Hungarian avant garde collective THY CATAFALQUEare now unveiling a brand new music video for the track “Napút,” which is taken from their latest album ‘Naiv.’ The video can be seen at THIS LOCATION.
Mastermind Tamás Kátai comments on the stream: “This is a video we shot in my home town, Makó. Many of these locations are the places I grew up in and although nothing fancy is going on, it was nice to get back to where the songs came from. With this one, we close the lid on ‘Naiv’ and focus on the next album.”
Nov. 13, LONDON – Periphery, who released Periphery: Live in London today, have made the 10-song album available as a hyper-limited cloudy blue vinyl variant, limited to 250 copies (https://store.periphery.net/). Vinyl purchasers will receive an exclusive bonus CD of the album.
“For years Periphery has wanted to do a live record. We’d always talk about it, what show would we capture? When would we do it? What would we want it to sound like? On November 15, 2019 we figured out the answers to those questions by capturing our entire show in London and we couldn’t be more excited to show it to everyone,” explains guitar player Jake Bowen. “London has consistently been one of our favorite places to play and this show was certainly one we’ll never forget, so we present to you our first live album…Periphery: Live in London!”
Intronaut has released a new digital single, “Run Through the Jungle” – a cover version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic! Guitarist/vocalist Sacha Dunable comments: “Sometime during the writing process for ‘Fluid Existental Inversions’, I had the idea to cover this song, from one of my favorite bands and songwriters of all time. The relatively simple harmonic structure of the original recording made for a great blank canvas for us to ‘Intronaut’ the song up quite a bit. We tracked most of the song during the ‘FEI’ session but didn’t have time to finish until this spring.”
Intronaut released their sixth full-length, Fluid Existential Inversions, this past February via Metal Blade Records. Featuring some of the most dramatic and epic sounds of their career, Fluid Existential Inversions is a unique album that stands apart from their catalogue. “We pushed ourselves to be bigger and better, musically speaking, and to me that’s the essence of progressive music,” states guitarist/vocalist Sacha Dunable. “On this album, there are drums played in ways I’ve never heard before. There are synths used in contexts I’ve never heard before. Intronaut has the most unique bass player in all of heavy metal as far as I’m concerned, and I even practiced guitar to get myself out of my comfort zone. So I think we progressed and made the best album ever.”
German-based progressive metal aliens Intercepting Pattern are proud to announce their upcoming debut album, The Encounter, which will be released on Friday, September 4th via Rising Nemesis Records. Cover artwork for The Encounter was handle by ex-Dark Tranquility guitarist Niklas Sundin known for his work with Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Green Carnation, and many others. The Encounter was produced, mixed, & mastered by Fountainhead (ex-Obscura, Pitts/Minnemann Project) at Fountainhead HQ in Germany.
Formed in 2016, the band is compromised of seasoned musicians known for their time in projects such as Defeated Sanity, Infecting the Swarm, and Cerebric Turmoil. Created and designed as one free-flowing 30-minute long genre-bending composition, The Encounter ebbs and flows between heavy syncopated grooves, jazz fusion flourishes, ethereal synth layered passages, and cybernetic death metal with seamless ease. Harkening back to the futuristic stylings of Frederik Thordendal’s Special Defects and Meshuggah, The Encounter draws from a deep well of progressive metal influences while forging a path all their own beyond mere imitation. For release purposes, The Encounter is split into 10 “song” sections although it is strongly suggested to listen to it in one session as it was intended when being created.
Intercepting Pattern – The Encounter will strongly appeal to fans of groups such as Meshuggah, Fredrik Thordendal’s Special Defects, Cynic, Exivious, Lye By Mistake, Vildhjarta, Coprofago, and Panzerballett.
Today is a huge day for prog/metal/screamo fans as Protest The Hero release what may one day prove to be their crown jewel, Palimpsest. Moved up a day to honor Juneteenth, the record is simply awesome (but there is little “simple” about it). First off, the Derya Nagle production on this record is the best the band has ever sounded. No shade on their other excellent albums but this is the best balance of a mix I have ever heard for this complicated act (“Gardenias” is a barreling rollercoaster that a less deft hand could have quickly derailed with a less sophisticated ear). The songwriting is also next level, even for a band known for mind boggling and death defying arrangements.
This album features the showmanship paired with connective tissue heartfelt and relatable lyrics meets extreme concepts the band is known for, but much of this album is firmly rooted in current problems in society more than ever before. Themes of real populism versus the fool’s gold peddled by Trump to his wrestling mark cult are peppered throughout this record. Art like this more prominent in the public discourse would actually make us great again. Rody Walker singing ,“I’m dreaming of a life I can’t afford” on the all-killer “All Hands” is relatable to almost anyone.
Elsewhere “The Fireside” lampoons people who take for granted their privilege over an exhausting (in a good way) series of musical gymnastics and school essay length lyrics that would make “Masters of War” seem like cliff notes. “I’ve got a job for every able-bodied man/Munition factories for women and children/And all we needed was a reason/And you gave us one, gave us one,” calls to mind Eugene Jarecki’s Why We Fight military industrial complex skewering documentary from the early 00’s and makes me wonder why we STILL haven’t invested more in sustainable energy jobs for common folks instead of still jacking off weapons manufacturers and supplying them with endless worker ants. “Mountainside” and “Hillside” break things up as beautiful interludes that sort of stir a patriotic longing for a non-nationalistic blindfold, eyes open to see this country for warts and all rather than false idol worship.
“The Canary” is a triumph of a single and within the scheme of the album itself. The flow and style recalls their earliest Kezia days manic and earnest, poetic decrees paired with their maturity and widened world lens.
“I was named after my grandmothers in the tradition of my family/I was born after my stillborn sister Romantic idealistic lies euphemize as fantasy /But the water always bursts first from the blister.”
Breathtaking. It is more important than ever to actually sing about meaningful shit and not just murdering women or other stupid things in metal. Our world is crying out.
The Contortionist frontman Michael Lessard has released a new single and music video today titled “Use The Rest,” his first solo debut. The music video, directed by Lessard himself, is an emotional ride through a dynamic dreamscape that doesn’t exactly end where it begins. “I’m beyond excited to announce the release of my debut song to the world!” says Lessard. “I’ve worked very hard to make a song and video that I thought would be the best representation of what is to come.”
When asked about the possibility of new music, Michael states, “‘Use The Rest’ is the first of many singles/videos to be released. I’ve been lucky enough to team up with Good Fight Music, who have allowed me to build on the idea of creating standalone pieces of music and video for now. I look forward to sharing more music very soon!”
“Use The Rest” by Michael Lessard is available now on all streaming platforms via Good Fight Music. He also reassured fans online that new TC music is on the way in the future as well. This is all great news!
Months back Lessard also directed the clip for his band’s cover of the Pumpkins unabashed smash (see what I did there?) “1979”!
To keep supporting musicians during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are waiving our revenue share on all sales this Friday, May 1, from midnight to midnight PDT. Let’s come together as a community to put money directly into artists' pockets: https://t.co/hPhgm7WBR4pic.twitter.com/DG6KYI2IN5
Today, May 1st, Bandcamp are waiving their share of revenue sales for 24 hours. Groceries For Seniorsis a good start, if charity is in your heart more than genre. Here are ALSO (of course) a few great weirdo rock and metal releases we recommend you buy or check out if you are looking for something or someone cool to support or listen to.
First up, Sacred Bones has a new Sabbath covers comp out. The Uniform gnarly take on “Symptom Of The Universe” (sans melodic “Yeahhhhs”) is pretty rad. Thou doing “Supernaut” is probably my favorite track, all things said. Just beastly. They also include Hilary Woods doing “N.I.B.” plus Marissa Nadler’s “Solitude” cover and Zola Jesus doing “Changes”, among others.
Barishi- Old Smoke : A beastly stomper that recalls and nearly rivals earliest, angriest Mastodon, staggering like a wounded warrior through prog-coated mazes of confusion pursued by a mean ass Minotaur. “The Silent Circle” has one of the most no holds barred album opening riff onslaughts of the year once it gets rolling out of the fog. A welcome return from the Vermont masterminds and sure to create a big wave. Support!
Adzes – No One Wants To Speak About It: The always top notch Tridroid Records folks are going to be releasing the Adzes melodic sludge debut a lot of us have been waiting for. This is likely to be one of the top releases in the genre as far as musical quality goes this year. This Seattle project is A+ passionate and worker centric, perfect for a May day plug. Forest Bohrer channels some major Godflesh vibes on “Divide” and the artwork accentuates the themes of wealth inequality destroying humanity.
Spylacopa – It’s All Over Now : Some digitally enhanced shoegaze influenced moody art pop material from the always eclectic Spylacopa project. John LaMacchia (Candiria) and Rising Pulse are always worth checking up on. “Lost we are without/The guiding beacons burning out” feels like a good summary of how hard it is to keep faith during this sketchy moment for humanity.
During the writing of SUNN O)))’s opus Life Metal, Greg and Stephen created three rehearsal demos of riffs and production ideas in Anderson’s Downtown LA rehearsal studio. SUNN O))) is pleased to offer them via Bandcamp Day, TODAY ONLY. Proceeds will go to Global Food Banking Network.
With each average ten minute track on the new Elder opus OMENS (Armageddon Shop, 4/24) the increasingly more progressive rock by leaps and bounds band of trailblazers head further into more exciting horizons. The standout cut “Embers” soars from almost flirting with Sunny Day Real Estate/Fairweather melodic but moody charm to sophisticated progressive alternative post metal. I know, that is a mouthful…but it’s pure ear heaven. They were always good, but the level of freedom in the current material is extremely exciting, melodic and strong chakra opening good shit. This record defies shuffle mode and rather than pouts simply works on capturing your complete attention with brilliant performances. Press play on the title track and just let it all go. Along with bands like Huntsmen, Bask and King Buffalo, they are helping lead the way for a new pack of innovators still coloring within yet expanding historical sub-genres.
Posted by longhairedpoet on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 3:27 PM (PST)
Pennsylvania metallers Black Crown Initiate have released their latest single “Invitation.”
“Invitation” comes off the band’s upcoming album Portraits of the Doomed Escape due out August 7 via Century Media Records. The album was recorded at Think Loud Studios by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, who have also recorded bands like Rivers Of Nihil, August Burns Red, Lorna Shore, and many more.
“We tore our hearts apart making this record, and we can’t wait for you all to hear it. It’s the best thing any of us has ever made. More to come,” states the band.
Stream “Invitation” here or wherever you stream music.
Today we turn our Sauronic-eye to the fabled confines of Ralph’s Rock Diner in lovely Worcester, MA. The underground venue recently hosted sub genre straddling talented force Dzö-nga for their Thunder In The Mountainsalbum release show along with blackened space puppies Advent Varic and the foreboding Shūnyatā. Looks like it was a gnarly escapade into songcraft and debauchery. Duende en la Penumbra was also part of the event but we don’t have shots. But for real please check out the Thunder In The Mountains album. It’s soaring yet bleak, passionate yet soul scoured. “Heart Of Coal” is jamming hard from my speakers as I edit this post. Very cool stuff.
In just a few days post metal brain bards Cult Of Luna will begin their early 2020 North American Tour. The much ballyhooed trek also includes the brilliant Emma Ruth Rundle and sound sculptors Intronaut. Cult Of Luna are supporting the flabbergasting achievement of A Dawn To Fear, one of their most impressive records to date.
Posted by longhairedpoet on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 7:00 PM (PST)
Season of Mist Records announced earlier today that Sean Reinert, the drummer, percussionist, keyboardist and producer for the band Cynic, has died.
Cynic’s bassist Sean Malone posted on Facebook today about Reinert’s passing:
“I was luckier than most. Complete musical trust—especially between a bassist and a drummer—is a rare and precious thing. Rare, because it’s not something you find by looking for it. Precious, because some may go an entire lifetime without ever having experienced it. But I was luckier than most. Sean offered his trust during every rehearsal, every recording, and every performance we ever did, and it’s likely that I’ll never experience the same again. The truth is that we’re all lucky—lucky to have been alive while Sean Reinert was making music.”
You can read Season of Mist’s tweet below.
We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Cynic drummer Sean Reinert.
Sean was a mega-talent, a true giant in whose shadow many walk, and his prodigious skills, warmth, and wit will be sorely missed.
Grammy Award nominated progressive metallers Between The Buried And Me have announced that they will be hitting the road this spring for North American tour that will feature a very special two set performance celebrating 20 years of BTBAM. The first set will feature a career spanning setlist with the second set seeing the band play their highly acclaimed 2009 opus, ‘The Great Misdirect‘ in its entirety. Tickets will go on sale at 10am local time on Friday, January 17th from betweentheburiedandme.com
The tour will kick off in Richmond, VA on May 9th and will make its way through another 30 cities across North America before culminating in Charlotte, NC on June 19th.
Queensrÿche have many great eras and albums, the best of which is a hotly debated topic amongst rock fans. I love almost everything they have ever done (especially Empire, Condition Human, Tribe and Rage For Order being my personal faves – don’t yell at me Mindcrime fanatics, haha). It is flat out dumb not to respect them and consider them a very important legacy band. Tate and La Torre are both vocal giants who have led the always skilled line ups and there is always something to offer. Anyway, the band still kicks ass and The Verdict was another killer release last year on Century Media.
“Inner Unrest” is their new video from that album, a song tackling PTSD. “‘Inner Unrest’ is an abstract characterization loosely based on the struggles dealing with PTSD. The internal and external battles one must fight daily,” states Queensryche frontman Todd LaTorre about the track.
Posted by longhairedpoet on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 12:13 PM (PST)
Massachusetts metallers Gargoyl have signed to Season of Mist Records. The band features guitarist Dave Davidson of Revocation and guitarist/vocalist Luke Roberts of Ayahuasca. The band will be releasing their debut full-length via Season of Mist later this year.
Dave Davidson comments: “Season Of Mist have always been an unconventional label with a unique vision so we’re very proud to officially join their ranks. We look forward to our new partnership with SoM and can’t wait for you all to hear our debut album.”
Technical death metal pioneers DEEDS OF FLESH return after a seven year hiatus with their 9th studio album Nucleus, set for release via Unique Leader Records on 11th December 2020 (Vinyl release 15th January 2021).
The band's first release since the tragic passing of guitarist / vocalist and Unique Leader founder Erik Lindmark, who lost a battle with sclerosis in 2018, Nucleus features guest performances some of the biggest names in extreme metal to celebrate his life and contribution to metal. Vocalist Jacoby Kingston is joined by members of Pathology, Gorguts, Dying Fetus, Submerged, Decrepit Birth and more.
With a mix of the old and new style of DEEDS OF FLESH writing, this album is the completion of a story that began with Of What's to Come (2008) and ran through Portals to Canaan (2013). The music was written by Erik Lindmark (RIP), Craig Peters, Ivan Munguia and Darren Cesca, and had been recorded and partially mixed for almost four years. When Erik Lindmark passed in 2018, vocalist Jacoby Kingston came out of retirement to help finish the album. Alongside long-time drummer Mike Hamilton, they finished the story arc, wrote the lyrics and made the vocal arrangements for Nucleus.
