RIVERS OF NIHIL Release New Single ‘The Sub-Orbital Blues’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

📸: Mike Truehart

In March 2023, RIVERS OF NIHIL wrapped up a recording session that saw the now four-piece band birth a considerable amount of new music featuring their previous bassist/backup vocalist Adam Biggs as the new lead vocalist/bassist. This recording session also marked the first appearance of new guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently in the music, as a member of Rivers of Nihil. These new singles are the first to showcase the band’s new lineup in full-on collaboration, and demonstrates that while this is a new, brave sound with tons of potential, it also carries the band’s classic energy.

The first new single “The Sub-Orbital Blues” is available today on all digital platforms.

Here’s what Biggs had to say about the new song; “This song is about the dichotomy of living in a 21st century society rife with scientific and technological advancements such as artificial intelligence and ever more sophisticated space travel, while also dealing with the increasing threat of old world problems like out of control governments and the looming threat of world war.“

Check out the video for “The Sub-Orbital Blues” shot by David Brodsky & Allison Woest of My Good Eye HERE

Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland of Atrium Audio engineered, mixed and mastered the new singles, with additional engineering by guitarist Brody Uttley.

The remaining three singles from the April 2023 recording session will be released leading up to the release of the band’s next full-length studio album, which the band is eager to begin work on.

The band’s magic remains and is best experienced in a live setting that shows how musically tight and visually enthralling Rivers of Nihil truly are. See for yourself when the band hits the road with Between the Buried and Me and Thank You Scientist, kicking off tomorrow in Charleston, SC and wrapping up on July 31 in Winston-Salem, NC. All dates including some headline gigs and ticket links can be found below.

RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ Between the Buried and Me and Thank You Scientist
16-Jun – Charleston, SC – Music Farm – tickets
17-Jun – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage – tickets
18-Jun – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia – tickets
20-Jun – New York, NY – Irving Plaza – tickets
21-Jun – Albany, NY – Empire Live – tickets
22-Jun – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground – tickets *Rivers of Nihil only
23-Jun – Worcester, MA – The Palladium – tickets
24-Jun – Montreal, QC – Club Soda – tickets
25-Jun – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall – tickets
27-Jun – Millvale, PA – Mr Smalls Theatre – tickets
28-Jun – Detroit, MI – The Majestic – tickets
29-Jun – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall – tickets
30-Jun – Chicago, IL – House of Blues – tickets
01-Jul – Minneapolis, MN – The Lyric at Skyway Theatre – tickets
02-Jul – Kansas City, MO – The Truman – tickets
03-Jul – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre – tickets
05-Jul – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex – tickets
06-Jul – Billings, MT – Pub Station (Taproom) – tickets *Rivers of Nihil only
07-Jul – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall – tickets
08-Jul – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall – tickets
10-Jul – Vancouver, BC – The Vogue Theatre – tickets
11-Jul – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile – tickets
12-Jul – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater – tickets
13-Jul – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades – tickets
14-Jul – Bakersfield, CA – 1933 – tickets *Rivers of Nihil only
15-Jul – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues – tickets
16-Jul – San Diego, CA – The Observatory – North Park – tickets
17-Jul – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theatre – tickets
19-Jul – Odessa, TX – The Ector Theatre – tickets *Rivers of Nihil only
20-Jul – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center – tickets
21-Jul – Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum – tickets
22-Jul – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live – tickets
23-Jul – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues – tickets
25-Jul – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag – tickets
26-Jul – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville – tickets
28-Jul – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live – tickets
29-Jul – Orlando, FL – The Beacham – tickets
30-Jul – Atlanta, GA – Heaven at The Masquerade – tickets
31-Jul – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat – tickets

About the band:
Pennsylvania progressive death metal band Rivers of Nihil has never fit neatly into a box, but with 2018’s Where Owls Know My Name, they transcended all labels applied to them. Returning in 2021 with The Work released on September 24 via Metal Blade Records, they’ve forged further into new territory, delivering an album that’s as cerebral as it is visceral, and that covers a staggering sonic range, definitively placing them in a category of their own. Inarguably a dense, heavy collection, The Work is far too dynamic to be considered a solely metal record and there is a genuine warmth that shows through, particularly tracks like “Wait” and the gorgeous “Maybe One Day.” Additionally, the band had incorporated far more clean vocals alongside the screaming that tears through many of the record’s heavier tracks. Courtesy of their friend Zach Strouse, saxophone once again adds extra layers of atmosphere to the collection, utilizing baritone, soprano, and alto saxes to great effect.

Towards the end of 2021, the Pennsylvania progressive death metalers Rivers of Nihil spent the majority of their time burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headline runs of the U.S. and Europe and in support of The Contortionist in North America for a month in September/October of 2022, but once the latter tour wrapped up, they were short a band member.

For personal reasons, founding member and lead vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and the band went their separate ways. The split took place just three days after the recording of a live video and audio session for Audiotree’s new ‘From Nothing‘ series, which was released on April 20, 2023. And while initially the band wasn’t sure how to approach the release with the departure of a founding member and lead singer – or whether to release it at all – they decided to move forward with it to honor Dieffenbach’s contributions to the group over the years and mark the beginning of a new chapter.

Rivers of Nihil is:
Brody Uttley – guitars/keyboards
Adam Biggs – vocals/bass
Jared Klein – drums/vocals
Andy Thomas – rhythm guitar/vocals

Find Rivers of Nihil at:
https://www.facebook.com/riversofnihil
https://www.youtube.com/Riversofnihilpa
https://www.instagram.com/riversofnihil
https://twitter.com/riversofnihil
Spotify | Apple Music

EVILE Premiere Charging New Single + Lyric Video ‘Reap What You Sow’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
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[photo by Steve Dutton]

Following their latest, critically acclaimed album, Hell Unleashed (2021), July 14, 2023 sees England’s metal masters EVILE strike again with their sixth full-length record, entitled The Unknown, via Napalm Records!

Today, EVILE have unleashed a lyric video for their vigorous new album single, “Reap What You Sow” – a hammering world of sound that builds up to a stomping thrash manifesto!

Frontman OL Drake offers:

“The second single from The Unknown is “Reap What You Sow” – a more up-tempo riff-fest. Without wanting to share too much about this track’s personal meaning, this song is about hypocrisy; someone saying not to do something, then they do it themselves. I gave Ingo, the lyric video director, no direction other than the lyrics, so the video is his own interpretation of the song. There’s a down-picking riff challenge in the middle section of the song. Enjoy!”

Since their formation in 2002, EVILE have turned heads and taken names, delivering pure thrash offerings blended with an uncompromising metal assault. Not only have the band played a notable role as the thrash metal resurgence movement of the mid-to-late 2000s, but as Kerrang! praised, they have “carried the genre’s whole ‘revival’ on their shoulders.”

This time, EVILE prove that they are more than just a thrash band, churning out slower tempos with a heavier approach. In addition, melodic vocals meet serious, in-depth lyrical topics – ranging from depression, overcoming loss and recurring nightmares, self-esteem and image, to more personal themes like living with dementia, struggling through the music industry and even the concerns of becoming a new parent – showcased on tracks such as the previously-released first single and album title track “The Unknown”.

On The Unknown, EVILE are more profound, personal and deep, while also proving heavier, stronger and more raucous than ever! The ten new album tracks showcase the band’s haunting elements and the stirring, “new” side of EVILE, balancing a dark, melodic and almost mesmerizing vibe with colossal, heavy riffage and thundering drums, while still staying true to their explosive trademarks and roots. The Unknown unchains the rampant songwriting talent of these British metal frontrunners, proving that thrash does not always have to be fast-paced. It can also be in-your-face with outstanding musical skill, without fear of showing a still unknown facet of lyrical depth and an enthralling, versatile, brave modern metal sound!

Pre-Order The Unknown HERE

We’re really excited to start revealing the next page in the Evile chapter”, said frontman OL Drake. “We’ve taken a completely different approach on this album and I looked inward for inspiration; I’ve opened myself up like I never thought I would. We’ve always been at 500mph, like on the previous album (Hell Unleashed) and this time around we felt we wanted to try the polar opposite – some slower-than-we’ve-ever-done tempos with more melodic vocal hooks, and give Adam some freedom on the leads/writing. I’ve been working on my vocals since diving in the deep end in 2021, and we’ve worked hard for 2 years on this, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the fruits of our labour. We’re really proud of what we’ve all accomplished with this album. This is the one I hope can catapult us to more ears and places we haven’t been before to play for people who are constantly asking us to play in their area.

The Unknown was recorded by Tim Vincent at Longwave Studios, Cardiff UK, and was produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Clancy at the same Longwave Studios.

The Unknown track listing:

  1. The Unknown
  2. The Mask We Wear
  3. Monolith
  4. When Mortal Coils Shed
  5. Sleepless Eyes
  6. Out of Sight
  7. At Mirror’s Speech
  8. Reap What You Sow
  9. Beginning of the End
  10. Balance of Time

EVILE UK Live Dates:
13.10.23 – The Arch, Brighton
14.10.23 – Arts Centre, Colchester
03.11.23 – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
10.11.23 – The Bread Shed, Manchester
11.11.23 – Devils Dog, Birmingham
17.11.23 – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh
18.11.23 – Corporation, Sheffield
01.12.23 – The Hairy Dog, Derby
02.12.23 – The Bunkhouse, Swansea
08.12.23- Suburbia, Southampton
09.12.23 – New Cross Inn, London

with many more shows to be announced soon!

EVILE is:
OL Drake – Vocals & Lead Guitar
Ben Carter – Drums
Joel Graham – Bass
Adam Smith – Rhythm Guitar

For More Info Visit:
https://evilecult.com
https://twitter.com/evile
https://www.facebook.com/evileuk
https://www.instagram.com/evileofficial
https://label.napalmrecords.com/evile

VAK Continue to Challenge And Intrigue with New Single ‘Bodies’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Angelica Elliot

VAK continue to challenge and intrigue with their fourth, and most lengthy single so far.

With Bodies, VAK drags you on a journey into the deepest and most obscure corners of the human dissociative mind, where reality meet dreams. To a place where your habits are patterns paved for you and not by you.

If we act by impulse and routine, where is the free will?
Do we react to nature, or are we merely subject to it? 

Melodic – yet devastatingly heavy, and fueled by riffs, powerful drums and an enchanting and electrifying energy, Bodies make up a truly a theatrical and vibrant soundscape and truly fullfill VAK´s role as a modern and progressive sludge band.

It is a 7-minute-long song that seem to pass in 3. Join in on the day-dream that drag you through these long summer nights.

Listen to the single: https://orcd.co/vakbodies

VAK states:
“The song ‘Bodies’ is about how the city is a platform for managing and controlling the population, as the masses of bodies. In this view, city planning is about transporting human flesh and livestock smoothly. But what kind of blockage or blood clot would be needed? And what would it sound like? Maybe like the end riff of this song.”

ABOUT
Well-produced, doom-groovy, stoner/sludge Swedish metal band VAK were highly praised for their previous album “Loud Wind” (2019).

UK Magazine Zero Tolerance wrote that it was “one of 2019’s contenders for best stoner metal album! […] It’s one thing to pack an album full of crushing riffs, memorable hooks, and passionate performances, but VAK truly evoke a unified togetherness that beams throughout”, while Metal Temple (UK) gave it a 9/10, stating that “VAK is its own unique breed, one that has hints of the past but is focused solely on the future.” Praised for their ability to incorporate more than just one style and genre in their music, drawing inspiration from a great variety of bands and artists, VAK’s upcoming album is something to look forward to!

BAND MEMBERS
Tobias Alpadie – Guitars
Anders Bartonek – Drums
Patrik Engström – Guitars
Jesper Skarin – Bass, Vocals
Robin Skarin – Keyboards

More information at Facebook | Instagram| Spotify

AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN Share New Single ‘I See You… But Never Clearly’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
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Netherlands based atmospheric black metal band AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN have today shared a new single, I see you… but never clearly. I see you… but never clearly is the second track to be taken from the band’s forthcoming tenth studio album, Closure, which is due for release via Prosthetic Records on August 4.

Stream I see you… but never clearly via Apple Music | TIDAL | Deezer | Bandcamp and Spotify
Pre-order Closure here.

Speaking on the single release, MCHL (guitars, vocals, keys) comments: “I see you… but never clearly is about inter-human connections not working properly and the consequences of the disconnection that can occur with interpersonal relationships.

“It’s about the distorted perception of another person and also about the distorted projections and expressions that can come with that. This distortion can be caused by trauma, fear,  shyness, it’s about things that could have been but were doomed to fail from the very start.”

In the fifteen years since their 2008 inception AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN have become a staple act in both black metal and shoegaze circles, delivering hauntingly evocative missives of introspective, yearning and sorrow alike. On Closure, the Dutch band continues to push the sonic template of their disparate influences to its limits, resulting in a sound that nurtures their ethereal sensibilities as much as their wall of sound approach to the genre’s more extreme inclinations.

Recorded by the band between September 2021 and May 2022 in the Netherlands, Closure’s production spotlights the trio’s complex melodies with an accomplished sheen without compromising on the staple lo-fi elements of AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN’s foundational intensity.

On their latest full-length, AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN’s well trodden themes of loss, love, and self-actualisation continue to be expanded on in depth with an all too human ache permeating throughout. Well over a decade into their existence, primary songwriter MCHL’s vessel for melancholia and catharsis remains as poignant and vital to the modern atmospheric black metal canon as ever.

Closure tracklist:
1. Missed
2. I see you… but never clearly
3. Where pain begins
4. This feels like dying
5. As the void
6. Closure
7. For tomorrow
8. Unable to feel you
9. Culpable
10. Here comes sorrow

Metalcore Prodigy STORM Unveils Electrifying Single + Video ‘House of Cards’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Elisabeth Anker Jakobsen

Rising metalcore act STORM has unleashed his latest musical offering, “House of Cards,” a powerful and genre-defying track that showcases the 14-year-old Norwegian artist’s exceptional talent and unique musical vision.

With influences ranging from modern nu metal, pop, hip hop to metalcore, STORM has crafted a captivating sound characterized by brutal riffs, roaring vocals, and an infusion of rap, screaming vocals and electronic elements.

“House of Cards” is a gripping track that explores the pressure that can often leave one feeling trapped and vulnerable. The song’s infectious melodies, heavy instrumentation, and STORM’s mind-blowing vocals create an immersive experience that resonates deeply with listeners.

Listen to the single here: https://orcd.co/cards

STORM states:
“This song is about feeling that everything is fragile. Every action you take can potentially have a devastating outcome. The pressure makes you feel trapped.”

To bring “House of Cards” to life, STORM collaborated with talented producer and songwriter Erlend Torheim, and the result is a captivating fusion of their creative energies. The single showcases STORM’s ability to infuse catchy hooks and hard-hitting elements seamlessly. 

“I met Erlend for the first time in my studio. Turned out we liked the same bands, and when he showed me some of his own material, I liked him even more! With House of cards, I couldn’t get the song out of my mind, and we decided to continue working on it together. This is the first time I’ve worked on someone else’s material, and I really enjoyed working with Erlend.” – STORM says about the collaboration.

STORM’s remarkable talent has already taken him to renowned stages, including a performance at the Summer Breeze festival in Germany, and he is set to rock the stage at Norway’s biggest festival, Tons of Rock, in 2023. STORM’s electrifying live performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

STORM’s overarching vision is to defy genre limitations and create a new wave of music that resonates with a generation rather than fans of a spesific genrè. His music embodies the spirit of innovation and artistic exploration, pushing boundaries and captivating listeners from all walks of life.

With Tons of Rock 2023 on the horizon, STORM is also working on his debut album, poised to unleash a sonic journey that will solidify his position as a groundbreaking force in the music industry.

About STORM:
Underneath the stage name STORM is Leo Davadi Sundli, a prodigious 14-year-old artist that has already achieved remarkable success. Beginning his musical journey in 2019 with the band Snøstorm, Leo swiftly gained recognition from prominent Norwegian media outlets such as VG, NRK, Musikknyheter, and Adresseavisa. Their energetic performance at the Rotvoll Festival in 2019 garnered high praise from Musikknyheter (NO), who described their music as ” as catchy as it is heavy,” resonating with metalcore enthusiasts.

In 2020, Leo embarked on a new artistic endeavor, forming the band project STORM. Shortly thereafter, his exceptional talent caught the attention of industry professionals, leading to a record deal with the prestigious Indie Recordings in 2021 and securing a booking deal with the renowned All Things Live. STORM’s meteoric rise in the music scene demonstrates Leo’s unwavering dedication and remarkable ability to create compelling music that transcends boundaries.

In 2022, STORM made an entrance onto the music scene with the release of his debut EP, “Invincible.” At the young age of 13, STORM showcased remarkable talent and musical maturity, delivering a collection of captivating tracks that transcended genres. This debut release served as a testament to STORM’s immense potential and set the stage for a promising career ahead.

“Now the Norwegian metalscene has its own prodigy in the 13-year-old STORM.” – Gaffa (NO)

“Invincible is a fantastic debut.  STORM clearly knows what direction he wants to go in. The sound is clear, and the songs are extremely well-produced.” – Distored Sound Magazine (UK)

“Indie Recordings have truly found a diamond in the rough with this act, and I look forward to seeing where his career takes him.” – Metal Epedemic (US)

Follow STORM on TikTok: @join.the.storm

Canadian BALROGATH Unleash New Video ‘Calamity’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2023
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BALROGATH presents: Calamity a ripping new song to go along with their debut music video. Calamity tells the tale of the band’s behind the scenes life, showcasing a deep love of role playing games and all related entertainment. The band plays a challenging game and meets their untimely doom in a total party killing DM paradise of a final battle masterminded by the magical Joel Peterson. Watching this video is sure to warm the hearts of any adventurer or tabletop gaming fans alike.

The video recently premiered via Ghost Cult Magazine and The feature can be found here.

You can also check out the video on the bands YouTube channel here:

Balrogath formed in 2017 and quickly gained a following in Southern Alberta with their powerful stage presence and intricate composition. Burning the gap between death and power metal, the group takes influence from all corners of the genre, and alchemically blends those components into a sound wholly their own. With years of shows under their belt, Balrogath has only just begun their quest.

The group has been playing relentlessly since 2018 covering many venues and festivals throughout Alberta, and has shared the stage with some of Alberta’s biggest heavy indie bands, such as Mares of Thrace, No More Moments, and Black Pestilence. Balrogath’s live show is one to be remembered.

After the overwhelmingly positive reception of their debut album “Arcane Sacrifice” in 2022 Balrogath has dug deep to bring a more modern sound to their classic composition with the 2023 EP “We Bring Calamity.” The upcoming single “Calamity” is sure to impress, showing off their familiar dark melody with a striking new video to accompany.

Balrogath is:
Chris Saunders/ Warchanter – Guitar, Vocals
Gray Panchuck/ Bladesinger – Vocals
Jesse McCrank/Rhythm Warden – Drums
T.J. Riggins/Loremaster – Bass

Connect with Balrogath:
Bandcamp: https://balrogath.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TCkukIAY3fnehGIbdtWEg
Website: http://www.balrogath.ca