive abilities, language and complex social structures. However, the same intelligence that has allowed humans to thrive also poses the potential for self-inflicted destruction. The rapid advancements in technology, coupled with environmental pressures, present challenges to the sustainability of human civilization. For example, the development of autonomous weapons, powered by artificial intelligence, raises concerns about the potential for these systems to act beyond human control. How can humanity, nature and innovation coalesce into a symphony of balance?
Ashes: The song is about the triumph over adversity and the ability to rebuild after destruction and hardship. It was the first song that we did together with me as a new singer. The song has a lot of energy and I felt that the lyrics needed to be epic and empowering.
Condemned by Creation: This song delves into the intricate relationship between a creator and their creation. It navigates the emotional landscape of regret, reflection and the weight of unintended consequences. The lyric captures the internal struggle of grappling with the sometimes bad effect of one’s own creative endeavors.
Against All Strife: The lyrics tell about the confinements of a metaphorical prison, symbolizing personal struggles or societal constraints. The song celebrates the courage to confront adversity and the human spirit against the forces of strife.
Evolution: The lyric explores the theme of destructive forces that hinder evolution. It was while working on this song that the concept idea of the album came to be. The theme of evolution came to me in the process of working on the songs, it wasn’t planned in advance. It was just something that had interested me for some time
Rome hardcore stalwarts FELDSPAR will release their debut album “Old City New Ruins” on September 30th 2024 via Time To Kill Records. Decibel Magazine is hosting the premiere of the record’s first single, “Cobblestones”. Stream it HERE.
“Old City, New Ruins” takes its title from Rome, the city where the band is based. It depicts the contemporary ruins of the capital, yet it’s merely a pretext to expose the complexities of everyday life common to Western societies and their major cities, foremost among them.
The album unfolds episode by episode, driven by the need to express anger and frustration, but also the antidotes to them. Social references abound, as well as intimate reflections and even profound investigations into the psychoses of the marginalized and abandoned.
It tells the story of collective strength, musically expressed through a choral quality that runs deep in the band. “Old City, New Ruins” is a unique hardcore album, inspired both by emerging currents of the genre – such as Comeback Kid, Turnstile, Trapped Under Ice – and by the European and Northern European heavy tradition – like Kvelertak, Turbonegro – to the pantheon of influences of FELDSPAR: Nirvana, Motorhead, Gorilla Biscuits, Slayer and everything in between.
The album consists of ten songs, with bellicose episodes alternating with cathartic moments, explosions of energy accompanied by timeless slogans, songs for celebration and songs for war, moments for reflection, and others for denunciation.
All of this alternates within the ten tracks preceding the instrumental that gives the album its title, also the final track of the record, a sort of Carpenteresque ballad that serves as the soundtrack to visualize the marvelous and creepy ruins FELDSPAR speaks of.
Production note: for the album, FELDSPAR worked alongside Nick Terry, a legendary figure in the English music scene, known for his productions with Ian Brown/Stone Roses, The Libertines, Turbonegro, Simian Mobile Disco, Kvelertak, Peaches, and more. His involvement adds international depth to the project. The artwork was entrusted to Chris Wilson, an American illustrator renowned for his work on covers for bands like MindForce, Scowl, Combust, and Gel, essentially the cream of the crop of contemporary American hardcore.
Tracklist:
1. What Makes Us Stay? 2. Cobblestones 3. Dead Friends Still Alive 4. 18 Karat 5. Your Resistance Is Not Only Futile But Also Pathetic 6. The Jester’s Revolt 7. Scalp Is An Ashtray 8. All Quiet (Huff And Puff) 9. Beach Bums Of Santa 10. God Is Fired 11. Old City New Ruins
For fans of: Life of Agony, Kvlertak, Integrity, Trapped Under Ice, Fiddlehead, Comeback Kid
In the eternal city of Rome, where the whispers of cryptic ecclesiastical hierarchies still linger,FELDSPAR emerges as a musical enigma, delving into the shadows to unravel, with a certain dose of irony and creativity, the clandestine threads of power. Named after a mineral purportedly worn by a covert Roman clergy, this entity consists of six eclectic souls working tirelessly to expose the elusive puppeteers who have shaped the lives of millions of people since the beginning of time.
Formed in late 2023 and based just a stone’s throw from the Vatican, the Godless folk two blocks from the Pope, FELDSPAR‘s journey begins with the legendary Andrew Mecoli, founder of the iconic Growing Concern, Mecoli’s guitar riffs echo the peculiar spirit of Italian hardcore. Joining him is Stefano Casanica, a prolific songwriter and producer, whose musical odyssey spans decades with undertakings in Undertakers, Craiving, Crude, and collaborations that transcend genres. Casanica’s production magic is immortalized in Noyz Narcos cult classic ‘Non dormire‘, a cornerstone of Italian hardcore rap with millions of streamings so far.
Enter Riccardo Zamurri, the charismatic frontman and creative force behind FELDSPAR‘s visual and thematic universe. With an imaginative prowess that spawns countless artistic collaborations worldwide, Zamurri shapes the band’s narratives and lyrical landscapes.
Anna Pasolini, the rising star, brings her sharp vocals and musical sensibility honed in London, where her mother, the Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman, imparted the musical craft. Pasolini’s environmental commitment as a dedicated scientist adds another layer to the band’s multifaceted identity.
Completing the lineup are the rhythmic anchors, Manlio Massimetti on bass and Luca Micheli on drums. Seasoned musicians with unwavering rhythmic certainties, contribute to FELDSPAR‘s hardcore attitude and the myriad compositions that spring forth from their creative well.
Their lyrics traverse contemporary themes, often rooted in critiquing the mass commercial drift of Western spirituality, emanating from the heart of Rome. The band delves into the psychoses of the individual, often transcending into imaginative realms, and champions mental health and adaptability to reality.
Environmental concerns, felt as urgent civic duties, find a prominent place in FELDSPAR‘s lyrical arsenal. Finally, the band pays homage to the communities to which it belongs, considering itself an expanded collective with friends and nonconformist artists at its core. Collaborations with figures such as Nick Terry, the London producer known for his work with countless Rock icons (The Libertines, Turbonegro, Kvelertak, The Stone Roses, Simian Mobile Disco) who produced the band’s debut album. Chris Wilson, a Tattoo artist and illustrator for Combust, Scowl, and many other American hardcore bands; Guido Gazzilli‘s courageous photography, Marcello ‘Rise Above’ Crescenzi‘s mastery of Roman art, and his exquisite illustrations further enrich the tapestry of the band’s creative journey and underscore FELDSPAR‘s commitment to a diverse and vibrant artistic community. Over time, Luca “Solo Macello”, an exceptionally skilled illustrator and collaborator with bands worldwide, joined in. His cover for Salmo‘s latest album, which remained at the top of the charts in Italy for weeks, has become one of the most important artworks in recent discographic history. Lastly, Nicolas Romero, an Argentine painter with FELDSPAR, is exploring uncharted visual universes.
In the intricate dance between sound, vision, and ideology, FELDSPAR stands as a beacon, beckoning the curious to navigate the uncharted waters of their musical realm.
Following in the body-strewn footsteps of last year’s Bazookiller EP, Spain’s HOLYCIDE are back with their third full length album – Towards Idiocracy! While Bazookiller was undoubtedly a hard hitting release in its own right, Towards Idiocracy sees Holycide reaching new war torn peaks of intensity with this full force thrash metal nuclear attack. If you thought you knew what Holycide were capable of then think again – the bar has just been raised to unprecedented heights. It’s time to march on Towards Idiocracy…
Since their blistering Toxic Mutation EP back in 2015, Holycide have held the banner high for uncompromising, undiluted thrash metal – in the words of the mighty Exodus, “100% all out nothing less, aggressive relentless and mean”. Like no other band in the modern age, Holycide’s dedication to thrash is absolute and with their third full length album, Towards Idiocracy, they have created a genuine thrash masterpiece. From the opening attack of “A.I. Supremacy” to the last defiant chord of final track “Flamethrower ‘Em All“, via a flawless cover of the Atrophy classic “Chemical Dependency“, Towards Idiocracy is a nirvana of monstrous riffs, relentless drums and a snarling vocal presence that will have the unbelievers running for the hills. A caustic attack on humanity’s pathetic addiction to a shallow, selfish existence, Towards Idiocracy is every bit as vehement in its unforgiving lyrical exhortations as in its rapid fire, twin guitar assault. Holycide are setting the standards for thrash in 2024!
Still bonded by blood with Xtreem Music, Holycide will unleash the fistful of metal that is Towards Idiocracy (CD/LP/MC) on June 6th, 2024 – the international day of Slayer. What more fitting release date could there be for an album which is Holycide’s very own Reign In Blood? Their most intense, unyielding, inexorable album to date!
Music for new album was recorded:
guitars, bass & drums at Black Night Studios (Palma de Mallorca),
vocals at Sanctuary Studios (Madrid).
Produced and arranged by Vicente J. Payá at Black Night Studios. All was mixed by Javier Fernández Milla at Montseny Studios (Angelus Apatrida, Avulsed) and mastered by Davide Billia at MK2 Recording Studio (Antropofagus, Beheaded). Vividly violent artwork was done by Daemorph Art (The Black Dahlia Murder, Vulvodynia, Bodyfarm). Band photo by Lucretia Morti.
Prepare for detonation!
Dave Rotten comments new song: “The lyrics of this song talk about the current era of fake news. When we don’t like some truth, we cover it with fake news, creating another fake new with this, and sometimes, we know positively that something is fake new, but even so, we settle for giving it credibility, simply because it agrees with our ideology, in what it seems that anything goes. We have become accustomed to living with lies and hoaxes, which are the new truth… making the infamous Göbbels right: “a lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth“.
WATCH video to the song “Lie is the New Truth” (digital platforms) ⤵
01. A.I. Supremacy 02. Towards Idiocracy 03. Remote Control 04. Lie is the New Truth 05. Power Corrupts 06. Technophobia 07. Angry For Nothing 08. Chemical Dependency (Atrophy cover) 09. Pleased to Be Deceived 10. Flamethrower ’em All
Line-up:
Dave Rotten – vocals (Avulsed, Christ Denied, Putrevore) Salva Esteban – lead guitar (Charontid) Ankor Ramírez – lead guitar Vicenta J. Payá – bass (Unbounded Terror, Golgotha) Santi Arroyo “GoG” – drums (Avulsed, Buriality)
The award-winning artist and songwriter ERLEND ROPSTAD is finally back with new music, kicking off the summer with the song “Alt som var bra” (“Everything That Was Good”). Big riffs and catchy rock meet poetry, and the song’s rhythm and feel are tailor-made for the expansive plains when festival season arrives.
Erlend Ropstad shares: “I wanted to release this song before summer because it’s such an obvious festival banger in my ears. The goal is, of course, for everyone to sing along.”
With a total of eight Norgian Grammy nominations and numerous awards such as the Prøysen Award, and the Gammleng-Award, Erlend Ropstad has built a reputation as one of the foremost and most credible voices in Norwegian rock. The new single also features delightful collaborations, and with an impressive saxophone solo, the song truly gives us everything that’s great.
Ropstad says, “The wonderful thing about the song is the big guitar chords, and I managed to get Lars Horntveth to channel his inner Clarence Clemons with a proper sax solo, and Mathias Eick joins in on trumpet during the riffing towards the end. Awesome track.”
Contributors: Erlend Ropstad: Piano, vocals, and guitar Gunnar Sæter: Drums Øystein Frantzvåg: Bass Julie Falkevik: Keyboard Lars Horntveth: Saxophone Mathias Eick: Trumpet
Canadian Roots, Rock, and Soul band Bywater Call release the super-charged “As If”, their third single of 2024, and the fifth song released from their upcoming studio album Shepherd. Stream the single HERE.
Driven by Mike Meusel on bass and Bruce McCarthy on drums, “As If” is a dynamic funk, rock n’ soul inspired number featuring soaring, emotion-filled vocals and ripping guitar, all expertly coloured in with an undeniable groove from the keys and horns. The bursting energy in “As If” has made it an immediate hit with audiences from the moment it was first played in a live setting in mid-2023. Watch the music video for “As If” HERE.
“This song embodies the awareness, anger, acceptance and breaking free from toxic energy in one’s life” says lead singer Meghan Parnell, who drew inspiration from former relationships.
“As If” was partially filmed and recorded at friend, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Howley’s beautiful barn studio in the country of Ontario, Canada where he acted as engineer. Bass (Mike Meusel), drums (Bruce McCarthy), horns (Julian Nalli, sax and Stephen Dyte, trumpet) and keys (John Kervin) were captured live-off-the-floor. Additional recording, including lead vocals (Meghan Parnell) and Guitars (Dave Barnes), was captured by Bywater drummer Bruce McCarthy (The BeatFarm in Toronto), who also acted as mixing engineer.
“As If” follows the April release of “Roll” and the March release of “Holler” – which saw extensive A-list radio play on UK’s Planet Rock Radio. It also follows the 2023 releases of singles “Sweet Maria” and “For All We Know”, which received rave reviews from UK, Europe, and North America. All four tunes will be included on the new album.
Set to come out August 9th, 2024, Shepherd features a captivating mix of 10 original songs, showcasing the bands continual exploration, experimentation, and reach beyond the boundaries of their genre, further developing their own unique voice. The new music shows their growth, while still paying tribute to their historical and contemporary influences.
“Bywater Call cross and blend multiple genres into a sound that is distinctly their own. they are talented both individually and as a group, they have a chemistry that is palpable, and they play a blend of music and musical styles that is impossible to not connect with.” – Rick Witt, Denver Entertainment Hub
Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members.
The band was UK Blues Award nominated for the 2024 International Blues Artist of the Year. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.
Bywater has been busy. In 2023 alone, they played a total of 96 showsin10 countries, 89 cities, 19 US states and 3 Canadian provinces, including Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise.
In October 2024, they headline their second UK tour. Dates & details at www.bywatercall.com.
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SPRING/ SUMMER USA/CANADA/ROMANIA TOUR 2024
6-June – Denver, CO, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
7-June – Montrose, CO, Montrose Summer Music Series 13-June – Syracuse, NY, New York State Blues Festival 14-June – Somers Point, NJ, Somer’s Point Beach Concerts 16-June – Franklin, PA, Franklin Blues & BBQ 18-June – Lima, NY, Fanatics 19-June – Sellersville, PA, Sellersville Theatre 20-June – Tuckerton, NJ, Lizzie Rose Music Room 21-June – Hagerstown, MD, HubCity Vinyl 22-June – Hughesville, PA, Billtown Blues Festival
5-July – Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa Blues Fest 12-July – Omaha, NB, Playing with Fire 13-July – Kansas City, MO, Knuckleheads 19-July – Brezoi, Romania, Brezoi Open Air Festival 23-July – Syracuse, NY, Club 443 24-July – Syracuse, NY, Club 443 25-July – Athens, NY, Summer Music Series 28-July – Norwood, MA, Fallout Shelter
2-August – Pomeroy, OH, Big Bend Blues Bash 3-August – Nashville, TN, City Winery 4-August – Knoxville, TN, Tennessee Riverboat 9-August – Nanaimo, BC, Nanaimo Blues Festival 11-August – Wheeling, WV, Heritage Music Blues Fest 16-August – Norwich, NY, Chenango Blues Fest 17-August – Thornton, NH, White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Fest 24-August – Ontonagon, MI, Porcupine Mountains Music Festival 29-August – Pelham, ON, Fonhtill Bandshell Concerts
6-September – Port Credit, ON, Southside Shuffle 7-September – Drumheller, AB, Canada Badlands Roots, Blues and BBQ
EUROPE FALL TOUR 2024
2-October Verviers, Belgium Spirit of 66 3-October Heilbronn, Germany Waldhaus 4-October Zaandam, Netherlands De Flux 5-October Enschede, Netherlands Mystiek Theatre 6-October Weert, Netherlands De Bosuil 8-October Fulda, Germany Kulturkeller 9-October Utrecht, Netherlands Tivoli (Cloud 9) 10-October Herent, Belgium GC De Wildeman 11-October Isernhagen, Germany Blues Garage 12-October Assen, Netherlands New Blues Festival 13-October Bonn, Germany Harmonie
ABOUT BYWATER CALL Bywater Call, is a powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada. The band is completed by Meghan Parnell (vocals), Dave Barnes (guitar), Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on Bass, newest member, John Kervin on Keys, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and Julian Nalli on tenor sax.
Bywater is currently UK Blues Award nominated for International Blues Artist of the year. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.
In August 2023, the band participated in Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise alongside headliners Blackberry Smoke and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and were invited to perform at the All-Star Jam on the mainstage with Bonamassa himself. Guitarist Dave Barnes was also asked to join legendary blues artist Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien’s Basic Cable Band) on stage.
Bywater Call have commanded festival stages in Canada and around the world, often referred to as the “find of the fest”. In May of 2023, they opened for Canadian award-winning band Whitehorse at the inaugural Smokestack Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. In July, Meghan joined renowned pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph on stage at his request, at the Briggs Farm Festival in Nescopeck, PA.
On October 24, 2023, Bywater performed a live stream performance for the famed German TV show and festival Rockpalast.
In 2023 alone, the band played a total of 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 Cities, 19 US States and three Canadian provinces. This is not including a month-long duo tour in Europe and the UK where Meghan and Dave opened for Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, who have recently partnered with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records.
The band’s music is an exploration of life’s highs and lows. From intimate ballads that lay bare the complexities of human emotion to electrifying anthems that demand to be played at full volume, their catalogue is a journey through the human experience, incorporating influences from the likes of The Band, The Wood Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Otis Redding, Little Feat, Sly and the Family Stone, among others.
Blackened speed metal entity WORMWITCH will unleash their eponymous fourth studio album on July 26, 2024 via Profound Lore Records! The Canadian horde sets out to combine a melodic blackened death assault with the ferocity and attitude of crust punk and classic rock and roll, jettisoning the burdens of ceremony and pomp that dominate the genre today. To celebrate this revelation, WORMWITCH is now unveiling the first single from the offering, “The Helm And The Bow,” which features guest vocals from KVELERTAK’s Erlend Hjelvik. The track is now available at THIS LOCATION.
WORMWITCH comments, “We’ve been looking forward to today… we finally get to start stringing out these new tracks. This one is one of my favourite’s from the album, and I’m not just saying that. I won’t tell you what it’s about because real ones will know. We got some vocal contributions from our buddy Erlend who absolutely nailed it, can’t thank him enough for lending us his voice.”
The album can be pre-ordered in various formats HERE.
The cover artwork for Wormwitch’s eponymous record was created by Abomination Hammer and can be found below along with the tracklist.
Tracklisting: 01: Fugitive Serpent 02: Envenomed 03: The Helm And The Bow [WATCH] 04: Inner War 05: Godmaegen 06: Salamander 07: Wormsblood Necromancy 08: Bright And Poisonous 09: Draconick Sorcerous Canadian Witchknights
Like black wings from an obsidian sky, WORMWITCH descended from the darkness in 2015, somewhere upon the rain-soaked woodlands of coastal British Columbia. Animated from the bones of several local punk and metal bands, the new entity set out to combine a melodic blackened death assault with the ferocity and attitude of crust punk and classic rock and roll, jettisoning the burdens of ceremony and pomp that dominate the genre today.
WORMWITCH released their first demo, ‘The Long Defeat’ in 2015, and shortly after signed to Prosthetic Records, under whom they released ‘Strike Mortal Soil’ (2017), ‘Heaven that Dwells Within’ (2019), and ‘Wolf Hex’ (2021). During that time the band toured with the likes of The Black Dahlia Murder, Suffocation, Midnight, Necrot, Uada, Bewitcher, and many others, earning themselves a dedicated cult following and international critical praise. In 2022, WORMWITCH struck out to independently release a string of singles and embark upon several tours of North America. After a busy festival season, 2024 saw the release of a six-song split with Atlanta black-thrashers Sadistic Ritual.
Now, with blades meticulously honed and tempered under the light of a feral Canadian moon, WORMWITCH emerges once more to offer their fourth full length record. Simply self-titled, “Wormwitch” is a statement of a band coming into it’s own – a revelrous celebration of devilish speed, searing melody and diabolical intensity.
Wormwitch Lineup: Robin Harris: Bass, Vocals Colby Hink: Guitars Israel Langlais: Drums
Recording & Mixing: Michael Kraushaar at Little Red Sounds at New Westminster, BC Mastering: Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Guest vocals: Erlend Hjelvik (Kvelertak) on “The Helm And The Bow”
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
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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
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