Wednesday, August 31, 2011

TEXTURES: STEF BROKS WINS ‘BEST DRUMMER’ IN TWO CATEGORIES

TEXTURES drummer Stef Broks has been voted ‘Best Dutch Metal Drummer’ and ‘Best Dutch Drummer’ overall by the readers of the popular Dutch drum magazine Slagwerkkrant. An awards show to celebrate this achievement will take place in the beginning of September. This is the first time in the magazine’s history that a specific metal drummer has won both awards.

“This is really bizarre. I've never considered myself a drummer's drummer,” states Stef Broks. “Of course I practiced a lot on drums, but not [Virgil] Donati-style. Most of the practicing happens on my knees and... in my head 24/7, creating rhythmic and song ideas. I am a reader of Slagwerkkrant since I was 9 years old, playing along with Yes and old U2 songs. Winning these awards is really flattering, but doesn’t mean I don't want to make progression anymore. On the contrary! Thanks to you all!”

Recently, Stef’s first play-through video for the song ‘Singularity’ was released by the American drum webzine Sickdrummer.com and can be viewed now at Sick Drummer’s YouTube channel. ‘ Singularity’ is a track from the forthcoming TEXTURES album Dualism, which is set to hit stores on September 23rd in Europe, South America, Asia & Australia and September 27th in North America via Nuclear Blast.
Dualism can be pre-ordered for $10.00 from Nuclear Blast USA’s webstore; pre-order bundles that include band t-shirts can be purchased from IndieMerch.com. All Indie Merch pre-order bundles will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a TEXTURES Mayones guitar. Fans can stream the new track ‘Reaching Home’ at RevolverMag.com, and listen to ‘Singularity’ on the band’s Facebook page.

If you are located in the New Jersey or New York City area, make sure to be at tonight’s official listening party for Dualism. The band is confirmed to be in attendance, so head over and throw back a few with the guys and listen to the new record in full! Sponsored by MetalSucks.net, the listening party will begin at 9pm at Idle Hands Bar, located at 25 Avenue B (Downstairs) in Manhattan.

TEXTURES will kick off their first-ever North American tour with Periphery, The Human Abstract, and The Contortionist this Friday in Baltimore, Maryland at the Otto Bar. See below for a full listing of upcoming tour dates.

TEXTURES “Frak The Gods” Tour with Periphery, The Human Abstract, and The Contortionist:

9/2 Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar

9/3 Greensboro, NC @ Greene St. Club

9/4 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater

9/5 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

9/7 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

9/8 Dallas, TX @ Trees

9/9 Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock

9/10 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit

9/11 Mexico City , MEXICO (Distrito Federal) @ Foro Alicia ***HEADLINING ONE-OFF SHOW***

9/12 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

9/14 Scottsdale, AZ @ Martini Ranch

9/15 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock

9/16 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction

9/17 San Diego, CA @ Epicentre

9/18 West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club

9/20 Oakland, CA @ The New Parish

9/21 Portland, OR @ Branx

9/22 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

9/23 Boise, ID @ The Venue

9/24 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

9/25 Denver, CO @ The Marquis Theatre

9/27 St Louis, MO @ Fubar

9/28 Columbus, OH @ The Bluestone

9/29 Joliet, IL @ MoJoe's

9/30 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

10/1 Grand Rapids, MI @ MXTP

10/2 Toronto, ON @ Wreck Room

10/3 Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe


TEXTURES with Periphery, Stray From The Path, and The Contortionist:
10/5 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

10/6 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater

10/7 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church

10/8 Richmond, VA@ Kingdom


Advance tickets to most shows can be purchased via online links found on the band’s Facebook page.

Pentimento Hit The Road This Fall; Pentimentour Kicks Off Sept 22nd!

Buffalo, NY melodic punks, Pentimento have announced plans for a fall run of dates that will kick off September 22, in Scotia, NY. The 13-city trek, dubbed the PentimenTour, will wrap up in Edinboro, PA on October 5th.

Pentimento’s latest EP, Wrecked, is out now on Seattle’s Panic Records.





September 22nd Scotia, NY @ JWATTS

September 23rd Cambridge, MA @ Democracy Center

September 24th Long Island, NY @ Broadway Bar

September 25th New York, NY @ Party XPO

September 26th Philadelphia, PA @ House Show

September 27th Richmond, VA @ The Hospital

September 29th Barnesville, OH @ The Lakeview House

September 30th Altoona, PA @ Altoona Masonic Temple

October 1st Natrona, PA @ Scumbags

October 2nd Columbus, OH @ Carabar

October 3rd Flint, Michigan @ Woobie's

October 4th Ashtabula, OH @ West End Art Space

October 5th Edinboro, PA @ Edinboro C.C

ABSU: Mythological Occult Metal Trio Confirm Autumn North American Live Actions

In support of the release of their upcoming new album Abzu, Dallas, Texas-based mythological occult metal trio ABSU will embark upon an exclusive four-show upper East Coast US live exhibition this November invading Richmond, Brooklyn, Reading and Boston. These venues and cities have been chosen with the purpose of ABSU performing in previously uncharted barbaric environments, where locals can expect the set list to include a large dose of material from Abzu, in addition to songs spanning the entire ABSU discography. Support for this special trek will hail from Philadelphia black thrash derelicts Infernal Stronghold.

Following the short tour, ABSU will also take part in Montreal's Messe des Morts festival, performing as one of the event's main acts which also includes Inquisition, Glorior Belli, Forteresse and more.

ABSU Confirmed Live Rituals:

9/10/2011 An Club - Athens, Greece
10/22/2011 007 Rock Bar - San Antonio, TX
10/29/2011 Aurora Infernalis Festival - Driel, Netherlands
11/10/2011 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA [info]
11/11/2011 Club Europa - Brooklyn, NY [info]
11/12/2011 Reverb - Reading, PA [info]
11/13/2011 TBA - Boston, MA [info]
11/26/2011 Messe des Morts Festival - Montreal, QC [info]

ABSU's forthcoming sixth full-length opus, Abzu, is set for North American release on October 4th. The band's second album for international heavyweight Candlelight Records, Abzu is the second part of a trilogy of recordings from the band. Recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, Abzu finds drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuts the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom. The record was mixed by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond/Solitude Aeternus), and features original cover art from Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Watain, Behemoth, Destroyer 666, Vader).

Today, Candlelight Records USA has posted special preorder packages where fans can order CD/shirt packages for Abzu at this location.

DORO PESCH Announces Special In-Store Performance!

In addition to her two previously announced DVD release shows next month, German metal maven DORO PESCH will hold an extra special FREE in-store performance on September 3, 2011 at Best Buy in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. This will be DORO's only Philadelphia-area appearance in 2011!

Date: Saturday - September 3, 2011
Time: 2:00pm
Location:
LIVE at Best Buy
310 Commerce Blvd. 
Fairless Hills, PA
More info HERE.

This will be an all-ages event. Don't miss this rare performance!

In 2008, DORO celebrated her 25th anniversary concert at the ISS Dome in her hometown of Dusseldorf, Germany. With over 8,500 people in attendance, the magical, full-documented performance featured her long-time band Nick Douglas (Bass), Joe Taylor (Guitar), Johnny Dee (Drums) and Oliver Palotai (Keys, Guitar) and offered up guest appearances by Overkill’s Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Grave Digger’s Chris Boltendahl, former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen, Scorpions’ Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker, Liv Kristine (Leaves’ Eyes), Floor Jansen (After Forever), Axel Rudi Pell and many others. The set was recorded in its entirety and resulted in the mammoth 25 Years In Rock 2 DVD/CD set which includes the once-on-a-lifetime concert as well as out-takes from DORO's 2,500th concert and more. 25 Years In Rock will finally be available to North American fans on September 13, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Check out the new video trailer HERE.

In conjunction with the Stateside release of 25 Years In Rock and the in-store performance, DORO will perform two special shows in New York City on September 9 and Chicago on September 11. Both nights will include clips from the DVD, limited edition merchandise and an autograph session followed by a performance by the metal queen herself. Tickets are on sale now through all local ticket outlets!


DORO PESCH 25 Years In Rock US Release Shows:
9/03/2011 Best Buy - Fairless Hills, PA [FREE In-Store Performance]
9/09/2011 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY [BUY]
9/11/2011 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL [
BUY]

More DORO news, to come. In the meantime, be sure to check out DORO's new (and official) fan page at:
http://www.facebook.com/DoroOfficial.

TESSERACT Enters the studio to record new single

TESSERACT is in the studio for the first time with newly announced vocalist, Elliot Coleman. Originally featured on their debut album One , the band is re-recording "Eden" with Coleman on vocals and will also be releasing a music video in for the track. More details will be announced shortly, but in the meantime TesseracT has released studio footage of the recording process which can be seen here.

"Recently, we were lucky enough to get the chance to work again with Francesco Carmeli at Sphere Studios on the recording of our new single 'Eden'. As with many of our tracks off of One, the song has developed somewhat since we first recorded it a few years ago. We've had the chance to tweak and add some spice to the song. As with everything TesseracT, it should surprise and delight the listener. We feel we've raised our bar, both in the context of song writing and production."

TesseracT will join BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and ANIMALS AS LEADERS on the " Saints and Sinners!" Tour this fall.

KIROS to Release EP on Ain't No Grave Records; Set Out on "Music WITH A Mission" Tour

Pop rock outfit KIROS announces the release of the Outlaws and Prodigals EP via Ain't No Grave Records on September 27th. The three song EP features two new songs off the upcoming 2012 ANGR release, Lay Your Weapons Down , and an exclusive acoustic b-side track. The Outlaws and Prodigals EP is a prime example of how KIROS has perfected their blend of melodic rock, infectious hooks and faith-based lyrics. The EP will be exclusively available on iTunes and while on tour.

Track list
Outlaws and Prodigals
Desperation Calls
Outlaws and Prodigals (acoustic)


In support of the upcoming EP, KIROS will be taking part in the "Music With A Mission Tour" alongside Hawk Nelson, Superchic[k], Firefight, Mikeschair, Manafest, Hyland, Samestate and on select dates, Chasen. The tour kicks off this Thursday, September 1st and runs until October 9th, focusing on the strength of Christian communities through music. KIROS is very excited to be involved. Vocalist Barry MacKichan says, "Thousands of people? Rock'n'roll goodness? A festival atmosphere? Being a part of a cause making the world better? Yeah, we are thrilled to be a part of this year's 'Music With A Mission Tour'!!!" A full list of dates can be seen below, and the Outlaws and Prodigals EP will be available for purchase on all dates.

Guitar Guru RICHIE KOTZEN To Release New CD

After 2 years of extensive international touring, guitar virtuoso, singer/ songwriter Richie Kotzen is back to unleash his new album 24 HOURS, releasing November 11 on Headroom-Inc.

24 HOURS reflects the guitar style’s that has defined his career as a virtuoso, while taking it to another level of playing. “I feel like I have reached a new level of soloing on the opening track 24 HOURS,” explains Kotzen. “I stopped using a guitar pick on electric a few years ago and my playing has evolved in a different way. Some of the solo lines I play on the song 24 HOURS, and others as well, are lines I would have never been able to play with a guitar pick. So I would say the solo's on this CD are at a different level than previous recordings.”

24 HOURS is an absorbing collective blend of Kotzens musical influences and diversity. 24 hours takes you on an inspired, musical journey as the opening track sets the tone that falls stylistically somewhere between early Van Halen and Sly and the Family Stone. Kotzen also brought in his talented daughter, August Kotzen and friend Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, to complete the album. “My daughter, August is singing with me on a few songs and is playing electric piano on the song STOP ME,” states Kotzen. “My friend Jerry Cantrell is singing backgrounds on LOVE IS BLIND and does a very cool lead vocal ad-lib in the final chorus of the tune."
24 HOURS is an album that has been in the works since Kotzen started playing guitar. The guitar virtuoso burst onto the heavy metal scene as a teenager with a lightning-fast guitar techniques. With his talents Kotzen has played with some of the best musicians; securing such major collaboration with the band Mr. Big and renowned jazz great Stanley Clarke as well as his own solo projects. “I have been lucky in the sense that I have been able to play with guys who I could learn from,” explains Kotzen. “The biggest musical lesson for me was playing in a band with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Obviously these guys are jazz musicians and I am not, but I learned so much from the time we recorded and toured together. My favorite rock bassist is Billy Sheehan and we were in Mr. Big together for 3 years which was awesome.”

24 HOURS was recorded and produced in Kotzen’s studio Headroom-Inc. 24 HOURS will be released on 11.11.11. Expect the first single, title track 24 HOURS to hit airwaves sometime soon. For more information go to www.richiekotzen.com.

Plug In Stereo Announces Three Shows With Never Shout Never; Tweet For A Track campaign launched for Mixtape Vol. 2

Portland-based singer songwriter Trevor Dahl aka Plug In Stereo has announced three shows with Never Shout Never next month. Also joining the band on the bill will be A Rocket To The Moon, Fake Problems, and Carter Hulsey (who toured with PIS earlier this year). 

All tour dates can be found on Plug In Stereo's official website (http://www.pluginstereo.com) and below.

Along with that, PIS has launched a Tweet For A Track campaign for their free EP, Mixtape Vol. 2. Every week, a new track will be posted and fans can download each song in exchange for one tweet or Facebook post. Last week's post included his cover of Lil Wayne's "How To Love." Today, Trevor's cover of Taylor Swift's "Mean" was posted. Check them both out below and be on the lookout for the next two tracks. 

"How To Love" link: http://bit.ly/ndncDr
"Mean" Link: http://bit.ly/mVP1Ox

Trevor hosted Hits Bound on Sirius XM Hits 1 this past weekend. Here is a video of the Trevor Dahl playing "Plans" live in their studios: http://bit.ly/q2MmwE

The band's debut full-length Nothing To Something was released earlier this year. The album includes the hit "Oh Darling" (featuring Cady Groves). "Oh Darling" will be featured on SiriusXM all week.

Get "Oh Darling" on iTunes: http://bit.ly/o6iTNk
Nothing To Something stream on Purevolume: http://bit.ly/ohwaRv

Get Nothing To Something at Hot Topic or on iTunes:
Hot Topic: http://db.tt/fNxeqdH
iTunes: http://bit.ly/dN3dDf

Tour Dates

09/22 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall *
09/24 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
09/27 San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre *
* with Never Shout Never, A Rocket To The Moon, Fake Problems, Carter Hulsey

JOHN 5 RELEASES FIRST SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM

BEAT IT, the long awaited track from John 5 is out now and available to download from all good online music retailers. BEAT IT is a cover of the Michael Jackson classic and has been timed to be released around Jacksons’ birthday.
This is also the first single to be released from the long-awaited new solo album from John 5, GOD TOLD ME TO, which will be the 6th solo studio instrumental album John 5 has recorded.
Grab your copy of BEAT IT now – all retailers listed on www.john-5.com!
Leave some feedback as J5 would love to hear from you!

Monday, August 29, 2011

AWOLNATION premiere "Jump On My Shoulders" clip on Alt Press

AWOLNATION are currently premiering a live clip of the song "Jump On My Shoulders" on Alt Press. The clip was filmed at the band's recent gig at La Zona Rosa in Austin, Texas and features the band at their most energetic. "Jump On My Shoulders" is featured on the band's critically acclaimed debut album Megalithic Symphony which is now on sale at Best Buy for $5.99.

Since its release, Megalithic Symphony, and the single "Sail" have continued to climb the charts. The album was named one of iTunes Top 20 albums of 2011.

To stay up-to-date with all things AWOLNATION check out their Facebook and Official Site and be sure to pick up your copy of Megalithic Symphony available in-stores and online now.

GLORIOR BELLI Premiere Second Single From The Great Southern Darkness

Today French black metal heathens, GLORIOR BELLI, premiere the second single off their upcoming new full-length, The Great Southern Darkness, exclusively through Metalnews.de. Click HERE to check out "Negative Incarnate."
In related news, Revolvermag.com -- who posted The Great Southern Darkness video teaser early last week -- is currently hosting the band's brand new "They Call Me Black Devil" video. To check it out, point your browser HERE.

The Great Southern Darkness is scheduled for a North America release on September 27, 2011 via Metal Blade Records. Said Revolver in an advance review of the record: “The album combines vicious black-metal riffery with deep New Orleans stoner grooves to create a metal monolith that is equal parts northern blaze and southern trendkill.” Added Sea Of Tranquility of a three-song taste of the album: "If these three tracks are any indicator of the overall sound of the album... the listener is in for a round of French avant-garde metal, with the same sort of dissonant intensity of Deathspell Omega, but – and this is, the interesting part – with very clear influences from southern metal, sludge metal and post-metal. This blend generates a rather original...but also challenging style of black metal."

Formed in the suburbs of Paris during the close of 2002, what began as a noxious duo soon became an untamable beast, acting as a beacon for everyone looking to free themselves of the influence of the Demiurge. Lyrics and themes explored throughout the years reveal a sincere inclination for rebel-ism and a sense of poetry. Today, GLORIOR BELLI has garnered a stellar reputation in the extreme music community for mixing desert rock textures with the brutal, ominous, doom-laden vibe typical of black metal.

VREID Issue Tour Update

Norwegian black metallers, VREID, kicked off the
Black Path Of America Tour 2011 last week in Toronto and though their arrival was met with a series of weather calamities and one canceled show in NYC due to the prospective threat of Hurricane Irene, the band soldiers on.


Commented bassist Hváll: "Our North America tour has been filled with action so far. An earthquake upon arrival, tornadoes as we entered Toronto and then Irene came and shut down our New York show. Mother earth has unleashed her wrath upon us this time around. We are extremely disappointed that our New York show got canceled, but be sure that VREID will return. We kicked ass in Toronto and had a great show; next up was Montreal which was massive. An absolutely fantastic show in all ways. The audience of Montreal has to be one of the most dedicated on this planet. Then we hit Kingston, New York. It was good to see people ignoring the rain and fear of Irene, to come to The Basement to rock like a hurricane. Now we are in Cleveland and ready to give a massive dose of Norwegian metal at Peabody's. We hope the upcoming shows will continue in the same good way as the first three. The audience in North America has once again shown their intense dedication, which makes these shows a blast for us. See you soon."


Check out fan-filmed footage of the band in Toronto HERE.

The Black Path Of America Tour 2011 featuring VREID
w/ Kampfar, Necronomicon [remaining dates]:
8/29/2011 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
8/30/2011 Reggie's - Chicago, IL
8/31/2011 Station 4 - St Paul, MN
9/01/2011 Park Theatre - Winnipeg, MN
9/02/2011 The Exchange - Regina, SK
9/03/2011 Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB
9/04/2011 French Cultural Center - Kelowna, BC
9/05/2011 Rickshaw Theater - Vancouver, BC
9/06/2011 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
9/07/2011 The Branx - Portland, OR
9/08/2011 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
9/09/2011 The Whisky - Hollywood, CA
9/10/2011 Molly Malone's - Ramona, CA

As previously reported, the band will be giving away a pair of tickets for each show via their official Facebook page. The day before each gig, VREID will include a special post to their page. The first person to reply to that post, will get two guest list tickets for the show the following day. Please be sure to post your full name in your comment. The band will announce the winner within the same post. Remember, you must provide your own transportation to the show. VREID will only be providing tickets. For more info, point your browser
HERE.

CANDLELIGHT RED SET TO UNLEASH 'THE WRECKAGE,' SUPPORTING TOUR CONTINUES WITH SAVING ABEL AND THEN 10 YEARS

Candlelight Red's debut recording for the Imagen label, 'The Wreckage,' is set for digital release on September 27th.

Produced by Grammy-nominated producer David Ivory (whose credits include Halestorm and the Roots, among others), fans have received a taste of what's to come, in the form of the album's lead-off single, "Closer," which has been garnering major attention on rock radio and video stations.
Case in point, both Octane and Music Choice have added the song, while the tune is now in the top 50 of Mediabase's Active Rock Charts (and still climbing).
Check out the video for "Closer" here.


The Williamsport, PA-based group (which includes vocalist Ryan Hoke, guitarist Jeremy Edge, bassist Jamie Morral, and drummer Josh Hetrick) will be touring from now throughout October, alongside such renowned acts as Saving Abel and then 10 Years.
The band will also grace the cover of their hometown state rock publication THE PENNSYLVANIA MUSICIAN for the month of September 2011.

Candlelight Red is no stranger to sharing the stage with established and well-known hard rock acts, as they have opened for both KISS and was part of the Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival (which included Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Halestorm, and Hellyeah) and most recently with Egypt Central and REV Theory.

Catch Candlelight Red on their upcoming round of live dates, and let the countdown begin to the release of 'The Wreckage'!
Upcoming Candlelight Red tour dates:

Friday, August 26th Vienna, WV Fishbone Gill and Grill with Saving Abel.
Saturday, August 27th St. College, PA Heister Street Stage - Outdoors w/ Egypt Central. - WQWK presents QWIK’s Rock The Block.
Sunday, August 28th Jermyn, PA. Eleanor Rigby's with Egypt Central.
Monday, August 29th Hampton Beach, NH Wally's Pub with Saving Abel.
Tuesday, August 30th Erie, PA Sherlock's with Saving Abel.
Wednesday, August 31st Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place with Eve To Adam. - WEDG presents.

Thursday, September 1st Cleveland, OH Peabody's (small room) with Eve To Adam.
Friday, September 2nd Muskegon, MI Club Envy with Saving Abel.
Friday, September 9th St. College PA The Arena Bar & Grille.
Monday, September 19th Denton, TX Rockin' Rodeo Share with Saving Abel.
Tuesday, September 20th Abilene, TX Lucky Mule Saloon with Saving Abel.
Wednesday, September 21st Dallas, TX Trees with 10 Years.
Friday, September 23rd Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep with 10 Years.
Saturday, September 24th Denver, CO The Summit with 10 Years.
Sunday, September 25th Salt Lake City, UT Club Sound with 10 Years.
Tuesday, September 27th Spokane, WA Knitting Factory with 10 Years.
Wednesday, September 28th Seattle, WA El Corazon with 10 Years.
Friday, September 30th Boise, ID Knitting Factory with 10 Years.

Saturday, October 1st Pocatello, ID The Collab with 10 Years.
Sunday, October 2nd Missoula, MT Wilma Theatre with 10 Years.
Tuesday, October 4th Eugene, OR Wow Hall with 10 Years.
Wednesday, October 5th Reno, NV Knitting Factory with 10 Years.
Friday, October 7th Sacramento, CA Ace Of Spades with 10 Years.
Saturday, October 8th Chico, CA Senator Theatre with 10 Years.
Sunday, October 9th Modesto, CA Fat Cat with 10 Years.
Tuesday, October 11th Los Angeles, CA The Roxy with 10 Years.
Thursday, October 13th Anaheim, CA House Of Blues with 10 Years

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Vile Posts 2 New Tracks from Upcoming Album on New Site

Vile have posted two new tracks from their much-anticipated upcoming release entitled "Metamorphosis." 

Hear the tracks, and check out the rest of their new website, here.

Check out a past interview with Colin Davis in Paragon's July 2008 issue here.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

ASTRAL TO RELEASE “FOREVER AFTER” OUT OCTOBER 25TH ON VIBRAPHONE RECORDS

Astral releases their long awaited third full-length album, “Forever After”, this October! The San Francisco trio’s legacy continues with the release of 10 brand new songs further establishing their rightful place at the crossroads of the shoegaze and post-punk revival.

Astral’s debut full-length album, “Orchids” (2003), initially landed the band on the map and has garnered attention from Virgin Records, Nude Records (U.K.), and Atlantic Records, sponsorships from Schecter Guitars, Rocket Dog shoes, and has been pre-loaded on Rio Carbon MP3 players. The album charted on the CMJ Radio 200 and remained in rotation on numerous reputable college stations such as KEXP, WOXY, KFJC, and KALX, to name just a few.

The band has since been consistently touring and playing with other known bands/artists such as David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Mr. North (produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads), Savage Republic, Lisa Dewey (who recorded with Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins), Inner (Jennifer Turner of Natalie Merchant’s band), Tigerbeat (featuring Colm O’Chiosoig of My Bloody Valentine), Lilys, and Black Tape for a Blue Girl (Projekt Records).

The band’'s 2007 follow-up full-length album, “Sleepwalker”, also achieved similar successes, charting on the CMJ Radio 200 Chart and garnering rave reviews such as “the songs are all great” (The Big Takeover), “a solid album by a group that’s sure to blossom in the coming years” (PopMatters), and “it'll transcend you to a beautiful dream state” (Prick).

TOTIMOSHI Issue Roadside Update; Band Extends North American Tour

Eclectic California trio, TOTIMOSHI, hit the road earlier this month for a trek that's rocked nearly 20 cities and will continue to pummel its way into September with three additional dates in Oregon, Washington and California (see updated itinerary below). Commented guitarist/vocalist Tony Aguilar from the road: "Forget the economy and your troubles and come party with us! We only have half a tour left so your chance to shake our hand and kiss our ass is slowly running out. Don't miss that chance!"

The band is touring in support of their recently released Avenger full-length which officially hit streets on August 16 via At A Loss Recordings. Offering up their signature brand of heavy desert death rock, Avenger was produced by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Shrinebuilder, Tool), mastered by John Golden (Melvins, Mike Watt, OM) and includes appearances by Dale Crover (Altamont, The Melvins, Shrinebuilder), Brent Hinds (Mastodon) and Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Shrinebuilder).

TOTIMOSHI U.S. Tour 2011 [remaining dates]:

8/26/2011 Milestone – Charlotte, NC w / Music Hates You
8/27/2011 The Drunken Unicorn – Atlanta, GA w/ Zoroaster
8/28/2011 Hi Tone Café – Memphis, TN
8/29/2011 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
8/30/2011 The Mink – Houston, TX
8/31/2011 Scoot Inn – Austin, TX w/ Vaz, Pygmie Shrews
9/01/2011 Korova Basement – San Antonio, TX
9/03/2011 Vaudeville – Tucson, AZ
9/07/2011 Dante's Inferno - Portland, OR w/ Jucifer **
9/08/2011 The Highline - Seattle, WA w/ A Storm Of Light **



9/10/2011 El Rio - San Francisco, CA w/ Hot Fog **

Hostage Calm Announce Plans To Celebrate The One Year Anniversary of Self Titled Album with Fans; Hostage Calm & Friends To Perform The Album In Full Sept. 24 in Hamden, CT; Tickets On Sale Now

Hostage Calm released their self-titled Run For Cover Records full-length one year ago to rave reviews, earning the album international recognition as one of the most creative and catchy punk records in recent memory. To commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the past year, the band will play their self-titled album in its entirety, complete with additional backing instrumentalists to replicate every element of the record. Pianos, acoustic guitars, percussionists--this will be a rare experience of this album.

Coinciding with the album's anniversary, the digital version of the record will be available for only $4.99 on iTunes from now until the show on September 24 (
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hostage-calm/id383396388).

Run For Cover has also pressed a limited run of 150 clear LPs packaged with a silk-screened record cover available only from the band at the show or by purchasing an advanced ticket at
www.hostagecalm.bigcartel.com
Advance tickets are also available now at www.manicproductions.org and in person at Redscroll Records in Wallingford, CT.

Show Info:

Saturday, September 24Hostage Calm + Friends (performing the self-titled record in its entirety with a full band and additional instrumentation)
The World Is A Beautiful Place...
Heavy Breath
Suns
@ The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden, CT
6pm
Presented by
www.manicproductions.org

The Devil Wears Prada Announces North American Tour

Fresh off the 2011 Warped Tour and armed with what the UK's Metal Hammer called the band's "most ferocious release to date," rising metalcore darlings The Devil Wears Prada announces "Dead Throne Tour: North America 2011" the first North American leg of the band's 2011 - 2012 worldwide tour. The 37-date headline trek kicks off on November 3 in Milwaukee and will criss-cross the U.S. and Canada over a six-week period. "Dead Throne Tour: North America 2011" will feature Whitechapel, Enter Shikari, and For Today on all dates. Tickets go on sale this Friday morning, September 2. Log onto DeadThrone.com for ticket purchasing information.

The "Dead Throne Tour " will come on the heels of the band's October headline trek through Australia that kicks off October 20 in Perth, taking the band to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

These North American dates are in support of TDWP's fourth album, the highly-anticipated Dead Throne (Ferret), produced by Killswitch Engage mad genius Adam Dutkiewicz, and set for a September 13 release. With Dead Throne, the band - front man Mike Hranica, guitarist and clean vocalist Jeremy DePoyster, guitarist Chris Rubey, bassist Andy Trick, keyboardist James Baney and drummer Daniel Williams - has turned a corner by turning up the aggression and turning on the emotions. The new album erupts with what TDWP has merely hinted at in the past - it is a brilliant, emotional, captivating and brutal journey that tackles issues of failed relationships and the perseverance of faith.

"We aim to give listeners and fans something they can enjoy, but we'll also always make songs we personally stand behind," said Hranica. "We'd write differently if we were purely trying to sell albums, that's just not how it works for us. No compromises."

The upward trajectory of TDWP escalated with the success of 2009's With Roots Above and Branches Below, which debuted at #11 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and set off a series of events that lead to a huge break-out year. TDWP was voted Band of the Year by the readers of Alternative Press, went on to appear on the covers of AltPress, Revolver, Outburn, HM, and AMP, and sold out dates around the world. In 2010, they received a Golden God Award nomination, and released their first-ever EP, the conceptual Zombie EP, that gave them their highest-ever chart debut, coming in at #10 on Billboard's Top 200, and rave reviews.

Dates for The Devil Wears Prada's "Dead Throne Tour: North America 2011" are as follows:

NOVEMBER

3 The Rave, Milwaukee, WI

6 House of Blues, Chicago, IL

7 Epic, Minneapolis, MN

8 The Garrick, Winnipeg, MB CANADA

10 Edmonton Events Center, Edmonton, AB CANADA

11 MacEwan Ballroom, Calgary, AB CANADA

13 Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC CANADA

14 Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA

15 Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR

17 Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

18 The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA

19 SOMA, San Diego, CA

20 Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA

21 Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ

23 Saltair, Magna, UT

25 Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO

26 Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK

27 House of Blues, Dallas, TX

28 Backstage Live, San Antonio, TX

29 Warehouse Live Ballroom, Houston, TX

30 House of Blues, New Orleans, LA


DECEMBER

2 Ritz Ybor, Tampa, FL

3 Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

4 House of Blues, Orlando, FL

5 The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA

7 Amos' Southend, Charlotte, NC

8 The National, Richmond, VA

9 The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD

10 Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

11 Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ

13 Best Buy Theatre, New York, NY

14 The Palladium, Worcester, MA

15 Metropolis, Montreal, QC CANADA

16 Kool Haus, Toronto, ONT CANADA

17 Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI

18 Bogart's, Cincinnati, OH

Gameday Regulars Streaming New Song "The Whiskey Keeps Us Young"

Bronx, NY’s Gameday Regulars have posted a new song titled “The Whiskey Keeps Us Young” at: http://bit.ly/rd8MLz.


The track appears on the band’s forthcoming Mightier Than Sword Records debut EP, ...But it's Hell in the Hallway, out September 27th.


Gameday Regulars: WIll Romeo (vocals, guitar), Kenny Fletcher (bass, backing vocals), Gino Romeo (drums).


...But it's Hell in the Hallway is now available for pre-order at: http://store.mtsrecords.com/products/12486.



Track listing:

1.Pale Reflections

2. Hearts And Bones

3. Heavy Bikes

4. Smoke Jumpers

5. Devils Coffee

6. The Whiskey Keeps Us Young

Friday, August 26, 2011

BLIND GUARDIAN: BONUS CONTENT NOW AVAILABLE

Hansi Kürsch, lead singer for Germany’s beloved sons BLIND GUARDIAN, has issued the following band update:


"A long, long time ago we promised additional material for the ones who bought the digi-pak version of At the Edge Of Time. As usual, things take far longer than expected, but at the very end, we keep our promise. This is just another perfect example. Enjoy our alternate mixing ideas for 'Curse My Name' and 'Wheel Of Time.' One appears a little heavier, the other a little more 'Riverdance-ish.' :-) Enjoy music, enjoy life."


Check your digi-pak for access codes and more information about how to access the bonus material.


BLIND GUARDIAN recently announced they are teaming up with German fantasy author Markus Heitz to work on a monumental concept album.

Their tenth studio album, At The Edge Of Time, attained the highest first-week sales numbers in the United States in the history of the band’s existence. With sales of over 4,500 units, At The Edge Of Time secured the #1 position on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and also debuted at #108 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. In Canada, the album debuted at #18 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart and #108 on the Top 200 chart according to Nielsen Canadian Soundscan.

View the video for “A Voice In The Dark” - directed by Ivan Colic and produced by Stanimir “Staca” Lukic – here.

Download the free BLIND GUARDIAN iPhone / iTouch app from this link.

Jane's Addiction Video Explaining Irresistible Force

JANE'S ADDICTION has released a video to give fans a deeper look into the meaning of their latest single, "Irresistible Force" from the band's upcoming album, The Great Escape Artist. Perry Ferrell states that "this is song is about The Big Bang Theory as told by Perry Ferrell. The Big Bang was actually sexual intercourse, like cosmic sexual intercourse. And that's the best way I can explain it to ya." Watch the video as Dave Navarro explains the writing process of the song and Perkins explains how the song relates to the band and their history. "Irresistible Force" is available for fans to purchase on iTunes now."

The Great Escape Artist will release everywhere on October 4th, 2011 featuring "Irresistible Force," as well as the album's first single, "End To The Lies." For more information on Jane's Addiction including upcoming tour dates, make sure to check out the band's official site, www.JanesAddiction.com, as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

XERATH: Experimental Progressive Metallers Unleash New Video

UK-based experimental progressive metal troupe recently unveiled their latest music video for "Reform Part III." The song comes off the band's II full-length, released in North America via Candlelight Records this past May. The video was shot in two locations -- Terminal Studios in London near Tower Bridge and a stone masons warehouse in Hampshire -- and was directed by David Kenny of Shash Medi [http://shashmedia.com].

Check out "Reform Part III" HERE.

Commented drummer Mike Pitman of the video: "This song was chosen because musically, we knew it would have first impression maximum impact for those who might not be familiar with us. We also knew we could pull off some balls-out visuals to compliment such a song.

Weirdly enough some of the ideas for the storyline actually came from an old Radiohead video for 'Just.' It had that notorious 'subtitled man laid out on a pavement' interpretive concept that was such a novel idea. We wanted to borrow ideas from that and add a lot more fatalities and blood. The actual plot of our video was created by [vocalist] Rich [Thomason] and director David Kenny putting our heads together and looking for something that would have a climactic feel with a killer ending loosely based around a kind of mercenary, hired goons kind of character set. The dark visuals, abstracts and general mood of the video is more a trademark of Kenny and two of his awesome colleagues -- Mike Grimes (cameras) and Sammm Agnew (makeup and gore) -- and yes, that's Sammm with three 'm's!

We shot the video in two locations. The band shots where we have instruments in hand were shot at the Terminal Studios in London near Tower Bridge. We basically took one of their large studios and blackened it out almost entirely as we really wanted a super minimal slick feel to the band shots and the guys at Terminal were instrumental in this happening as planned. The second location was a stone masons warehouse down in Hampshire. It had plenty of surrounding areas and interior toys we could exploit for the story part of the video. It also had what appeared to be a thirty-foot deep pit that we really wanted to throw the victim of our story (Jenny Waterhouse) in to. But no such luck thanks to health and safety and all that bollocks."


XERATH was originally formed in 2007 as an experiment to combine film score composition with extreme groove-based heavy metal. Now a fully functional band with an emphasis on the live stage, XERATH aim to remain on the cutting edge of extreme. Metal Hammer hailed the band for sounding like, "the result of a chaotic experiment to produce the ultimate please-them-all 21st century metal band,” while Blistering added to the sentiment noting, "once you have your head wrapped around the gravitational strength of XERATH's chug-enforced labyrinthine rhythms and beats, you can sit back and wonder at the sense they make and what compelling fantasy they create." II features artwork from Colin Marks (Strapping Young Lad, Nevermore, Scar Symmetry).

Century Media to release RISE TO REMAIN's Debut in North America on October 11th

CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS is proud to announce the release of RISE TO REMAIN's debut album, City of Vultures on October 11th. One of the most exciting new heavy metal acts to come out of the UK in quite some time, the band has been a trending topic overseas for the past year. Named both the Best New Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards and the Best British Newcomer at the Kerrang! Awards, RISE TO REMAIN has high aspirations for the new album. "I hope a lot of people will respect this record, especially coming from a really young band, because there's a lot that's outside the usual metalcore cliché thinking box," says vocalist Austin Dickinson.

Produced by renowned metal producer Colin Richardson (Slipknot, As I Lay Dying), City of Vultures delivers twelve electrifying tracks that will leave all hard music fans pleased. Metal Hammer Magazine describes the band as a "tight and well-oiled machine, blending elements of thrash and metalcore in an impressively proficient and undeniably catchy manner." City of Vultures is an explosive, assured and extraordinarily diverse first offering that marks RISE TO REMAIN as an extremely talented standard bearer for a new generation of metal bands.

RISE TO REMAIN is no stranger to the road having toured throughout Europe with Iron Maiden, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine and other notable acts, along with having played career-defining, blistering sets at this year's Download and Sonisphere Festivals. The band will be heading stateside for a US tour this fall around the release of City of Vultures and will back again in early 2012 to continue bringing their own brand of technical metalcore to American audiences.

Rock Sound Premieres Episode 2 of Transit's "Listen & Forgive Sessions"

Rock Sound is premiering episode two of Transit’s “Listen & Forgive Sessions” on its website. The episode can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/q9Vl9X.

Last week the Boston, MA band announced an October 4 U.S. release date for their highly-anticipated Rise Records debut full-length, Listen & Forgive.

Recently named as one of Alternative Press’ “Top 20 Must-Hear Fall 2011 Releases”, Listen & Forgive features 11 tracks (plus a bonus track on the physical release) with guest vocals contributed by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) to one of the songs (“All Your Heart”).

Listen & Forgive was written and recorded this summer at Maximum Sound Studios in Danvers, MA by producer Gary Cioffi, and was mixed by Steven Haigler (Brand New, Pixies, Quicksand, As Tall As Lions).

In addition, Transit has launched their new official website at
www.TransitBand.com where fans can keep tabs on all of the band’s latest news and touring information.

Transit is: Joe Boynton (vocals), Tim Landers (guitar), Torre Cioffi (guitars), PJ Jefferson (bass) and Daniel Frazier (drums).