Israel born and LA based heavy rock artist OHP (OREN HALMUT) digs into country history with his newest #metalcover for the 1974, Dolly Parton hit classic, “Jolene.” Swapping out the delicate guitar notes and poignant longing with brutal electric riffs and roaring vocals, “Jolene” is a modern update that re-interprets the Grammy Winning single for a modern metal audience. Fans can explore, like, and follow OHP for more excellent, metal covers online HERE.
Oren started his musical endeavor at the young age of nine in Tel-Aviv Israel. After playing and recording with numerous artists in his home town, he relocated to California in early 2000. Since then, he has been a prominent musical figure in Los Angeles, across the west coast and the nation. He owns H2O studios in North Hollywood, where he works as a producer, drummer and guitar player depending on the needs of each individual project. In 2016 oren started the “ohp metal” channel on youtube which features weekly metal covers of popular songs ranging from pop ,country, hip hop and RnB .The channel has gained over 10000 subscribers and growing weekly.
Oren currently lives in Los Angeles and is endorsed by Vater drumsticks, Dean Markley Guitar Strings and Moody guitar straps.
Tortured blackened death metal outfit WITHERED will be embarking on a summer tour in several U.S. cities this August! The run will kick off on August 5 in Spartanburg, SC and will conclude on August 14 in Nashville, TN.
During this run, the band will be performing at Medium Well in Hell fest in Raleigh, NC on August 6 and also at the Heavy Hell III festival at Black Circle Brewing in Indianapolis, IN on August 13. Later in the year, the band will also be appearing at Snowblind Festival in their hometown of Atlanta, GA on November 12! The full run of dates can be found below!
In addition, WITHERED will be performing their only headlining hometown show of the year on September 12 at The Earl in Atlanta, GA!
WITHERED will be touring in support of 2020’s full-length, ‘Verloren.’
‘Verloren’ can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.
WITHERED Live U.S. Dates: 08/05: Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero (w/ BATHE) 08/06: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater (Medium Well in Hell Festival) 08/07: Asheville, NC @ Static Age Records (w/ UROCYON) 08/11: Lexington, KY @ Green Lantern 08/13: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle Brewing (Heavy Hell III Fest) 08/14: Nashville, TN @ DRKMTTR Collective 09/12: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (w/ IMMORTAL BIRD) 11/12: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Snowblind Festival)
WITHERED recently released signature distortion pedal! Guitarist Mike Thompson teamed up with Michael Klein Audio Design out of Kansas City, MO to build a signature distortion pedal named “Husk,” which is designed for all the tone stackers out there.
Thompson also designed the cosmetics himself, combining a vintage military feel with an ethereal/mystic graphics to capture the “moods” of the pedal.
Husk Features:
Selectable “then” (NOS Japanese 1S1588) and “now” clipping diodes to choose between saturation used on older Withered albums and newer albums.
The bottom row of knobs are a circuit inspired by the classic MIJ DS-1 with high quality/low tolerance components – precision metal film resistors, WIMA caps, MLCC caps, and Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors supporting a Toshiba TA7136P Opamp.
The top row is Thompson’s collection of “do my bidding” controls: a clean blend to pepper in some clarity without losing gain, an output boost to keep the dirty tone louder than “pedal off” tone no matter how much you scoop the mids, and a no-fucks-given low pass filter to tame the nastiness however you like.
2 different colored “on” LED’s for a “military control panel” look and max visibility on stage.
Photos of the Husk Distortion Pedal can be found HERE.
Artist Paul Romano (MASTODON, HATE ETERNAL, etc.) gave an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the unique album art for ‘Verloren!’ Both Romano and WITHERED vocalist/guitarist Mike Thompson give in-depth interviews about the concept, working together, and more in this detailed article, which is accompanied by an exclusive video clip and photos! Check it out via Heaviest of Art at THIS LOCATION.
Tracklist 1. By Tooth In Tongue (8:22) 2. The Predation (6:55) 3. Dissolve (4:33) 4. Casting In Wait (5:29) 5. Passing Through… (2:37) 6. …The Long Hurt (3:55) 7. Verloren (4:29)8. From Ashen Shores (8:21) Total: 44:41
Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce the official reissue of the debut EP from Akron, OH’s IF THESE TREES COULD TALK. The first release from this instrumental post rock band was recorded in 2006 at NE Meadow Studios in Bath, OH and originally released independently by the band on September 27, 2006.
The self-titled release that has been out of print for over 10 years has been mastered for vinyl by Patrick Engel (Temple of Disharmony) and features brand new artwork and packaging.
IF THESE TREES COULD TALK self-titled EP is now available for pre-order and will be available as a Digipak and with multiple vinyl variants at: metalblade.com/ifthesetreescouldtalk
TRACKLIST: 01. Malabar Front 02. Smoke Stacks 03. The Friscalating Dusklight 04. Signal Tree 05. The Death of Paradigm 06. 41°4’23n, -81°31’4w
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 32:01:00
“If These Trees Could Talk is a band with a slightly heavier sound which is often compared to bands like Joy Wants Eternity, Red Sparowes or even Explosions In The Sky at their heaviest. Highly recommended for fans of the bands mentioned and Post-Rock in general.” progarchives.com
“With a sound reminiscent of Mogwai and Russian Circles, the band’s delay-heavy sound is constantly exploring sonic peaks and valleys as the band’s three-guitar attack surrounds listeners in a swirling sea of sparkling sound.” postart.rocks
Lineup: Tom Fihe – bass guitar Jeff Kalal – guitar Cody Kelly – guitar Mike Socrates – guitar Zack Kelly – drums
If Detroit, Michigan gave us the automobile, then Akron, Ohio gave us the tire. At one point, home to B.F. Goodrich, Firestone, General Tire, and Goodyear, the Rubber City played a large part in the advance of the auto industry. Times have changed, but Akronites continue to move forward with their intrepid spirit. This is particularly true for acclaimed IF THESE TREES COULD TALK, whose wondrous, coruscating sounds have captured not only legions of adoring fans, but also the attention of celebrated chef Chris Santos, who in turn played the group for friend and Metal Blade label guru Brian Slagel.
“Santos played some of our stuff to Brian Slagel,” says IF THESE TREES COULD TALK in slight disbelief. “Slagel sent us a tweet, and after a couple of months of back and forth, we were on Metal Blade! Still crazy to think back to that, but that’s how it went down.“
As part of inking a deal with Metal Blade, debut full-length Above the Earth, Below the Sky (2009) and its lauded successor Red Forest (2012) were re-issued, allowing new fans to encounter IF THESE TREES COULD TALK‘s sonic splendor without having to resort to aftermarket prices. And although Above the Earth, Below the Sky and Red Forest have sold over 30,000 copies prior to landing on Metal Blade, the Ohioans are looking to expand the footprint of the band. This includes the continuation of the organic growth strategies they’ve employed since forming in 2005, leveraging Metal Blade’s marketing resources, and more licensing of songs to game and television studios.
“We always love hearing how people interpret our music,” the band reveals. “One of the great things about being an instrumental band is that it breaks down the language barrier that some bands can have. It reaches across so many lines and evokes so many different feelings that it means something different to everyone. To us, that is one of the single greatest things about what we do. We don’t interpret the music to the fans. They interpret it back to us.“
Although there are many rock festivals held throughout the world during the summer months, the only one to focus solely on core-based music (metalcore, deathcore, slam, beatdown, etc.) will take place from August 26-28 – the Kentucky Irate Fest. Held at the MG Prime Entertainment Complex (7021 Global Drive, in Louisville, Kentucky), each day will feature 25+ bands, including national touring and local bands, with festival capacity being 4,000 people.
Main acts include Russia’s Slaughter to Prevail (first US show since 2019), Norma Jean, Madball, Oceano, Rivers of Nihil, Impending Doom, Traitors, The Browning, Rose Funeral (first show since 2014), Bury Your Dead (rare reunion show), Cane Hill, Palisades, Tallah, Evergreen Terrace, Jason Paige (singing his Pokemon songs he created) with local legends Belushi Speedball, The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Kaonashi, and Sea of Treachery (first show in 3 years), Costa Rica’s Savage Existence, and Australia’s Earth Caller featuring Misstiq (first US show).
Festival doors will open at 11 AM , show at 12:00/noon each day, and the show will go until 11:30 each evening.
Additionally, there will be several merch vendors on site, and 6 food trucks which will serve tacos, pizza, sushi/hibachi, hot dogs, hamburgers, and lemonade/desserts. Vegetarian option truck will also be available.
Ticketing options include Single Day-$60.00 per day, GA- $150.00 for full weekend pass, VIP-$250.00, 4 pack ticket options available at discounted rate: 4 single day tickets for $180.00 or 4 weekend pass tickets for $450.00 (buy 3, get 1 free).
On-site parking will be available for $10.00, and while there will be no camping, there are 28 hotels within a 10 minute drive of the festival grounds.
Tickets can be ordered online and a complete list of the artists performing can be viewed via www.iratefest.com/tickets.
“I am extremely proud of this festival,” says its CEO and founder, Joseph Borland. “Being a metal fan, and specifically of these genres, I am happy to really show people how awesome these sub genres can be. I think we have a special opportunity to create a unique experience for everyone involved. I think Irate Fest being global is an option for years down the road, and this being our inaugural year, I think people should be excited to experience something in its actual first year.”
“What sets us apart is the amount of heavy sub genres. Sub genres like Deathcore, metalcore, slam, and beatdown that you generally do not see in most festivals. We also have 25 bands per day, which is a lot for two stages. We have a thorough plan with no overlapping sets so the fans can have the best experience and not have to choose which stage to be at a specific time.”
“Our plan for 2023 and beyond is to expand into multiple cities with the same bands, almost like what Mayhem Festival and Warped Tour did. Being able to have this exact style show on the west coast and east coast, as well as the Midwest, is what we want to bring to our fans.”
Bring your dancing shoes and some band aids, because Irate Fest will be the heaviest festival of the year!
A video trailer for the festival can be found here:
Three-time Grammy-nominated, San Antonio-based rock outfit NOTHING MORE have added an extra element to their upcoming album SPIRITS, due October 14 via BETTER NOISE MUSIC with their very own “SPIRITS TEST.” Developed over recent years by front man JONNY HAWKINS, the SPIRITS TEST combines what’s been learned from similar personality tests including Myers-Briggs, The Big 5, Carl Jung and the Zodiac.
Throughout 25 questions, the SPIRITS TEST measures psychometrics of your dominant modes and perceptions to determine your “SPIRIT TYPE.” Each SPIRIT TYPE has its own personality description with correlating elements, paths and perceptions as well as symbolic characters which the band have revealed across recent releases. The SPIRITS TEST artwork (as seen below) was illustrated by Micah Ulrich (Lacuna Coil, Chelsea Grin, Post Malone). Watch the below video for an introduction to the SPIRITS TEST from HAWKINS. Take the SPIRITS TEST now at https://spiritstest.com/ and share your results online with the band by using the hashtag #SpiritsTest.
NOTHING MORE recently shared a lyric video for the upcoming album’s title track “SPIRITS” which follows two previous singles/videos: “TURN IT UP LIKE (Stand In The Fire)” and their current Top 10 BillboardActive Rock radio single “TIRED OF WINNING.” SPIRITS highlights the band’s most focused, adventurous, and intense music, uniting introspective philosophical lyrics with unapologetically massive anthems. “With their smoldering intensity, sweeping chords, unpredictable drums and emotive lyrics, Nothing More is a fascinating band that doesn’t care about checking off genre boxes, instead focusing on cranking out some truly awesome music,” lauds Get Rocked (5/29).Pre-order SPIRITS now at https://nothingmore.ffm.to/spirits.
Known for their live performance–which Atlas Artist Group described by saying “it’s impossible to not be drawn in by the band’s electric stage presence, stunning musicianship and the songs themselves”– NOTHING MORE will be seen on tour this fall as direct support to rockers In This Moment from August 26 to October 18 (the full dates are below). The tour will include a handful of one-off headlining shows featuring support from British rock collective Sleep Token and rock & roll dance troupe Cherry Bombs as well as a stop at Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, KY. Prior to the tour, NOTHING MORE—who just completed a co-headlining run across the U.S. with Asking Alexandria, Atreyu and Eva Under Fire—will also appear in July at some of the summer’s biggest rock festivals including Rock Fest, Upheaval Festival and Inkcarceration Festival.
NOTHING MORE 2022 TOUR DATES
7/15 Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest 7/16 Grand Rapids, MI @ Upheaval Festival 7/17 Mansfield, OH @ Inkcarceration Festival 8/26 Evansville, IN @ Old National Events Plaza # 8/27 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant # 8/28 Clive, IA @ Horizon Events Center # 8/30 Albuquerque, NM @ The Sunshine Theater * 9/1 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Events Center # 9/2 Dallas, TX @ Southside Ballroom # 9/3 Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma 9/6 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle # 9/8 Alton, VA @ Blue Ridge Rock Festival 9/9 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore # 9/10 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues # 9/12 Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse * 9/13 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore # 9/14 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE – Outdoor Stage # 9/15 Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre # 9/17 Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway # 9/18 Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore # 9/20 Columbus, OH @ Kemba Live # 9/21 Cleveland, OH @ The Agora # 9/22 Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival 9/27 Maplewood, MN @ Myth Live # 9/28 Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center # 9/30 Great Falls, MT @ Centene Stadium # 10/1 Spokane, WA @ The Podium # 10/3 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre # 10/4 Portland, OR @ Arlene Schinitzer Concert Hall # 10/5 Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre # 10/7 Garden City, ID @ Revolution Concert House and Event Center # 10/8 Central Point, OR @ Bi-Mart Amphitheater # 10/11 San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park # 10/12 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern # 10/14 Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues # 10/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex # 10/16 Billings, MT @ Pub Station * 10/18 Omaha, NE @ The Admiral # 10/19 Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre # 10/21 Chicago, IL @ Radius # 10/22 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom # #with In This Moment *NOTHING MORE headlining
American multi-platinum powerhouse, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH are excited to announce their major in-game collaboration with Iron Maiden’s Legacy of the Beast free-to-play mobile game.
Following several successful collaborations Legacy of the Beast is now teaming up with Five Finger Death Punch! Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast needed a character that would fit perfectly into a story with Magma Beast Eddie, a scheming denizen of Hell itself, born of fire and darkness. This latest Eddie was released as a special edition of Beast Eddie, uniquely created for Legacy of the Beast during Maiden’s 2019 leg of the tour and will herald Maiden’s return to the Americas for 29 shows on August 27th in Curitiba, Brazil and concluding in Tampa, Florida two months later on October 27th.
This exciting collaboration is a dungeon event called ‘Afterlife’ inspired by Five Finger Death Punch’s forthcoming ninth studio album (out 8/19) & Knucklehead, 5FDP’s iconic mascot featured on many of their album covers.
The week-long event will take fans and players on a journey with Magma Beast Eddie and Knucklehead, a fierce warrior and a brutally efficient combatant who also guards the gate to Purgatory. As civil war wages in Hell, demons and devil-kin pour out to take advantage of the chaos. The gate to Purgatory, the most exposed entrance to Hell, is overrun. Even a powerful warrior such as Knucklehead has his limits, and as the demons escape through the gate, a mysterious new individual makes his presence known, offering assistance – but at what cost?
When asked about Knucklehead and Magma Beast Eddie teaming up in Iron Maiden’s Legacy of the Beast game, Zoltan Bathory, founder and guitarist for Five Finger Death Punch said,
“You know, it’s an unexpected and impossible dream for me and my band that my childhood heroes – in this moment in life – are being let into the beautiful landscape of the game,” Zoltan continued by exclaiming, “to me Iron Maiden was the band that got me into heavy metal and slung me onto the path of my musical journey. Iron Maiden created a metal community when we were growing up – it was a brotherhood, and with this game, they’re doing it again because they’re bringing together all of these bands, and their mascots and it has this feeling of community. To me, that was very important about what got me interested in the genre in the first place.”
Will Moore, CEO Navigator Games said
“For over a year we have wanted to collaborate with Five Finger Death Punch and create Knucklehead as a playable character in the game. Knucklehead is one of the fiercest metal mascots and the perfect accomplice to join Eddie in battle against the hordes of demons as they try to escape Hell. We had an awesome time working with Zoltan on the Afterlife Dungeon concept and are excited to finally be able to invite fans to experience it.”
In Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast , metal and RPG gaming fans take on the role of the band’s iconic mascot, Eddie who travels across a spectacularly diverse array of worlds by traveling through time in captivating 3D environments. Eddie appears in many forms, each a part of Iron Maiden’s rich history, and each with a set of special powers and abilities.
Players can earn the Knucklehead character for FREE from our newest login calendar starting Tuesday, July 12th. Log in any 7 days between July 12th and August 11th to earn awesome daily rewards including Knucklehead himself on the 7th day!
Over the years the game has expanded to include 25 dungeons and 6 unique Worlds, from the pits of Hell, Ancient Egypt, World War II to the far future, hundreds of characters including 90 Eddies based on classic Maiden album covers. A vast array of enemies – corrupt Demons (Lucifer, Baphomet), Gods (Horus, Osiris, Odin) and Monsters, a bloody Player vs Player Battle Arena and a ruthless Gauntlet feature designed to satisfy new players and hardcore long term players. The latest feature ‘Clans’ allows players to join forces with their blood brothers to complete team tasks and face off against monstrous Raid Bosses. All to an in-game soundtrack of over 30 Iron Maiden tracks including – The Trooper, Where Eagles Dare, Aces High and more.
Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast, is an action-packed, free-to-play mobile game available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
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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
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