Season of Mist is proud to announce that Icelandic Tech Death outfit OPHIDIAN I have scored the coveted ‘Rock Album of the Year’ nomination for the Icelandic Music Awards (Íslensku Tónlistarverðlaunin)! The band’s 2021 release ‘Desolate’ has been selected among other releases from artists like THE VINTAGE CARAVAN and MONOTOWN. A full list of nominations can be found HERE.
OPHIDIAN I comments on the nomination: “This nomination is a huge deal for us. A milestone for the band, ourselves and extreme metal in general. While we certainly poured enough into this album to feel a nomination would be warranted, it didn’t really feel like something that’d actually come to fruition – making this almost surreal but in the absolute best way. We are very honoured, thankful and proud to be harvesting all the hard work that we and our amazing team have brought to this release. But most of all, thank you so much to all of you whom have been spinning the album and spreading the word since it came out. TAKK FYRIR!“
‘Desolate’ can be streamed, downloaded, and purchased at THIS LOCATION.
Metalville Records will release “Most Wanted Peace” – A Charity Sampler for the children in Ukraine on April 1st.
The label announced: “We have been deeply moved by the events in Ukraine. A conflict for no apparent reason, with the aim of reducing a country to rubble, is incomprehensible. We see people fleeing, they have lost everything they have built up in their lives. In the 21st century, such a situation should no longer exist. No one should have to live in fear these days. All the artists and staff of this company stand uncompromisingly for a peaceful world. The daily reports in the media are unbearable for us. The pictures of the crying children do not let us go. This is our contribution to help.
We are donating the entire proceeds from the sale of this recording. A huge thank you to all the artists who made their commitment here within 24 hours and waived their share of the sale. There is only one message: PEACE !!!!“
1. Doro – Dedication (I Give Blood) 2. Ugly Kid Joe – No One Survives 3. Kärbholz – Arme Welt 4. Dog Eat Dog – Vibe Cartel 5. Drunken Swallows – Eine bessere Welt 6. Grave Digger – The Last Supper 7. Artefuckt – Stop War 8. The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Ghost of a Soldier 9. Seraina – Remember You 10. Lionheart – Declaration (pre-release mix) 11. Lee Aaron – Soul Breaker 12. Foghat – Last Train Home 13. Ohrenfeindt – Wenn der Regen fällt 14. Siena Root – No Peace 15. Purpendicular – Ghost 16. Solitary – I Will Not Tolerate 17. Mein Kopf ist ein brutaler Ort – Männer in Booten 18. Doppelbock – Wald
CONQUER DIVIDE and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have released the band’s lead single from their upcoming new studio album. This past week-end, US radio Sirius XM’s “Octane” featured “Atonement” in their celebration of Women In Music. Today, the single is available for streaming on all DSPs here https://lnk.to/ConquerDivide, and can also be previewed here:
In discussing “Atonement,” drummer Sam Landa offers, “The word atonement is about making reparations; about seeking forgiveness; about feeling sorry for something you’ve done and hoping to make things right. In the context of this song, it’s too late for that – the damage has already been done and there’s no going back. The song tries to capture the feelings of betrayal, of being left high and dry by people who wanted to take the easy way out. The emotions really explode in the breakdown, and the progression mirrors how situations like this can build up in real life. There’s a kind of calm before the storm, and then another sense of calm after. ‘We don’t know who you are’, and we’ve accepted that – just don’t try to come back and beg for forgiveness when you’ve exhausted all of your chances.” Singer Kia Castillo reflects, “Touring is hard for a lot of people, and between all the other hardships and straight up bullshit we’ve been through as a band, it can sometimes be easier to give up rather than stick it out together. This is actually really common in all music groups, because a lot of times people join for the wrong reasons. We have weathered amazing storms as a group, and become best friends in the process; we are all really proud of how far we’ve come now that the fairweather friends are gone. So, this song goes out to anyone who thinks this life is all fun and games, because at the end of the day it’s actually one of the hardest jobs we’ve ever had.”
The five-piece band hailing from the U.S., U.K. and Canada have made a steady progression from their melodic metalcore inspired roots, maturing into a formidable hard rock act, nearing the end of their first decade together. In 2020, featuring a re-tooled all female lineup consisting of Kiarely Castillo (vocals) Janel Duarte (vocals, Bass) Kristen Sturgis (guitar), Izzy Johnson (guitar) and Sam Landa (drums), they returned to the studio with 2x Grammy nominated producer Tyler Smyth (Falling in Reverse, I Prevail) and 4x RIAA certified gold record producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada, Of Mice & Men).
They came back with a bang, moving in a more accessible direction with the release of ‘Chemicals’, which was dubbed “contender for best hard rock/metalcore crossover of the year” by Alt Press Magazine. The song peaked at #23 on the Hard Rock Indicator Billboard chart, and amassed almost two million streams on Spotify. A week later, they released a hard-hitting cover of “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, which quickly accumulated 1.5 million streams and went into regular rotation on Sirius XM Octane.
By the spring of 2021, their next effort marked a stark departure from the sound they honed on their debut, showing their softer side with the mainstream and surprisingly poppy single “Messy.” The track exhibits a maturation of their songwriting ability, with clever wordplay and instantly memorable pop tendencies. It was added into regular rotation on Sirius XM Octane, reached #6 on the Foundations Chart, and became number one most added to the Billboard Hard Rock Indicator Chart. Guitarist Izzy shares, “Our music over the years has become so versatile. Our next album stays true to our metalcore roots but branches out to softer songs, heavy songs and everything in the middle. We understand that people can have a variety of music tastes (like we do) from pop to metal, why not have it all in one place? There really is something for everyone.”
The band’s emerging global fan base emanates from their power as a band. It is not defined by gender, but a body of work that is connecting with males and females alike. It’s this groundswell that led to Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group aligning with Conquer Divide. An affirmation that this collective is on the verge of prominence, standing shoulder to shoulder with likeminded musicians redefining the Rock space. They honor the legacy of those who came prior, while also making an emphatic statement to all they encounter that Rock truly does live circa 2022.
Conquer Divide is managed by Wild Justice Management. Their hard work and efforts put forth as an independent band consistently charting amongst their signed peers sets the stage for great things to come in alliance with this new partnership with Mascot Label Group. Signed by North American President of the company Ron Burman, the girls are excited to partner with a company that allows them to express their creative vision and stay true to their roots, as well as one that has such a long-standing history with successful mainstream rock acts.
“We’ve all grown so much since our first record. We did a lot of introspection and soul-searching about which creative direction to take the band in next, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on. There will be something for everyone on our sophomore album.” states guitarist Kristen Sturgis.
ABOUT CONQUER DIVIDE Formed in 2013, with the distance between them serving as inspiration for the band’s name, they were signed to Artery Recordings after only having released one single. Their debut album, released in 2015 and produced by Joey Sturgis, featured former Asking Alexandria vocalist Denis Stoff and celebrates over 20 million streams to date. It peaked at #4 on the iTunes Metal Chart, #8 Billboard Heatseekers chart and they were the first band on Artery Recordings to have a song in active top 40 rock rotation. They toured the album for two years, while amassing a modest yet dedicated fanbase. Following the acquisition of Artery by Warner in 2017, and eventual dissolution of the label, the band took a brief hiatus to focus on their personal lives. With their streams steadily growing in their absence, and the requests for new music becoming more and more frequent, they were ready to usher in a new era.
Psychedelic stoner rock trio SOMALI YACHT CLUB will be releasing their third full-length, ‘The Space,’ on April 22 via Season of Mist, making it the band’s debut to the label! The band has partnered up with the Big Takeover to premiere their second new single, “Pulsar,” which can be heard at THIS LOCATION.
The native Ukrainians have pledged to donate all profits made in 2022 (until the end of the year) to various charities to help Ukraine.
‘The Space’ can be pre-saved via all digital streaming platforms HEREand pre-ordered HERE.
DiggerThings have released their new track with God of Metal Tim “Ripper” Owens, “Time Will Tell”.
It’s the 7th single we get from DiggerThings, which is about a time for healing on past failures and deceits, in the hope to rekindle a broken bond.
“Ripper” tears in with his mighty vocals to this track written by guitarist David Torreggiani, and penned by Nigel “Noogie” Buttigieg, with Robert Galea on bass, and David Depasquale on drums and production.
After protesting against the invasion of Ukraine and 4 out of 6 band members leaving Russia (Aor and Jane – to Turkey, Anna and Paul – to Montenegro), IMPERIAL AGE released “The Way is The Aim” – the first single and music video off the upcoming album “New World”, for which the band’s global fans pledged more than US$ 65,000 during crowdfunding in July-August 2021.
“It has been more than 4 years since we published any new music. Lots of things happened since then to ourselves and the world, but finally, backed by the colossal support of our phenomenal fans, we are ready to start unleashing our “New World” album onto… well, the (New) World!
The first single & music video is called “The Way is the Aim” and it spearheads the main theme of the album: Freedom. Freedom of finding and having your own Path in the World. Freedom of thinking your own thoughts. Freedom from everyone and everything. Freedom to explore and learn. Freedom to lead a peaceful and meaningful life.
We all have a choice: follow your own Path, or follow someone else’s. The first brings positivity and joy, and charges you with energy. The second brings negativity and tiredness, and drains you.
Follow your own Path, find your own Purpose. Listen to your Heart. Filter out the Noise, see through the Fog of Negativity and always remember: You are the Light in the Darkness!
And don’t forget to smell the flowers along the way: because there is always another goal after this one. There is always a bigger fish. But its the Way itself that is the Aim!” – the band wrote on their Facebook.
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