Category Archives: Albums & EPs

Albums & EPs, Breaking The Law PR, News, Tours

Arch Enemy Launches ‘Sunset Over The Empire’ 7″ Pre-order; Kicks Off Tours

April 22, 2022 Brianne Dunn Leave a comment

On July 29th, extreme metal masters Arch Enemy will unleash their 11th studio album, Deceivers, via Century Media Records. For fans that can’t wait for the record’s release, the band is now offering a new 7″, Sunset Over The Empire (due out May 20th) – with the title track also appearing on Deceivers.

Arch Enemy’s founder and chief songwriter Michael Amott comments: “I am thrilled that we are releasing our next single ‘Sunset over the Empire’ not only digitally everywhere as usual, but also as a physical 7″ vinyl record. I’m a big fan of the vinyl format myself and I think this killer looking 7″ will be a nice collector’s item as it’s a limited run. The B-side is an instrumental we’ve never released before on a record, and the A-side is one of my fave tracks off our new upcoming album ‘Deceivers’!”

Sunset Over The Empire Tracklist:

Sunset Over The Empire
The Judging Eyes

Sunset Over The Empire will be released as a digital single, with video, in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Pre-order Sunset Over The Empire here, where the 7″ is available in the following versions:

Arch Enemy SOTE White LP — **White Vinyl**
(limited to 1000 copies; available via CM Distro Europe)

Arch Enemy SOTE Orange LP — **Transparent Orange Vinyl**
(limited to 500 copies; band exclusive)

Deceivers

Tracklist

Handshake With Hell
Deceiver, Deceiver
In The Eye Of The Storm
The Watcher
Poisoned Arrow
Sunset Over The Empire
House Of Mirrors
Spreading Black Wings
Mourning Star
One Last Time
Exiled From Earth

About

A collection of 11 tracks that are ruthlessly catchy and mercilessly violent, Deceivers stands toe-to-toe with the highlights of the band’s storied catalogue. Roaring to life with “Handshake With Hell”, Arch Enemy make it clear they are out for blood, and every track is a hit, from the moody “Poisoned Arrow” to the titanically anthemic “One Last Time“. Sounding more energized than ever, the quintet is operating at the highest level, delivering a maelstrom of diamond-hard riffing wrapped around cinematic melodies, thunderous drumming and towering vocals. Arch Enemy has proved, yet again, that they are unstoppable.

To hear more from Deceivers, the latest single, “Handshake With Hell“, can be streamed here – where the album is also available for pre-order in many limited edition formats, such as:

Digital album
Ltd. Deluxe 2LP+CD Artbook
Ltd. Deluxe CD Box Set
Ltd. Black & colored 180g LP
Special Edition CD

and more

Arch Enemy 2 LP box set for Deceivers — **Ltd. Deluxe 2LP+CD Artbook**

Arch Enemy Deceivers STORM bundle contents — **Deceivers STORM Bundle**

Touring

Last week, Arch Enemy and Behemoth returned to the states to co-headline “The North American Siege 2022” tour with Napalm Death and Unto Others as special guests, before Arch Enemy appears at select summer festivals; the rescheduled “European Siege 2022” tour (with Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Carcass, Unto Others) will kick off in the fall.

See below for all dates; tickets can be purchased here.

“The North American Siege 2022” tour dates:

w/ Arch Enemy & Behemoth
+ special guests Napalm Death, Unto Others

Apr. 22, 2022 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
Apr. 23, 2022 – Charlotte. NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
Apr. 25, 2022 – Toronto, ON @ Rebel
Apr. 26, 2022 – Montreal, QC @ Mtelus
Apr. 28, 2022 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Apr. 29, 2022 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
Apr. 30, 2022 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium
May 2, 2022 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre
May 4, 2022 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
May 7, 2022 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
May 9, 2022 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
May 10, 2022 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
May 11, 2022 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
May 13, 2022 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre
May 15, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium

Arch Enemy 2022 festival dates:

Aug. 6, 2022 – Wacken, DE @ Wacken Open Air
Aug. 17-20, 2022 – Dinkelsbuehl, DE @ Summer Breeze Festival
Aug. 18-20, 2022 – Sulingen, DE @ Reload Festival

“The European Siege 2022” tour dates:

w/ Arch Enemy & Behemoth
+ special guests Carcass, Unto Others

Sept. 27, 2022 – Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre
Sept. 29, 2022 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy Glasgow
Sept. 30, 2022 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
Oct. 1, 2022 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham
Oct. 2, 2022 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
Oct. 4, 2022 – Paris, FR @ Le Zénith
Oct. 5, 2022 – Toulouse, FR @ Le Bikini
Oct. 7, 2022 – Lisbon, PT @ Coliseu de Lisboa
Oct. 8, 2022 – Madrid, ES @ Palacio Vistalegre
Oct. 9, 2022 – Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
Oct. 11, 2022 – Lyon, FR @ Le Radiant
Oct. 12, 2022 – Milano, IT @ Alcatraz
Oct. 14, 2022 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
Oct. 15, 2022 – Prague, CZ @ Tipsport Arena
Oct. 16, 2022 – Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra
Oct. 18, 2022 – Vienna, AT @ Gasometer
Oct. 19, 2022 – Katowice, PL @ Spodek
Oct. 21, 2022 – Ludwigsburg, DE @ MHP Arena
Oct. 22, 2022 – Den Bosch, NL @ Mainstage Brabanthallen
Oct. 23, 2022 – Brussels, BE @ Forest National
Oct. 25, 2022 – Zurich, CH @ Samsung Hall
Oct. 26, 2022 – Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle
Oct. 28, 2022 – Munich, DE @ Zenith
Oct. 29, 2022 – Düsseldorf, DE @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Oct. 30, 2022 – Hamburg, DE @ edel-optics.de Arena
Oct. 31, 2022 – Gothenburg, SE @ Partille Arena
Nov. 2, 2022 – Helsinki, FI @ Ice Hall
Nov. 4, 2022 – Stockholm, SE @ Annexet
Nov. 5, 2022 – Copenhagen, DK @ Forum
Nov. 6, 2022 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene

Arch Enemy is:

Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals
Michael Amott – Guitars
Jeff Loomis – Guitars
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Daniel Erlandsson – Drums

Arch Enemy online:

Featured image (top) by Katja Kuhl

Adrenaline PR, Albums & EPs, Kataklizmic Design, News

Once Human to Release “Scar Weaver” on February 11

January 4, 2022 Katherine Amy Vega Leave a comment

Formed in 2014, Once Human have steadily established themselves as one of the most distinctive and destructive metal bands of the modern era. Founded by guitarist Logan Mader (ex-Machine Head) and vocalist Lauren Hart, the LA-based quintet have had noses to the grindstone throughout their existence, exhibiting a tireless dedication to live performance and a meticulous approach to capturing their crushing anthems for posterity.

Over the course of two full-length albums – 2015’s widely hailed debut The Life I Remember, and 2017’s conceptual tour-de-force Evolution – Once Human have pursued a militantly individual path, eschewing contemporary cliché in favour of a versatile and sinewy new strain of brutal but accessible metal, with Lauren’s coruscating vocals providing an endlessly emotive and humane focal point.

Four years on from their last album, Once Human are primed and ready to launch a fresh assault on hearts and ears. With a line-up completed by long-time bassist Damien Rainaud, drummer Dillon Trollope and second guitarist (and now chief riff-writer) Max Karon, the band have mutated into an even more devastating beast, as demonstrated with face-ripping aplomb on the new album Scar Weaver.

“It was not an easy path to reach this point, I’ll tell you that,” says Logan Mader. “The original masterplan for the band was really passion-project driven. The first two albums, we were still finding our way. Where we’re at now is with a really strong posture and by far the best album we’ve done. Over the years we’ve done a lot of groundwork and some smaller tours, just grinding things out, sometimes even in a DIY fashion. But now we have legit team around us, the band is firing on all cylinders and everything seems to be lining up this time.”

Pieced together over the last two years, Scar Weaver represents a massive step forward for Once Human. Blessed (or perhaps cursed) with plenty of additional time during the last year’s lockdown situation, the band have been able to refine and redefine their sound, inspired by a sudden creative surge from latest recruit, Max Karon. The result is an gloriously idiosyncratic modern metal record, with Lauren Hart’s career-best vocal performance just one of its dazzling revelations. With Once Human’s most intense and explosive music to work with, the singer has pushed herself to new heights, showcasing a vastly expanded vocal range in the process.

“I always had a tremendous amount of belief in Lauren’s ability to be a legit frontwoman, but when this began she was new, and so there was a lot of development to happen over time,” says Logan. “She’s really blossomed. She’s grown a lot as a vocalist, a performer and a lyricist through all of this.”

“Vocally, I’ve changed a lot since the last record,” Lauren notes. “My screams got lower and the cleans became stronger. I’ve become much more comfortable with clean singing through touring with (US power metal legends) Kamelot, because they really pushed me to do that. I’ve learned a lot about my voice since then. But a lot of this starts with Max’s melodies, and sometimes I felt like it would be cheating to just growl over these amazing pieces of music, and it’d be so much better to do something that complements it. So sometimes the growls have melody too!”

As its title suggests, Scar Weaver is an album that brims and bulges with notions of pain, trauma and darkness. Lauren has once again penned a stunning collection of emotionally raw diatribes, but in contrast to Evolution’s overriding concept, the new record takes a more scattershot approach, reflecting the chaos of the modern world along the way. From visceral opener “Eidolon” to the corrosive claustrophobia of the closing “Only In Death,” all human life is alive and screaming on Scar Weaver.

“The songs are all really individual,” Lauren explains. “One of them is about blood diamonds. ‘Deadlock’ is about the politics of everything that’s going on. A lot of them toy with my philosophy of death and all of that. But in comparison to Evolution, because of the energy of the world, these lyrics have a much more dire tone. Evolution was more triumphant, because I wanted people to feel uplifted. I really tried with this album to be positive, but then I’d look at what I’d written and it was a downer! I guess the energy of the world right now helped me to write those lyrics.”

One instant highlight of the new Once Human record is preview single “Deadlock,” featuring a typically imperious vocal cameo from Machine Head’s Robb Flynn. Logan Mader’s history with Machine Head is well documented, not least in recent times when he toured the globe with Robb for the Bay Area band’s Burn My Eyes 25th Anniversary Tour. As a result, this new collaboration needs no explanation, but Lauren remains thrilled by the whole experience.

“It was absolutely amazing, are you kidding?” she grins. “I didn’t believe it was happening until he sent something back and I heard his voice on our song. I was like, ‘Holy crap! This is real!’ He came back with a new chorus and it was so much better than mine, so my chorus was gone! [Laughs] But then performing with him in the video, that was insane. The energy he brings on stage, he brings in person too. It was a great experience and his energy is so powerful. The video came out amazing!”

As the world begins to open back up, Once Human, fresh off Cradle of Filth‘s Lustmord and Tourgasm tour, are in the strongest position of their careers so far. Scar Weaver is a manifestly superior piece of work, with countless unforgettable hooks, riffs and moments of warped savagery (if the riff at the end of “Deserted” doesn’t make you want to run through a brick wall, check your pulse!) colliding to create a record of true originality and rare intensity.

“We’ve gotten through so many things along the way, we’re in a really strong place,” Logan avows. “Nothing can fuck us up now. That’s an important factor in this band – that internal energy.”

The perfect, invigorating antidote to the state of stasis that we’ve all endured over the last two years, Scar Weaver is the sound of a great band becoming greater, hitting their stride and discovering new levels of power, passion and punch in the process. As the world begins to open its doors once more, Once Human are fully equipped to launch their biggest and most life-affirming assault on the world’s senses.

“We have an amazing record, we’re ready to crush it, we have a really good chemistry between all of us,” says Logan. “We’re really good friends, and that’s really important. I think you can feel that when you see us onstage, like, ‘These guys are actually happy to be here and they like each other!’ That’s a bonus. It doesn’t have to be like that. But luckily we have a really cool, strong bond. It’s so important for us to get out there and connect with people in a real life environment.”

Band Members:

Logan Mader
Lauren Hart
Damien Rainaud
Dillon Trollope
Max Karon

Once Human Online:

Adrenaline PR, Albums & EPs, News, Tours

GEMINI SYNDDROME Announce Fall 2021 ‘Initiation’ Headline Tour Dates

September 23, 2021 Katherine Amy Vega Leave a comment

LA alternative metal band Gemini Syndrome have just announced dates for their first headline tour in support of their long-awaited new studio album 3^RD Degree – The Raising. The band will be joined on the first leg of the tour by Ovtlier, and on the second leg by Oh! The Horror. Also joining the tour are Pushing Veronica and Them Damn Kings. All tour dates are listed below.

Gemini Syndrome are offering special VIP packages for the tour. These packages include a special private acoustic performance, a VIP ‘Synner’ laminate, autographed poster, and meet & greet session with the band. (*VIP Packages must be purchased in addition to a regular concert ticket.)

Tickets, and VIP Packages for all shows are available at: GeminiSyndrome.com

The band’s new studio album 3^rd Degree – The Raising will be released worldwide on October 15, 2021 via Century Media. Special pre-order album configurations (limited edition vinyl, deluxe CD sets, etc) along with special merchandise are available now via the band’s official website: www.GeminiSyndrome.com Save, or pre-order the album digitally HERE.Save or pre-order the album digitally HERE.

“We’re very excited to be back out in the road again this fall. It’s a time of transformation on our planet and our lives in preparation for the rebirth of the approaching solstice. We’re grateful to share this INITIATION with all you Spiritual Soldiers on the frontline helping to bring music back to this fucked up world,” says Gemini Syndrome vocalist Aaron Nordstrom.

Drummer Brian Steele Medina continues, “We love nothing more than performing and creating a sacred space for transmutation with our brothers and sisters. Now more than ever, it feels like everything is trying to pull us apart and perpetuate the illusion that we are separate. That we are not ONE. It’s all bullshit. Give us your pandemics, your Pentagon UFO videos, and your barriers… It’s all fucking noise, but we’re louder and we will rise above it all.”

Direct support on the tour will be split between Rochester, New York’s Ovtlier, who will be on the first half of the tour (Oct. 28 – Nov. 13), and Sacramento, California’s Oh! The Horror, who will join the run for the second half of the dates (Nov. 14 – 27). Additional support comes from pop-punk rock powerhouse Pushing Veronica, and New Jersey hard rock wrecking machine Them Damn Kings.

Gemini Syndrome ‘Initiation’ USA Fall 2021 tour dates:

10/28 – Chippewa Falls, WI – Joel’s 4Corners *
10/29 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center *
10/30 – Racine, WI – Rt 20 (WIIL Rock Halloween Bash) *
10/31 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory *
11/02 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern *
11/04 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop *
11/05 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works *
11/06 – Liverpool, NY – Sharkey’s *
11/07 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance *
11/08 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge ****
11/09 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground *
11/10 – Reading, PA – Reverb *
11/12 – Johnson City, TN – Capones *
11/13 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger *
11/14 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks ***
11/16 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box **
11/17 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey **
11/20 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
11/22 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse **
11/23 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock **
11/24 – West Hollywood, CA – Whiskey a Go Go **
11/26 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar **
11/27 – Reno, NV – Reno Brewhouse **

* Direct support is Ovtlier
** Direct support is Oh! The Horror
*** Show with Smile Empty Soul, Ovtlier, Sunflower Dead, Pushing V, Tommy Gibbons
**** Gemini Syndrome and Ovtlier only

3^rd Degree – The Raising is the long awaited, mind bending final chapter of Gemini Syndrome ’s debut trilogy of albums; the first being 2013’s Lux, and the second being 2016’s Memento Mori (which hit #1 on Billboard Heatseakers Album Chart and spawned five singles). But whereas those first two albums dealt with the painful struggles of life and death, 3rd Degree – The Raising celebrates the extreme rituals of rebirth. Produced by Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Memphis May Fire, Hollywood Undead) this is undeniably the heaviest, and darkest album of the band’s career; featuring the singles “Die With Me,” “IDK,” “Abandoned,” “Broken Reflection” and “Reintegration.”

“The album is about death and rebirth. Finding your true self and fostering its growth so as to help build the world better than we inherited it,” says Nordstrom. “In the process of this record I made some major life choices. Mainly to stop killing myself slowly with alcohol. Two years without a drink, and a couple near death experiences later, I think I have ample experience to talk about a subject as elusive as death.”

Drummer Brian Steele Medina adds, “The twist to the 3rd and ‘final’ degree, is that it’s not the end at all. Rather, it’s a rebirth contingent upon our growth and lessons learned from the suffering of our past mistakes. A spiritual growth that can only be attained through baptism by fire. A metaphorical, yet very real resurrection — THE RAISING.”

Nordstrom continues, “Our hope is that through sharing our experiences, lessons learned, and battles overcome, that we can help others to examine their own consciousness. Their role in the world in its almost infinite capacity, and to help remind each other that we are ALL in this together. We are a family, and when we are United in our commonality, we can achieve things worthy of the attention of the GODS. If you want to change the world, quietly go to work on yourself.”

Gemini Syndrome spent the better part of 2018-2019 writing 3^rd Degree – The Raising, the final installment of their long planned three album trilogy. They retreated to Brian Steele Medina’s Las Vegas home studio, where they meticulously crafted song after song, r Gemini Syndrome relocated to Good Sounds Studio in Tempe, AZ, where producer Matt Good would help realize the collection of songs.

Medina recalls, “We absolutely loved working with Matt and he completely understood where we wanted to take this album creatively and what it was going to take to bring the third chapter of this trilogy to light. Our actual collective blood, sweat and tears went into its creation.”

“It was a long, treacherous road to get here,” continues Nordstrom. “First working out an insane amount of songs before arriving in Arizona to record with Matt Good, and then writing a slew more while in the actual recording process, we approached this album with high intentions to evolve musically and internally as people. But then, once we had finally finished everything, and were ready to start releasing new music… everything was put on hold due to the global pandemic.”

Medina adds, “These past few years have definitely been an exercise in patience and acceptance. We had everything mixed and mastered and ready to go in early 2020 before everything shut down. We’re just stoked to FINALLY put this album out and get this post plague show on the road.”

3^rd Degree – The Raising is the first album to feature guitarist “Meegs” Rascón (formerly of Coal Chamber).

To date, five singles have been released from 3^rd Degree – The Raising: “Abandoned,” “Reintegration,” “IDK,” “Broken Reflection” and the currently Top 30 Active Rock Radio hit “Die With Me.” Currently four of the five singles feature visually stunning videos created by director Brian Cox (Bring Me The Horizon, The Struts, Starset).

3^rd Degree – The Raising will be available in CD, Limited Edition vinyl, and digital download formats.

3^rd Degree – The Raising Tracklist:

Reintegration
IDK
Die With Me
Baptized In Fire
Children of the Sun
Abandoned
Broken Reflection
Sum Quod Eris
Best of Me
Absolution
Hold the Line
Where We Started From
Fiat Lux

Gemini Syndrome is: Aaron Nordstrom (vocals, keyboards), Brian Steele Medina (drums, programming), Alessandro “AP” Paveri (bass), Meegs Rascón (guitar) and Nicholas Paul Arnold (touring guitar).

Follow Gemini Syndrome:

Albums & EPs, Kataklizmic Design, Music Videos, News, Speakeasy PR

Serj Tankian’s Elasticity EP Arrives March 19; Watch “Elasticity” Video Now

February 5, 2021 Brianne Dunn Leave a comment

Los Angeles – Serj Tankian’s eagerly-awaited Elasticity EP arrives on March 19 via Alchemy Recordings/BMG. A preview of the five-song release comes via the Vlad Kaptur-directed video for the EP’s title track, “Elasticity”, which can be viewed here.

“When I conceived possibly doing another record with the guys from System of a Down a few years back, I started working on a set of songs that I arranged in rock format for that purpose,” Serj explains. “As we weren’t able to see eye to eye on the vision going forward with an SOAD album, I decided to release these songs under my moniker.”

With his trademark eclecticism and one-of-a-kind vocal style, Serj delivers a collection that runs the gamut from hard-driving, electronically enhanced anthems like the title track, a rallying cry for his beloved Armenia (“Electric Yerevan”), the tongue-in-cheek political mash-up of “Your Mom,” the piano-laden “How Many Times?” and “Rumi,” a song that Serj wrote both about his son Rumi and Rumi the poet.

One of the most multi-dimensional figures in modern music, the GRAMMY Award winning artist is profiled in the upcoming film, “Truth to Power” (Oscilloscope Laboratories/Live Nation Production). View the trailer here.

With exclusive interviews, adventures, and original footage personally filmed by Serj, “Truth To Power” (Feb. 19, truthtopowerfilm.com) allows audiences backstage access to an international rock star whose faith in music not only revolutionized heavy metal, but also world events. Throughout his life, the musician has pursued social justice, harnessing the power of his songs and celebrity for real political change. Serj’s voice is equally likely to take on American corporate greed as lambast the corrupt regime of his homeland. His decades-long campaign for formal U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide was finally approved by Congress in December of 2019.

Elasticity EP tracklist:

Elasticity
Your Mom
Rumi
How Many Times?
Electric Yerevan

Pre-orders, including limited-edition indie retail purple vinyl variant and a galaxy vinyl web exclusive, as well as an Elasticity-themed collection of merch, are available here.

About Serj Tankian

**Serj Tankian | Photography:** George Tonikian

A singer, poet, songwriter, visual artist, film producer, activist, and composer; Serj Tankian has always created music as an outlet to express his thoughts and feelings with a level of passion and consciousness that few in today’s world of music can rival. An Armenian born in Lebanon and re-rooted in Los Angeles, Tankian was introduced to the melding of cultures, ideas, and ideals from a very young age. The principles learned from this integration and adaptation have led to his understanding of the oneness of all things and have since maneuvered and transfigured into the music and art that he lives to create.

As the lead singer and songwriter for System of a Down, Serj has released five studio albums, winning a GRAMMY Award in 2006 for “B.Y.O.B.” and selling over 40 million albums worldwide. Despite this success, Serj has never grown complacent with his art, always striving to open up new channels of sound and arrangement to articulate his artistic expressions. He has released five albums of solo material, beginning with 2007’s chart-topping hard rock album Elect The Dead. His sophomore solo album Imperfect Harmonies was released in 2010, followed by Harakiri in 2012. 2013 saw two distinct releases from Serj, the first being the critically acclaimed Orca Symphony No. 1, released in June of that year, followed up with the very unique Jazz-Iz Christ one month later.

Over the past few years, his time spent in the recording studio has been focused on creating musical scores and compositions for film and video game projects. Serj recently lent his vocals to a modern-day cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s rock classic “Godzilla” for the blockbuster Michael Dougherty film “Godzilla: King Of The Monsters.” He also recorded a modern version of the Armenian folk song “Sari Siroun Yar” along with the Authentic Light Orchestra for the film “The Promise,” directed by Terry George and starring Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac. Serj was also brought on by Survival Pictures, the producers of the film, to serve as an Executive Music Consultant.

Most recently, Tankian composed the full musical score for award winning documentary “I Am Not Alone” directed by Garin Hovannisian and the upcoming Live Nation Productions film “Truth To Power,” which chronicles Serj’s own journey through the crossroads of music and activism. In 2017, Serj composed music for Emmy nominated “Intent To Destroy”, a gripping film directed by award winning documentarian Joe Berlinger. That same year, he created an intense score for the epic Russian action film “Furious – The Legend of Kolovrat,” followed by his 2018 musical score for award winning film “Spitak,” directed by Alexander Kott. Additionally, Tankian composed the full musical score for independent films “1915” and “The Last Inhabitant,” an original composition for Ilya Naishuller’s “Hardcore Henry” and video game musical scores for “Midnight Star” and its sequel, “Renegade,” which were created by one of the chief architects of the famed “Halo” game franchise.

Serj’s resume also includes the formation of a record label, Serjical Strike Records (established in 2001), which has released albums from many critically acclaimed artists, including Fair To Midland, Buckethead and Death By Stereo.

Along with fellow musician Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), Serj co-founded the non-profit organization Axis Of Justice in 2002, which strives to bring together musicians, music fans and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. He has also dabbled in the world of broadcasting as co-host of the Axis Of Justice Radio Network, which can be heard via Sirius Satellite Radio and KPFK in Los Angeles. With a mission of spreading diversity and understanding through music, poetry and activism, Serj Tankian will continue to surprise and enlighten those who listen to his music and hear his words.

In recent years, Tankian has split his time between holding a mic and a paintbrush, having feverishly created over 60 pieces of art since 2013. His journey into the world of fine art began with his Disarming Time Musical Paintings, which were exhibited at Project Gallery in Los Angeles. Since then, he has had multiple exhibitions at galleries in both the United States and New Zealand. In 2015, his artwork was exhibited at the grand opening of New Museum Los Gatos in Northern California as part of a group exhibit that ran from May through September of that year. Most recently, Serj’s artwork was exhibited at two notable galleries in New Zealand during February and March of 2019.

Serj Tankian Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube

Featured photo (top) by George Tonikian

Albums & EPs, Earshot Media, Music Videos, News

Acclaimed Belgian Shoegaze Band SLOW CRUSH Share “Aid & Abet” Video

February 5, 2021 Katherine Amy Vega Leave a comment

“‘Aid and Abet’ is about the internal struggles of breaking habits and addictive behaviour. Knowing that you have to push through and might feel worse, temporarily, before getting better. For the video, we worked with our talented friend, Bobby Pook (Sumo Crucial Media). We’ve worked with him on previous videos and unsurprisingly, he astounded us all with the final result.

For those disturbed by a particular scene in the video, please keep watching until the end. Whatever you’re going through, there is always someone out there available to listen and help.

The websites listed at the end of the video are a few examples with links to international helplines. Asking for help is never a burden. You do not have to face this alone.”- Isa Holliday (Slow Crush)

Watch the New Music Video for “Aid and Abet”

SLOW CRUSH To Reissue Out-Of-Print ‘Aurora’ LP

The band’s successful 2018 debut full-length “Aurora”, was released to much acclaim, selling 4000 physical copies, going into its 4th press. The album’s track “Glow” has racked up nearly 500,000 streams alone.

On March 19, Quiet Panic will re-issue the out-of-print LP, with pre-orders launching today.

Pre-order ‘Aurora’ LP Here

About Slow Crush

Slow Crush is a compelling and abrasive shoegaze band out of Belgium, dealing with the aesthetics of contrasting sounds. The vulnerable soft floating voice of Manchester, UK’s Isa Holliday underneath layers of grungy shoegaze soaked noisepop, has resonated with fans and music critics alike.

Slow Crush has been touring consistently throughout North America and Europe with over 180 shows played in 2019-2020, consistently selling-out shows on both continents, at venues such as LA’s The Echo, Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus and more.

Slow Crush Online

Albums & EPs, News

Grey Daze Premiere “Amends… Stripped” Tomorrow via Animated Global Listening Party

January 27, 2021 Katherine Amy Vega Leave a comment

PHOENIX — Grey Daze marks the release of Amends… Stripped (Jan. 29, Loma Vista Recordings), a five-song re-imagination of tracks originally featured on the band’s critically-acclaimed 2020 full-length album, Amends, with a one-of-a-kind global listening session that brings the stirring acoustic songs to life via internationally renowned sand artist Anna Streklova’s animated illustrations.

The special event, including an exclusive interview from the band’s first radio interview from back in the ’90s, is viewable via Grey Daze’s YouTube channel tomorrow, Jan. 28, at 1:00 PM Pacific / 4:00 PM Eastern / 9:00 PM GMT.

“We wanted to create a unique listening experience for our fans to hear this EP for the first time,” says Grey Daze co-founder and drummer Sean Dowdell. “One that was visual, moving, and something we had never seen done before. The nature of sand art as a medium is one that fits well, aesthetically, with the stripped down nature of this particular music. A fleeting form of art that aptly expresses the fragile nature of our band. The resulting illustrated film feels like a perfect metaphor, a dream sequence, an experience that sums up our new release. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.”

Grey Daze returned to the studio in October, working with producer Billy Bush (Garbage, Muse) and a selection of alternate vocal tracks from Chester Bennington. The concept of an acoustic release was something Grey Daze had discussed prior to the release of Amends, knowing that the songs present an entirely new aspect to the material and spotlight Bennington’s immense talent, something they’d only been able to witness in the studio.

Amends… Stripped pre-orders are available now, with the vinyl variant of the EP set for an April 9 street date. The vinyl release includes a trio of ‘90s era interviews with the band from the new defunct Phoenix alternative radio station, KEDG. The release is also available digitally. The band released the single “Shouting Out (Stripped)” and its accompanying video.

Grey Daze released Amends in June of 2020 with All Music calling it “a gift for those who loved Chester,” Kerrang! proclaiming the collection “both celebratory and emotional, the record stands as a heartfelt echo of Chester Bennington’s power,” Rolling Stone describing the album “modern without sacrificing Bennington’s inherent adolescent grit” and Billboard saying it “provides some grunge-laced light in an otherwise dark hour.”

Amends’ arrival followed months of build-up for an album that serves as a tribute to Chester Bennington, the man “who was known for his piercing scream and free-flowing anguish”(New York Times) and “a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul” (Associated Press).

The people surrounding the release, his Grey Daze bandmates: Sean Dowdell, Mace Beyers, Cristin Davis, as well as Chester’s family members: Talinda Bennington, his parents, Susan and Lee, and his son Jaime all participated in the curation and storytelling that served as both catharsis and the completion of a promise to see the 11-song album through to completion. They shared stories and insight into how Amends became a reality via a documentary, an eight-part, studio driven video series titled “Making Amends”, and a Dave Navarro (Inked Master, Jane’s Addiction) hosted roundtable discussion featuring Dowdell with Amends contributors Brian “Head” Welch (Korn), Chris Traynor (Bush/Helmet), LP and producer Esjay Jones.

Grey Daze
| Photography: Anjella/Sakiphotography

Grey Daze Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Albums & EPs, Kataklizmic Design, Music Videos, News, Performances

LORE Releases the Deadly Sessions — Live Audio, Video Performance

January 1, 2021 Katherine Amy Vega Leave a comment

In the darkest midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, LORE and her band recorded a locked-in LIVE audio & video performance.

These are the DEADLY SESSIONS

3 Live Recordings • 3 Live Videos

It all started with Stay-In-Fest 2020…

LIVE from Heretic Sound in Los Angeles, bandmates LORE, Chris Egert, and Vincent Cabagnot were captured performing and recording three songs. This was for Infest’s “Stay-In-Fest 2020” music festival — one of the electro/industrial and goth scene’s most revered UK festivals.

“Our band is proud of these performances because we look and sound just as we do in concert – LIVE, RAW & REAL!”

“It was an exciting offer and we had to make it happen! Plus, after months of lockdown, we needed some fun! I hired a notable music video director and we got it together fast!” said LORE.

“It was also a fun opportunity to premiere a new song,
“Until The Day I Die (Gothic Wedding Song) LIVE.”

LORE continued, “These are not the polished album versions. They are more guitar heavy with the electronic elements still prominent. When we realized how great they sounded, we decided to officially release them as a new product. Out of nowhere, a new release!”

Watch the Deadly Sessions (LIVE) Videos Here:

Flow (LIVE)

A dark electro fan favorite from LORE’s debut album, “My Soul Speaks,” cowritten by LORE and Mark Blasquez.

Until The Day I Die (Gothic Wedding Song) LIVE

A new dark synth-pop song; if you like retro Madonna and The Birthday Massacre, you are sure to like this song cowritten by LORE and Chris Egert.

The Wait (LIVE)

Previously released on the SAW IV soundtrack album/Trisol, this version features the same intensity of industrial trip hop with insanely powerful and emotional vocals. “The Wait” is a cowrite between LORE and Julian Beeston.

Listen to Deadly Sessions (LIVE) Here:

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Chris Egert at Heretic Sound

About LORE

Trip-Hop put her on the map with her song “My Soul Speaks” included on “SHE – a female Trip-Hop Experience.” Next, LORE is featured with LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT performing Hebrew vocals on “Blessing.” LORE then got her revenge featuring Sean Brennan/LAM on
“Haunting” with her debut album, also entitled “MY SOUL SPEAKS.” The album, received outstanding reviews (released in Germany and Russia). Now, LORE delivers her “DEADLY SESSIONS (LIVE)” 3 song locked-in quarantine set of songs and videos. A full studio album anxiously waits in the shadows.

LORE has performed concerts alongside London After Midnight, The Birthday Massacre, Abney Park & more.

LORE’s songs are also included on:

SHE – a female Trip-Hop Experience
“My Soul Speaks” (Sonic Images Records)
SAW II OST
“My Soul Speaks” (Trisol)
SAW III OST
“Haunting feat. Sean Brennan” (Trisol)
SAW IV OST
“The Wait” (Trisol)

LORE Online

Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Night Owl PR, Performances

Less Than Jake Unleashes 9th Studio Album Silver Linings

December 11, 2020 Brianne Dunn Leave a comment

Seminal ska-punk luminaries Less Than Jake will be commemorating the release of their 9th studio album Silver Linings with their first-ever livestream performance this evening at 6pm EST from Gainesville, FL. Tickets are still available here.

Less than Jake Livestream — Click to Enlarge

Their 9th studio album and first with new drummer Matt Yonker (Teen Idols, The Queers) is a dozen tracks of a rejuvenated and refreshed Less Than Jake. They picked up right where they left off and aren’t trying to fit in with any current trends because their ska-punk formula has stood the test of time and simply works. Vinyl, CD, and merchandise bundles are still available via Pure Noise Records webstore.

Outburn Magazine proclaimed, “expert level ska punk.” The Punk Site asserted, “there is no filler, no throwaway tracks, just old-school ska punk done just as it oughta be.” KERRANG! chimed in, “a collection of typically upbeat ska-punk jams.” ReadJunk added, “a punkier version of LTJ.” Cryptic Rock declared, “Less Than Jake are only one of a handful of bands that can be considered the best of the best.”

To celebrate the album release, the band revealed their 8 bit style new music video, “Keep On Chasing“, today. Watch it here:

Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four-letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.

With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already intact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.

Less Than Jake Is:

Chris DeMakes (vocals, guitar)
Roger Lima (vocals, bass)
Buddy Shaub (trombone)
Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone)
Matt Yonker (drums)

Less Than Jake Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured photo (top) by Paris Visone

(Burning Hot Events earns from qualifying purchases.)

Adrenaline PR, Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Tracks

Classically Infused Metal Collective Lost Symphony Reveals “A Murder of Crows”

October 1, 2020 Brianne Dunn Leave a comment

Lost Symphony, the classical-metal ensemble headed up by multi-instrumentalist and producer Benny Goodman with a host of accomplish guest musicians, has released the third single from their upcoming Chapter II album – a track entitled “A Murder of Crows,” was inspired by the memory of late guitarist Oli Herbert, who was an early contributor to Lost Symphony.

During the funeral for the All That Remains guitarist nearly two years ago, a group of crows were said to have collective above the gathering. “It was often thought that a large group of crows decided the outcome of other birds,” Goodman says. “A large gathering is called a murder of crows and was often an omen of bad things to come.”

Watch the video for “A Murder of Crows” here:

“A Murder of Crows” features guest appearances by guitarist Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall) and Jimi Bell (Autograph, House of Lords).

“Working with Lost Symphony was such a blast for me,” says Donais, “It’s an honor to play on a project with some of the best heavy metal and rock guitarists out there. This is a must for anyone who loves shred guitar!”

Just months after Lost Symphony raised the bar on classical-infused metal with their debut, Chapter I, the ensemble has returned with a new single, “Conflagration,” from the upcoming Chapter II (set for release on October 16).

***Chapter II*** pre-orders are available here.

Primarily composed before, yet eerily perfect for the age of the Pandemic, the eight-track opus of Chapter II strains beauty through aural apocalypse. The collective founded by multi-instrumentalist and producer Benny Goodman and comprising his brother Brian (compositions, arrangement), Cory Paza (bass, guitar), Kelly Kereliuk (guitar), Paul Lourenco (drums), and Siobhán Cronin (violin, viola, electric violin) has once again welcomed a revolving cast of virtuosos to join them for the next phase. This installment includes Marty Friedman, David Ellefson, Jeff Loomis and many more.

The album’s first two singles, “Conflagration” and “No Exit,” feature performances by Oli Herbert, Matt LePierre and Conrad Simon, and David Ellefson, Jeff Loomis and Marty Friedman, respectively.

Listen to “Conflagration“

Watch “No Exit“

Lost Symphony was set in motion when Benny Goodman invited guitarists Kereliuk and Simon to add another dimension to the classical demo he had composed. An early recording of “Leave Well Enough Alone,” which appears on Chapter II, made its way to All That Remains co-founder and guitar hero Oli Herbert, who quickly jumped aboard as a chief collaborator. Upon arrival, Chapter I immediately received widespread critical acclaim. Metal Insider described it as “the great collision between metal and classical music,” and BraveWords claimed it has “taken the scene by storm.”

Lost Symphony Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram
| YouTube | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Eric Snyder

Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Night Owl PR, Tracks

Model Prisoner’s Debut EP Piss Universe Out Now

September 4, 2020 Brianne Dunn Leave a comment

Philadelphia’s Model Prisoner recently released their politically-fueled debut EP Piss Universe, a mélange of metal, hardcore, and hip hop. In addition, Metal Injection unveiled the music video for their title track – a song about our society being a hot mess like a f*cked up beauty pageant where fake images and lies prevail, corruption rules, and it’s all just a game about money. Also, Model Prisoner’s bloodline includes influential bands such as Nowhere Roads, Swarm of Arrows, and Label the Traitor. Watch the “Piss Universe” video here.

Piss Universe was engineered, mixed, and mastered by rapidly rising producer Wyatt Oberholzer (Year of the Knife, No Option, Fixation, Struck Nerve) at The Knife Lair in Philadelphia, PA. Additional production and beats were provided by Jack Mickelson. The duo consisting of Keats Rickard and Jay “Lanky” Mallory tracked with Oberholzer in staggered sessions across a few months during quarantine. Influenced by the current state of our country, the result is explosive music with violent vocals and angry lyrics.

Their debut EP Piss Universe was released on August 28, 2020 and is available everywhere for streaming and download via Bandcamp with a vinyl release planned for the fall.

Model Prisoner Is:

Jay “Lanky” Mallory (lead vocals, drums)
Keats Rickard (guitar, bass, samples, backing vocals)

Model Prisoner Online:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Lydia Peterson