On the heels of the recent digital compilation We Are Hope Despite the Times, R.E.M. has today released a timely lyric video for “I Believe.” The track captures the band’s optimistic and introspective spirit, with lyrics that explore themes of personal conviction, resilience and the search for truth.
The video, created by longtime famed R.E.M. art director and fellow Athens native Chris Billheimer, draws inspiration from the handmade designs Michael Stipe used to create for himself during the Fables of the Reconstruction tour, as well as the politically themed T-shirts he wore during 1991 MTV VMAs, where the band used their acceptance speech for Best Video (“Losing My Religion”) to draw attention to causes like gun control, reproductive rights, voting rights and alternative energy sources—issues that remain relevant today.
Emphasizes R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, “I believe the choices in this election could not be more stark or more important. Please vote and encourage everyone you know to do the same—that is how we win in 2024 and I believe we can do it!!!”
Click here to watch “I Believe” and stream/download We Are Hope Despite the Times
About We Are Hope Despite the Times:
On September 17, R.E.M. released We Are Hope Despite the Times, a digital compilation of songs aimed at encouraging their listeners to stay informed and engaged and to vote during this critical election season. The collection features 18 politically provoking songs, including “Welcome to the Occupation,” “Swan Swan H,” “Fall on Me,” “World Leader Pretend” and “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”
Throughout their career, R.E.M. has been a vocal advocate for civic engagement, using their platform to promote voter participation and social responsibility. In the early 1990s, they were one of the first bands to partner with Rock the Vote, playing a significant role in increasing youth voter turnout for the 1992 presidential election. Beyond Rock the Vote, R.E.M. has supported voter rights and democracy globally, performing at benefit concerts like the Vote for Change Tour and addressing political causes, from war and environmental justice to human rights, through their music.
With We Are Hope Despite the Times, the band continues to encourage participation in the democratic process, urging fans to register to vote, make their voices heard and play an active role in shaping the future.
Tracklist:
Turn You Inside-Out
Pop Song ’89
These Days
I Believe
Fall On Me
Welcome To The Occupation
World Leader Pretend
Drive
Begin The Begin
Finest Worksong
Exhuming McCarthy
Just A Touch
Cuyahoga
Disturbance At The Heron House
Swan Swan H
Ignoreland
Stand
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
With the release of their third single, Finnish modern metal act ARCTIS is prepared to unleash their fast approaching self-titled debut album out this Friday, November 1, 2024, via Napalm Records!
The feeling of being lost and hurt, especially after a betrayal can be devastating – but can also inspire a hymn for the strong-hearted as ARCTIS proves with their new earworm “Tell Me Why”. Despite the pain, stunning vocalist Alva Sandström insists she won´t be brought down and will keep fighting through tough times. An anthem for facing challenges while trying to stay strong, making it relatable to anyone who has felt heartache or confusion.
ARCTIS is set to take listeners on an exhilarating journey, blending the essence of nature with technological innovation. Inspired by Finland’s dramatic seasonal changes, their storytelling captivates fans in ways that go beyond just the music. Arctis features production by Jimmy Westerlund (Sturm und Drang), mixing by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein), and mastering by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein). This fall, the band will join forces with Finnish metal legends Apocalyptica for an exciting tour, showcasing their self-titled debut album live on stage and solidifying their reputation as a must-see act.
ARCTIS comment on their new single: “We’re almost there. ‘Tell Me Why’ is the last echo before the ice shatters and the full force of Arctis is unleashed. Step into the cold, feel the frost creeping closer and let the shadows guide you. The album looms on the horizon… are you ready?”
ARCTIS is more than just a band—it’s an otherworldly experience, led by the enigmatic and powerful Ice Queen, Alva. Draped in her shining white battle suit, Alva’s ethereal presence transcends the stage, her voice weaving through realms both known and unknown, pulling her followers into a captivating journey. By her side stand the dark-clad warriors: Björn the Captain, whose unshakable command leads the band into uncharted sonic territories; Michael the Magician, a mysterious figure whose fingers conjure sounds that transport audiences across time and space; Mats the Rambler, the wild-hearted spirit who channels untamed energy into every note; and Mika the Sage, whose rhythmic pulse guides ARCTIS through the mystical realms they explore.
Together, these figures form a force unlike any other—a powerful and dynamic energy that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. On stage, they do not simply perform, they create an experience—one that immerses fans in the ARCTIS universe, where music, story, and atmosphere collide, leaving a lasting imprint on all who witness their journey. ARCTIS is not just a sound; it is a feeling, a moment suspended in time, an escape into a world where legends come to life.
Drawing inspiration on northern themes as metaphors, Arctis explores mental struggles and the internal battles within modern chaos. The strong opener, “I’ll Give You Hell”, delves into the complexities of romance, highlighting the inevitable downfall that arises from a relationship, where honesty and commitment are lacking. With a 2000s pop-rock vibe, “Remedy” addresses drug addiction and the steep price one is willing to pay for it. The mystical “Tell Me Why” paints a starry landscape of triumph over betrayal and lasting resilience while the enchanting “Frozen Swan” showcases personal musical talent while exploring the concept of self-freedom. This smoothly transitions into the upbeat “Fire”, which is an anthem celebrating reckless behavior, before flowing seamlessly into “When The Lights Go Out” lyrically exploring nocturnal metaphors through vivid passages. Closing the album, “Theatre Of Tragedy” features powerful guitar riffs, underscoring the limitations of personal human struggle.
Whether through music, artwork, or storytelling, ARCTIS creates a multi-dimensional world that fans can immerse themselves in and explore, transcending genre boundaries and offering a truly unique experience. Prepare for an onslaught of powerful riffs, epic melodies, and raw energy that has never been seen before!
ARCTIS about their debut album: “The moment we’ve been dreaming of is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you all! It’s been a long road, filled with hard work, late nights, and an unbreakable passion for music, but we’re thrilled to announce that our first three singles are out, our debut album is on the way, and we’re hitting the road for our first tour!
Now, we’re ready to take on the world, bring our music to life on stage, and connect with each and every one of you. This is just the beginning, and we’re so happy to have you with us as we start this next chapter.
Get ready, because we’re coming in full force – and we can’t wait to see you on the road!”
Arctis tracklisting: 1. I’ll Give You Hell 2. Bimbo 3. Remedy 4. Tell Me Why 5. Frozen Swan 6. WWM 7. Fire 8. Child Of The Night 9. When The Lights Go Out 10. No Slave 11. Theatre Of Tragedy
Experience ARCTIS live on Tour with Apocalyptica:
11.11.24 LX – Esch Alzette 12.11.24 BE – Brussels 13.11.24 FR – Paris 14.11.24 FR – Bordeaux 15.11.24 ES – Bilbao 17.11.24 PT – Lisbon 18.11.24 ES – Madrid 19.11.24 ES – Barcelona 20.11.24 FR – Marseille 21.11.24 IT – Milan 22.11.24 CH – Lausanne 23.11.24 CH – Zurich 25.11.24 HU – Budapest 26.11.24 RO – Cluj 27.11.24 RO – Bucharest 28.11.24 BU – Sofia 29.11.24 MK – Skopje 30.11.24 RS – Belgrade
ARCTIS are: Alva Sandström – Vocals Michael Mikander – Guitar Björn Johansson – Guitar Mats Ödahl – Bass Mika Paananen – Drums
EXODUS RISING have released a new music video ‘The Birth of Christ’, taken from the band’s album “The Book Of Life”, out via Wormholedeath. Watch the video below.
The Book of Life” by EXODUS RISING is a Christian Progressive Heavy Metal album that spans biblical narratives from Genesis to Revelation. This concept album humanizes ancient stories, presenting them in digestible bites. Drawing inspiration from classical composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart, and blending them with the progressive metal influences of Symphony X, Dream Theater, and Queen to name a few. With that inspiration, EXODUS RISING creates a unique sound.
TIME CONSUMED has released a new lyric video for ‘I Love The Dark’, taken track from the new EP “Long Night Of Silence,” which is out via Wormholedeath.
“I Love the Dark” delves into darkness as a refuge of comfort and tranquility, escaping pain, fear, and societal pressures. The serene, night-time setting offers solace and a sense of true self, free from the alienating outside world. This introspective journey is enhanced by Time Consumed’s signature doom-death metal sound, which deepens the song’s atmospheric and emotional impact.
Metal Blade Records is pleased to welcome UK death metal outfit CELESTIAL SANCTUARY to their esteemed roster.
Forged in 2019, CELESTIAL SANCTUARY burst onto the scene with their brutal blend of death metal pulling influence from the likes of Carcass, Dying Fetus, and Cannibal Corpse and injecting their own fetid flavor into the genre.
CELESTIAL SANCTUARY released their sophomore album, Insatiable Thirst For Torment, on Church Road Records in August of 2023. Hailed by fans and critics alike, Distorted Sound awarded the band a 10/10 rating noting, “CELESTIAL SANCTUARY have absolutely nailed their second album release. For fans of death metal, there is a little element of everything neatly tied together and delivered with precision.” Blabbermouth wrote, “Here we have a band with everything going for them. Insatiable Thirst For Torment is old-school death metal, fully rejuvenated, right down to James Bousema’s magnificent cover art. Up there with the best that the genre has to offer in 2023, CELESTIAL SANCTUARY have birthed a monster.” Kerrang gushed, “Death metal is meant to be disgusting. Brit sickos Celestial Sanctuary understand this better than most.” Added Everything Is Noise, “Insatiable Thirst For Torment is an impressive gorepile of fuck, a rancid and bloodied foreskin tapestry, a fetid bloat of liquified unlife. It’s one of those DOOM levels with the fleshy, living walls that make you feel uneasy before bisecting demons with the Super Shotgun. What I’m trying to say is, it’s fun as hell… This band deserves all the love they get, and then some.”
Comments the band on their signing, “We are chuffed to bits and extremely proud to have signed with Metal Blade Records. All of us have grown up listening to CDs and records that brandish the mark of The Blade, so to be a part of that history and stand on a roster alongside the best artists in the world of metal is an honor that isn’t lost on us. We’re well into the writing process for our next album, and having the backing of Metal Blade is inspiring us to write our most brutal, unhinged, and best shit yet. See you fucks on the road!“
Having played and toured with such scene giants as Obituary, Cattle Decapitation, Gatecreeper, Frozen Soul, and Undeath, CELESTIAL SANCTUARY has proven that the UK has a new band that can go toe-to-toe with their Stateside counterparts. Stand by for more news on CELESTIAL SANCTUARY in the months to come.
CELESTIAL SANCTUARY Live w/ Kruelty, Slimelord: 11/01/2024 Slay – Glasgow, UK 11/02/2024 Northumbria University SU – Newcastle, UK 11/03/2024 Rebellion – Manchester, UK 11/04/2024 Ifor Bach – Cardiff, UK 11/05/2024 Rescue Rooms – Nottingham, UK 11/06/2024 Asylum – Birmingham, UK 11/08/2024 Academy 2 – Oxford, UK 11/09/2024 The Dome – London, UK 11/10/2024 The Joiners – Southampton, UK 11/11/2024 The Exchange – Bristol, UK 11/12/2024 Arts Centre – Colchester, UK
CELESTIAL SANCTUARY: Thomas Cronin – vocals, guitar Matt Adnett – guitar Jay Rutterford – bass James Burke – drums
Japanese power metal band ILLUSION FORCE are thrilled to announce the release of their new album “Halfana”, out on December 13th, 2024, via Frontiers Music Srl. The band also unveil the first single and official video for the title track, “Halfana”, out now.
Talking about the title track, the band says: “Combining breakneck tempos with soaring melodies while matching high-tone vocals with twin lead guitars, this track encompasses Illusion Force’s signature style of catchy metal.”
Discussing about the album, they add: “After and exhilarating experience of performing and recording around Japan for the last 5 years, we can finally announce our first worldwide album release! It was a great challenge to properly utilize the elegance and versatility of Japanese music, but we think the end result will be a great listen! Please, check it out!”
“Halfana” Tracklist:
Kaleidoscopic
Halfana
Miracle Superior
The Serene Valley
Captan #5 (Feat.Ivan Giannini)
Protector Of The Stars
Hibari, Pti: A Lost Cantata
Hibari, Ptii: Whisper Of The Eternity
Hibari, Ptii: Möbius
Hibari, Ptiv: Luminescent Galaxies
Bittersweet ’53
Serendipitous
Illusion Parade
Hailing from Japan, Illusion Force is a brilliant newcomer, emerging from the very active Japanese metal scene, crediting bands like Helloween, Dragonforce as some of their influences.
Having been constantly on tour in Japan supporting major acts and playing Headlining shows, they managed to create a strong fan base in their home country.
The band has already released two albums through King Records that caught the attention of many media around the world, praising the skills and the songwriting and the powerful and melodic voice of the singer Jinn.
The new album “Halfana”, mixed by Matias Kupiainen (Stratovarius guitar player), showcases a mixture of Extreme Power Metal with classy arrangements and catchy choruses to make every Power Metal freak’s heart beat faster with excitement and anticipation.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 