UNLEASH THE ARCHERS Reveal Soaring Third Single + Music Video ‘Seeking Vengeance’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 24, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Shimon Karmel]

Canadian modern power metal icons UNLEASH THE ARCHERS recently announced the upcoming release of their massive sixth studio album, Phantoma, out May 10, 2024 via Napalm Records! Following the album’s first two singles “Green & Glass” and “Ghosts In The Mist”, today, the Vancouver based five-piece has revealed their soaring third single, “Seeking Vengeance”, along with a new music video! Beginning with a fast paced guitar lead and modernized power metal attacks, the song entrances with a powerful chorus and intricate dual solo. 

On the new concept album, listeners join protagonist Phantoma, a Phase 4 / Network Tier 0 unit – model A, on an inspiring yet harrowing journey as she discovers the brutal truths behind the manufactured sheen of social media posturing on a dystopian, near-future planet earth. With the band’s one-of-a-kind blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, modern prog and pop sensibilities, Phantoma spins a web of sharp musicality, high sci-fi concept and important social commentary.

Brittney Slayes of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS says about “Seeking Vengeance”:
“This is the moment in the story when Phantoma comes to terms with what she must do and who she must become in order to do it. We worked really hard to make sure the music reflects the energy of the moment, and I think the video does a great job of portraying the inner struggle as well. This was filmed and edited by the boys at RuneGate Studio and they focused on using lighting and different lenses to create a dynamic visual experience.

The song is the darkest moment of the album but it is juxtaposed with an uplifting chorus melody that was actually inspired by classic Disney ‘hero anthems’. This one was a unanimous single choice for us and we can’t wait to play it live for you all at our upcoming shows! Hope you enjoy.”

Intertwining reality with imagination, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS were inspired to utilize elements of AI during the creation of Phantoma, in keeping with its innovative theme. Frontwoman and lyricist Brittney Slayes conjured the album’s concept in 2021; before the swarm of pressing commentary surrounding AI began to reach an all-time high.

The band weaved electronic and synthwave elements throughout the album’s 10 colossal anthems, which – in line with its theme – prove much darker and heavier in comparison to the bright positivity of Abyss. Album opener “Human Era” sets the tone with imagery of a bleak, windswept futurescape that crescendos headlong into the breakneck pace of power metal bastion “Ph4/NT0mA” – a masterwork of dueling guitar solos and vocal acrobatics. Trad-metal influenced “Buried In Code” lights the way with pummeling rhythms before the album’s path turns dark on heavy metal hardened “The Collective”, with Brittney Slayes’ warm tones inviting the listener to ‘join or stand aside’! Hair-raising first single “Green & Glass” unveils the truth before the upbeat 80s flavored “Gods In Decay” and the extraordinary balladic anthem “Give It Up Or Give It All” showcase the varied song writing prowess of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS’ modern era. A trifecta of concept closers begins with the moody “Ghosts In The Mist”, leading into the soaring yet menacing “Seeking Vengeance” before closing with the bittersweet tale of “Blood Empress”. 

Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, and with lead guitarist Andrew Kingsley at the helm as both principal songwriter and producer, Phantoma is an exciting advancement in UNLEASH THE ARCHERS’ songwriting and storytelling mastery, and a giant leap forward in their towering musical trajectory.

Phantoma follows the band’s 2020 breakout album, Abyss, which won the JUNO Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year after debuting at #1 on the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist charts, and was dubbed by Bandcamp as “a mandatory listen” upon release. 

Pre-Order Phantoma HERE

Phantoma track listing:
1. Human Era
2. Ph4/NT0mA
3. Buried In Code
4. The Collective
5. Green & Glass
6. Gods In Decay
7. Give It Up Or Give It All
8. Ghosts In The Mist
9. Seeking Vengeance
10. Blood Empress

Don’t forget – fans located anywhere who pre-order via any Napalm webstore, IndieMerch or Bandcamp will also be entered to win a ticket to the official Phantoma virtual listening party! See the band’s social media accounts for additional information.

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS will tour across the globe in 2024, with dates already announced in North America, Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. See below for all currently booked tour dates!

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on tour:

Legions of Metal Festival:
05.03.24 US – IL, Chicago / Reggies
 
Australia and New Zealand Headliners:
06.05.24 AU – Canberra / Basement
06.06.24 AU – Sydney / Manning
06.07.24 AU – Melbourne / Croxton
06.08.24 AU – Brisbane / The Zoo
06.09.24 AU – Adelaide / Lion Arts
13.06.24 NZ – Auckland / Galatos
14.06.24 NZ – Wellington / Valhalla
 
European Festivals:
05.07.24 DE – Ballenstedt / Rock Harz
06.07.24 SE – Knislinge / Time To Rock
12.07.24 CZ – Visovice / Masters Of Rock
19.07.24 FI – Laukaa / John Smith Fest
21.07.24 RO – Baile Figa / Celtic Transylvania
02.08.24 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air
09.08.24 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock
10.08.24 UK – Walton-On-Trent / Bloodstock
 
Supporting POWERWOLF in North America:
29.08.24 US – CA, Los Angeles / The Hollywood Palladium
31.08.24 US – CO, Denver / The Ogden Theatre
03.09.24 US – IL, Chicago / The Riviera Theatre
04.09.24 US – OH, Cleveland / The Agora Theatre
05.09.24 US – MD, Silver Spring / The Fillmore
07.09.24 US – FL, Tampa / Jannus Landing
08.09.24 US – GA, Atlanta / The Masquerade
09.09.24 US – NC, Charlotte / The Fillmore
12.09.24 US – PA, Philadelphia / The Fillmore
13.09.24 US – MA, Worcester / The Palladium
14.09.24 US – NY, New York City / Brooklyn Paramount
15.09.24 CA – QC, Laval / Place Bell

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS is:
Brittney Slayes – Vocals
Scott Buchanan – Drums
Grant Truesdell – Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley – Guitar, Vocals
Nick Miller – Bass
 
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
X
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS

FOUR STROKE BARON Share New Single + Music Video ‘Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God)’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 24, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photographer credit: Chris M. Stanton

FOUR STROKE BARON has today shared a new single and accompanying music video, Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God), from their upcoming fourth album, Data Diamond, set for release via Prosthetic Records on May 31. The Reno, NV progressive metal duo’s latest single serves as the third instalment in their Cyborg trilogy, following the success of Cyborg Pt. 2: The City from 2018 album Planet Silver Screen. The music video for Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God) is the second part of Data Diamond‘s planned four part visual narrative, which promises to unravel FOUR STROKE BARON‘s bloodthirsty anthology series.

Listen to Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God) via Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Bandcamp and Spotify
Pre-order Data Diamond here.

Speaking on the single, FOUR STROKE BARON comments: “Cyborg Pt. 3 opens up some of the insanity in Data Diamond, the singles are going to get progressively crazier. The song leaves off from Cyborg Pt. II from our album Planet Silver Screen, with some motifs that we’ve inserted into each song of the series. Our moms really like this song.”

Of the music video, the band adds: “William and his business partner Robert unwittingly unleash a nightmare beyond comprehension. As William grapples with haunting nightmares, his sanity begins to unravel, revealing the sinister truth behind the otherworldly object. When Robert decides to harness the egg’s mysterious powers, they soon realize the horrifying consequences of meddling with forces beyond their control, plunging them into a nightmarish descent into madness and terror.”

Data Diamond is the sound of FOUR STROKE BARON at their most confidently unhinged. Originally conceived as two separate EPs (one purely electronic – Data, one heavy – Diamond) that would then meld together on one full length release, the idea morphed into what is now the succinct sucker punch of an album that is heading our way at speed.

Heavily inspired by their own work on Data Diamond’s predecessor, Classics, Witt and Vallarino got to work in their laboratory creating the most potent, concentrated form of FOUR STROKE BARON possible. “We love Classics, we think it’s one of the coolest albums ever”, the pair state unequivocally. If they have any criticism of their previous work it is simply that they didn’t push their own boundaries far enough, feeling like they took just a little too long to get to the point.

No such claim could be laid against Data Diamond – a dizzying sub-40 minute dive into the deranged psyches of its creators. The tracks on Data Diamond are lithe yet still allow enough room for idiosyncratic flourishes that mark this out as a true FOUR STROKE BARON opus. If Classics was a Man vs. Food belly busting plate of indulgence, Data Diamond is an upmarket Gordon Ramsay dish, served with a side of insanity. Finding a co-conspirator in Cynic’s Paul Masvidal, the trio get somewhat psychedelic on the album’s eponymous closing – and most expansive – track, which also features Vola’s Adam Janzi on drums.

Thematically, this is their most murderous anthology to date. Those who find themselves embroiled in these tales include a Radio Shack CEO, an internationally acclaimed cyborg, an accidental trafficker of human body parts, and the leader of a death cult located in a convenience store. FOUR STROKE BARON’s anomalous view of the world takes a particularly dark turn across the songs on Data Diamond, yet, as ever the macabre tragedies are dressed up with catchy melodies, pop hooks for days and a big shimmering bow of positivity.

Synths are a leading element across the length of the album, with more dark electronics seeping into the sound of the band than ever before – marking this out as the most experimental and intensely crazed the band have sounded to date. Samples recorded out in the wilds of Reno, Nevada weave their own kind of horror throughout the deliriously anthemic tunes laid down at FSB HQ, paving the way towards an incalculable future with limitless possibilities of where their minds will lead them next. It sure seems that they’re reaching a boiling point that will eventually tear a hole through spacetime. With this, their fourth full length, FOUR STROKE BARON has blossomed into the self-absorbed, wildly confident, musically deranged partnership that they were always destined to be – and it sounds incredible.

Data Diamond track list:

1. On Mute
2. Monday
3. The Witch
4. Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God)
5. VALLTT
6. Open The World
7. People In My Image
8. 1000 Threads
9. Data Diamond (Paul Masvidal and Adam Janzi)

FOUR STROKE BARON is:
Kirk Witt – guitar and vocals
Matt Vallarino – drums

WORSHIPPER Drop First Video Single ‘Acid Burns’ + Release Details of New Album “One Way Trip”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 24, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

WORSHIPPER drop the hard rocking track ‘Acid Burns’, which sports some glorious Iron Maiden-inflected riffs within the beautifully-designed 70’s aesthetics of the track’s psychedelic video clip. ‘Acid Burns’ is the first single taken from the Boston psychedelic hard rockers‘ forthcoming third album “One Way Trip”which is been chalked up for release on July 19, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records. 

Pre-order your copy at: http://lnk.spkr.media/worshipper-onewaytrip

“This song is a fast one for us with a nod to NWOBHM but with a surf bridge“, guitarist and singer John Brookhouse explains. “Is it about… the perils of tasting the void? Sure. ‘Acid Burns’ was the first track that we worked on for this record. I love Alex’s solo as it reminds me of a lost Adrian Smith take from ‘Powerslave’. Lyrically, you can look at it in a couple of ways, but obviously, it’s all through a psych lens. I always like to play with double meanings and mix up metaphors.“

Tracklist:

  1. Heroic Dose
  2. Keep This
  3. Windowpane
  4. Only Alive
  5. Acid Burns
  6. James Motel
  7. The Spell
  8. Onward

With their third full-length, “One Way Trip”, Boston, MA psychedelic hard rockers WORSHIPPER have perfected their grand balancing act between classic hard rock and old school heavy metal that is empowered to soar high with the injection of a healthy dose of psychedelia. Rock and metal are all about the hooks and riffs, and the American quartet serves out those catchy delicacies in more than generous helpings.

Although the album title “One Way Trip” and some of the record’s songs could be interpreted as relating to drug culture, things aren’t so literal here, as WORSHIPPERtake a more kaleidoscopic view of the human condition through a psychedelic lens. During the making of the album, three band members suffered personal loss. The opening track, ‘Heroic Dose’ for example revolves around the choice of a father who had realised in a ‘psychedelic epiphany’ that he faced a choice between either enlisting or being drafted and sent to the front lines of the Vietnam war. This is also reflected in the order of the tracks being influenced by the psychological horror thriller “Jacob’s Ladder” in which a Vietnam veteran is plagued by flashbacks and monstrous visions, and which added a loose circular concept to the entire album.

That a band from Boston takes inspiration from the dark side of art is probably no coincidence as New England is home to such grandmasters of horror as H. P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. Coincidentally, the rebellious city that sparked the American War of Independence and the region are also sizzling hotspots of the East Coast rock scene.

When WORSHIPPER were founded in 2014, it was clear to singer and guitarist John Brookhouse, drummer Dave Jarvis, bass player and backing vocalist Bob Maloney, and guitarist Alejandro Necochea that their new band had to stand out given the high concentration of like-minded and talented local peers. With the mission statement of bringing something exciting and fresh to the table, the still intact original line-up has cranked out impeccable heady and heavy stuff with an emphatic focus on real songs with hooky melodies, creepy vocal harmonies, and twin guitar heroics from the moment of inception.

WORSHIPPER‘s gift for catchy epic songwriting did not go unnoticed, and soon a record deal established the band globally with the albums “Shadow Hymns” (2016) and “Light in the Wire” (2019) receiving worldwide praise. Their quick success also opened doors for heading out on the road, and WORSHIPPER gladly accepted offers to tour with WEEDEATER in the US and THE SKULL in Europe as well as sharing stages with kindred spirits and heroes such as ELDER, LUCIFER, ACE FREHLEY, and MONSTER MAGNET among many others.

With “One Way Trip”, WORSHIPPER not only fulfil the high expectations their third full-length was saddled with, but the Americans are obviously enjoying doing exactly what they’re best at: writing damn great songs for an album that has only killers and no fillers!

Line-up:
John Brookhouse – vocals, guitar, synth
Dave Jarvis – drums
Bob Maloney – bass, backing vocals
Alejandro Necochea – guitar, synth

For More Info Visit:
http://www.facebook.com/worshipperband
http://www.instagram.com/worshipperband

THE LOYAL CHEATERS Unleash Video for ‘Crazee You Say’, New Album Out April 26th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 23, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

On April 26, the sophomore full-length record “And All Hell Broke Loose” by Italian/German action rock outfit THE LOYAL CHEATERS will be coming out via Go Down Records. Following the release of the first two singles “Can’t Go Out” and “Dynamite”, the band follows up today with a video clip for the track “Crazee You Say”. 

“This song is definitely our favorite from our new album,” THE LOYAL CHEATERS comment. “While we were in the studio recording, we were discussing which track could be the #1 single among all the tunes, and we all agreed that “Crazee You Say” should have been the one. It’s also a song with a long story: it had been tucked away in a closet for almost 10 years by our drummer, who invented the main melody. We worked on the sound and gave it a bit of a makeover, but here it is. The theme revolves around the feelings of craving for a crazy night, while still being conscious that sometimes being wild reflects the need to break free. If you like Slade, “Crazee You Say” is a song you should put on repeat on your player!”

THE LOYAL CHEATERS upcoming album “And All Hell Broke Loose” is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a fuel against the fast-paced, love-deprived society we find ourselves in. Raspy vocals and high-voltage guitars serve as a sonic rebellion, channeling the raw energy of punk souls that refuse to be silenced. Memories of the past mingle with a sense of uncertainty about the future, and they offer no answer for living in the present. Through their music, THE LOYAL CHEATERS challenge the status quo, daring to confront the harsh truths of our reality head-on.

“And All Hell Broke Loose” will be coming out on vinyl, CD and digital formats and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION

Tracklist:

  1. And All Hell Broke Loose
  2. Madhouse
  3. Can’t Go Out
  4. Crazee You Say
  5. Spit On Me
  6. Baby Boomer
  7. Sugar Lover Boy
  8. That Feeling
  9. Eat The Rich
  10. Dynamite
  11. Hound Dog
  12. Coming Back

THE LOYAL CHEATERS are:
Lena McFrison | vox, guitar
Max Colliva | guitar, backing vocals
Tommy Gun | bass guitar, backing vocals
Richie Raggini | drums
​
For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/theloyalcheaters
https://www.instagram.com/theloyalcheaters/
https://www.godownrecords.com

PENTAGRAM Kick Off U.S. Headlining Performances Tomorrow

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 23, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

American doom metal legends PENTAGRAM will be performing three headlining shows in the U.S. starting tomorrow! The band will be hitting the stage in Grand Rapids, MI and Pittsburgh, PA along with support from Restless Spirit and All Hell, the latter of which will only be joining for the final date. The full itinerary and ticket links can be found below!

Pentagram Live U.S. Dates (w/ Restless Spirit + All Hell):
04/24: Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme* [TICKETS]
04/25: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground [TICKETS]

*No All Hell

Live Lineup:
Bobby Liebling – Vocals
Matt Goldsborough – Guitars
Greg Turley – Bass
Ryan Manning – Drums

COGNITIVE Release New Video + Single ‘A Pact Unholy’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 23, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Chris Hosey

“A Pact Unholy” is the scathing new single from technical death metal architects, COGNITIVE. The track appears on the band’s Abhorrence full-length, set for release on May 17th on Metal Blade Records.

Once accurately championed by Kerrang Magazine for composing songs that land with “cartilage-crushing force,” Abhorrence carries on tradition with its a maniacal fusion of relentless riffs and thoughtful, devastating lyrics. A raging, draining, and ultimately fulfilling experience, Abhorrence finds the New Jersey powerhouse quintet at their brutal best.

Elaborates guitarist Rob Wharton on their latest single, “‘A Pact Unholy’ kicks off with blistering speeds, guitars are nonstop, and the drums add to the ferocity, all leading into a dissonant, blackened midsection, and a heavy riff exit, with fantasy lyrics speaking about bloodmagic, summoning, and resurrection.”

Watch the band’s previously released video for “Abhorrence” HERE.

COGNITIVE started work on Abhorrence while touring in support of Malevolent Thoughts Of A Hastened Extinction, sending tracks back and forth while trekking from one intense gig to the next. Drummer AJ Viana has his own studio (he’s previously worked with bands as prestigious as Hath) and recorded, tracked, and mixed the album, before Ryan Williams (The Black Dahlia Murder, John Frum) at Metal Blade Records mastered it. To the album’s immense benefit, it was a collaborative process, and everyone brought their proverbial A game.

Abhorrence is an exercise in aural turbulence, each track taking its listener on a magnificently traumatic journey. “Our lyrics for this record are all over the place,” says Wharton. “There’s some stuff about video games and addiction and mental health. To me, that’s the kind of subject matter that hits home because everyone’s got stuff going on in their lives. It’s relatable.“

Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/cognitive

COGNITIVE will join Party Cannon on their European Vomitour 2024 next month. Additionally, the band will support Benighted on their Canadian Infestation tour this Fall with more live dates to be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed dates below.

COGNITIVE w/ Party Cannon:
5/03/2024 Bambi Galore – Hamburg, DE⁠
5/05/2024 Stengade – Copenhagen, DK⁠
5/07/2024 Don’t Panic – Essen, DE⁠
5/08/2024 MCP Apache – Charleroi, BE⁠
5/09/2024 KiFF – Aarau, CH⁠
5/10/2024 Ballonfabrik – Augsburg, DE⁠
5/12/2024 Steinbruch Theater – Darmstadt, DE⁠
5/13/2024 VEB Bandhaus – Erfurt, DE⁠
5/14/2024 Bastard Club – Osnabrück, DE⁠
5/15/2024 De Verlichte Geest – Kortrijk, BE⁠
5/16/2024 The Scrapyard – Alkmaar, NL⁠
5/17/2024 Dynamo – Eindhoven, NL⁠
5/18/2024 Willemeen – Arnhem, NL

w/ Benighted:
9/22/2024 QG – Rouyn Noranda, QC
9/23/2024 Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
9/24/2024 Rainbow Bistro – Ottawa, ON
9/26/2024 Rum Runners – London, ON
9/27/2024 Warehouse – St Catharines, ON
9/28/2024 The Back Stage – Windsor, ON
9/29/2024 Sneaky Dee’s – Toronto, ON
9/30/2024 l’Anti – Quebec City, QC

COGNITIVE:
Rob Wharton – guitars
Harry Lannon – guitars
Shane Jost – vocals
Tyler Capone-Vitale – bass
AJ Viana – drums

https://www.facebook.com/Cognitivenj
https://twitter.com/cognitive_nj
https://www.instagram.com/cognitive_nj