Peter Tägtgren comments, “We wrote this song together, me and my son Sebastian. He wrote all the music and I did the lyrics. And it turned out great. We are very proud of this song. The lyrics are about false information on social media and news, and for a normal person, it’s hard to understand what is right and what is wrong.”
PAIN also confirmed their set for Wacken Open Air next year.
PAIN, known for high-energy live performances, are thrilled to announce their “I AM” European/UK Tour. With 17 countries and 33 cities on the itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for fans throughout Europe and UK. Prepare to be captivated by the raw energy and intensity of PAIN’s performances as they take the stage. Don’t miss out on this epic metal adventure!
PHOTO CREDIT: Alibi Assylkhanov
ABOUT PAIN:
PAIN is an industrial metal project created by Peter Tägtgren, a Swedish musician, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. If you want to hear this story from him, it would be short and straight to the point: “PAIN was just me f*cking around in the studio, and it grew into becoming a band.”
Started as a one-man project with all the vocals, instruments parts, and production made by one person… Well, it still is, but not only. It also became a prominent touring group that today consists of, apart from Peter, his son Sebastian Tägtgren (drums), Jonathan Olsson (bass), and Sebastian Svalland (guitar).
Nevertheless, a long time ago, in 1997, when the debut album of the project was released, there was nobody but Peter. By this time, he already had four successful albums with HYPOCRISY — and also had some ideas that wouldn’t go with the band’s style.
That’s how the story of PAIN began — the story where eight albums are known and loved for such smashing hits as “End Of The Line,” “Shut Your Mouth,” “Same Old Song,” “Follow Me,” “Coming Home,” and many more. This story also contains strong lyrics, rich arrangements, solid melodies, unflagging energy, killing live shows, and big plans for the future.
SIX GOING ON SEVEN’S SELF-MADE MESS OUT OCTOBER 27 VIA IODINE RECORDINGS
BAND SHARES “SEXY LIKE THE TITANIC” VIDEO — WATCH [[ADD LINK]]
Self-Made Mess is the debut album from Boston’s indie rock/emo band Six Going On Seven. Out of print for over 25 years, this highly influential album helped define a genre that bridged the gap between hardcore influenced emo and indie-rock, with its complex bass and guitar harmonies and sincere vocals. Often referred to as a “band’s band,” Six Going on Seven came up alongside many of the household names we still discuss from the era: Jimmy Eat World, Hot Water Music, and The Get Up Kids, sharing the stage with them and many others.
Originally released on Some Records in 1997 and produced by Brian McTernan at Salad Days Studio, Self-Made Mess is being presented on a limited-edition vinyl pressing with all new artwork and remastered by Jack Shirley (Quicksand, Joyce Manor) at The Atomic Garden.
It arrives via Iodine Recordings on October 27. Get it here.
Today, the band has shared the video for “Sexy Like The Titanic.” Watch it here.
“Self-Made Mess was our first full-length, the culmination of three friends woodshedding/gigging around Boston in early days,” the band says. “Follow me here: I drove to Boston in fall of 1994, we played our first show in January of ’95, released a 7” the following year, and made Self-Made Mess in the summer of ’96 — this one was recorded by our friend Brian McTernan after demoing over nine songs the year prior with another great engineer, who abruptly moved to Los Angeles to make a record with The Rolling Sones — true story. Faithful to our live sound, Youth (lost on the young) recorded on a shoestring budget in a small new jersey town (that, a story for another day) — 10 songs remastered for your listening pleasure, enjoy.”
SELF-MADE MESS TRACK LISTING: “Sexy Like The Titanic” “Endurance” “Getaway Car” “Flu Season” “Sincerely” “Deadpan Cool” “Lampwick” “New Faith in Loss” “Method Actor” “Everybody’s Got a Hobby”
A MILE IN COLD WATER TRACK LISTING: “After the Fight” “Selective Hearing Loss” “Is That a Threat?” “Squirrel Bait” “There’s Only So Much Coffee” “Our Mild Scoliosis” “Always Be Closing” “Fuel” “The Dumbest Angel” “Penelope” “Favorite Goodbye Fuck” “Reprise”
GARRISON TO RE-RELEASE A MILE IN COLD WATER VIA IODINE RECORIDNGS ON OCTOBER 27
SEMINAL ALBUM HAS BEEN OUT OF PRINT FOR 20 YEARS
ORIGINAL LINEUP PLAYING THE MIDDLE EAST DOWNSTAIRS ON OCTOBER 6 WITH ORANGE ISLAND
BAND ALSO SET TO APPEAR AT THE FEST IN FLORIDA
Garrison were born in Boston during the heyday of the prolific late ’90s post-hardcore scene.
Their cohort featured heavy hitters like Piebald, Cave In, and Converge. Following in the footsteps of bands like Quicksand, Drive Like Jehu, and Texas is the Reason, Garrison drew from many influences to create a hyper-melodic sound that ranged from hardcore to emo — all without fitting neatly into any genre. They executed a complex and unique sound, seamlessly combining technical guitar riffs, melodic vocals, and heavy breakdowns in a way that few bands were able to achieve.
Garrison toured relentlessly, playing regularly alongside iconic bands of the era such as The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, Taking Back Sunday, and New Found Glory. Shortly after forming, the band found themselves signed to Revelation Records where they released their debut LP A Mile in Cold Water. The record was well received among fans and critics and made a place for itself as a notable release for the post-hardcore movement. The album opens with “After the Fight,” which immediately hooks you with its melody, fast tempo, and emotional breakdowns, highlighting the band’s hardcore roots and complex style. The LP rises with heavier post-hardcore moments, such as “The Dumbest Angel,” and falls with several softer emo ballads, most notably on the somber closer “Favorite Goodbye Fuck.”
Though Garrison went on to release numerous albums on Revelation Records and Iodine Recordings, A Mile in Cold Water remained their most significant and important release. While Garrison never broke in the same way that many of their peers did, this record clearly paved the way forward for many bands that followed in the post-hardcore and emo scenes.
Produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at God City Studio in 2001, Ballou returned in 2023 to completely remix the album to really make these songs shine the way they always intended to sound. Remastered by Jack Shirley (Quicksand, Joyce Manor) at The Atomic Garden. The album is being presented in a special gatefold jacket and features elements of the original art, and new artwork from Dan McCarthy.
The album is available for the first time in 20 years via Iodine Recordings on October 27. Get it here.
Garrison’s original lineup will appear at The Middle East Downstairs in Boston on October 6 with Orange Island. They are also slated to play The Fest in Florida, as well.
FEARLESS RECORDS is beyond pleased to welcome Florida rock band THE REQUIEM to its global roster.
To celebrate the new partnership between label and band, The Requiem are sharing not one but TWO singles!
First up is “Diary of Mashochist,” which is a full-on rager. Kicking off with blood-curdling screams and heavy artillery riffing before shifting into melodic high gear, The Requiem pepper their song with unexpected and dramatic flourishes and nuances throughout. It’s an epic and cinematic thrill ride from back to front.
The band shares, “Mostly inspired by the legend Elizabeth Bathory, ‘Diary Of A Masochist’ speaks of someone who despises the skin they live in and does anything possible to change the way they see themselves, no matter how self-destructive or wrong it may be.”
“I’ll Be Late For My Funeral” is an energetic amalgam of ’00s main stage Warped Tour, Neo-goth, and classic emo, with a twist all its own and without ever sounding too much like the past. Stormy guitars and layered harmonies give the song an extra dose of horsepower.
“‘I’ll Be Late For My Funeral’ is a song that tries to convey the feeling of someone who has been fighting against themselves their entire life,” the band explains. “The title reflects the sentiment that some of us wouldn’t even show up for ourselves at our own funerals from the bad habit of always running away.”
HOLLOW FRONT ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM THE FEAR OF LETTING GO
ALBUM ARRIVES OCTOBER 27 VIA UNFD
BAND SHARES VIDEO FOR “WE’RE ALL LEFT SUFFERING” — WATCH
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based metalcore slingers HOLLOW FRONT have announced their new album The Fear of Letting Go. It arrives October 27 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.
Today, the band has shared the video for “We’re All Left Suffering,” a track that finds Hollow Front in absolute beast mode, fusing vitriolic fury, riffs, and vocals, with forward-thinking guitar shred!
“This track is an anthem for the broken spirited,” says vocalist Tyler Tate. “We live in a world riddled with heartache and constant struggle. Whether mentally, physically, or financially, we are a collective of human beings doing our best to survive.”
He continues, “I think with everything that’s happened in the world over these last three years, things might seem hopeless. It feels like the whole world has gone mad, and we’re all just here suffering along for the ride. It can be incredibly discouraging being a human in today’s social and economic climate. So I think this song is for those people who are sick of dealing with the bullshit life is throwing at them, and just want to truly breathe for once.”
“We’re All Left Suffering” follows “Letting Go,” which addressed the exit of singer/guitarist Dakota Alvarez and served as a swan song for him.
THE FEAR OF LETTING GO TRACK LISTING: “The Fear Of” “We’re All Left Suffering” “Will I Run?” “Over The Cradle” “Crash & Burn” (Feat. JT Cavey) “Underpressure” (Feat. Dakota Alvarez) “Breaking Teeth” “Stay With Me” “Good Things Never Last” “Letting Go” (Feat. Dakota Alvarez)
California metal band SILENT PLANET have announced their new album SUPERBLOOM. It arrives November 3 via Solid State Records. Pre-order it here.
The release date is significant for the band, as it arrives on the anniversary of their horrific van accident.
Today, the band has shared the music video for “Collider.” Watch it here.
“Take all the darkness. All the vitriol, the greed and the vanity; lay it again as dust. Everything can be alchemized. This song is called ‘Collider,'” says singer Garrett Russell. “It’s about what comes out of our lives when the people we trust and hold closest are the ones who can hurt or betray us the worst. We don’t have to run from the pain or be afraid. The dark gives us the energy to make something beautiful. The song is about alchemizing the darkness and transforming its negative properties.”
When the band dropped “Antimatter,” Revolver enthused, “Silent Planet’s new single begins with throbbing electronic pulsations and robotic clean croons, making you think that you’re in for a clubby pop song. Nope. The djent instrumentation comes crashing through, and eventually the whole song builds up to a screamed chant that blends poledance-worthy synths with rigid, toe-stubbing breakdowns. Fuck yes.”
“A SUPERBLOOM is this strange moment where brilliant fauna spring forth unexpectedly and bring forth such an array of colors, it almost feels alien in origin,” Garrett notes. “It only lasts for a couple of weeks before it’s gone. While we were recording, the SUPERBLOOM was happening. For me, the record is getting in touch with the other side and watching the strange and paranormal emerge from the mundane and profane, hence the title.”
Silent Planet has consistently transfixed a diehard fanbase. The group dropped a string of acclaimed albums, including The Night God Slept [2014], Everything Was Sound [2016], When The End Began [2018], and Iridescent [2021]. Album standout “Trilogy” generated 5.3 million Spotify streams to sit alongside their genre-bending triumph “Panic Room” from the 2016 release, currently at 5 million. The guys notably took home “Best Underground Band” at the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards and toured with the likes of Motionless In White, August Burns Red, Beartooth, and The Contortionist.
Over the course of two years, they recorded what would become SUPERBLOOM in Woodland Hills, CA alongside longtime producer and frequent collaborator Daniel Braunstein. A jarring turn of events split the process into two seasons. Trekking through a Wyoming snowstorm in November 2022, Silent Planet survived a vehicle accident. The van flipped over, leaving the group laying in the wreckage of a bitter Wyoming snowstorm as Garrett was hospitalized with a fractured back and head wound requiring stitches.
“The majority of us were awake when we felt the van start to slide,” he says. “We had some time to come to grips with the fact we were about to go down and have a close brush with death. Afterwards, we talked about what to do with the band. We went back into the record with an increased willingness to take risks. It bolstered our confidence to try new things. When the accident happened, it did something to my head, and it fed into the album.”
Along the way, they settled on a conceptual framework, expanding the scope of their vision like never before. “I grew up in Northern California,” he continues. “There’s a strip of the state known as Humboldt County, but it’s called the ‘Lost Cove.’ It’s a hotbed for strange and paranormal events like UFO and Big Foot sightings. There’s so much we haven’t uncovered. It’s possible our reality as we know it is not complete. We started telling the tale of a 17-year-old who went missing. It’s based on a true story with many details changed. Art dictates reality, and reality dictates art. Making this record was a very strange and mystical process. It’s the most magical and inspired moment of our career so far.”
SUPERBLOOM TRACK LISTING: “Lights Off the Lost Coast” “Offworlder” “Collider” “Euphoria” “Dreamwalker” “Antimatter” “:Signal:” “Anunnaki” “The Overgrowth” “Nexus” “Re-Entry” “SUPERBLOOM”
Silent Planet will return to the road this September, supporting Dayseeker. All dates are below, including Silent Planet headline shows.
SILENT PLANET ON TOUR: WITH DAYSEEKER + MOXY THE BAND: 8/31 — Springfield, MO — The Riff ^ 9/1 — Lubbock, TX — Jakes 9/2 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th St Collective ^ 9/3 — Memphis, TN — Black Lodge 9/5 — Indianapolis, IN — Deluxe @ Old National Centre 9/6 — Flint, MI — Machine Shop 9/8 — New Haven, CT — Toads Place 9/9 — Asbury Park, NJ — Asbury Lanes 9/12 — Lakewood, OH — The Roxy — Mahall’s 9/13 — Davenport, IA — Capitol Theatre 9/14 – Omaha, NE at Waiting Room ^ 9/15 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep 9/17 — Billings, MT — Pub Station 9/19 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory 9/20 — Tacoma, WA — ALMA 9/22 — Bend, OR — Volcanic Theatre Pub 9/23 — Reno, NV — Ranch House 9/24 — Los Angeles, CA — Fonda Theatre 9/26 — Phoenix, AZ — Underground ^ 9/27 — El Paso, TX — Lowbrow ^ 9/28 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live ^ 9/29 — Dallas, TX— Gilly’s ^ ^Silent Planet Headline shows
BLACKTOOTHED ARE: Hendrik | Vocals Mathilde | Guitar David | Drums
BLACKTOOTHED NUMB THE PAIN WITH NEW SINGLE + VIDEO “NOVOCAINE” — WATCH
Blacktoothed have shared the video for their newest single “Novocaine,” exploring the well-known sensation of being either over-or-under-challenged, leaving one in a perpetual state of discomfort. Notably, guitarist Matti showcases her vocal prowess, adding another layer of talent before the song concludes with a powerful and unexpected climax.
“We’ve always embraced the freedom of not confining ourselves to a single genre,” says the band. “Some might label it as a reflection of the heavy music scene’s zeitgeist, but we believe that blending various elements together creates a truly distinctive song. ‘NOVOCAINE’ embodies everything we love, from captivating melodies to powerful riffs and infectious beats. And let’s not forget the explosive and remarkably heavy ending, which pushes our tuning to uncharted territories. It’s even experimental for our own standards. Nonetheless, we’re eager to share this musical adventure with the world!”
The band’s latest album JULI was created in collaboration with the producing team of Sawdust Recordings (Christoph Wieczorek + Julian Breucker) and shows that Blacktoothed have narrowed their sound and found their musical style.
In the past few years, Blacktoothed have gained a lot of live experience, having shared stages with well known bands like Acres, Annisokay, Bad Omens, Hands Like Houses, Polaris, Thundermother, and many more, as well as through other live highlights, including opening up the IMPERICON FESTIVAL and many other open air concerts.
“Nightmare” is taken from the group’s impending new album Fatalism, due out on September 1 via Resist Records in Australia and SharpTone Records for the rest of the world. Pre-order it here.
Featuring an equally ominous music video capturing the track’s dystopian themes, “Nightmare” also pays tribute to the recent devastating loss in the Polaris family.
As drummer and lyricist Daniel Furnari explains, “We created this video with our friend Ben Wrigley, AKA Third Eye Visuals, who found some amazing locations and imagery to help us convey the track when paired with his brilliant editing skills. This was the second of three music videos we filmed with [late guitarist] Ryan [Siew] earlier this year. It has been a challenging and very emotional task to complete these videos in light of what has happened, but after careful discussion with his family, we collectively felt that we wanted to share with the world the final things that Ryan created with us. We will proudly cherish the memories of him contained in this footage, and hope you will too.”
Following the release of Fatalism‘s first single, “Inhumane,” the origins of “Nightmare” trace back to the album’s infancy, penned in 2022 during a week-long writing session in the Blue Mountains.
“‘Nightmare’ is a reflection on the constant state of fear that the world at large seems to have lived in for much of the past couple of years — the feeling of waking up every day into a dystopia of uncertainty and anxiety where nothing really feels safe anymore,” shares Furnari. “The more I thought about it, the more I arrived at the conclusion that maybe this fear was the biggest thing we all had in common during a time of such great division — that our collective dread was our greatest unifier. That concept then really helped to shape the thematic direction of the rest of the record.
He continues, “This was the second song that was written for the album and it started with that chorus melody, chords and lyrics, which I brought to the guys to build a song around. We fleshed it out on our first writing trip to the mountains and it developed into a very riff-heavy song, with the guitar being passed back and forth a lot between Rick and Ryan and all of us weighing in, so I think we all had an early attachment to it for that reason.”
Fear: humanity’s great divider, but also its most potent unifier. It’s this very notion that lies at the beating core of Polaris’s third album Fatalism; a record shaped by the sense of despair and dystopia that engulfed the world over the past few years, and the overwhelming accompanying sensation that we were powerless to change course.
Polaris have already firmly established their place as a fixture in the Australian heavy landscape via their first two albums, the ARIA-nominated The Death Of Me and 2017’s The Mortal Coil, which debuted in the Australian Top 10. They have been awarded a laundry list of accolades, album of the year mentions in end of year lists, sold-out countless headline tours of Australia, and have toured across the globe. Not to mention performing at Download Festival, Unify Gathering in Australia, headlining Knight & Day Festival, and most recently performing the 2022 Good Things Festival headlined by Bring Me The Horizon.
FATALISM TRACK LISTING: “Harbinger” “Nightmare” “Parasites” “Overflow” “With Regards” “Inhumane” “The Crossfire” “Dissipate” “Aftertouch” “Fault Line” “All In Vein”
Line-up: Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22) – Vocals Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars and Backing Vocals Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) – Drums and Percussion Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) – Keyboards and Sound Design
TEMIC are prog rock’s latest and greatest supergroup. These guys have played with Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse and Maraton.
Simen Sandnes comes from an equally impressive, albeit slightly different background. It’s true that he took an interest in drums as a kid, but Sandnes played soccer semi-professionally up until he was 16 years old. Once he reached high school though, the Norwegian prodigy spent most of his days locked in at his school’s rehearsal space, where he now teaches part-time. No wonder he’s endorsed by Zildjian and Mapex.
Sandnes is also the drummer for the blackjazz band SHINING, as well as the prog. metal band Arkentype. He’s even played on an official world cup song and the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack.
Watch him rip through a drum playthrough of TEMIC’s power prog anthem “Count Your Losses” over on our YouTube Channel HERE.
“This particular song holds a special significance for me”, says Sandnes. “It was the very first demo that Diego sent my way three years ago. Witnessing the overwhelming reception it has garnered since then has been truly gratifying.
“When I recorded drums for this track, it served as my ‘audition’ for the band. Consequently, I was determined to showcase the full range of my drumming abilities. In doing so, I incorporated intricate rhythms, plenty of ghost-notes, double pedal techniques, and groovy sections layered with poly-rhythms. The drum solo presented an opportunity to elevate the performance even further. In pursuit of excellence, I enlisted the assistance of my dear friend and esteemed drumming virtuoso, Carsten Omholt, to help craft an impressive drum solo. I can assure you that the collaborative process proved to be an immensely enjoyable challenge.
I sincerely hope that you all relish this play-through video as much as I enjoyed creating it. Your support means the world to me, and I am eager to share this musical journey with each and every one of you.”
The song’s drum transcription is available for download on Sandnes’ website.
“Count Your Losses” is the first single off TEMIC’s debut album ‘Terror Management Theory’, which comes out November 17. Pre-order the album HERE. Pre-save it HERE.
Introducing TEMIC—prog’s newest, most ambitious, and most adrenaline-fueled act. TEMIC melds the creative minds of keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken), guitarist Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress), drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype), and vocalist Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22).
The origins of TEMIC date back to 2017, when Tejeida and Gillette toured the world as band members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. From the very first chords they exchanged, their musical chemistry both on and off stage was undeniable, leading them to discuss the prospect of starting a new band together. Unfortunately, conflicting tour and recording commitments forced them to turn their attention elsewhere for years—that is, until the world came to a standstill in 2020, and Tejeida called Gillette to ask a fateful question: “Remember how we said we should make music together? Well, how about now?”
Thus, the first demos for what would later become TEMIC’s 2023 debut album, Terror Management Theory, began to emerge. Within a few weeks after that initial phone call, the musical vision of TEMIC had become clear: Let’s create progressive music that is heavily influenced by high-energy electronic music, but arranged and orchestrated for a 5-piece modern prog rock/metal band—where, at last, the pulse can be the focus, and the vocal melody can be king.
Eager to join forces with the very best bandmates, Tejeida and Gillette first summoned the rhythmic power of their friend and drummer Sandnes. With characteristic enthusiasm, Sandnes seized the opportunity, prepared to contribute his percussive prowess as the heartbeat of TEMIC. When it came time to find the singer that would carry TEMIC’s melodies to new heights, Sandnes recommended vocal powerhouse Klemp, whose emotive delivery and unmatched intensity left no doubt that he was destined to be the voice of TEMIC. Finally, to round out the rhythm section of Terror Management Theory, dynamic bassist Jacob Umansky (Intervals) was invited on board as a guest player, gracing the album with an unrivaled groove and a signature low-end sound.
Together, this mammoth lineup is TEMIC, a high-energy, electronic-inspired, modern melodic prog metal band for the next generation.
Recording Studio: Drums and vocals recorded at Top Floor Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden) Producer: Produced by TEMIC. Drums and vocals engineered by Jakob Herrmann Gothenburg, Sweden) Mix/Mastering: Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser at The Mouse House (Los Angeles, USA)
Guest musicians: Jacob Umansky (USA) – Bass guitar on the whole album Mosaic Gospel Choir (Norway) – Mothallah Garden State Threshold Choir (USA) – Mothallah
OF MICE & MEN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM TETHER OUT OCTOBER 6 VIA SHARPTONE
BAND TOURING WITH BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE THIS FALL
Gold-selling hard rockers Of Mice & Men — Aaron Pauley(bass + vocals ), Valentino Arteaga (drums), Alan Ashby(guitar), and Phil Manansala (guitar) — will release their new album Tether on October 6 via SharpTone. Pre-order it here.
The band kicks off the new album cycle by releasing the video for the new single “Warpaint.” Watch it here.
“We’re excited to share ‘Warpaint’ as the first single,” says Pauley. “We feel like it bridges the gap between the OM&M you’ve heard and known, and what’s to come. ‘Warpaint’ is a heavy and anthemic song about resilience, and rallying the courage to face your fears head on.”
Taking all creative matters into their own hands, the Southern California quartet self-produced and engineered all of the songs on Tether, their astonishing eighth album. Pauley mixed and mastered the album while Arteaga designed and painted the album’s artwork. As a legion of devoted listeners worldwide has come to expect, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, Aaron, and Tino poured their hearts and souls into every note, creating another sonic document of their lives.
“With this one, we weren’t really focused on how it sounded as much as we focused on how it felt,” Pauley explains. “And that’s a weird thing to do when all you’re working with is sound. But that was really the goal. And we walked away from making it, feeling like we’ve accomplished that.”
OM&M take sobering looks at depression, anxiety, loneliness, and existential dread, powering through the darkness, and emphasizing the importance of creativity as a balm for mental health. A commanding tempest of sounds coalesces within Of Mice & Men, blending the uplifting eloquence of modern active rock with the atmospheric dissonance of experimental post-rock. The band first emerged as part of a vanguard of future aggressive rock hitmakers. Over the years, they’ve distinguished themselves with musicality, creative ambition, and resilient determination.
Album eight is no less ambitious. Tether is anchored by a reflective meditation on what it means to draw together as friends, family men, artists, and bandmates. What does it mean to be there for the people who depend on us, knowing we can’t fully protect them from the hardships of life?
Tether is the next step in OM&M’s evolution, combining their core sound with experimental and ethereal sound designs. The creative process focused on the excitement of discovery rather than preconceived “goals.” Pursuing the moments when the elusive “x factor” reveals itself in the songs. Those moments are palpable in songs like “Integration,” “Warpaint,” “Enraptured,” and “Indigo.”
The Of Mice & Men core since 2016 – Aaron, Alan, Tino, and Phil – maintain a powerful bond with their audience and each other, no matter the obstacles. Whether a powerful anthem or atmospheric confession, their songs translate in intimate clubs and massive festivals. “It’s about creating moments for people,” Pauley says. “Music is the soundtrack to people’s lives.”
OM&M will also hit the road with Bullet For My Valentine and Vended this fall. All dates are below.
OF MICE & MEN ON TOUR: WITH OF BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE + VENDED: 9/8 — Alton, VA — Blue Ridge Rock Festival* 10/8 — Montreal, QC — Mtelus 10/10 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium 10/12 — New York, NY — Terminal 5 10/13 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring 10/15 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall 10/17 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE 10/18 — Cleveland, OH — The Agora 10/19 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J. Brady Music Center 10/21 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater 10/22 — Chicago, IL — Riviera Theatre 10/24 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore Minneapolis 10/26 — Denver, CO — Mission Ballrom 10/28 — Flagstaff, AZ — Pepsi Amphitheater 10/29 — San Diego, CA — SOMA Mainstage 10/31 — Los Angles, CA — The Wiltern 11/1 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren 11/2 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center 11/4 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center At Tech Port 11/5 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues Dallas 11/7 — Houston, TX — House of Blues Houston 11/8 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore New Orleans 11/10 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live Orlando *Festival Date
ARTIST SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “VORE” — WATCH + LISTEN
2 MILLION MONTHLY LISTENERS ON SPOTIFY ALONE
YOUTUBE TRENDING ARTIST + #1 ON SPOTIFY VIRAL CHARTS
With fan worship more intense than ever, and worldwide interest and intrigue growing at runaway speed, Sleep Token are set to reach bold new heights with studio album No. 3, Take Me Back To Eden, set for release on May 19 via Spinefarm.
Take Me Back To Eden — an hour-plus of music across 12 distinctive tracks — is Part 3 of a trilogy, a spectacular chapter-closer in the ongoing Sleep Token saga — a saga that kicked off in earnest with debut album Sundowning(2019).
…Eden features probably the heaviest moments thus far recorded by Sleep Token(i.e. “Vore” + “The Summoning“), along with some of the most immediate and certainly the most emotional (i.e. “Aqua Regia“+ “DYWTYLM“), with a slew of other tones, textures, and tangents touched on in-between.
TMBTE sees Sleep Token boldly re-confirming a true love of the epic (the title track is eight minutes plus), while further exploring and developing those elements that keep the music removed from any kind of pack, howling at a moon that’s all its own.
TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN TRACK LISTING: “Chokehold” “The Summoning” “Granite” “Aqua Regia” “Vore” “Ascensionism” “Are You Really Okay?” “The Apparition” “DYWTYLM” “Rain” “Take Me Back To Eden” “Euclid”
Pre-orders are now available across various formats, including four stunning limited vinyl pressings, exclusive cassettes, and other merch items such as t-shirts, long-sleeves, and hoodies. Pre-order here.
Meanwhile, standout single “The Summoning” has already generated some 16.5 million streams globally, causing the track to trend on Twitter and take the #1 song spot on a host of international Spotify viral charts, as well as being selected as a “YouTube Trending Artist On The Rise,” featuring on YouTube’s home page, viewed by millions of people every day.
The unprecedented accolades keep rolling in, between the fact that Sleep Token has never played a headline show in the UK that didn’t sell out, “Aqua Regia” picking up airplay on the Radio One “Future Sounds” show hosted by Clara Amfo, plus huge pop star Demi Lovato sharing Sleep Token’s music with her 148 million Instagram followers, Sleep Token consistently smash boundaries that they refused to acknowledge in the first place.
And even though Sleep Token notoriously do not speak to the press (out of necessity, not ego or gimmick), media can’t help but write about the phenomenon, reporting on the band’s every move; NME notes “Sleep Token offer their fans an entire world to immerse themselves in if they so wish. It’s a place of escapism, and the foundation of a huge fan community that’s dedicated to studying the band’s creativity. While they have the same fervor as any other fandom, there’s still a notable difference,” while Metal Hammer called them “the most exciting band in metal right now.”
SUMMER FESTIVALS: 6.7-10.2023: Mystic Festival, Gdansk, Poland 6.23-25.2023: Full Force Festival, Ferropolis, Germany 6.23.2023: Jera On Air, Ysselsteyn, Netherlands 6.30.2023: Resurrectio, Fest, Viverio, Spain 7.28.2023: Radar Festival, Manchester, United Kingdom [HEADLINE]
THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT SHARE “HELLBOUND” VIDEO — WATCH
Australia’s beloved alt-rockers The Beautiful Monument,known for their raw and vulnerable lyrics, return with the brand new single and video for “Hellbound“via Greyscale Records.
The single, produced by Callan Orr, is the first taste of music since the band’s 2019 releaseI’m The Reaper.
“This track is about perseverance through self doubt,” says the band’s Lizi Blanco. “One of the most personal cases for me was writing music after being harshly criticized about my writing style and strongly believing that nothing I brought to the table ever did the instruments justice. That doubt started spreading to some people close to me too. But it’s so much more than just music, it was everything in life my job, relationships, business ventures, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I hadn’t felt this defeated in such a long time — it’s like a disease. No matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise, you just keep pushing forward, even when others around you also doubt your ability.”
She adds, “I did a tarot spread asking my cards for guidance about what I need to write about and get off of my chest. I used Macabre Tarot by Samantha West and you can see the three cards I had pulled in the music video, they’re also described in the chorus of the song. Since the last release, we’ve all changed so much — especially with a pandemic happening just as we were starting to get some momentum happening again. It’s a new style and a perfect blend of us as individuals and as a collective. TBM has grown so much over the years and it’s just going to keep getting weirder and weirder.”
The accompanying music video was directed by Neck Up Collective and shot in CGI.
Blanco shares, “The video is of a person who believes that they are of a higher stature may have an opinion that differs from yours; but it does not give them the authority to tear you down — malicious words spread like a plague. What goes around comes around.”
The Beautiful Monument released I’m the Reaper in 2019, showcasing their genre-defying rock aesthetics alongside stylistic innovation. They hook into emotions and fears felt by everyone in the room and offer fans a moment of catharsis and reflection without being alone. It’s OK not to be OK — a theme that The Beautiful Monument has carried through their debut and sophomore albums and that seems more poignant now than ever before.
THE ACACIA STRAIN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM STEP INTO THE LIGHT OUT MAY 12 VIA RISE RECORDS
BAND SHARES VISUALIZER FOR LATEST BANGER “FRESH BONES” — WATCH + LISTEN
TOUR WITH FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, FULL OF HELL, + PRIMITIVE MAN SET FOR MARCH + APRIL
THE ACACIA STRAIN — vocalist Vincent Bennett; guitarists Devin Shidaker and Mike Mulholland; bassistGriffin Landa; and drummer Kevin Boutot —are pleased to announce their new albumSTEP INTO THE LIGHT, out May 12 via Rise Records.
Pre-order the album, which was produced by Randy Leboeuf (Every Time I Die, Lorna Shore, Bad Omens), here.
The band has also shared the visualizer for the new track “FRESH BONES” and it finds them in beast mode, as usual. Watch + listen here.
“Excited to finally be able to talk about the next chapter of The Acacia Strain,” says Bennett. “As soon as you think you know what you’re getting, we try to surprise you. Hold your breath for a bit — we might just surprise you again.”
STEP INTO THE LIGHT TRACK LISTING: “FLOURISHING” “CALF’S BLOOD” “CHAIN” (FEAT. JACOB LILLY) “FRESH BONES” “TEETH OF THE CURSED DOG” “OPEN WOUND” “SINKHOLE” (FEAT. JOSEF ALFONSO) “IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?” “UNTENDED GRAVES” “NONE OF US ASKED TO BE HERE”
The Acacia Strain will hit the road with Fit For an Autopsy, Full of Hell, and Primitive Man next month. The tour kicks off on March 8 in Brooklyn and runs through April 1 in Worcester, MA. All dates are below. Get tickets here.
THE ACACIA STRAIN ON TOUR: WITH FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, FULL OF HELL, + PRIMITIVE MAN: 3/8 — Brooklyn, NY — The Monarch 3/9 — Philadelphia, PA — Underground Arts 3/10 — Columbus, OH — The King of Clubs 3/11 — Detroit, MI — St. Andrew’s Hall 3/12 — Chicago, IL — Metro 3/14 — Denver, CO — The Gothic 3/15 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex 3/17 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon 3/18 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theater 3/19 — Sacramento, CA — Ace of Spades 3/20 — Santa Ana, CA — The Observatory 3/21 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720 3/22 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater 3/24 — Dallas, TX — Amplified Live 3/25 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live 3/26 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live 3/28 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum 3/29 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade (Heaven) 3/30 — Greensboro, NC — Arizona Pete’s 3/31 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage 4/1 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
