Just as the next U.S. presidential election campaigns are kicking into high gear, notorious anti-fascist hardcore punk rock icons, MDC, come roaring back with a vital new album of unflinching political anthems. Set for release on September 29, the new album, War Is A Racket, finds singer and political activist Dave Dictor continuing the band’s 45+ year legacy with a supercharged set of radical punk rock screeds that are as unflinching lyrically as they are musically ferocious.
The album kicks off with “You’re Full Of Shit,” a pulverizing track that showcases the best of MDC – eardrum-shredding guitar riffs, galloping drums, and an epic chorus that drives home the song’s subject in 130 seconds. If ever there was a time when hardcore, radically political punk rock was needed, that time is NOW…and MDC are just the band to bring it!
Houston, TX-born and France-based rap rock sensation HYRO THE HERO will celebrate the release of his sophomore full-length album BOUND FOR GLORY via Better Noise Music with a hometown performance tonight, September 15, at House of Blues on the Live Nation-produced “SPIRITS 2023” tour with labelmates NOTHING MORE.
On BOUND FOR GLORY, HYRO collaborates with some of the leading names in rock including David Draiman (Disturbed), Brandon Saller (Atreyu), Chad Gray (HELLYEAH), Spencer Charnas and Dan Sugarman (Ice Nine Kills), REDDSTAR, AJ (Fire From The Gods) and Markus Videsäter (Solence). Several of these artists, in addition to artists who collaborated on his 2022 KIDS AGAINST THE MONSTERS EP shared praise for HYRO as quoted below.
“I’m incredibly honored. Hyro is a truly amazing artist and I had a blast working with him. This track is exactly what the world needs right now. It’s time to believe again.” – David Draiman (Disturbed)
“It’s always nice to collaborate with up-and-coming talent, especially when you’re a genuine fan. I was stoked to hop on this song with Hyro The Hero. He embodies what a true artist is meant to do: make you feel something. This song is a great reminder that we’re stronger together when facing our demons.”– Corey Taylor
“A fireball of energy, a sharp lyricist and an infectious personality. If you haven’t heard of HYRO already you’ve been missing out! This new album is catchy, groove laden, fun and full of talent. Best enjoyed at loud volumes!”-Benjamin Bruce (Asking Alexandria)
Produced by Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Hollywood Undead), BOUND FOR GLORY’s 12 tracks consist of a trendsetting hybrid of hip-hop and hard rock spiked with punk topped with unbreakable lyricism and undeniable choruses. Stream/download BOUND FOR GLORY now digitally or grab a copy on CD or Coke Bottle Green vinyl (pictured below) at https://hyrothehero.ffm.to/boundforglory.
Reflecting on his new album, HYRO says“Issues may arise when you feel it in your gut that you were meant to do something great. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ it’s a matter of ‘when.’ All obstacles and failures are lessons down the road to achieve what you set out for. Some may reach them before you, but that is their story not yours. I live this; being in this industry for so long and seeing others surpass me on my journey doesn’t matter; I know, in my heart, I’m ‘Bound for Glory.’”
“I had such a blast getting in the studio recording ‘Fight’ with Hyro. The verses he wrote were so compelling to me. I knew right when I heard it, that this is the track I wanted to be a part of – I’m so proud of Hyro and this track. And it’s always nice when the melody and lyrics write themselves. That’s always the sign of a great song. “– Chad Gray (HELLYEAH)
HYRO has today released the music video for the album’s pummeling title track, “Bound For Glory (feat. Markus Videsäter of Solence).” Watch it streaming below or via YouTube HERE.
“Hyro first got put on my radar maybe seven years ago by a good friend Fred Archambault. Since then I sort of had my eye on what he was doing. Last summer we did the Disrupt Festival with Hyro and he blew me away at every show. His energy was amazing and we immediately hit it off. When the opportunity came to be on a track with him I had no hesitations. This song has such a vibe to it and has so much power and I’m stoked to be a part of it.” - Brandon Saller (Atreyu)
“All I kept hearing from my people is how sick Hyro the Hero is so I checked him out at The Viper Room…it reminded me of the first time I saw Rage Against the Machine. It was just off the chain unbridled energy, and I knew I wanted to be a part of and was lucky enough to be asked.” – Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills)
Long before mosh pits regularly broke out at rap shows and metal samples abounded throughout the culture, HYRO THE HERO was collaborating with members of At The Drive-In and Blood Brothers as well as era-defining producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, Korn) on his independently released EP BIRTH, SCHOOL, WORK, DEATH in 2011. The latter generated applause from BBC, Kerrang!, and Alternative Press who touted him as one of “19 Underrated Bands From The 2010s Who Deserve Another Listen.” In its wake, he blasted off with “Bullet,” posting north of 15 million-plus streams and paving the way for his 2018 debut album FLAGGED CHANNEL. He asserted himself as the rare outlier who could shine on a track with Hollywood Undead, Lil’ Keke, and AWOLNATION or Islander, Fozzy, and James “Munky”Shaffer of Korn. Flexing his versatility, he featured on “Cheatcode” by Black Tiger Sex Machine x Hairitage, generating 7.3 million Spotify streams. Meanwhile, his 2022 KIDS AGAINST THE MONSTERS EP via Better Noise Music boasted an assist from Corey Taylor of Slipknot, and the legendary Mötley Crüe tapped him for “Who’s That Playing On The Radio?” for THE RETALIATORS ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK. At the same time, he packed houses on his own and became a festival favorite at Welcome to Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Shiprocked!, and more.
“‘Head Under Water’ is as authentic and real as a song can get. The second I heard this track; I knew I needed to be a part of it. Feeding off of the raw rock energy, I dug deep to bring as many melodic and off the wall guitar elements to the table as I possibly could. Playing through a slurred drunken swagger, the solo and guitar playing gets more concise and razor sharp as the song progresses. Hyro and Reddstar spit the sickest flows and heaviest lyrics I’ve ever heard, and that meant that I needed to do the same. Considering that moments before I started write and record, I got a call from my doctor with the most terrifying medical news that a person could get – I poured myself into this solo, and into this song. I know ‘Head Under Water’ will hit you like it hit me, because this feeling is so real for so many of us.”– Dan Sugarman (Ice Nine Kills)
“I knew when I heard this track that we had something. Not only does the song have a lot of meaning but I like how me and Hyro approached it from our own perspectives. I do believe when people listen to this that so many will be able to connect or relate to it on multiple levels.”– Reddstar
Catch HYRO on tour throughout September with NOTHING MORE, Dead Poet Society and Post Profit in the U.S. before he returns to France, where he resides, for two headlining shows in December. Tickets can be found at www.hyrothehero.com.
HYRO THE HERO TOUR DATES
9/16 San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre * 9/18 Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen Music Hall * 9/19 Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall * 9/20 Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine * 9/22 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution * 9/23 Orlando, FL – House of Blues * 9/25 Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore * 12/7 Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur 12/8 Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur *with Nothing More, Dead Poet Society & Post Profit
Modern metal act THE OKLAHOMA KID are currently on their European run as support of AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS and LAKE MALICE. The run kicks off at the Headcrash venue in Hamburg (DE), and sees the band crushing stages in Germany, Czech, Austria and Switzerland. A full list of confirmed shows can be found below!
THE OKLAHOMA KID 2023, remaining shows
16.09.2023 Dresden (DE) – Club Puschkin 17.09.2023 Prague (CZ) – Bike Jesus 19.09.2023 Wien (AT) – Arena 20.09.2023 München (DE) – Backstage Club 21.09.2023 Stuttgart (DE) – Wizemann Studio 22.09.2023 Memmingen (DE) – Kaminwerk 23.09.2023 Baden (CH) – Werkk Kulturlokal 24.09.2023 Köln (DE) Mtc
THE OKLAHOMA KID stands for breathtaking modern metal that bridges the gap between technical intricacy and energizing rhythms. Since their formation in 2012 the band – consisting of David J. Burtscher, Fred Stölzel, Robert Elfenbein, Tomm Brümmer and Andreas Reinhard – has consistently pushed the envelope and have established their foundation in the German metal scene.
They toured the country with renowned acts such as Stick To Your Guns, Carnifex, Evergreen Terrace and Hatebreed and electrified crowds with their passionate, relentless performance.
THE OKLAHOMA KID are no longer an insider tip and a force to be reckoned with. No matter if live at a festival or on the record player in the living room; THE OKLAHOMA KID will change your perception of what metal is capable of.
THE OKLAHOMA KID are: Tomm Brümmer | Vocals Fred Stölzel | Guitar Andreas Reinhard | Guitar Robert Elfenbein | Bass David J. Burtscher | Drums
Finnish extreme metal band i Helvete has released the second single from their upcoming album Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta. This i Helvete’s second album single is called Suuri Puhdistus. The music video was filmed and edited by Henri Rantala. Tuomas Mäki was responsible for the lighting and smoke technology in the video. Single cover by Bloodonice.
Suuri Puhdistus represents the catchiest and fastest material of the upcoming album. According to singer-guitarist Aleksi Mäkelä, the song did not come easily:
“Suuri Puhdistus has as much Mgła as Iron Maiden. The song has an oppressively dark mood until the chorus and interlude bring it catchiness and even beauty. Suuri Puhdistus was the very last composition for our second album. I wanted a bit faster and shorter song for the album. After a long period of work, a red thread started to be found in this song. At first it was actually a very different, slightly less traditional song. However, no direction was found for that unfinished work, and that’s a good thing. As a music video song, this song was considered since its completion. In the video, we wanted to preserve the energy of the song, so the playing video felt the most natural of all.”
The second album of i Helvete will be released 24th of November. The concept album Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta tells the story of a movement that sees the direction of the modern world as doomed. Preserving the sustainability of the planet requires extensive, radical actions. The agenda is the great reset, where the vast majority of people will be eliminated. With the new Big Bang, the chosen people will rise from the ashes to build a new world.
Track list: 1. Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta 2. KKK 3. Uuden Ajan ABC 4. Yhdestoista Hetki 5. Paratiisi 6. Suuri Puhdistus 7. Valittu Kansa 8. V Niin Kuin Vallankumous
Line-up: Aleksi Mäkelä – Vocals & Guitar Manu Kujala – Guitar Tapio Holappa – Bass Teemu Koski – Drums
Irish alt. post-punk sensation MOVMENT are thrilled to present their new single “I Believe In Noise”, the first track from the band’s 3rd Album REINVENTION, which will be available from EPICTRONIC and on Bandcamp in November 2023.
“I Believe In Noise” is available on all digital platforms via Epictronic worldwide: orcd.co/ibelieveinnoise
The new single “I Believe in Noise” explores how sound & songs have a deep impact on their reality. We are bombarded with information, opinions, viewpoints, and words. Movment drowns in ideas, solutions, in creation. They seek wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment. On their new single MOVMENT has been renewed, and restored. It is a REINVENTION.
Guitars and Bass and Drums and Synths are at the heart of the MOVMENT sound.
The single was recorded in End of Light Studios, Mullingar, Ireland, and Grouse Lodge, Westmeath, Ireland, and mixed by Alex Borwick, and mastered by Jerome Schmitt at The Airlab.
Movment creates music, sounds, and noise that is straightforward and they tell it like it is. They use drums, bass, guitars, synths, and tools that excite them. Atmosphere, turbulence, and truthfulness are at the heart of what they do. Listen to their music to find out more.
Lineup: Martin Kelly – Vocals, Drums, Words Kevin Kelly – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Synths, Programming, Words Mark Kelly – Bass Isabella Rowden Kelly – Guitars
Spanish Black Metal, Doom and Industrial Metal Band SIGLOS will perform for the first time in front of a live audience on October 15th.
Based out of Los Angeles, California, SIGLOS combines extreme classic metal with Black, Doom, and Industrial Metal to evoke a raw and visceral listening experience. Band members include two-time Grammy-nominated guitarist, Sin Quirin (Ex-Ministry), and insanely powerful vocalist and member of Transtorno, Pedro Sanchez. Though they have established themselves a devoted fanbase and reputation in the metal world, SIGLOS has yet to perform live in front of an audience. This will all change on October 15th, thanks to the LA’s Gates of Metal Music Festival, where SIGLOS will perform live for the very first time in front of an audience, along with many other amazing names in heavy metal such as Sadistic Intent, Heathen, Evil Dead, Anger As Art and more. The festival will start at 1:45 pm at the Garden Amphitheater in Garden Grove, CA and will include two stages (a fan-friendly, open-air stage and an indoor stage), not to mention, countless metal merchants, vendors, bars, and food options all presented in an all-ages European Style Heavy Metal Festival. SIGLOS will be on at 3:00pm on the open-air stage for their first-ever live performance.
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
