Ahead of its release this month on the twisted Aesthetic Death roster, Everything Is Noise today presents an exclusive stream of “Bagulnik”, the debut LP from extreme doom/drone act VOIDWARDS. Stream the album at THIS LOCATION.
“Bagulnik” will be released on December 27th 2024 via Aesthetic Death.
VOIDWARDS are a minimalist, droning, extreme doom act that have existed, under various guises, since 2005. Amidst frequent line-up changes during this time, the core member{s} have remained true and committed to their vision of creating heavy, oppressive, claustrophobic doom.
This is the first full length album in their 20-year existence. Preferring earlier to channel their music through live performances and improvised recordings.
Historical research into a provincial Russian archive, done by the band’s vocalist, became the inspirational source for “Bagulnik”. This formed not only the lyrical concept, but a thematic flow for the whole album, including the lysergic dirge found in the music itself.
Most lyrics are extracted from the diaries of a rural teacher, named Ivan Perfiliev, who claimed that the swamp on the outskirts of the town possessed supernatural properties. Believing he could hear the voice of the swamp inside his head, constantly calling to him. Somewhere in the depths of this swamp, he believed, lived an unknown ancient beast that howled at the moon and caused great suffering. In his diary, he also wrote how other people in the locality were suffering from the same condition. It hasn’t been possible to verify the accuracy of these accounts, occurring over a century ago, but through the album Voidwards take us on a sonic journey of the events from the swamp, giving both hypothesis and conclusion to what caused people in this area to have such visions and mental illness. Ivan was hospitalized with acute psychosis (schizophrenia) but later escaped the institution and ended his life through blunt trauma to his head.
The background noises throughout the album are processed field recordings. These were created at the location of the swamp (as well as in abandoned churches) in this part of northern Russia.
The focus on the cello throughout this album was used to specifically create some of the lysergic haunting sounds.
“Bagulnik” is an exploration in atmosphere and slow, oppressive tones.
It is not an album for the masses, not even for most interested in sub-genres of doom. But for anyone open-minded and willing to explore and immerse themselves in obscure, raw, claustrophobic, minimal, sounds then give it a try…… take this introspective journey of otherworldly music, blending drone and funeral doom.
Dark atmospheric project CLOVEN presents the visualizer for the track “Wrapped in Talons”, a track taken from the EP “Twilight’s Heart “, out via Wormholedeath.
“Wrapped in Talons” weaves a poetic tapestry of mortality, loss, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Each word intertwines seamlessly with the melancholic melody, creating a deeply immersive experience that lingers long after the final note fades.
With “Twilight’s Heart,” Cloven invites listeners to traverse a sonic landscape where darkness meets beauty, and every note echoes the eternal dance between life and death.
“Twilight’s Heart” is available now on all major streaming platforms:orcd.co/twilightsheart
Beth Hart has sold out her concert at Warwick Arts Centre on February 22nd. Tickets are available for her remaining two UK concerts including Bristol Beacon on February 18th and London Eventim Apollo on February 20th.
Special guest at all three shows is Wille And The Bandits (Acoustic Duo).
The announcement follows the release of Beth’s critically acclaimed new album “You Still Got Me.” Released by Provogue/Mascot Label Group the new album is available HERE.
Watch the video for her single “Savior With A Razor” (featuring Slash):
With a career marked by critical acclaim and countless accolades, Beth Hart has solidified her place as one of the most influential and heartfelt voices in music today. Her journey, marked by triumphs and trials, reflects her relentless dedication to her craft and fans. Hart’s music, infused with her raw, soulful energy, has captivated audiences worldwide, earning her top spots on the Billboard Blues charts and performances at iconic venues like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
There is an electrifying connection between Beth and her fans, one that’s almost unrivalled. Her ability to touch people with her music and words that cut through straight to the heart means that she lives every word she sings, and fans hang on to each word, living it with her. You Still Got Me offers fans a chance to hold and comfort her as she continues to navigate her journey with grace and courage.
Photo by Amp Music Photography
A DHP Presentation by Arrangement with N&P Touring BETH HART – UK TOUR DATES
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS *WILLE AND THE BANDITS (ACOUSTIC DUO)
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM WWW.ALTTICKETS.COM/BETH-HART-TICKETS
BRISTOL BEACON TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2025
LONDON EVENTIM APOLLO THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2025
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE (SOLD OUT) SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2025
Beth Hart is as real as it gets. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards, shares her darkest secrets and invites you to join her for the ride.
New fans might know Beth as the all-conquering global icon, dubbed “extraordinary” by The Times and “daring, brooding and angry” by The Guardian. But to understand her rollercoaster backstory, you need only read the War In My Mind lyric sheet.
Hart is recognized as one of her generation’s most talented voices. She has sold out tours worldwide, including performances at historic venues such as Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. She’s topped the Billboard charts six times, gone double platinum and had a string of Top 10 charting albums across Europe.
The Grammy-nominated powerhouse vocalist Beth Hart took on one of her most profound undertakings to date by channelling the legendary voice of Robert Plant on A Tribute To Led Zeppelin. The nine-track album highlights the incredible musical spectrum that Led Zeppelin operated in.
All that was left was the final piece of the puzzle… the voice. Things clicked into place when Cavallo was producing Hart’s previous album, War In My Mind (2019), and she did an impromptu version of “Whole Lotta Love” in the studio. He later asked about doing a whole record. Beth said, “I’m not doing this whole album. To do Zeppelin, you’ve got to be pissed off to hit that right. I can’t go there; I’ve worked years to put my rage away. “She continues, “then the pandemic and all the things around it hit. So now I’m pissed off. I called my manager and said, have Rob and Doug send me all the music because I am ready to do this. “If you were to rewind, you could say the story for a Led Zeppelin album started further back; in May 2004 Hart prowled the stage at the Paradiso in Amsterdam for an incendiary performance of “Whole Lotta Love”. The song became a semi-regular fixture in her setlist over the years, including a memorable performance with Slash.
At 51 – and proud of it – Beth is basking in a golden period. The success of her last original album, War In My Mind, followed by the incredible Led Zeppelin tribute, have garnered yet more critical acclaim, growing sales and sold-out shows. But as the singer reminds us, her life has always moved in cycles–”things get good then go to crap, get good then go to crap”–and it’s in these extremes that many of her best songs are born.
CHRIS HARMS not only stands out as a musical chameleon with his band LORD OF THE LOST, but also with his very first solo album, 1980. The album, which is strongly reminiscent of synth-pop, will be released on January 31, 2025 via Napalm Records and is the realization of a long-cherished dream that is finally coming to life. 1980 delivers a very unique sound yet-untapped in Harms’ main band. Instead, it dives into the uniquely atmospheric synthesizer sounds of the 80s, interweaving them with electronic, wave and goth elements and completely diverting from guitar-driven rock style.
Harms’ distinctive voice and 1980s synth-pop-inspired sound craft an atmospheric journey through time, starting with the wave-infused, dancefloor-ready album opener and first single, “I Love You.” The official music video, released today, perfectly complements the track, delivering captivating visuals that radiate the retro charm of the 80s.
CHRIS HARMS adds: “‘I Love You’ – that immediately sounds like a cheerful summer hit to me. However, this first impression couldn’t be more wrong. While the 80s synth sound effortlessly creates a sense of lightness, ‘I Love You’ is, at its core, one of the saddest songs I have ever written. Melancholy in neon colors.”
With LORD OF THE LOST, CHRIS HARMS just experienced the most successful four years in the band’s history, including participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and tours with Iron Maiden, as well as one #1 and two #2 albums on the Official German Album Charts. But a break is out of the question. The idea of a solo album has been maturing in his mind for a long time and has now taken its final form.
CHRIS HARMS describes 1980: “If I were forced to categorize this album and label it, it would probably say ‘a strange but successful mix of Depeche Mode, Modern Talking and Sandra with Chris Harms’ voice, but with less perm and mullet’”.
Songs such as the hit “She Called Me Diaval” and “Lunamor” exude a pleasant lightness, while “Past Pain” and “May This Be Your Last Battlefield” strike a reflective note. Two selected duets round off the album: Harms welcomes guest singer Sven Friedrich (Solar Fake) on “Madonna Of The Night”, while Ronan Harris (VNV Nation) can be heard on “The Grey Machines”.
1980 deliberately avoids attempting to reinvent the wheel, but is to be understood as a musical journey through time. It is proof of Harms’ artistic versatility, for which he is admired and appreciated far beyond genre boundaries. There is no deliberate calculation or riding the wave of any trends on the album, but simply a passion, desire and love for music, with which CHRIS HARMS has marked a remarkable new pinnacle in his discography as a musician.
1980 tracklist: 1. I Love You 2. She Called Me Diaval 3. Somewhere Between Heaven And Armageddon 4. Missed Call 5. Madonna Of The Night (feat. Sven Friedrich) 6. Lunamor 7. Parallax 8. Past Pain 9. The Grey Machines (feat. Ronan Harris) 10. Vagueness Of Faith 11. May This Be Your Last Battlefield
FOZZY is Excited to Announce Their Most Anticipated Tour to Date: The “2025th Anniversary Tour”!
Set to kick off in Springfield, MO on April 17 while concluding in Wyandotte, MI on May 12. FOZZY will hit the road on a cross country journey to 20 of the nations most epic venues, bringing their electrifying live performances for fans in every city.
Featuring Superstar showman Chris Jericho on vocals tagging with the iconic signature riffs of maven guitarist Rich Ward, Fozzy is set to launch the next phase of their 25th Anniversary tour with guitarist Billy Grey, bassist P.J. Farley, and drummer Grant Brooks rounding out the band.
Living up to their unabashed and uncaged reputation, FOZZY truly delivers the ultimate arena rock experience to every show – a sonic assault of head banging, energy, attitude and most importantly, songs. With Eight albums under their belt, a Certified RIAA Gold single with “Judas”, Seven Straight Top 10 Radio Singles, Over 300 MILLION US Streams and Video views, every show is an experience, fueled by crowd participation sing alongs and chants of FOZZY! FOZZY! FOZZY!” from the masses.
From performing three shows across America in one day, to filming a music video on one of the fastest hair raising roller coasters in the world, to performing live at Wembley Stadium twice in the past year, Fozzy always brings innovation to their fans. And this leg of the 25th Anniversary tour is no different as they bring community and concerts together with a Radio Presents approach.
“Born of a desire to create opportunities for our artists, create revenue for radio and continue to strengthen our amazing community, we are proud to present the #HAPPENS radio concert series and to have FOZZY, a band we broke at radio with their song Judas, be the band that kicks off our new concert series”. – Ken Pittman, #HAPPENS
Sheer atrocities are right around the corner. Combining the most violent extremities of hardcore, sludge and black metal, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE have a created a truly unique, visceral sound – one that they will be exploring further on their newest album HEIR.
On the lead single, Kingdom, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE explores a new sonic palette by working together with Laura Morgan of electro/industrial project Livmødr.
HEIR is out March 7th on Season of Mist.
Their new video sets an appropriately grim scene for the return of THIS GIFT IS A CURSE. After all, a decrepit, god forsaken cabin in the woods looks awfully picturesque when framed against this band’s unholy seance. Hammering blast beats and a swarm of needling tremolo picks tear through the gates of “Kingdom” like the hounds of hell.
“I have made a secret door into your eyes“, a possessed Jonas Holmberg chants alongside Livmødr’s bewitching Laura Morgan. The song’s eerie pangs of melody summon us deeper into its pentagram-shaped maze, only for the tortured screams and chaotic bludgeoning of riffs to slam the door behind you.
Tracklist: 1. Kingdom (5:43) [WATCH] 2. No Sun, nor Moon (8:17) 3. Void Bringer (9:17) 4. Death Maker (4:26) 5. Passing (2:17) 6. Seers of No Light (5:52) 7. Cosmic Voice (6:51) 8. Vow Sayer (6:00) 9. Old Space (8:42) 10. Ascension (9:17) Total runtime: 1:06:44
There’s an abyssal depth reaching far below – where light is devoured by shadow, and silence is torn asunder by cacophony. Down below, there thrives a beast most foul and majestic. This beast, known among the living as THIS GIFT IS A CURSE, has clawed its way through the bedrock – leaving a trail of desolation and awe in its wake. As 2025 dawns bleak and uncertain, the beast prepares to unleash its latest apocalypse, ‘HEIR.’
Since its infernal birth, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE has been a harbinger of the end times for the conventional and the mundane. A cataclysmic fusion of black metal ferocity, sludge-laden doom, and a haunting ambience straight from the depths of the nether, has torn apart stages and souls alike. Now, with ‘HEIR,’ they stand poised to cast the world into a new age of darkness.
THIS GIFT IS A CURSE were founded in Stockholm by a fateful chance meeting of vocalist Jonas A. Holmberg and drummer Johan Nordlund in late summer 2008. The duo soon recruited guitarist Patrik Andersson and Lars Gunnarsson on bass. In March 2010 the Swedish four-piece entered the legendary Sunlight Studios (ENTOMBED, KATATONIA, TIAMAT, DISMEMBER and many more) and recorded their self-titled debut EP with the aid of producer Tomas Skogsberg. ‘This Gift Is A Curse’ (2010) was well received in the underground and led to the band being invited to perform many shows in their homeland and Europe. During the second half of 2011, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE recorded their first full-length ‘I, Gvilt Bearer’ at a secret location north of Stockholm. Their producer Magbjork (MELEEH, CHILDREN OF FALL) moved his studio to this specific location to allow the band to unlimited record possibilities. Released in 2012, the album caused a buzz that reached beyond the underground and quickly sold out its first pressings. More touring followed during the next two years. In 2014, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE teamed up with Magbjork once again to record ‘All Hail The Swinelord’ in an abandoned house close to Stockholm.
After the release in 2015, a few Scandinavian and European tours followed before the band decided it was time to go back into the void to write new music. This process started with the recruitment of a second guitarist in order to push the sonic experience even further. David Deravian, hailing from steel town Eskilstuna, joined the cursed ranks of THIS GIFT IS A CURSE in 2016, adding fresh creative blood and new musical input to the sonic pot. As the new material took form, the band not only booked studio time with the great W. Blackmon of the Overlook Studios in Gävle (SE), but also kept their roots by recoding parts of the album at Norra Begravningsplatsen in Stockholm. Including producer MAGBJORK to the whole process once again to get the right ‘grit and grievance’ into the sound. Afterwards, mastering was done by none other than Magnus Lindberg (CULT OF LUNA, TRIBULATION, ALCEST etc).
THIS GIFT IS A CURSE defies the transient trends of music, instead choosing to carve its path with the bones of the fallen. Their forthcoming album, ‘HEIR,’ is a relentless pursuit of the extreme, a mosaic of human suffering and the dark beauty that lies within. As the album prepares to sear its mark upon the world, one thing is clear: There will be no heirs to the throne of darkness that THIS GIFT IS A CURSE occupies. The crown is theirs alone, forged in the fires of creation and destruction, a beacon for those who dare to walk the shadows.
Line-up: Jonas A. Holmberg – Vocals Patrik Andersson – Guitars, Vocals David Deravian – Guitars Lars Gunnarsson – Bass Christian Augustin – Drums
Recording Studio: The Overlook Studio, Gävle, Sweden
Production Credits: Produced, Engineered & Mixed by William Blackmon at The Overlook Studio. Mastered by Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios, Stockholm, Sweden. Guitars recorded at Laard studios and House of Inge Studio. Engineered by Daniel Noring and TGIAC. Bass recorded at Cold Barn with the help of Daniel Noring. Vocals recorded at Cold Barn by TGIAC.
Guest Musicians: Laura Morgan (of Livmødr) – Vocals on Kingdom (Track 1), Old Space (Track 9) & Ascension (Track 10).
Cover Art: Jonas A. Holmberg / House of No Light .317 (Instagram)
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
