GOD ALONE have shared a new single, titled Tinfoil In The Walls, from their forthcoming sophomore album ETC. Tinfoil In The Walls is the third track to be taken from the avant-garde mathrock group’s upcoming full-length, hot on the heels of their recent performance at ArcTanGent festival and November tour dates in Ireland – more details on those live shows below.
Of the single release, Jake O’Driscoll (guitar and vocals) comments: “Tinfoil in the Walls most clearly represents the more leftfield influences on the album, with less straightforward rhythms and an emphasis on a Steve Reich inspired counterpoint and slow evolving repetition.”
The five musicians behind GOD ALONE are quite literally students of their craft; ETC – their second full length album – was recorded at MTU Cork School of Music which they all attend. ETC was produced by the band and Christopher Hockey, and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Witch Fever, GGGOLDDD, Ghost). The origins of the band lie in a heavier, post-metal sound, but the intervening years and an influx of new and stimulating influences has seen them broaden their palette, expand their horizons and hone a distinctive sound.
Whilst embracing all that the Irish music scene has to offer, GOD ALONE are constantly pushing to make their way out of Ireland and further afield. Cutting their teeth in an eclectic and enthusiastic local scene helped them to refine their live chops, giving their performance increased weight and attention as they progressed. Now when they write, the live iteration of their music is always at the forefront of their minds.
GOD ALONE‘s approach traverses through mathrock, dance, avant-garde, post-punk and more on its way to its final destination. Citing the Talking Heads as a big influence, GOD ALONE embrace absurdism at every turn – in particular the absurdity of nothingness; the art of existing without meaning or context. Abstract lyrics are influenced by French dadaist poets as they seek to make heavy ideas into fun, danceable vignettes.
Minimalist album art courtesy of Ian McInerney highlights the repetition of things that have no clear beginning or end – the endless loop of everything and nothing all at once.
Upcoming GOD ALONE tour dates: November 2 – Voodoo – Belfast, UK November 3 – The Workman’s Club – Dublin, IRE November 4 – Áras Na Gael – Galway, IRE November 5 – Pharmacia – Limerick, IRE November 10 – Cyprus Avenue – Cork, IRE
“Diamonds” is the brand new mini-album by LIAR THIEF BANDIT. Following the group’s latest, third studio album “Deadlights”, the Swedish power trio returns with 7 new tracks. Unifying classic rock and Scandinavian garage rock with a fresh and vigorous approach to the genre, “Diamonds” offers catchy, straight forward, and honest rock music at it’s very finest. Memorable hooks and storytelling lyrics are presented with a dynamic blend of electrifying twin guitar arrangements, tight, punchy drums, and thundering bass lines. “Diamonds” includes 6 original tracks, as well as a cover of Graveyard’s 2011 hit “Ain’t Fit to Live Here”.
Liar Thief Bandit comments: Diamonds takes off where Deadlights ends. The sound and lyrics follow the same theme and feel as its predecessor but with additional reflections and new views on self-realization. A troubled mind finding keys to push forward surrounded by roaring guitars, pounding drums and fierce vocals.
“Diamonds” was recorded at Tilt Recording Studios in Strömstad, Sweden. The mini-album is produced by Max Dahlby (Åskväder, The Drippers and Scumbag Millionaire) and Liar Thief Bandit, Mixed by William Grube, and mastered by Jonas Siöström. “Diamonds” is released on The Sign Records on the 16th of September on all streaming platforms, white vinyl, green vinyl, and CD. The album is available HERE
Liar Thief Bandit are: Mikael Jacobson – Guitar / Vocals William Grube – Drums Niklas Dahre – Bass
Traditional, full melodic Heavy Metallers BIWO from Germany’s Ruhr area are set to release their independent debut album “Life And Death” on November 11th. Today the band premieres new single ‘Live Now’ from the album.
Mastermind Sven Biwo explains “Live Now”: “There are enough assholes in the world – people who want to pull you down. We invite you to forget all that shit for a moment. Live now – and do what you feel like doing! Because tomorrow might be too late. Don’t waste your time with negative stuff – grab a beer, raise your fist and shout it out loud!”
BIWO stands for absolutely honest, infectiously catchy, emphatically down-to-earth and classically timeless MELODIC HEAVY METAL with a well-dosed shot of Teutonic bullishness.
It is clear to hear that here is a musically thoroughly inspired genre fan ambitious at the start, who makes his real music for just such real fans – uncomplicated Heavy Metal brotherhood is there so very heavy!
TRACKLIST:
Live Now 04:20
Fountain Of Youth 04:04
Win This Fight 03:22
Mother Earth 08:36
Poor Boy 04:43
I 04:54
Alone In The Dark 04:11
Judgment Of The Gods 06:45
total: 40:44 min.
🎨 Gudrun Müller
The enormously varied and sustainably catchy songs breathe the unique, unused 80s spirit with delicious fervor and in such depth that you simply cannot escape the charm of BIWO if you feel sincerely connected to the early Heavy Metal from that time.
Yes, we mean the very special time when the blessed and equally obscure GAMA Records released unforgettable records by top artists like Stormwitch, Veto and Tyran’ Pace – and the scene cult around it grows with every year. Self-promoting and giga-virtuoso orgies of perfection are therefore not at all what BIWO is about, rather the eternally attractive underground is indulged in.
And although bandleader Sven sees himself more as a soloing mainman with guest musicians, the result sounds damn organic, homogeneous and completely free of wear and tear. All songs on “Life And Death” were composed and recorded by Sven Biwo single-handedly.
The mix and mastering were also done by master Biwo at Cubi Studios Bochum. The pleasantly idiosyncratic artwork is deliberately not an obligatory Photoshop bombardment – it comes from the brushes of Gudrun Müller.
LINE-UP: Sven Biwo • Vocals & Guitar Finley • Guitar Justus • Bass Hanno • Drums
The idea for the band was born in January 2020 when Sven (guitar and vocals) and Justus (bass) met at a benefit concert. With Hanno (drums), whom Justus knew from his school days, a man for the kettles was then also found.
Shortly before the first rehearsal the pandemic came and with it the break for the formation. However, Sven took advantage of the creative break and began to transform the ideas into songs and to realize a finished album.
The final touches were put on “Life And Death” in the summer of 2022, when the first real rehearsals began and the tracks were given a new shine in the rehearsal room. (Markus Eck)
On 21 October, the Bavarians of DISGUSTING PERVERSION will release their second longplayer “Remember Me” via Black Sunset!
Already with the predecessor “Eternity Of Death” the quintet succeeded in attracting attention despite limited live activities due to the pandemic. With “Remember Me”, the guys now present the successor, which relies on the tried and tested and once again delivers a high-class old school death metal album to the ears of the willing listener!
The album was mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studios (Dark Fortress, Pestilence) and the artwork was done by Juanjo Castellano (Revel In Flesh, The Black Daliah Murder). A first look at the front cover and a teaser for the title track, which will be released as a video clip in a few weeks, are enclosed.
Fans of classic, hard-chargin’ blues rock take note! A superb collection of mid’70s rare recordings from blues rock institution HUMBLE PIE is being released this month. I Need A Star In My Life features studio recordings from 1974-1976 with unmistakable HP vocalist Steve Marriott along with bassist Greg Ridley and guitarist Clem Clempson. Together this trio experimented with a variety of styles and sounds as they composed several new songs as well as rearranging songs by soul legend Sam Cooke, blues giant Bo Diddley, and others. King Crimson saxophonist Mel Collins even pops in for a special guest appearance!
These recordings have been completely digitally remastered and packaged with full liner notes from music journalist Dave Thompson. I Need A Star In My Life is available now on all formats including CD, digital and multiple vinyl configurations!
Also be sure to check out the companion 7” featuring the band’s take on Sam Cooke’s “Shake” as well as an ultra rare track “Bluestalk” featuring the original guitarist of The Rolling Stones, Brian Jones!
The five-time-Grammy-nominated guitarist KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD has announced ‘Trouble Is…25,’ a top-to-bottom reinterpretation of his seminal album ‘Trouble Is…,’ which struck the match that reignited modern blues upon its release 25 years ago. Slated for release on December 2nd via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group, the album will be accompanied by a live DVD filmed at The Strand Theatre in Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, shot at the launch of his year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of ‘Trouble Is…,’ which found the band performing the album, in its entirety, across the US. To celebrate the announcement, Shepherd has released a lyric video for “True Lies,” which he describes as “the classic infidelity song.” Watch the video below.
Great songs are not set in stone. Since he burst from the blues clubs of Louisiana onto the global music scene with 1995’s breakthrough first album ‘Ledbetter Heights, followed by his career defining second album ‘Trouble Is…’ in 1997, Shepherd has twisted those classic cuts into bold new shapes each night on the stage. Led by the pulse of the crowd, every last note alive in his hands, the ‘Trouble Is…’ tracks have always been on the move, never settling into museum pieces. But to give a quarter-century-old album a second birth is another matter. And in more recent times, the multi-platinum-selling artist looked up the road and saw the 25th anniversary of ‘Trouble Is…’ on the horizon, he hatched an audacious plan.
To join the dots from the hungry 18-year-old gunslinger who caught lightning in a bottle in 1997 to the still-questing master musician, with a lifetime’s soul under his fingers. To assemble the old crew from the original ‘Trouble Is…’ sessions at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California and attack the track listing afresh. And to remind seasoned fans and new listeners alike how this album struck the match that reignited modern blues.
“One of the coolest things about re-recording ‘Trouble Is…’ has been finding out – or verifying – how timeless this album really is,” says Shepherd, who is also leading a triumphant anniversary tour across the United States in 2022 and 2023, performing the album in full. “I’m so proud of what we accomplished, and also the fact I was just 18 years old when I did it. I mean, I had an experience with this album that most musicians can only dream about. ‘Trouble Is…’ sold millions of copies. There’s validation in all of that for me.”
Having pricked up ears with 1995’s sparky debut ‘Ledbetter Heights,’ ‘Trouble Is…’ hurled Shepherd headlong into contention. These were songs and performances that shouldn’t have been feasible from a teenager barely out of the classroom, yet the bandleader was already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a veteran studio band that included the iconic Double Trouble lineup (drummer Chris Layton, bassist Tommy Shannon and keys man Reese Wynans).
And while he had yet to find his own singing voice (then, as now, Noah Hunt handles powerhouse lead vocals on ‘Trouble Is…) Shepherd’s precocious guitar work was in a different class to the fading grunge scene, one moment white-hot on originals like Slow Ride or the title instrumental, the next rivalling Jimi Hendrix himself on a wiry cover of “I Don’t Live Today.”
In the ensuing 25 years – a period in which Shepherd has released a further seven acclaimed solo albums, not to mention two with his all-star side-project The Rides, alongside Stephen Stills and Barry Goldberg – some aspects of the reborn ‘Trouble Is…’ album are unavoidably changed. The Record Plant closed its doors in 2008 (the new sessions went down at The Village in Los Angeles and Nashville’s Ocean Way), while Shannon has retired from the music scene (he’s capably replaced by Shepherd’s regular low-ender, Kevin McCormick).
“Aside from Tommy, we got the whole crew back together, with Jerry Harrison co-producing once again,” reflects the bandleader. “And in the studio, it felt like no time had passed. If you play well together, you play well together. It worked back then and it worked just as well this time. It was all of us live in a room. That’s just how I do it, man. I’m old-school. Human beings need to be in the same room to be able to play music together.”
Other elements of the re-recording were uncannily identical, with Shepherd digging out the exact same ’61 Fender Stratocaster model and backline that he’d used back in the late-’90s. “For amps, I had one of the very first Fender Blackface Twin reissues that was ever made. And then I had a Vibro-King – and that hasn’t really been used again since I recorded that record the first time. So we had those two amps and then a Blackface ’64 Vibroverb. I still had all the original pedals I used back in ’97 – a Uni-Vibe, a TS808 Ibanez Tube Screamer, a Klon overdrive, the Roger Mayer Octavia. I’ve never gotten rid of anything. I’ve never sold anything. So if there’s anything floating around out there that once belonged to me, it’s because somebody must have gotten sticky fingers, y’know?”
Ultimately, says Shepherd, the minutiae of his rig was less important than the spirit in the air. “I didn’t want ‘Trouble Is…25’ to be a surgical process. I don’t like to overthink things. I just wanted to go in and capture the vibe. There were a couple of ways we could have approached this new recording. We could have done a one-hundred-per-cent faithful reproduction. Or we could have done a complete reinterpretation.
Times change. Artists evolve. Music scenes rise and fall. Back in 1997, the original ‘Trouble Is…’ was embraced by a rock ‘n’ roll generation crying out for something of substance as vapid manufactured pop began its inexorable rise. “ A full quarter-century later – with manufactured pop holding sway and humanity clawing its way back from a spirit-sapping global pandemic – the anticipation surrounding the reborn ‘Trouble Is…’ album and live shows stands as testament to a collection of songs that have never sounded so thrilling, empowering, unflinchingly honest and unapologetically human.
“During the ‘Trouble Is…’ anniversary tour,” says Shepherd, “everybody was commenting on how this album could be released today and still be just as relevant as it was 25 years ago. Making this album in 1997 was just a really monumental achievement. The new recording was a serious trip down memory lane for me. And I’m still so proud of these songs…”
Track list
Slow Ride
True Lies
Blue on Black
Everything Is Broken
I Don’t Live Today
(Long) Gone
Somehow, Somewhere, Someway
I Found Love (When I Found You)
King’s Highway
Nothing to Do with Love
Chase the Rainbow
Trouble Is…
Ballad Of a Thin Man
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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
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