Photo: ENDLESS HEIGHTS by Liam Allomes
NAPALM DEATH has released a stream of their new/old song “Nurse the Hunger”. The 2014 track has been unveiled as a part of Decibel Magazine‘s flexi series.
Henry Rollins will no longer be a writer for LA weekly. GO HERE to see the details.
Massachusetts alt / progressive post hardcore rockers CAVE IN have teamed up this past weekend to do some jamming together at Studio 52 in Allston, MA. Their drummer John-Robert Conners commented: “A very heavy weekend was had.” Stay tuned for more details!
CAVE IN released their fifth album White Silence on May 24, 2011 through Hydra Head Records.
Iowa hardcore band MODERN LIFE IS WAR will be doing a short run of British dates next year. GO HERE to see the dates.
Melodic hardcore punks AMERICAN NIGHTMARE (GIVE UP THE GHOST) will be released new music in February 2018 via Rise Records, and the band has just announced a tour for February and March, alongside NO WARNING, PISSED JEANS, and more! GO HERE to see the details.
Nantes, France’s DC influenced emotive post hardcore band CIRCLES have dropped a new, tasteful, 80s/90s inspired demo that will surely bring yoou some good memories of the goold old Dischord and Revolution Summer sound. It’s exuberant, it’s diverse, and it’s a lot of fun! Listen below.
London based emotional / melodic hardcore pack TERRIBLE LOVE return with their second EP, ‘Doubt Mines’, slated for a January 19th release via Through Love and Big Scary Monsters Records. Check out 2 new tracks, “First Flowers”, and “Doubt Mined” below.
From the minimalist lament of the opener ‘First Flowers’ to the two and a half minute barrage of the title track, ‘Doubt Mines’ showcases a growth in the bands sound, adding melody and nuance without sacrificing any of the intensity of their brand of post-hardcore.
With production once again in the hands of Lewis Johns, the band spent a week in Southampton crafting the songs, resulting in a dynamic eighteen minutes of introspection and interweaving guitar lines, all bolstered by a brawny low end and deft drumming, and rounded out perfectly by new vocalist Jack Saunders.
Authors of one of the msot interesting takes on experimental, shoegazin’ post hardcore called “CHROMESTHESIA”, California’s MODERN COLOR (see our interview HERE) have dropped a new record called “Time Slips Behind Us” and it’s available below! It’s another excellent entry in their catalogue, embodying the band’s continuing evolution. A thoroughly intriguing, slightly distressing, and very ambitious set of intricate soundscapes. Definitely worth a check this Winter. Check it out and grab a vinyl from Other People Records.
Tri City, Poland’s thrashy melodic hardcore punks RATRACE are streaming 3 new jams off their upcoming new record “Harder They Fall”. “Faked Rules” featured guest vocals from Wróbel of Złotów veterans 1125 and “Po Grób” is one of the three Polish language tracks on the record. The full EP comes out in january 2018 via Hardcore Tattoo Records, Hidden Beauty Records, Spook Records (CD), and Bajkonur Records (MC). Though they don’t need carbon dating to check they were made this year, the new tunes tap into both new, but also older flavours of hardcore and the whole thing contains many of the genre’s important facets, from groovy rhythms and melodic riffing, to fierce, metalcore tinged inserts that fuel its energizing vibe. Check it out and stay tuned for a full stream soon!
Mainz, Germany’s atmospheric crusty, blackened post metallers BLÆCK FOX and doom / ambient metal act MORASTH have released a full stream of their new split EP, recorded at the IronBar Studios Darmstadt, and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, OLD), to be released independently next month. The record serves as a gorgeously captivating bast that keeps both bands on the path to being Europe’s well recognizable post metal bands next year. Be sure to give it a listen!
The tracks »The Prey« and »Primitive Man« by Blæck Fox, each of ca. 8 min. duration, and the almost 14-minutes Morasth-epic »… and on Celestial Shores I Build Enormous Sepulchres« can be anchored roughly in the dark depths of doom, sludge, drone and post-metal. The atmospheric nexus that connects both sides of the record is the lostness in a deep abyss and melancholy, which both bands approach in their very own way. The artwork is based on the painting »The Hunters in the Snow« by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Australian hardcore outfit CROWNED KINGS announced the follow up album for their 2015 output “Forked Road”. “Sea of Misery” will be released on March 23rd on Demons Run Amok Entertainment. GO HERE to see the new artwork.
The band commented:
We teamed up with our boy Nick Jet once again to put together 13 tracks of lyrically dark musically heavier songs while still holding that Crowned Kings sound.We are so happy with what’s coming up in 2018 and this is only the beginning. Stay tuned for Videos,pre order packages,worldwide tours,interviews and a few listening party’s as we work our way to March 23. First Music video January 13 spread the word!!!
Italian crazy fast thrashy hardcore punks DANNY TREJO have released a new record “Another Trejo’s Night” on Indelirium Records and Mustard Mustache Records. It conjures a bunch of the greats of the melodic, metallized hardcore scene, and pays homage to groovy hard southern rock greats and even heavy metal with its galloping rhythms and harmonized riffage. The result is a series of wild tracks that will surely get the dancefloor moving! Listen below and catch them live at a couple of live shows in December. GO HERE to see the details.
Sydney, Australia’s melodic, emotive alt hardcore rockers ENDLESS HEIGHTS are streaming 4 new tracks off their new record “Vicious Pleasure”! Listen below, pre-order HERE, and check out their upcoming live dates HERE.
Venezuelan sludge psych rock metallers CULTURA TRES (interviewed for IDIOTEQ in 2012!) are readying their 4th full length release “La Secta”. Check out the title track below and expect the official release late this week on December 7, 2017. The band will be premiering the new material live in Amsterdam, Netherlands that day. GO HERE to RSVP.
Cultura Tres’ Fourth album gives a look at Latin America’s world of oppression, slavery and religious madness.
Polymorphic experimental indie rockers SECRET GRIEF have debuted yet another excellent EP called “The Feeling of Fall”, the last chapter of their cool EP series based on the 4 seasons. Similar to the previous chapters, it’s holding charms that will unfurl with more listens and is one of the fine examples of a record where every word, note, beat and effect counts.
Dystopian-themed progressive, instrumental post-rock / post-metal act DIARY OF MY MISANTROPHY has premiered its third EP, a concept record called “Leviathan”. There’s a disturbing piece darkness in each song that makes the whole offering come to life, but the trio seems to understand that heaviness is most effective when balanced by some light and spacious soundscapes, delivered expertly. While DIARY OF MY MISANTROPHY hasn’t revitalised the genre here, “Leviathan” is an astounding piece of work and it is enjoyable.
“You are sleeping… In your dream, you see the giant monster Leviathan, the world-eater, lying on the coast half-dead. He shares his mind with you. His existence is now senseless.
Let him tell his story…”
Cardiff/Bristol’s new DIY label Drwg Music* is teasing its first release by San Francisco gritty noise punks STUNTED, led by Alex Petralia of Bay Area garage punks NOPES. Their new song ‘Displays [Pride]’ is available for your listening pleasure below, and it’s a one hell of a swingin’ noise injection. With this captivating debut offering, STUNTED give us something intriguingly dirty and we can only hope the elegant ear-wrenching doesn’t end with just one great single.
Fault is the first official release on new record label Drwg Music* which was formed earlier this year by Bristol-based publicist and founder of Sheltered Life PR, Richard S Jones. Fault by Stunted is released on 23rd February 2018.
Dunkerque, France based fast hardcore punks VETO just released their new self-titled 7”, available for streaming below. The physical version comes out in February via Crapoulet Records, le label des mecs cools (fr), Sleepy Dog Records (fr), Uproar for Veneration Records (fr), Dead Punx Records (be), Eastrain rec (fr), Dirty Guys Rock (fr), SPIT It OUT booking (fr), and KLVR Records (fr). Listen below, watch their music video for the song “UWS DWF”, and get in touch via [email protected] as they are hitting the French, Belgian, German, Slovenian, Austrian, Slovak, and Polish roads from February 22nd till March 11th.
Pop punk rockers NEW FOUND GLORY has been taking their “20 Years of Pop Punk” Tour all around the world, recently teasing an unreleased song before their set every night. Today, the band is excited to share the full track and accompanying music video for “20 Years From Now” featuring old home video footage from the Pop-Punk pioneers’ career as well as highlights from this monumental anniversary tour.
Boston-based pop punk band BLEACHER DAYS has arrived with a new music video for their single “Some Strain of You,” premiering with Idobi Radio. The track comes via the band’s new EP I Only Saw True Purpose that was produced by Chris Piquette (Trophy Wives, Lions Lions).
Following the recent Translation Loss release of their devastating third LP, Cutting Pieces, New York City avant/experimental outfit GNAW has just issued a new video for the album’s “Fire,” through a premiere at Revolver Magazine. The video for “Fire” sees GNAW’s scathing tune delivered through the bleak, unique visuals and direction of Roman Urodovskikh, a multimedia artist of Russian descent who currently lives and works in Montreal, Canada. A burnt and barren landscape depicts an ominous, multi-perspective view of certain demise for the animated characters.
Swedish-based apocalyptic metal/hardcore outfit BROKEN CROSS has completed its second LP, titled Militant Misanthrope, which is being finalized for release in February. Militant Misanthrope will see release on February 2nd, on LP with Apocalyptic Visions, on cassette via Judas Chair Collective, and on CD through Psychic Rebellion. Stand by for audio samples, preorders, and more info on the album in the weeks ahead.
Following the path of the material found on the outfit’s recently-issued split 7″ with V.E.G.A.S., BROKEN CROSS delivers its most searing material yet with Militant Misanthrope. The sound tone and quality of the new LP yields a heavily enriched sound which bears a vast difference to the earlier lo-fi recordings, with blazing elements of thrash metal heritage seeping its way into the boldly-produced album’s nine new anthems. Recorded at Studio Underjord in Norrköping, Sweden (Vanhelgd, Year Of The Goat, Griftegård), and mastered by Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust), Militant Misanthrope is completed with drawings inspired by the 1980s/90s anime style and werewolf folklore, created by Dwid Hellion (Integrity).
Wales’ emotional hardcore upstarts, CASEY, have announced their sophomore album, Where I Go When I Am Sleeping, due out March 16th via Hassle Records. To celebrate the announcement the band has shared the album’s first single “Fluorescents.” The song is a dynamic cut of powerful melodies and aggression that perfectly showcases Casey’s musical and lyrical evolution on Where I Go When I Am Sleeping.
Where I Go When I Am Sleeping is a deeply personal journey through vocalist Tom Weaver’s struggles with physical and mental afflictions, some of which he’s experienced since birth. “I was diagnosed with brittle bones when I was born” he explains, “and when I was fifteen I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, then at 20 I was diagnosed with manic depression. I’ve also had a heart attack and a stroke, and was in this crazy car accident that crushed half my face.” These incredibly harrowing life events have left Weaver with a particularly unique worldview that he explores on the intense new album, “looking back now, I realize I could have died four or five times. I’m lucky to be here.”
Experimental chaotic hardcore band THE PRESTIGE have entered the studio to track their new record with producer Amaury Sauvé (BIRDS IN ROW, AS WE DRAW, COMITY). Their latest record “Amer” premiered on IDIOTEQ 2 years ago. GO HERE to see a teaser pic.
Prior to MESHUGGAH’s appearance at 2018’s 70000Tons of Metal cruise, the band will hit the West Coast for a short North American trek alongside CODE ORANGE, and TOOTHGRINDER. GO HERE to see the details and check out the rest of 2018 European festival dates.
Pittsburgh punk rockers ANTI-FLAG have dropped a new video for their song “Digital Blackout”, coming from their new record “American Fall”, released on November 3rd via Spinefarm Records.
Alt rock / punk rock / metal mag Stencil has premiered a new issue and you can check it out RIGHT HERE! It features interviews with EMBRACE, 36 CRAZYFISTS, AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR, BEATSTEAKS, LIGHTS, BAYSIDE, BROADSIDE, reviews of THE USED, MARILYN MANSON, WEEZER, ANTI FLAG, RISE AGAINST, NEW FOUND GLORY, THE MOVIELIFE, IRON CHIC, QUICKSAND, and much much more!
Here’s the official word from the editor in chief:
HEY! We are here to get you ready for 2018, which is already looking absolutely insane for alternative music.
Helping to keep the alternative music scene in Wales alive, we start this issue with Alaska Alaska, a hard hitting pop/punk act who have their eyes set on world domination with their awesome new EP ‘Another Planet’s Hell’. We continue to display some of the finest UK talent around, including: The Xcerts, Jamie Lenman, And So I Watch You From Afar, Embrace, The Darkness, Lonely The Brave who are all currently promoting their most important albums to date. From around the world we chat with bands including CHON, Movements, Bayside, Lights, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Trivium, Sleeping With Sirens, Stone Sour who go on to give a nice dynamic to the magazine and hopefully show that we are open to covering and fusing all styles of alternative music in one place!
Our main article comes from Evanescence. After launching their way into the rock world with ‘Fallen’ back in 2003 they have gone on to sell millions of records all across the globe. Right now, they are here with us to promote ‘Synthesis’, an exciting release that shows re-recorded versions of their classic tracks, whilst even giving us new songs to show what we can expect next from this now iconic band. So take a read, as we discuss everything Evanescence with the legendary Amy Lee!
If you’ve seen Peaky Blinders, then you’ll know that it’s one of the best TV shows around right now. As season four continues to melt minds, we catch up with David Caffrey, who tells us what it’s been like to work on season 4! With Star Wars: The Last Jedi on the horizon, what better time to catch up with Taylor Gray, who tells us about his time on Star Wars: Rebels. We have something completely different for you with Jonathan Gilmour, who tells us what it’s like to be a board game designer in this day and age (who doesn’t love board games? Especially at Christmas!). Jon Davis-Hunt also tells us about his extremely rewarding career which has seen him work on video games and comic books!
To add to this, we get you ready for the upcoming Paramore UK arena tour by discussing some of their best tracks to date, and of course, as it’s that time of year again our writers have picked their best album of 2017!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! We’ll see you in 2018!
