THE VINTAGE CARAVAN Release Second Single + Official Video For “Crystallized”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . 1 Comment
[photo credit: Hörður Sveinsson]

Icelandic modern prog/psych trio THE VINTAGE CARAVAN have unveiled their second single, “Crystallized”, cut from their upcoming album, Monuments, out April 16, 2021 via Napalm Records. Those who have not hopped THE VINTAGE CARAVAN train yet will be convinced with “Crystallized”: the nearly six-minute joyride is injected with blues, prog rock and even funk-inspired elements, showcasing the band’s palpable, dynamic talent and mastery of varying inspired influences of the past while maintaining a fresh approach.

Talent for crafting swirling, grooving sonic journeys aside, the peculiar “Crystallized” music video truly showcases that these youngbloods are anything but one note. Displaying their noteworthy knack for slow-build humor, the video depicts the band waking up under very bizarre circumstances, eventually trying to find their way back home. On the flipside, the video provides a bold commentary on technology gone wrong. Watch this one ‘til the end!

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN vocalist/guitarist Óskar on the new single “Crystallized”:
“‘Crystallized’’ is the second single and second track on Monuments. Lyrically, the song is about a man travelling alone in a car through a blizzard in Iceland during a red weather warning. Eventually he loses his way and leaves the car and walks out into the unknown and disappears. Unfortunately, these lyrics were inspired by the many people who travelled our dangerous and unpredictable island and did not make it, so this is a warning song of sorts.”

Óskar adds:
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously when it comes to videos. We take the music very seriously, but we like funny music videos. Our friends from the rock band Volcanova make a special appearance at the end of the video, they are great! We buried ourselves in the black desert sand for a few hours for your pleasure. Enjoy!”

Watch/listen to the new single “Crystallized” HERE:

[The video was recorded by Nicholas Þór Helgason, who also directed the videos for ‘Crazy Horses’ ‘Babylon’ and ‘On The Run’.]

On 11 diverse tracks, this trio 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!

Pre-Order the new album Monuments NOW

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN electric concert stream:

Bridging the time until their official release, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN will perform an exclusive electric concert stream on March 27, 2021. They’ve teamed up with vVenue to produce a completely new experience, and are set to perform some well-known favorites, as well as exciting new tracks off the upcoming album!

Pre-order your tickets HERE or HERE!

Catch THE VINTAGE CARAVAN live with OPETH:

14.09.22 – ET – Tallinn / Helitehas
15.09.22 – LV – Riga / Palladium
16.09.22 – PL – Warsaw / Progresja
17.09.22 – PL – Wroclaw / A2
19.09.22 – CZ – Prague / Forum Karlin
20.09.22 – AT – Wien / Arena
21.09.22 – HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
23.09.22 – RO – Bucharest / Arenele Romane
24.09.22 – BG – Sofia / Universiada
26.09.22 – HR – Zagreb / Culture Factory
27.09.22 – IT – Milan / Teatro Degli Acrimboldi
28.09.22 – IT –  Rome / Ostia Antica

Chilean NUCLEAR Release New Video ‘Hatetrend’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Old school thrashers NUCLEAR have just made available a new video. The new delivery is a lyric video of the song “Hatetrend” off their new album “Murder Of Crows” released 3 months ago via Black Lodge Records/Pollution Distribution.

“Murder Of Crows” hit the Swedish charts entering at position number 6 next to Metallica, AC/DC, Guns And Roses and many others!

“Murder Of Crows” is still available EVERYWHERE at http://www.nuclear.cl/moc

THE DOGS Release New Single ‘Under The Coast’ Featuring Frank Meyer

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Underground punk legends THE DOGS have unleashed a new digital single ‘Under The Coast’ that was co-written with and features fellow rock ‘n’ roller Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, James Williamson & The Pink Hearts) on guest vocals and guitar. The socially conscious, topical song is available now through Chicanery Chick Records/Die Laughing Records on all digital formats and deals with the chaos and dissonance of modern times.

Stream/buy Under The Coast HERE

“Frank and I go way back,” says THE DOGS front man Loren Molinare. “His band The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs and THE DOGS have been in the trenches of the rock ‘n’ roll wars for years together, playing cutthroat gigs side by side. We had always talked about collaborating on a song one day. Then right at the beginning of the pandemic, Frank texted me and asked if I was recording at home at all. I told him just had a few riffs in my phone, but I’d send them over. Next thig I knew he took them into GarageBand and wrote a full realized song around all my parts! And it was a really strong song.” 

“Loren sent me these killer riffs that had a punk thing going on but also had this power-pop meets surf rock twang to ‘em,” adds Meyer, “and since society was just starting to fall apart with the pandemic and riots, I started writing about that. But I wanted the vibe to be kind of happy like ‘Hey, the world’s falling apart around us and the apocalypse is near, so let’s head to the beach and surf!’ Sort of a west coast punk rock take on Prince’s ‘1999’ in a way.” 

So Molinare took the demo to THE DOGS — bassist Mary Kay and drummer Tony Matteucci – to work it up and all the trio gathered at Pawnshop Studios with producer Richard Duguay to cut the tracks, sending Meyer the mixes to record his vocals from his home studio since Southern California was on lockdown at the time.  

Bassist Mary Kay says, “it’s a strange time and Loren and Frank did a great job of capturing the tension and hypocrisy in the air these days.” 

“As soon as Loren mentioned doing a video, I had this idea of project images over the band members, sort of like a ‘60s go-go dancing’ flick meets David Lynch-style art film. The images needed to move along fast and match the song too, so they needed to reference both the SoCal happy-sunny beach vibe plus the violent underbelly of modern city life and the politics that keep us all paranoid. So basically, it’s a sunshine apocalypse!”  

Front man Loren said we booked a soundstage to shoot the video but then I tested positive for COVID-19 and went into a 14-day self-isolation. We asked Frank with his film directing background if there was a way to shoot the video under the COVID restrictions and he knocked it out of the park with his concept. 

Formed in Lansing, Michigan in 1968, THE DOGS started as proto-punk band playing alongside The Stooges, MC5, and KISS before eventually moving to Los Angeles in 1976 and joining the ranks of the emerging west coast punk scene. The trio’s appeared on the Killed By Death compilation and the notorious “Slash Your Face” 7” single cemented the band’s way-ahead-of-it’s-time status. After a breakup, the band reformed to release the 2000 Compilation Fed Up album Suburban Nightmare on Dionysus Records and have been going strong ever since. 

Die Laughing Records will also issue ‘Under The Coast’ on vinyl later this year as the B-side to The Dogs’ previous digi-single ‘Welcome to the Revolution.’

TRICK OR TREAT Reveal ‘The Unlocked Songs’ Details

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Power metallers TRICK OR TREAT have revealed the details of the previously announced compilation album that will come out in the spring.

‘The Unlocked Songs’ – this is the title of the new work – falls in between an album of unreleased music and a collection of assorted goodies scattered over almost two decades of brilliant career.

A compelling and amusing “b-sides greatest hits”, ‘The Unlocked Songs’ includes unreleased songs, remixes, covers, rare bonus-tracks, acoustic versions and demo tracks that will just make you feel better. The album highlights include a thrilling cover of the Misfits’ classic hit ‘Scream’ and the outstanding voice of the late, great Andre Matos in ‘Prince With a 1000 Enemies’, which was originally released in 2012.

Uplifting heavy metal for these dark times: Trick Or Treat are men on a mission and, most of all, men of their word. The complete tracklist is as follows:

1.  Hungarian Hangover
2.  Almost Gone
3.  I Cavalieri dello Zodiaco
4.  Dragonborn – Skyrim
5.  Heavy Metal Bunga Bunga
6.  Prince With a 1000 Enemies (Andre Matos version)
7.  Scream
8.  Human Drama
9.  Hampshire Landscapes
10.  Sagittarius – Golden Arrow (acoustic-orchestral)
11.  Evil Needs Christmas Too
12.  Like Donald Duck (demo 2004)

‘The Unlocked Songs’ features beautiful artwork by the band’s own Alessandro “Alle” Conti and will be released on May 21st, 2021 on Scarlet Records.

HÄXAN Announce UK Tour 2021

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by A.M. Photography

Following on from one of hard rock’s hottest album releases of 2020, Welsh rockers HÄXAN have announced their long awaited UK headline tour! With special guests Mad Haven and Ashen Reach, the summer tour is set to commence on the 27th June in Newcastle, and comes to a close on the 7th August in Crumlin, Newport.

Häxan have an impressive array of live shows and festivals already under their belt including: Download Festival, Planet Rockstock, Status Quo, The Subways, Electric Size, Phil Campbell, Monsters of Rock Cruise (USA), Rock the Boat Cruise (Australia), Hard Rock Hell, and many more.

The Welsh power trio have been building their fanbase throughout the pandemic with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘White Noise’ last year. Taking the decision to release it during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, vocalist/guitarist Sam Bolderson says, “We can’t wait to get back out there after what has been an extremely challenging year for everyone. Times have changed drastically, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. A huge thank you to all those who kept us going during the darker times, all the support we received for “White Noise” and beyond. We’re so pumped to finally be able to play the album live, and hope that the fans are just as hungry to hear it! See you all front and centre!”

With ‘White Noise’ Häxan delivered one of the best hard rock albums of 2020! Featuring the powerful lead single ‘Skeletons’, this debut showcases a carefully curated collection of songs that classic rock fans up and down the country can finally hear and see live this summer. This, combined with Mad Haven and Ashen Reach coming along for the ride, guarantees that this will be the band’s most exciting tour to date! Other bands featured on certain dates of the tour include White Raven Down, Hired Guns, Nine Miles South, Ravenbreed, and Unknown Refuge.

Häxan Release The Girls UK Tour 2021*

27th JUNE – NEWCASTLE, Trillians Rock Bar
w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach FREE ENTRY

2nd JULY – LONDON, Fiddler’s Elbow w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Nine Miles South
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3uVWtql

3rd JULY – CHELTENHAM, Frog & Fiddle w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Hired Guns
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qjbX3T

9th JULY – MANCHESTER, Gullivers w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Unknown Refuge
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qwiEA1

16th JULY – BIRMINGHAM, Billesley Rock Club w/ Mad Haven & Ashen Reach
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2OykuTG

23rd JULY – NORWICH, B2 Venue w/ Ashen Reach & White Raven Down
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3c9bb4p

1st AUGUST – WILDFIRE FESTIVAL, Wanlockhead
Tickets: https://bit.ly/30kEwU4

7th AUGUST – CRUMLIN, The Patriot w/ Mad Haven, Ashen Reach & Ravenbreed
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3cdXLEC

* Subject to UK Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions

AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN Announce New Album ‘As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes’; New Single Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 9, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

A year on from their last album, All fell silent, everything went quiet, AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN have today announced their second album under the Prosthetic banner (their ninth full length overall), titled As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes. Alongside the announcement, the Netherlands based black metal-meets-shoegaze band have released a new single, Carefully Breathing, with an accompanying music video. As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes will be released via Prosthetic Records on May 21.

Listen to Carefully Breathing on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

Pre-order As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes here.

Speaking on Carefully Breathing, the band says: “The song is about a profound experience that has great emotional impact. The first thing when you try to cope with such an event is just carefully breathing. The song explores the impact of profound experience (be it good or bad) and how these experiences shape you as a human being.”

Recorded, mixed and mastered within the confines of the band, AN AUTUMN FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN remains a project shrouded in mystery and the band is yet to perform live. Their reclusive nature doesn’t detract from the alluring nature of their output – if anything the anonymity adds to the mystery and intrigue. Inspired by the originators of black metal and the gothic doom of the 1990s, AAFCC have created something that pays homage to its roots but remains forward thinking. For fans of Deafheaven and Alcest, there’s plenty to uncover with As The Morning Dawns…

Traversing familiar topics such as love, life, death and eternal existential quandaries, AAFCC combine bleakness and hope, love and death – creating an unforgettable, majestic collection of songs. Recorded over a longer period of time than usual, each track got individual attention and was crafted as a stand alone element of the greater whole. They might not give away much about themselves, but they leave their mark on every one of these eight tracks. 

As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes track list:
1. Carefully Breathing
2. Of Your Light
3. In Winter
4. Splendour Unnoticed
5. As The Morning Dawns, We Close Our Eyes
6. Hearts Closed
7. Melancholia
8. Last Night I Believed In You