Never ones to shy away from wearing emotions on their sleeves, prolific rockers ATREYU have unleashed a brand new single, “Drowning” .
The track delivers massive breakdowns, catchy hooks, and soaring performances. The cathartic subject matter sees the group battling through individual struggles with depression and feeling overwhelmed by life itself, but ultimately finding healing from the honest expression of those feelings.
Commenting on the meaning behind “Drowning,” the band shares, “To the five of us, this song is audio anti-depressants. Much like everyone does, the five of us have experienced waves of depression, anxiety, and fear in vastly different ways. This song is about feeling buried. We have found comfort in simply communicating those feelings with each other, and hope you will arrive in a similar place when listening. This song is for all of us.”
In contrast to its heavy message, Atreyu shares a perfectly jocular music video for “Drowning” that will have you running for the local pool to shake off those existential blues.
After touring heavily in North America for the last two years in support of their latest album Baptize, Atreyu will kick off their European and UK trek with Bullet For My Valentine and Jinjer on Sunday, January 29. For tickets visit www.atreyu.com.
UK + EUROPE DATES:
Jan 29 — Cologne, Germany @ Palladium Cologne Jan 31 — Paris, France @ L’Olympia Feb 01 — Tilburg, Netherlands @ Poppodium 013 Feb 03 — Warsaw, Poland @ Klub Stodola Feb 04 — Hambrug, Germany @ Sporthalle Hamburg Feb 05 — Berlin, Germany @ Verti Music Hall Feb 08 — Munich, Germany @ Zenith Feb 09 — Karlín, Czechia@ Forum Karlín Feb 10 — Budapest, Hungary @ Barba Negra Feb 11 — Zagreb, Croatia @ Tvornica Kulture Feb 13 — Dübendorf, Switzerland @ The Hall Feb 14 — Milan, Italy @ Alctraz Feb 16 — Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz Feb 17 — Madrid, Spain @ Sala Riviera Feb 18 — Lisboa, Portugal @ Altice Arena Feb 21 — Ramonville-St-Agne, France @ Le Bikini Feb 22 — Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal Feb 23 — Offenbach Am Main, Germany @ Stadthalle Offenbach Feb 26 — Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
Feb 27 — Cambridge, UK @ Cambridge Corn Exchange Feb 28 — Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy Bristol Mar 01 — Liverpool, UK @ Liverpool University Mountford Hall Mar 03 — Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK @ O2 City Hall Newcastle Mar 04 — Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom Mar 06 — Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy Leeds Mar 07 — Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham Mar 08 — Southampton, UK@ O2 Guildhall Southampton Mar 10 — Swansea, UK @ Swansea Arena | Arena Abertawe Mar 11 — London, UK @ Roundhouse
Swedish Progressive Metalcore outfit Allt have dropped a new standalone single/video: “Emanate”. Watch the clip [created by Tuomas Kurikka & Patrik Nuorteva (Riivata Visuals)] now below:
Allt comments: “‘Emanate’ explores the theme of existentialism and the role of computers, algorithms and information in modern-day society. With all the information we could ever wish for readily available at our fingertips, keeping track of the natural world becomes increasingly difficult. When even a slight misstep in the virtual realm can incur the wrath of the hive mind, we are constantly reminded to stay in our lanes, consume and be docile. Stray, and you may face erasure.
The video, art and lyrics concept is heavily inspired by modern-day Sci-Fi classics like Blade Runner, Ex Machina & The Matrix.”
Founded in 2020 in Karlskoga, Sweden, Allt blend down-tuned riffs with soaring melodies and orchestral arrangements to create their distinctive dark and emotive sound. The members have a shared love for nature and cinematography, which shines through in the music, and many of their songs and lyrics are directly inspired by literary works or movies. Putting old memories, experiences or scenes into music is one of the band’s main inspirations.
lynch. frontman HAZUKI’s new solo single RENGEKYOU is out now, a three-track release highlighted be its beautiful “wa” flavoured lead track ‘SUIREN’.
“This release takes on a classical ‘Souen’ style,” HAZUKI explains in a video message recorded especially for overseas fans. “There’s one song that’s very Japanese in style, with a strong sense ‘wa’ flavour that’s called ‘SUIREN’. It’s the lead track and I think you could find it interesting”.
“Wa”, often used in the Japanese language to confer a very pure and traditional sense of “Japaneseness”, is a big part of the nation’s identity. Its kanji even appears in Japan’s newest era name; Reiwa.
Unlike the intense sound of lynch., HAZUKI’s RENGEKYOU single focuses on the beauty of stringed instruments such as the piano, violin and cello, as well as traditional Japanese instruments like the koto and shakuhachi to create something that not only appeals to fans of lynch., but a wide range of music and Japanese culture enthusiasts.
‘SUIREN’’s beautiful music video compliments the song’s “wa” flavour further. It was shot in an exquisite, traditional Japanese house built during the country’s Meiji era, and features a graceful and passionate dance performance that perfectly fits the concept of ‘SUIREN’ (‘Water Lilies’).
RENGEKYOU also includes brand new song ‘CRYSTALIZE’, as well as a cover of lynch.’s 2020 single ‘ALLIVE’, completely reimagined in HAZUKI’s classical ‘Souen’ style. These beautiful, elegant and passionate songs are available to download and stream now, along with solo album EGØIST.
About HAZUKI:
HAZUKI started playing in bands from the age of 16 and had been actively writing lyrics for several bands until he formed lynch. in 2004. As the band’s main composer he has created a wide range of styles of songs, including his own distinctive and recognisable style as a vocalist.
In 2016 he started a solo show named ‘Souen” which was based on a classical style. In 2020 he released the album ‘Souen-FUNERAL-, peaking at number nine in Japan’s Oricon Daily Chart. In the following year he held his first solo concert at Nakano Sunplaza with 2,000 people in attendance. In 2022 he decided to take a brave new step in his musical career by promising to create new style of music that is different to that of lynch.: HAZUKI was born.
Enslaved have released a new single and video from Heimdal, their 16th studio album due out on March 3rd 2023. ‘Forest Dweller‘ launches with progressive splendor, guiding the listener into a churning, psychedelic journey through archaic Norse folklore. One might ask what lessons we can divine from our celestial ancestors? We might never understand their true intentions, but their echo will live on regardless.
Enslaved’sGrutle Kjellson commented,
“To me ‘Forest Dweller’ was the most immediate song on the album, at least in its earliest form as an instrumental demo. I spent quite some time to get into some of the other songs of the album, but this one seemed somehow logical, well logical by Enslaved standards that is. I had an idea for a lyric, and Ivar’s amazing and diverse riffs on this one made it easy to pan out the scripture. I made a rough plan on what to sing over it, and we actually ended up using some parts of those recordings on the album!
The song sort of showcases our representative samples of inspiration: Led Zep, Genesis, Destruction, Iron Maiden and David Bowie, to mention a schizophrenic tapestry of influences. It mirrors in the lyrics as well, which deals about both darkness and light in connection to the nature of Heimdal.”
Heimdal, is both a departure and a communion with roots forged over three decades ago in the turbulent birth throes of Norway’s black metal scene. The record is named after Heimdal,arguably the most mysterious entity in Nordic mythology.
The record features psychedelic track ‘Caravans To The Outer Worlds‘ from last year’s EP of the same name. Albumbonus versions contain an extra track, ‘Gangandi‘, alongside a Blu-Ray copy of 2021’sstunning Otherworldly Big Band Experience streamed event – the band’sboldest project to date, featuring fellow Norwegian prog band Shaman Elephant. The kaleidoscopic stage show features a stellar setlist, covering Enslaved‘s career, both past and present.
Heimdal tracklisting 01. Behind The Mirror 02. Congelia 03. Forest Dweller 04. Kingdom 05. The Eternal Sea 06. Caravans To The Outer Worlds 07. Gangandi (Bonus Track)* 08. Heimdal
Never faltering, Norway’s iconic Enslaved continue to exist as one of the most original and dependable components in our scene’s indestructible backbone. Possessing the reputation as one of the most riveting live acts around, they never fail to offer us talent of the highest calibre, always doing justice to their signature black/progressive sound. Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, releasing their first demo Yggdrasillin the summer of 1992, their legendary mini-albumHordanes Land coming out in 1993, and with their debut full-lengthVikingligr Veldiarriving in the spring of 1994.
Enslaved in 2022 area band in stellar form – a band at its most existentialist and self-conscious, proud Bergeners bearing the torch of their hometown’s extraordinary musical history. Their most recent material shows Enslaved at their most unleashed and thought-through – a lethal combination unfurling a potential that’s easily rekindling the furor of their early works while dancing gracefully through their most ambitious, most haunting and most musical tunes yet. A contradiction? Life itself is a contradiction. And yet we all live to prove it wrong.
Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of Spanish power melodic metal Dreamyth for the release of their debut album “Aletheia” on April 14, 2023. Combining heavy riffs, epic and majestic orchestrations, modern synths, and stunning vocal and harmonies with finesse like no one else, the band delivers high caliber album with special guests Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia), Bob Katsionis (ex-Firewind) and Eduardo Guilló (Sun of the Dying, Crusade of Bards). Dreamyth intends to conquer the heart of metal fans all around the world.
Formed in 2020 by guitarist and composer Adrián Carrero (Crusade of Bards) and drummer David Macarrilla. Dreamyth crafted its name by combining the words “Dream” and “Myth”, which they described as “a new world beyond imagination where its Myths and legends are real”. Andrea Carrero completed the core of the project after singing on all the song demos (released and unreleased). Soon after they were joined by Paolo Andreotti (Crusade of Bards) and second vocalist Dani G.
Band co-founder Adrián Carrero’s passion for classical history and culture, especially his stories about mythology in different cultures influences the lyrics that accompany the band’s compositions. Everything takes place in a new world where they are the Gods, Aletheia.
The concept album transports fans to a new world “ALETHEIA”, and the myth and legends that surround it are sometimes approached from a philosophical point of view.
“The idea was born from the need to give a new approach to the way of telling the myths of our world. Over the years, these stories derived from cultural traditions or legends, which have a deep symbolic meaning and usually involve a lesson, have been shared in different ways and have always generated a certain curiosity and inspiration in society. Luckily, there are tons of myths and legends and often many variations of the same core story between different cultures.” adds Adrián Carrero.
This first album focuses on the creation of this new world and its beginning, giving rise to a polytheistic culture where the band members are the most revered Gods with different attributes. In this approach, the band makes its own reinterpretation of some classical myths (including references to some of the most famous Greek mythologies) mixed with different personal experiences and concerns. With two lead vocals, the record brings a constant contrast, giving more life to the melodies and strengthening specific parts with numerous backing vocals. Apart from them, the first-class guests bring much more musical variety, and metal fans will be surprised and in their comfort zone at the same time with this album. Epic and catchy melodies mixed with a powerful instrumental background.
The musical composition of the album is clearly influenced by the great power metal and symphonic groups, some of the band members’ favorite genres. “Aletheia” incorporates flourished power, pop, metal, and rock songs combined with incredible storytelling of a mythical, and unique world filled with wonderful shades of “light in the dark.” On it, you can see a lot of guitars with doubled melodies, keyboards interacting with these melodies, epic orchestrations with a high level of detail, a lot of contrasts… music with a big amount of different sounds, from intimate ballads with only acoustic instruments to furious riffs leading to epic or darkness places.
Adrián Carrero adds, “The band and I are so excited to bring you the first chapter of our story! We’ve been working really hard on all this music, making the stories connect and the music itself reflect the plot of each. It’s definitely the most time we’ve spent on a musical project and the first time I’m leading all the work, from the first song ideas to the lyrics. We hope people enjoy it as much as we did forging it.”
The band’s first single to unveil off the debut full-length is the title track, which features Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia).
“This tune was one of the first songs to stay in our head, and soon in yours too, one of the songs that undoubtedly had to be on the album. Melodic, heavy with a dose of epic choruses but simple. It was always one of our favorites, but thanks to Herbie Langhans and his outstanding performance he has elevated it to a level that is hard to beat. We think we have all managed to capture in it our strength, desire, and enthusiasm for this new adventure we are starting.” says Adrián Carrero.
Dreamyth is recommended for fans of Avantasia, Firewind, and Beast in Black.
Track Listing: 1. Creatio Ex Nihilo (Intro) – 1:10 2. Odyssey – 4:02 3. Aletheia – 5:03 4. In this Nightmare – 4:27 5. The Curse of the Erinyes – 3:55 6. Dreamland – 6:18 7. Firelove – 7:22 8. Fairytale – 4:55 9. My Delight – 4:55 10. Down to the Moon – 5:19 11. In Aeternum (Outro) – 2:27 12. Cuento de Hadas (Bonus track) – 4:56 Album Length: 54:54
Album Credits (music, cover/art, production): MUSIC by Adrián Carrero PRODUCED by Adrián Carrero and Dani G ARTWORK, LOGOTYPE, SYMBOL and SLEEVE DESIGN by Gustavo Sazes PHOTOSHOOT by NAT ENEMEDE (Make Up by YOLUANA) SPECIAL GUESTS RALF SCHEEPERS vocals on “DREAMLAND” HERBIE LANGHANS vocals on “ALETHEIA” EDUARDO GUILLÓ growl vocals on “ODYSSEY” and “THE CURSE OF THE ERINYES” BOB KATSIONIS keyboard solo on “DREAMLAND”
About: Dreamyth is a Spanish power melodic metal project officially created in 2020 by Adrián Carrero and David Macarrilla. They crafted the name by combining the words “Dream” and “Myth”, which they described as “a new world beyond imagination where its Myths and legends are real”. Andrea Carrero completed the base of the project after singing all the song demos (released and unreleased).
Combining heavy riffs, epic and majestic orchestrations, modern synths, and stunning vocal and harmonies with finesse and like no one else, delivered with high production values and first-class guests like Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia) and Bob Katsionis (ex-Firewind), Dreamyth intend to conquer the heart of the metal fans all around the world.
“Do you think you know all the tales? Maybe not… not in this world. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Dream Show, welcome to my land, please, welcome… To Dreamyth”
On April 7th, Tribulation will unleash their upcoming EP, Hamartia, via Century Media Records. Last year, the quartet dropped the title track for Hamartia as a standalone release (which can be heard here); now, they’re back with another single/video from this record: “Axis Mundi”. Stream this new song now here; watch the official video (directed by Johan Bååth in collaboration with Astrid Bergdahl) here:
Adam Zaars (guitars) comments: “‘Axis Mundi’ sees Tribulation entering The Machine Age through the lens of dystopian fiction in a journey to the centre of the world, and beyond. Being the first composition by Joseph Tholl (guitars), it offers the listener and the viewer a new set of flavours and hues to the palate, and from the palette that constitutes the egregore that is Tribulation. A new year calls for a fresh start, so please consider making this a part of the soundtrack to yours.”
–Lilac vinyl available from CM Distro Wholesale EU and CMdistro.de (limited to 500 copies)
–Transparent blue vinyl available from Tribulation (limited to 300 copies)
–Digital EP
Album Artwork by: Adam Zaars
Forged amid the grubby depths of the Swedish death metal scene, Tribulation have always been the shadowy outlaws of the underground – and with Hamartia, they’re poised to begin a new chapter in their sinister story. The group’s songwriting powers have undergone a vigorous rejuvenation; new guitarist Joseph Tholl replaced the departing Jonathan Hultén, which in turn led to the creation of an EP’s worth of material. Recorded in Stockholm with Robert Pehrsson at Studio Humbucker as well as Linus Björklund at Studio Ryssviken, before being crafted in mix by Tom Dalgety in the UK and then returning to Stockholm for mastering by Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios, Hamartia is a riotous encapsulation of everything that diehard fans demand from the Swedish crew – but, sharper, darker and laced with venom. These four new songs showcase a band in a robust state of health.
“The plan going forward is that Joseph and I will split the writing duties, just as me and Jonathan did before,” says guitarist Adam Zaars. “The other difference this time is that we did work a bit closer with each other on these songs. On the last couple of albums, we’ve basically written our material separately. This time, even though Joseph wrote ‘Axis Mundi’ and I wrote the other two songs, I still went to Stockholm every other weekend for the entire Spring leading up to the recording, and we sat together and tried different things out. We’ve worked closer this time than we’ve done at least since ‘The Children of The Night’. Comparing it to the last album, I’d say the new songs are a bit more cynical, harsher in a way.”
Additionally, Zaars is already considering Tribulation‘s next move. “Fairly soon, I hope we can record something – an album before anything else,” he concludes. “In some ways, I’ve already started writing, but I don’t have a complete song to show anyone yet. I’ve got a lot of material, so we just need time to piece it all together…
We did a tour with Watain, Abbath and Bölzer last year and that was great, and this year we’re going to focus on festivals…and writing new material!”
Helsinki’s longest serving gothic rock vampires THE 69 EYES will return to Western US stages this Spring! The week-long Gotta Rock US Tour will commence on May 5th in Phoenix, Arizona at The Nile Theater and run through May 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada at Sick New World Fest. Support will be provided by Pretty Boy Floyd on select dates. Alongside some classics, fans can expect to hear tracks taken from THE 69 EYES’ long-awaited new album, to be released later this year via Atomic Fire Records. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27th. See all confirmed dates below.
THE 69 EYES w/ Pretty Boy Floyd:
5/05/2023 The Nile Theater – Phoenix, AZ [tickets]
5/06/2023 The Whisky – Los Angeles, CA [tickets] *
5/07/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA [tickets]
5/13/2023 Sick New World Fest – Las Vegas, NV [tickets] *
* No Pretty Boy Floyd
Recently, THE 69 EYES released the single “Gotta Rock” – a cover from the famous Finnish hard rock band Boycott that released the rock anthem in the late ‘80s. Stream or download THE 69 EYES’ rendition of Boycott’s “Gotta Rock” at THIS LOCATION.
Further info on the new album from THE 69 EYES will follow in the weeks to come. In the meantime, check out the band’s Drive EP HERE.
Dust Biters is an emerging, emotive post-hardcore band from Chicago, IL, with a torpedo of groovy riffs and aggressive swing – a sound indicative of their mosaic of influences like Refused, Glassjaw, and Against Me! – that is as clever as it is reckless.
Guilt, the debut full-length record from Dust Biters, was independently released on August 12, 2022. Recorded, mixed, and produced by Alex Lackner (Lazarus A.D., Repentance),Guiltis built on soaring guitars, furious drums, and gripping melodic hooks that flirt with both the somber and the rapture. Throughout the 12-track album, Dust Biters creates harmony between thoughtful post-hardcore and melodically measured alternative metal.
In conjunction with the record release, Dust Biters released two collaborations: a burger with the lauded metal authority Kuma’s Corner that unites ingredients from each member’s native region, and the “Guilt Gose” with Metal Monkey Brewing – a traditional German-style sour wheat ale spiced with habanero peppers and pineapple, an allusion to the band’s penchant for musically blending the spicy and sweet.
reaLation is an alternative metal band who dedicates itself to seeking the truth. The songs the band writes focus on real world problems, issues and concerns. reaLation tries to shed light on subject areas that were either taboo or ignored in the past, or issues that have yet to come to the surface. Or in simple terms, true reality.
The band seeks the answers to the following questions: How do we affect our personal peace? How does the way we act and function flavor our lives?
reaLation feels one of the most important facets of human existence is the ability to relate to one another and our surroundings. There have been songs that people have been able to relate to right away and others that have taken an experience or life circumstance to create the connection. It is from this that the term reaLation was created, and the band feels it truly reflects its mission.
Indie pop band BreakTime from the Bayonne, New Jersey: a four-piece writing modern pop tunes with generous vintage allusions to artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, recently released debut EP entitled Great Times on Friday, December 16th, 2022 alongside the single “Maybe No, Maybe Yes.” The single features a jangly twelve-string guitar and walking bassline to power the Beatle-esque tour-de-force along.
There is one more single called “Good To You” and you can view it below:
