UK dark occult alternative metal band CRIMSON VEIL have unveiled their new single, ‘Awake,’ a dramatic, emotional, and grandiose track from their debut album “Hex,” set for release on September 20, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). ‘Awake’ explores themes of grief and hopelessness, likened to a stormy sea growing increasingly intense and violent until its end.
“‘Awake’ is about carrying someone through the water and drowning slowly…it made total sense to shoot the video by the sea. It was shot at sunrise and its was freezing cold! I think you can see how challenging the whole thing was and that only adds to the tension. The drone shots only add to the bleak atmosphere and the feeling of loneliness,” explain the band.
“Hex” promises to engulf the senses with its dark visual aesthetic and a musical style that challenges conventional notions of metal. Lead singer Mishkin Fitzgerald, who received much of her musical training in church, draws inspiration from hymns, classical music, and later, rock and metal.
For their world debut, this four-piece joined LORDI on their “Unliving Pictour Show.” Dressed as deities of light and darkness, CRIMSON VEIL transform the stage into a sinister tableau of flowers, thorns, and animal skulls. Their live performances, described as “ritualistic, even shamanic,” blend fragile beauty with fierce energy, immersing the audience in the unearthly world of CRIMSON VEIL.
Pre-order “Hex” in your preferred format [jewel-case CD or red opaque vinyl in gatefold], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive ‘Awake,’‘Ribbons,’‘Shift,’‘Illuminate’ and ‘Flinch’ instantly now, here: https://crimsonveil.rpm.link/hexPR
Jason Charles Miller is proud to unveil his official music video for “Digging in the Dust,” a sci-fi inspired epic that Nerdist.com hails for its “Doctor Who hints, Fallout vibes, Star Wars energy, maybe some Dune, and a little sprinkle of Black Mirror.” The video is the first from brand new album Knives in the Dark, and boldly furthers Miller’s unique blend of southern rock/Americana musical stylings and fantasy/sci-fi influences.
Says Nerdist of the video: “[Jason Charles Miller] has deep connections to the geek, gaming, and Dungeons & Dragons world. But, damn, he looks cool doing it. And sounds incredible as well. We feel totally obsessed with the sci-fi themes in the “Digging in the Dust” music video. The story of this song is one that anyone can relate to, one of love and loss. But choosing to tell it visually with a sci-fi spin brings something greater to the table: a feeling of narrative, magic, and richness that might not otherwise be present. We love how the video creates a out-of-this-world story for the song that has our gears turning. We’ll be swaying along and singing to it all day.”
The accolades continue to mount for Miller and the new release. “I love this man. You should find his music and let it rock your world!” says actor Matthew Lillard (Scream, SLC Punk, Scooby Doo). Mayhem Rockstar Magazine hails the new release as “one of the year’s top new independent albums.” Cryptic Rock agrees, giving it 4.5/5 stars. And yesterday’s video premier, hosted exclusively by Nerdist, was syndicated by Yahoo! Entertainment.
Catch Miller on tour now with fellow larger-than-life rock titans Steel Panther (see dates below).
“Everyone brings their own history and experiences to the music they listen to, and they often apply the lyrics to their own lives with their unique viewpoints,” says Miller of “Digging in the Dust.”“This particular song and its video exemplify that idea. The song may have been written with one intention, but the individuals interpreting it might take it in another direction, though ultimately arriving at a similar understanding, showing that songs can resonate with people in different ways.”
“Ultimately, it’s sort of how powerful love can be,” adds director Adam Fogel, “that love can bring somebody back from the dead and allow them to traverse miles and miles and be reunited with someone. At its core, it’s a simple story about human emotion, but told through the lens of this sprawling sci-fi, cosmic supernatural kind of thing.”
‘Knives’ is Miller’s fifth full-length solo album, alongside multiple EPs and singles and a host of high-profile soundtrack and theme music work for shows and games including ‘Critical Role,’ ‘Metal Gear Rising,’ ‘Cyberpunk 2077,’ ‘Legends of the Multiverse’ and AEW professional wrestler Brandon Cutler. His music contributions to the Final Fantasy video game franchise have made him a fan favorite to players of the game, and he is featured regularly at Final Fantasy Fan Fest events worldwide, including officially sanctioned tour stops in Japan and South Korea this fall, where he will perform Final Fantasy XIV music alongside all-star ensembles and orchestras.
Knives in the Dark is his first release with One Opportunity Records. “We’re so fortunate to have Jason as the newest artist on our label” says Mike Figliuolo, co-founder of One Opportunity Records. “His sound is unique and resonates with fans of so many different genres. It’s rare to find an artist that can defy being pigeonholed and instead create music with such broad appeal. We’re confident fans will love ‘Knives in the Dark’!”
“This is the first album I’ve written where my only goal was to write the best songs I can, and not worry about where they might be categorized,” says Miller. “By not going out of my way to write for a specific genre, I’ve made what is, hands down, the best – and most representative – album of my career.”
Widely recognized as the frontman and founder of the rock band Godhead, where he toured the world with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Rammstein, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Slipknot and Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, Miller transitioned to a solo artist with the release of his Last To Go Home EP in 2009.
Seamlessly blending the worlds of Americana, rock and country, his solo career has seen him share stages with greats including Billy Ray Cyrus, Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Ashley McBryde, .38 Special, Allman Betts Band and more.
JASON CHARLES MILLER UPCOMING TOUR DATES
(more dates to be announced, check website for additions)
Aug 30 Portland, ME Aura w/ Steel Panther Aug 31 Bar Harbour, ME 1932 Criterion Theatre w/ Steel Panther Sep 01 Albany, NY Empire Live w/ Steel Panther Sep 02 New York City, NY Mercury Lounge Sep 04 Fort Wayne, IN Piere’s w/ Steel Panther Sep o5 Nashville, TN The Basement Sep 06 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall w/ Steel Panther Sep 07 Springield, MO Gillioz Theatre w/ Steel Panther Sep 08 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre w/ Steel Panther Sep 10 Destin, FL Club LA w/ Steel Panther Sep 11 Jacksonville, FL Java Game Haus Sep 12 Fort Lauderdale, FL Culture Room w/ Steel Panther Sep 13 Augusta, GA Miller Theater w/ Steel Panther Sep 14 Jacksonville, NC Hooligan’s Music Hall w/ Steel Panther
Sep 21-22 Yokohama, Japan Yokohama Arena w/ The Primals (performing music from FFXIV)
Oct 12-15 Seoul, South Korea Kintex – Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest
Swedish death metal tyrants DEMONICAL post advance stream of their debut live record, “Victorious Death – Live In Latin America”, out today, August 30th (CD/MC/Digital) and September 27th (LP) via Agonia Records. The album constitutes tracks recorded during a tour of the eponymous region, which took place in September 2023.
Stream the album here:
The audio received a full-scale treatment featuring mixing at Wellbay Studios with Johan Hjelm, and mastering at Pentagram Music Studios by George Emmanuel (Lucifer’s Child, ex-Rotting Christ, ex-Necormanita). The album artwork was created by Chris Kiesling.
DEMONICAL mastermind Martin Schulman commented: “After eighteen years and several hundred shows world-wide it’s finally time for the first Demonical live full-length! We are very proud of this album – which was recorded during our ravishing Latin America tour in September last year – as it catches us in the raw and brings forth our Swedish death metal darkness in a pure and relentless way. We would like to thank our fans and followers for the support and dedication during all these years. You are the best, this album is for you!”
Tracklisting (CD/MC/Digital): 01. Towards Greater Gods 02. We Conquer the Throne 03. Into Victory 04. Aeons Of Death 05. The Order 06. Fallen Mountain 07. Wrathspawn 08. Unfold Thy Darkness 09. Sun Blackened 10. My Kingdom Done 11. All Will Perish 12. By Hatred Bound 13. Välkommen Undergång 14. Somebody Put Something in My Drink
Tracklisting (LP): 01. Towards Greater Gods 02. We Conquer the Throne 03. Into Victory 04. Aeons Of Death 05. The Order 06. Wrathspawn 07. Unfold Thy Darkness 08. Sun Blackened 09. Välkommen Undergång 10. Somebody Put Something in My Drink
DEMONICAL was spawned in 2006 by then-former Centinex members, Martin Schulman (bass), Ronnie Bergerståhl (drums) and Johan Jansson (ex-guitars & ex-vocals), with a mission to return to the roots of death metal. The now-fivepiece has made good on that promise with a vengeance, traversing a HM2-beaten path of melodic, Swedish death metal, replete with darkness and brutality. Their last release, 2023’s “Into Victory”, crowns a discography of seven studio albums and three EPs, interlaced with regular tours. The last of them, “Titans Of Darkness Tour”, has seen the band journey across Europe with Inquisition in spring 2024, with majority of shows sold-out.
Upcoming shows: Aug 31, 2024 – Naestved Metalfest, Naestved, Denmark Sep 7, 2024 – Burgore Death Fest, Burgos, Spain Oct 26, 2024 – Debaser, Stockholm, Sweden Jun 6, 2025 – Chronical Moshers Open Air, Hirschfeld, Germany
Line-up: Charlie Fryksell – vocals Eki Kumpulainen – lead guitars Johan Haglund – rhythm guitars Martin Schulman – bass Ronnie Bergerstahl – drums
THE NEVERLAND EXPRESS + CALEB JOHNSON is following up their 2023 release Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited with a new, live EP that captures an electrifying performance of classic tracks from the The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The band line-up is Andy Ascolese (keys & bv), Ed Avila (bass & bv), Kiley Baxter (vocals), Paul Crook (gtr), Randy Flowers (gtr & bv), Caleb Johnson (vocals), Lyssa Lynne (vocals), and John Miceli (drums).
This Limited-Edition EP was produced and mixed by Meat Loaf’s long time record producer, music director, guitarist, Paul Crook. As Crook states, “I love Rocky Horror. I have some unique affiliations. Obviously, the first being Meat Loaf. Watching my Boss perform “Hot Patootie”, crashing through a wall on a motorcycle while looking like a zombified version of Elvis Presley is a highlight. It’s amazing that anyone could steal focus away from Tim Curry, but Meat pulled it off for me. His scene comes to my mind first when I think of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Another affiliation is Sebastian Bach. Our friendship goes back about 30 years in which I toured and recorded with him for several years after his departure from Skid Row. Sebastian handled the role of RIFF RAFF in the 2001 Broadway production. He was great, very entertaining and his voice worked well for the character. My third affiliation now, is this new EP”.
Science Fiction Double Feature Sweet Transvestite Time Warp Hot Patootie
Caleb Johnson is the winner of American Idol season 13 and he delivers his own unique stamp on these classics. As Johnson states, “I have always been a huge fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Putting my own spin on these timeless songs has been a total blast! We really wanted to take these songs to more of a hard rock place and sonically it sounds huge! Excited for everyone to hear these live recordings. It definitely harkens back to the original live cast recording from the Roxy”. As Crook continues, We are excited to perform these songs for the first time in the UK on The Never Stop Rocking Tour. Here are the dates:
• Fri, Sep 13 Symphony Hall, CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham • Sat, Sep 14 Indigo At London O2, Peninsula Square, London • Sun, Sep 15 Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester • Tue, Sep 17 O2 City Hall, Northumberland Road, Newcastle • Wed Sep 18 Pavillion Theatre 121 Renfield Street Glasgow • Fri, Sep 20 The Forum, St James Parade, Bath • Sat, Sep 21 O2 GuildHall, W Marlands Rd, Southhampton • Sun, Sep 22 Corn Exchange, Wheeler Street, CB2 3QB, Cambridge
We will continue performing these songs in the following North American cities as part of our BAT OUT OF HELLOWEEN show:
• Thu, Oct 10 Suffolk Theatre, Riverhead, NY • Thu, Oct 17 Smith Center, Geneva, NY • Fri, Oct 18 The Paramount , Middletown, NY • Sat, Oct 19 Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY • Fri, Oct 25 The Grand Theatre, Wausau, WI
‘Million Flares and Starlights’ features an array of collaborations, including PRIZM, King Protea, Nouveau Arcade, Mari Kattman, Platforms, and Kirill Babiev. Each artist brings their unique style to the album, enhancing its diverse sound. So put on your shades, get in your car, and prepare to drive down the neon-laced highway. Million Flares and Starlights is the perfect soundtrack for your retro-futuristic adventure, offering a thrilling escape into a world where the future meets the past. Whether enjoyed on the dance floor or through headphones, this album which seamlessly blends elements of everything from alternative to synthwave, from indie rock to dance. Fury Weekend offers a offers fans a beautiful homage to the ’80s and takes listeners on a cosmic voyage to the future. .
Singles like the sultry and hypnotic collaboration with PRIZM, “Feel The Beat,” drive a refreshing party vibe with it’s fusion of indie dance and synthwave. “Galaxy of Love” combines synthwave, indie pop, and indie dance and elegantly captures themes of yearning and connection with an unforgettable vocal performance from Platforms. In “Illusion Of Flight” alternative rock vocalist Kirill Babiev giving a stunning performance Fury Weekend weaves a tale exploring the human experience. He explains, “This song is sequel to ‘Velvet Rain’, which was produced on my previous album Afterglow and continues a deepest feelings experience of a lyrical hero in a big cyberpunk city, and it is the most emotional song of the album.” Fury Weekend‘s adept production skills shine through in “Constellation,” as he effortlessly blends elements from synthwave and indie pop to create a unique and captivating musical experience.
The Fury Weekend project was created when Belarus-based Ars Nikonov chose to combine his love of classic rock, electronic music, and ‘80s culture into a forward-thinking music venture. The result is a dystopian synthwave sound that blends bright synth melodies and gritty guitar work into a singular music vision of the future.
The uniqueness of Fury Weekend should come as no surprise given the artist’s background, which involves ambitious projects ranging from industrial to post-rock. Diversant: 13, Cold in May, Martian Love, Seanine, and Tribal A.D. are some of the many names that fill Ars’ creative resume, and each of those has given the creator the experience and tools needed to make an impact with his retro-futuristic synthwave project.
Blending ’80s nostalgia with modern pop and electronic influences, Seattle, Washington’s Nouveau Arcade is prepared to make their mark on the world. The duo consists of Kevin Preston and Len Hotrum, long-time collaborators who have known each other for the better part of two decades.
OCEANS release their latest single ‘Spit‘ as part of their third studio album. Just under a month before the release of their new long-player HAPPY, the German nu-metallers give a further impression of what kind of force can be expected. The new single is accompanied by a music video that directly conveys the raw and gritty vibe that OCEANS is known for bringing to their fans when playing live.
Timo Rotten comments:
“Sometimes life sucks and you just want to shred everything to pieces. In that exact moment we wrote SPIT. Have fun with that one. It’s perfect for cleaning your house, working out or smashing a car with a baseball bat.”
Just in time for their upcoming album release , OCEANS are going on tour. As support for labelmates SEPTICFLESH, the nu-metallers will be playing several shows all through Europe. From October 3rd to November 2nd, catch OCEANS along with SEPTICFLESH, EQUILIBRIUM and SCAR OF THE SUN as they blaze through 28 electrifying concerts across 13 countries. Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and prepare to experience the MODERN PRIMITIVE TOUR 2024 like never before!
See all tour dates below: 03.10. DE Hamburg – Gruenspan 04.10. BE Kortrijk – DVG Club 05.10. NL Drachten – Iduna 06.10. NL Hengelo – Metropool 08.10. FR Nilvange – Le Guelard Plus 09.10. DE Bochum – Matrix 10.10. FR Paris – Le Trabendo 11.10. FR La Roche-sur-Yon – Quai Metal 12.10. FR Vannes – L’Echonova 13.10. FR Toulouse – Le Metronum 15.10. PT Porto – Hard Club 16.10. PT Lisbon – Lisboa ao Vivo 17.10. ES Madrid – Nazca 18.10. ES Barcelona – Salamandra 19.10. FR Lyon – La Rayonne 20.10. CH Aarau – Kiff 22.10. IT Milano – Legend Club 23.10. HR Zagreb – Boogaloo 24.10. HU Budapest – Analog Music Hall 25.10. AT Vienna – Simm City 26.10. PL Wroclaw – Transformator 27.10. DE Nuremberg – Hirsch 28.10. DE Hanover – MusikZentrum 29.10. DE Heidelberg – Halle02 30.10. DE Munich – Backstage 31.10. CZ Zlin – Masters Of Rock Café 01.11. DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 02.11. DE Berlin – Orwo Haus
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 