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SMOKING ROGERS Release New Single ‘I Want You To Know’; New Album “Comfort Zone” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SMOKING ROGERS. Leave a comment

To give listeners a summer of warm rock sounds, today Italian alternative rock band SMOKING ROGERS releases their debut album ‘Comfort Zone’ via Seahorse Recordings.

Listen/buy the new album digitally on the following platforms:
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6iZSmgTqji3Ky1YJaWk8Ax
Itunes; https://music.apple.com/album/id/1572499717

To celebrate the band presents the second single taken form the new album, ‘I Want You To Know’.

“I Want You To Know” is the confession and retraction, more apathetic than resigned, of a lifelong temp, a prisoner of himself and his own inconclusive routine, disillusioned yet willing to allow himself the luxury of hope that something might still change. But in an immobile wait. It is also the acknowledgement of the substantial difficulty in declaring his condition to the person to whom he imagines to turn. So much so that it raises the doubt that this confession can ever be made out loud”, declares the band.

Listen to the first single “Spiritual Song” on major streaming platforms and watch the lyric video here: https://youtu.be/wqvNRuW-DLw

“Comfort Zone” was produced and recorded by Maurizio Lollobrigida and mixed and mastered by Maurizio Lollobrigida and Alessandro Scerpa at Officine Zero/Il Merlo Studio in Rome.

SMOKING ROGERS elaborate their sound without bright artifices, preferring to underline a note and accompany a verse with the craftsmanship of their instruments, seeking the perfect combination of cleanliness and distortion, chords and noise, study and improvisation.

The concept of the album is based on the analysis of the difficulty of being accepted in the discovery of one’s own identity, and of coming out of that “free zone” in which we close ourselves. We want to defend it from the arrows of a cultural world increasingly based on the emptiness of appearing and being mainstream rather than real.

The album ranges from deeply intimate songs (“Thovez House”, “I Want You to Know“) to actual 90s tunes (“One Division Left”, “Spiritual Song“), from electro-acoustic ballads (“Pascal-On Stage“) to decidedly lighter sounds (“70’s”, “The Butterflies, Daybreak“), all the way to the noir climax of “I’ve Got Your Eyes”, which locks the door of the comfort zone.

“Comfort Zone” tracklisting:

  1. Thovez House
  2. Pimple
  3. One Division Left
  4. Spiritual Song
  5. I Want You To Know
  6. Pascal On Stage
  7. 70’s
  8. The Butterflies
  9. Daybreak
  10.  I’ve Got Your Eyes

If they had been in the United States 30 years ago, SMOKING ROGERS would most likely have spontaneously become part of the Seattle grunge scene. But although this seminal influence is clear, the band’s identity is also much more: a powerful hard rock vein that can be traced back to the Los Angeles scene of the late ’80s, guitars strongly linked to punk culture and a natural tendency towards acoustic songwriting.

The band’s propensity for dissonance and sharp riffs does not prevent them from exploring different sounds and genres, always guided by their own instincts.

EL MOONO Release Video for New Single ‘Forced To Smile’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: EL MOONO. Leave a comment

Alt-rock quartet EL MOONO have released a video for their brand new single ‘Forced to Smile’, out now via Lockjaw Records. 

The band worked with Kieran Gallop (GLKMedia) at The Spire in Brighton to create the video for ‘Forced to Smile’. The juxtaposition of social and religious ‘normalities’ is portrayed through a ‘happy’ birthday party, with a vast spectrum of imagery.

Originally premiered via Distorted Sound Magazine, check out the video for ‘Forced to Smile’ here:

Stream/purchase ‘Forced to Smile’ here: https://elmoono.lnk.to/forcedtosmile 

El Moono comment on the new single:

“We’ve been sitting on this song in particular for over two years now and we’re so relieved and excited to finally be putting it out into the world. Since writing ‘Forced to Smile’, it feels as though the lyrics have come into sharper focus given the social/political landscape of the past year.

“The majority of Parliament have recently shrugged off the changing of vital laws that directly impact the LGBTQI+ community and how their gender/identification is legally recognised. This blatant dismissal of human rights is something we cannot accept in 2021 – ‘Forced to Smile’ is about not accepting our reality as ‘good enough’. The song also tackles the subject of toxic masculinity that is engrained deep into our society. Living day to day and forcing ourselves to be happy, forcing ourselves to smile, just to keep going. We dream to make a difference in whatever way we can.”

Signing to Lockjaw Records marks a new era for El Moono. Following their 2019 single ‘Thanks for Nothing’ (Small Pond Records) and heavy touring around the UK and Europe with the likes of Black Peaks, Phoxjaw, Haggard Cat, Fangclub, and Press to MECO – El Moono are back with a vengeance. With influences of rock, hardcore, metal and grunge, the band’s off-kilter and oftentimes mind-bending riffs, emotive songs and expressive lyricism combine to create a sound that’s difficult to pigeonhole. 

‘Forced to Smile’ follows ‘Thanks for Nothing’, their self-released EP ‘Tides’ and standalone single ‘Aura’. El Moono‘s captivating music have seen support from Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker, who has played every single to date on his show, as well as Amazing Radio and more. 

With an upcoming tour supporting Haggard Cat, festival appearances, including Burn it Down and Attitude Festival, and their first hometown show in two years lined up for 2021, there’s no stopping this promising quartet. 

Live dates:

31.07.2021 – Portals Festival 
10-11.09.2021 – Burn It Down Festival 
23.09.2021 – Newquay, Whiskers (w/ Haggard Cat)
24.09.2021 – Plymouth, The Junction (w/ Haggard Cat)
25.09.2021 – Exeter, Cavern (w/ Haggard Cat)
26.09.2021 – Attitude Festival 
31.10.2021 – Brighton, The Prince Albert (headline)

FIRE FOLLOWS Release New Single “Father O’ Father”, Piano Version

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FIRE FOLLOWS. Leave a comment

 “Father O’ Father”  is the latest single from FIRE FOLLOWS and showcases a completely different side of the band. A stripped-down “piano version”, it lends itself to Chris and Tim’s vocal intricacies that have refined over many years of working together. The track also features a beautiful string composition that helps bring a tremendously compelling dynamic range to an otherwise unplugged version. The track can be thought of as a prayer of desperation… a sort of cry-out in a moment of utter desperation. The band hopes that the lyrical message deeply resonates with their current fanbase and that the song as a whole brings in an entirely new audience.– Chris Watt Fire Follows

Enter to win! Fire Follows is giving away 3 handwritten/signed lyric sheets as part of the upcoming “Father O’ Father” release! To enter the contest, simply share the song on your Instagram page/story after it releases, and tag us @fire_follows in the post. Simple as that! Drawing will happen 2 weeks after the release on 7/16/21.

Make no mistake; the Colorado-based Fire Follows is here on business. Founded, crafted, and led by vocalist, musician, producer, and writer Chris Watt, the band delivers a melodic, yet heavy rock sound that is defined by anthemic choruses, beautiful piano interludes, and the perfect blend of rap/scream/sing vocals. In an effort to build a dynamic band that is capable of touring in 2021, Chris brought in seasoned musicians Tim Yunker (sing/rap), Emily Gould (drums), and his brother Tyler Watt (harmony/scream). Their influence can be immediately felt on their last release “Glass Grenade” every single release, showcases Tim’s gospel/soul-inspired vocal stylings, Emily’s dynamic and precise drumming techniques, and Tyler’s rich harmony/backing vocals. Fire Follows gained tremendous industry attention with the If It’s War You Want EP release in 2019, and expects that trend to continue with their singles being released in 2021. The songs demonstrate Chris’s ever-evolving writing style, and with a radio-ready production quality, are sure to cut through the industry noise. The sophomore release utilizes more scream vocals than its predecessor, and the addition of Tim, Emily, and Tyler has taken the overall sound to a whole new level. The hooky choruses are sure to produce multiple hits and will be enjoyed by fans from pop, classical, and country genres, in addition to traditional hard-rock/metal fans.

The group is already writing for the next album, and actively rehearsing in preparation for touring. Want to learn more about the band and its members? Head over to the YouTube channel where you can watch Podcast style dialogues between Chris, Tim, Emily, and Tyler in the studio.

ARMORED SAINT Announce Tour Dates with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, PRONG

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 20, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Armored Saint, black label society, Prong. Leave a comment
Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Last October, ARMORED SAINT released their eighth full-length, Punching The Sky, via Metal Blade Records. Today, the band has announced their first tour dates in support of this record: a short run of shows with Black Label Society and Prong in December 2021!

Front-man John Bush comments: “We’re super excited to finally be doing some dates in support of ‘Punching the Sky’!! Albeit a year in two months after it came out. What makes it even more exciting is to support Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society!! Let’s do it!!!!”

“Doom Trooping over North America” tour dates
w/ Black Label Society, Armored Saint, Prong

Dec. 27, 2021 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
Dec. 28, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Grand
Dec. 29, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern
Dec. 30, 2021 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Dec. 31, 2021 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee

Leaders and stalwarts of the American heavy metal scene since the early 80s, Armored Saint‘s latest release, Punching The Sky (2020), sees them returning hard. A diverse, attitude-drenched collection, it’s everything the band’s faithful have come to expect from them while pushing their signature sound forward. With Vera acting as producer, he recruited the same engineering team that worked on Win Hands Down (2015) with drums recorded by Josh Newell at El Dorado Studios in Burbank, CA, guitars tracked by Bill Metoyer at Skullseven studios in North Hollywood, CA, and vocals, bass and additional recordings by the bassist at his studio. Mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Amon Amarth, Stonesour), the record also features a few guest musicians further expanding its sonic palette, the whole thing kicking off with the sound of Uilleann Pipes, Vera finding player Patrick D’Arcy in LA and recruiting him to the cause. Guns ‘N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed also contributes, Vera giving both him and D’Arcy some general directions and letting them loose, both of them delivering strong performances. The band’s own Gonzo Sandoval plays an American Indian flute on “Never You Fret” – a first for Armored Saint and their drummer. Also Jacob Ayala, the son of a childhood friend who is a drum major in high school, added some marching snare on one of the tracks, which really stands out.

Purchase and stream Punching The Sky now at: metalblade.com/armoredsaint

AFTERMATH Release Stirring Lyric Video ‘Chaos’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 20, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Aftermath. Leave a comment
📸 Peter Tsiolis

On July 19ᵗʰ, Chicago-based Thrashers AFTERMATH released their new & stirring Lyric Video for the Song “Chaos“. The song was originally released on the 1987 demo “Killing The Future“. The new version including the Lyric Video serves as a bridge to the upcoming third studio album.

“Chaos” is remastered and available for streaming and downloading on all platforms. It also appears on CD via Divebomb Records on the remastered “Killing The Future“.

[ 🎬 Video by Great Heights Design Video Studio ]

The new lyric video premiered worldwide on the website of British Metal Forces Magazine

AFTERMATH’s vocalist Kyriakos ‘Charlie’ Tsiolis proclaims about it:
“We wrote ‘Chaos‘ and all the other tracks on our demo ‘Killing The Future‘ back in 1986/87. We wanted to record the fastest songs ever. Some say we accomplished it. Way before triggers and pro tools. ‘Killing The Future‘ was pure speed and aggression.”

More from Charlie:
“‘Chaos‘ – the title says it all. I wrote the lyrics back in 1986 not really understanding why I felt that way. Looking back at it now I can’t believe how relevant they are today. That’s why we’re releasing this brand new video. ‘Question everything before it’s too late.’ That’s what the message to the kid in the video is – things aren’t ok look outside your bubble.”

AFTERMATH are currently in the studio with Chuck Macak (Electrowerks) once again handling engineering duties.  The upcoming album will be a follow-up to the band’s critically acclaimed, yet polarizing 2019 concept album “There Is Something Wrong“.  

The new record is like nothing AFTERMATH has ever written before. Then again, the band never sticks to a formula.  ‘NTTW‘ is the acronym of the title. The actual title to be revealed later perfectly captures the message of the lyrics on the album. Musically the band ebbs and flows through a sonic soundscape spanning the decades of Metal.

The latest album “There Is Something Wrong” is an 11-song opus of TECHNICAL PROGRESSIVE THRASH METAL.

BASTARÐUR Sign to Season of Mist, Share New Album Details + First Single

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 20, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: BASTARÐUR. Leave a comment
Photo by Rúnar Hrodi Geirmundsson

Season of Mist are proud to announce the signing of BASTARÐUR, the crust punk project of Sólstafir  singer/guitarist Aðalbjörn “Addi” Tryggvason! The band will be releasing its debut album, ‘Satan’s Loss of Son,’ on October 29, 2021! The first single, “Viral Tumor,” can be heard at THIS LOCATION. The track features guest guitar leads by Ragnar Zolberg and Thráinn Árni Baldvinsson as well as a bass solo from Flosi Þorgeirsson.

Tryggvason comments: “Four years after writing the first riff, two years after the main recording session, I am super happy to finally unleash this album into heavy metal land. It’s a childhood dream come true to make a full blown hm-2 crushing metal album. One might say, my personal tribute to Entombed and Motörhead.”

‘Satan’s Loss of Son’ is now available for pre-orders HERE.

The cover artwork was created by Fannar Aumingi.

Track-list:
1. Viral Tumor (03:37)
2. Neonlight Blitzkrieg (04:20)
3. Satan’s Loss of Son (03:21)
4. Burn (03:30)
5. The Whispering Beast (03:41)
6. Black Flag Fools (02:38)
7. Afturhalds Kommatittir (02:53)
8. Rise Up (04:20)
Total: 0:28:20

Singer/guitarist Aðalbjörn Tryggvason has always worn his vast musical influences on his sleeve. Be it an ENTOMBED sticker emblazoned on his guitar, queueing up Ennio Morricone before a set, or paying homage to Lemmy Kilmister with his cowboy sensibilities, it’s no secret that his love for music cannot be contained to any one genre. Now, Tryggvason is taking his adoration for crust punk to an exciting new level with his latest project, BASTARÐUR, which channels influences such as NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER, MOTÖRHEAD, and DISFEAR. 

“The idea of writing death metal in the vein of old ENTOMBED came in 2018,” Tryggvason says on the project’s inception. “Not being able to channel my love for such music through my main band [SÓLSTAFIR], I began writing riffs, and riffs became songs, and all the sudden it had more crust punk elements than I had foreseen.” And yet, despite the apparent departure from SÓLSTAFIR’s sound, Tryggvason’s signature voice and brief moments of atmospheric texture color the record in familiar shades that ring true to his core musical identity.  

The band was born during personal turmoil, a prime example of turning a negative situation into a positive opportunity. “Living with my parents after a relationship break up and being unemployed, I set up a small studio in my dad’s garage, and after a few months there was an album of material,” explains Tryggvason. “Me and my good mate Birgir Jónsson, most known for his work with Icelandic metal act DIMMA, had for years talked about making music together, and this seemed the perfect time, so we got ourselves into a studio with former SÓLSTAFIR live sound guy Jóhann and recorded the album in a few days.” 

Tryggvason tapped several other co-conspirators to contribute towards his vision. Guest vocals are attributed to Marc Grewe (MORGOTH/INSIDIOUS DISEASE) and Alan Averill (PRIMORIDIAL), the latter of whom also penned the lyrics on two of the album’s tracks. Some of the blistering guitar solos were handled by Ragnar Zolberg, whom SÓLSTAFIR fans may know as he has filled in on bass for the band during occasional live shows, and Thrainn from SKÁLMÖLD. “I dare to call them Hanneman/King of Iceland,” Tryggvason says of the talented pair of axmen.  

BASTARÐUR’s debut also takes a cue from Tryggvason’s distant musical past and rudimentary beginnings. “I used to be in a punk band called BÖLVUN, where I played drums,” he explains. “’Afturhalds Kommatittir’ is from that band, so we got Ingi Thor Pálsson and Flosi Þorgeirsson to play on that song. Flosi also does a bass solo on ‘Viral Tumor.’ 

Now, after three years in the making, BASTARÐUR is finally ready to make its debut via Season of Mist!

Guest musicians: 
Guest vocals on “Neonlight Blitzkrieg” by Marc Grewe
Vocals on “Black Flag Fools” by Alan Averill 
Backing vocals on “Afturhalds Kommatittir” by Ásgeir Trausti, Júlli T og Siggi Hjálmur.
Guitar leads on “Burn” by Ragnar Zolberg
Guitar leads on “Neonlight Blitzkrieg” by Thrainn Árni Baldvinsson
Guitar leads on “Viral Tumor” by Ragnar Zolberg and Thráinn Árni Baldvinsson
Bass solo on “Viral Tumor” by Flosi Þorgeirsson 

Line-up:  
Adalbjörn Tryggvason – Vocals/guitar/bass
Birgir Jónsson – Drums 

Recording studio: Hljóðriti, Kleifarsel and Grótta
Produced by: Aðalbjörn Tryggvason
Recorded/mixed: by Jóhann Rúnar at Hljóðriti

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