A Bandcamp exclusive version of REVOCATION‘s classic album – Deathless (2014) – is available now for purchase via: smarturl.it/revocation-bandcamp – for the next 30 days only! Estimated to ship September 2021, the vinyl is transparent royal blue with opaque white and black splatter, and it features a gatefold jacket (semi-gloss), color labels, and poly bag.
Revocation‘s David Davidson (vocals/guitar) comments: “‘Deathless‘ was a pivotal record for us in many ways. It was our first release on Metal Blade, our first time working with Zeuss on a full-length record and it marked more of a shift in focus of our style. While we still maintained a solid thrash metal influence, we decided to further embrace the death metal elements of our music and brought them to the forefront of our sound. We’ve always been a band that likes to take risks, thankfully our fans have been very supportive which has further inspired us to continue down darker and more adventurous paths.”
Earlier this year, Canadian cellist and composer RAPHAEL WEINROTH-BROWNE unveiled a stunning performance video featuring “Unending I” and “From Within II.” The tracks come from his critically adored solo debut Worlds Within which was released independently in January 2020. The video serves as the first in a series of performance clips from Worlds Within, ultimately culminating in a live recording of the album in its entirety, with preorders to be available on June 4th.
A single composition divided into ten tracks which play out like movements in a classical variation set, Worlds Within is a cinematic sound collage that plays on the listener’s perception of time, evolving gradually and fluidly, but always in motion. The music itself ranges from ethereal and atmospheric to aggressive and intense, combining elements reminiscent of contemporary classical minimalism, metal, post-rock, and even electronic music while retaining its own distinct sonic language.
Comments WEINROTH-BROWNE, “Realizing Worlds Within in the studio was more of a process of discovery rather than one of conscious creation. Long after its release, I felt that I was still getting to know the music and understand its nature. Learning to recreate the album live was an extension of this process which has taken me full circle, back to the initial impulse from which this music took seed, much in the same way that the record itself has a cyclical journey that ends where it started, rather than a linear path.”
Enjoy “Unending I” and “From Within II” at THIS LOCATION.
Worlds Within — produced by WEINROTH-BROWNE, recorded and mixed by Dean Watson, and mastered by Alan Douches — is available now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. For orders, visit Bandcamp at THIS LOCATION and all other digital platforms HERE.
Having been an integral creative force in groups such as The Visit, Musk Ox, and Kamancello, as well as having recorded and toured extensively with Norwegian progressive rock/metal band Leprous, Worlds Within sees WEINROTH-BROWNE exploring his cellistic voice even further. The record takes full advantage of the possibilities of the instrument; all of the sounds on the album — melodies, harmonies, riffs, textures, and even percussion — were created on cello with amplification and effects pedals.
For over fifteen years, New England’s WHEN THE DEADBOLT BREAKS have lurked in the dark corners of underground metal. With a doom style both psychedelic and unsettling, their music has been labeled many things -heavy, daunting, overwhelming, unnerving- while the band is singer/guitarist Aaron Lewis’s gritty vision of life on the subcultural fringes of New England society. Following five highly acclaimed studio records, a split and a remix album to date, When The Deadbolt Breaks have announced their worldwide signing with Italy’s powerhouse label Argonauta Records, who will proudly release the band’s forthcoming album, entitled As Hope Valley Burns, during 2021!
“We are extremely excited to release this record worldwide with Argonauta Records and see where the future takes us,” Lewis comments. “Argronauta has been very welcoming and has a massive reach around the world. We feel that this is going to be a long a exciting journey!”
For more than a decade the Connecticut-based trio has carved a niche for themselves within the interplay of extreme genres. They are no less at home in grind than they are in pummeling sludge or ambient soundscaping, casting forth triumphant riffs or proffering murder-dirge nods at a volume level that can only be considered violent. When The Deadbolt Breaks have always struck a balance between the ugly and beauty: long compositions wade through detuned, discordant, and murky sludge before shifting into melodic ambient space rock territories, and back again. It’s not hard to see that cinema is often what informs Lewis’s songwriting: the grueling discomfort of E. Elias Merhige or surreality of David Lynch have provided as much inspiration as his musical influences.
Give ear, as When The Deadbolt Breaks‘ have just unleashed a first album sneak peak with a video clip for the heavy as hell track “The Crushing Weight of the Sun”, watch it right here:
The band is no stranger to the stage, having played the SXSW, New England Stoner & Doom Fest, and toured the southwest in 2018. As the pandemic recedes, the trio looks forward to bringing Lewis’s dark vision back to the stage, unleashing As Hope Valley Burns on unsuspecting and often unprepared audiences. “This album is a unique one for When The Deadbolt Breaks. We have pushed our boundaries sonically,” Lewis reveals. “The heavy is heavier, and the mellow, spacial parts are even more so. Akin to our first few records, we have returned to more aggressive drumming, and psychedelic spaces, yet this record has a certain depth and maturity to it that was missing in the past.”
As Hope Valley Burns is slated for a release during 2021 through Argonauta Records, with many more album details, pre-order info and songs to follow in the weeks ahead. They have also been added to the bill of this years’ Maryland Doom Fest.
Loudwire is hosting the worldwide exclusive of Israeli progressive metal outfit SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE’s official video for “Somewhere I Sadly Belong.” The song precedes the arrival of the band’s fourth LP, Mountain Fever, which sees release Friday through American prog powerhouse, Sensory Records.
One of Mountain Fever’s most explosive tracks, “Somewhere I Sadly Belong” features guest vocals from Ashmedi Melechesh of Mesopotamian black metal band Melechesh and gospel choir vocals by British Singer Jackie Hole. The song comes to life through an official video directed and filmed by Yalon Schori and Yoni Sherman Heschel and edited by Yalon Schori.
SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE’slead vocalist Davidavi Dolev reveals, “This one is extremely dear to us and might be one of the most personal songs on the album. It’s about history, but also about history in the making. The song is dedicated to all people in refuge and exile. I would also like to dedicate it to my grandmother. We used sign language in the chorus of the video to symbolize the deafness of our society towards those who are in need. It’s about roots, identity, love, guilt, trauma, immigration, and wars. Are we going to make it? In order to bring our complete vision to life we were extremely honored to host Ashmedi Melechesh, who is the original source of extreme metal in the Middle East, who really brought to the song the spirit we were looking for.”
With the video’s premiere, Loudwire writes, “Musically, ‘Somewhere I Sadly Belong’ meshes elements of classic prog rock with Middle-Eastern melodies and folk touches. The band navigates some surprising instrumental turns, flipping the switch between aggression and whimsy. Even amid these more uplifting elements, the lyric, ‘Are we going to make it?’ sung as a gospel choir, leaves the most poignant impact as citizens of the world look to escape the clutches of cruelty and pursue individual freedom.”
SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE’s “Somewhere I Sadly Belong” video is playing exclusively through Loudwire now at THIS LOCATION.
Lasers Edge division Sensory Records will release Mountain Fever worldwide on May 14th across all digital platforms, on CD, and multiple double-LP vinyl variants cut at 45RPM.
Find preorders for the CD, the Black vinyl, and the Yellow vinyl HERE, the standard digital HERE, the Hi-Rez 24 Bit digital HERE, and an array of new merch items at the band’s webshop HERE.
Following nearly a year-and-a-half off the road, SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE is ecstatic to finally announce new live performances in support of Mountain Fever. The band has confirmed their first actual attended live performance since before the pandemic, as they prepare to headline FestiKasach 2021 in Jerusalem on June 3rd. They have also booked a special headlining release show for the new LP, set to take place in Tel Aviv on July 1st, where they will be joined by guests from Orphaned Land, Amaseffer, and more musicians from the Oriental Metal Scene.
SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE will continue to announce more live performances over the months ahead as more lockdown restrictions are lifted, including a set at Maximum Rock Festival Bucharest, Romania and much more. Watch for new live updates and much more to post over the months ahead.
SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE Live:
6/03/2021 Yellow Submarine – Jerusalem, IL @ FestiKasach 2021 [info]
7/01/2021 Gagarin Club – Tel Aviv, IL @ Mountain Fever LP release show [info]
Boasting ten new songs, Mountain Fever sees SUBTERRANEAN MASQUERADE continuing to push the balance between pioneering experimentalism to their own take on modern pop culture and its manifestation in the Middle East. With nearly an hour of engaging music, revealing an album composed of African and Balkan brass sections, Arabic violins, extended vocal techniques, and several special guest appearances, the band explores radio friendly hooks that emerge out of heavy riffs and polychromatic arrangements.
Mountain Fever was recorded in Golan Heights, Israel with engineer David Castillo, after which it was sent to Fascination Street in Örebro, Sweden (Leprous, Katatonia, Opeth) where it was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren, then completed with artwork and layout by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media. The record features several notable guest contributions, including drums from Matan Shmuely (Orphaned Land), bouzouki and lead guitars on “Mångata” by Idan Amsalem (Orphaned Land), and vocals on “Somewhere I Sadly Belong” by Melechesh Ashmedi (Melechesh) and Jackie Hole (The Super Things).
“From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank everyone for the amazing response to our new album Monuments. We are humbled and can’t wait to present the songs to you live sooner rather than later. Looking forward to going back on tour next year on our own European headline tour in February and March and the one we have planned with our pals in Opeth in the fall of 2022!” – THE VINTAGE CARAVAN
Modern Prog/Psych export THE VINTAGE CARAVAN have truly proven that no one can stop them on their way to the top! Their new album, Monuments, has not only convinced with a high level of creativity and energy in their trademark manner, but has also taken the Icelanders to the well-deserved next level. Praised by critics and loved by new and returning fans, the trio’s new album has managed to gain several chart positions (#21 GER, #60 CH, #45 Current Hard Music Charts US).
As a thank you and to shorten the time until they can play on big, international stages again – the band has come up with a surprise gift for their fans, presenting a high-voltage studio performance video for their track “Sharp Teeth”, cut from their new album. With this track and the accompanying video, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN once again prove that they are not only full of pure talent, but also reach the absolute top in terms of technical expertise.
THE VINTAGE CARAVAN adds: “‘Sharp Teeth’ is probably the heaviest song on Monuments and hits you flat in the face right from the beginning. It’s an unusual one with heavy riffs, funk influences and all out epic harmonies. Accompanied by a video shot in Hljóðriti studios, we hope you enjoy!”
On 11 diverse tracks, these youngbloods from Reykjavik truly cast a spell on fans of bewitching, guitar-driven classic and blues rock influences. The album opener, “Whispers”, clearly showcases the band’s musical progression without sacrificing their tried-and-true, retro-inspired sonic trademark. “Crystallized” convinces with light blues influences, encircling the listener in enchanting guitar lines and quickly rising to the full extent of its power while evoking anecdotes of retro nostalgia. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind” takes its listener on a blistering ride through pounding drums, intense guitar solos and an undeniably catchy chorus, while tracks like “This One’s For You” represent a stunning blueprint in THE VINTAGE CARAVAN’s musical universe with unconventional, surprisingly calm melodies and Óskar’s gripping, tranquil vocal power. In contrast, bold drumming merges with fast-paced riffs, enveloping an impressive galloping vortex and pronouncing tracks like “Dark Times” and “Said and Done” as top notch rock pieces. The soft plugging, atmospheric sound of album closer “Clarity” symbolizes the crowning culmination of a 60-minute journey through the eternal landscapes of Iceland and the poetic lyricism of the trio.
With their new studio album, Monuments, and its captivating, stellar arrangements, these rising stars definitely know how to put their very own stamp on the retro rock wave!
Experimental Sludge outfit ERDVE will be releasing their new album ‘Savigaila’ via Season of Mist on July 23! The band has also revealed the album art, tracklist, and additional details, which can be found below. In conjunction with the announcement, ERDVE has shared the first single, “Lavondėmės,” along with an official music video that was created entirely by the band! Watch and listen at THIS LOCATION.
The band comments: “‘Lavondėmės’ in the Lithuanian language is a word describing Livor mortis, also known as hypostasis, which is an accumulation of stagnated blood causing a purplish red skin colour of a deceased body. This song and video is a metaphor for inner stagnation and an overwhelming effort to overcome it. The idea is closely related to the main theme of the album ‘Savigaila’ which translates as ‘self-pity.’ The visual is portraying a sense of helplessness in a search for meaning through an endless mind clutter. Being obstructed by senseless actions, it is difficult to maintain directional movement and therefore even more difficult to accept responsibility for your own self, being able to create your own meaning to break free from stagnation and therefore achieve happiness.”
Crushing insanity drips atmospherically out of every crack on ‘Savigaila’, experimenting with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal.
When ERDVE formed in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in 2016, the band had a clear aesthetic vision of creating a unique heavy sound that experimented with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal – yet was not bound by any unwritten “rules” surrounding those genres. ERDVE’s members had already been active in their local scene and performed in various acts such as NYKSTA, SRAIGĖS EFEKTAS, and SPIRALE. A self-made tape version of their debut made its rounds in underground circles and the Lithuanians received the rare honour of being picked straight out of the dreaded demo pile by virtue of their musical strength and compelling quality.
The core ideas behind ERDVE are translated into lyrics, visuals, and sound by in-depth reflection on concepts such as domestic violence, utmost disgusting behaviour, crimes against humanity, and extremism. Their debut album ‘Vaitojimas’, released in 2018 by Season of Mist, delivered exactely that!
The new offering ‘Savigaila’, which translates as “self-pity”, revolves around overcoming the numbness within the great challenges of unsettling reality, and accepting them as they are. Regret, envy, self-regard, love, care and togetherness. From completely understandable to the most unreasonable sense. This idea is turned into melodies, rhythm, and sound by ERDVE on the bands upcoming sophomore album.
But make no mistake, ERDVE successfully transformed these melodies into a new unnerving experience on how THEY perceive life and with ‘Savigaila’, you may find that enjoying life, can be entirely implausible…
Join ERDVE on their next journey into the Baltic darkness!
Line-up: Vaidotas Darulis – guitar, vox, recording, visuals Valdas Voveraitis – drums, visuals Karolis Urbanavičius – bass, piano
Producer / sound engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced Mixing studio and engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced Mastering studio and engineer: Vaidotas Darulis, self-produced
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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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