Photo: THE EULOGY
Greg Bennick of TRIAL and BETWEEN EARTH & SKY release a quick commentary and statement on the recent happenings in the States (via his blog Words As Weapons):
Stay on target. Hate Trump’s stupid Nazi-loving, fascist-supporting guts, but stay on target in terms of remembering that a proven mechanism of control is chaos.
We won’t have time to recover from the shock and confusion from today’s meltdown press conference before something else happens, before he says something even worse (as if that is even possible), or before a new news story takes over.
In the last week, we’ve dealt with the threat of nuclear war, the rise of Nazism, seeking leadership from a man who has never been and will never be one. This puts us at a disadvantage as we desperately seek clarity and guidance at the same time. This is always a very bad combination.
Beware exhaustion. Beware confusion. Beware succumbing to the chaos.
Stay focused. Be razor sharp. And be a better adversary than they could ever anticipate.
Southampton 90s / early 00s metalcore torchbearers REALM OF TORMENT release new EP via Rage label, toouring Europe this Summer:
August 25 – Laurent’s Shed – Herent, Belgium
August 26 – JuZ St.Peter – Duisburg, Germany
August 27 – Mail [email protected] To Book A Show
August 28 – Café Na Půl Cesty – Prague, Czech Republic
August 30 – Pooca Bar – Hamburg, Germany
August 31 – Mukkes – Leeuwarden, Holland
September 01 – De Verlichte Geest – Roeselare, Belgium
Yogyakarta, Indonesia oldschool hardcore punks SEE IT THROUGH release new single ‘Take It Back For The Glory’:
Crossover-hardcore/metal/rap phenomenon, SIBERIAN MEAT GRINDER from Moscow, Russia have announced the release of it’s long-awaited second album, ‘Metal Bear Stomp’ – To be released through the Berlin-based label, Destiny Records on the 13th October 2017. Bringing their cross-genre game to the next level, the band have delivered an explosive sonic mix over the 12 tracks of ‘Metal Bear Stomp’ that will have you headbanging, slam dancing, finger pointing and throwing down throughout. Watch the video for lead single, ‘No Way Back’:
Speaking on ‘Metal Bear Stomp’, vocalist Vladimir said:
“It’s our step towards creating an ultimate street-music, mixing everything we love – thrash-metal, hip-hop, hardcore punk, graffiti…
“‘Metal Bear Stomp’ is heavier, more aggressive and even more technical. We explored areas and genres that nobody else has – mixing and melting them together in a fashion that is completely unique. We’re proud to present our improved style in the name of the mighty Bear-Tsar – Stomping all over the planet.”
Together with the one of the largest Russian crowd-funding platforms PLANETA.RU, Siberian Meat Grinder have launched a massive charity action, attached to the release of ‘Metal Bear Stomp’. Alongside all profits going to “A Gift To The Angel” foundation, which helps children with cerebral palsy, fans are able to pick up limited edition lines of merchandise, signed CDs and LPs by the band and many more exclusives.
“We play street-music and the distinctive part of the true street culture is a readiness to help those in need” – says SMG, who have a long history of doing benefit actions and raising money in support of children’s hospitals and shelters for homeless children.
GO HERE to support the cause!
German youth crew hardcore act TIDES DENIED release new EP “Find Your Place”; playing German shows (see below):
Emotional hardcore band CASEY release new music video for “Ceremony”, the harrowing track that comes from the band’s debut full length, Love Is Not Enough, which was released late last year on Hassle Records.
Typically heart-wrenching, “Ceremony” exemplifies the Casey‘s emotionally driven, cathartic approach as the band masterfully utilizes the contrasts between aggressive hardcore and melodic atmospherics. In vocalist Tom Weaver’s words, the track “vents the frustration that accompanies realizing an extensive period of emotional oppression and manipulation has been suffered under the guise of a sincere relationship. The opening paragraph describes how an unrequited affection was pursued in the belief that true love prevails, only to lead into disappointment and disenfranchisement.”
The video for “Ceremony” chronicles the Casey‘s heavy touring schedule since the release of Love Is Not Enough, including their appearances at Download, Impericon, and Slam Dunk Festivals. To cap off the summer, Casey will be playing the legendary Reading and Leeds festivals at the end of this month, and have been named as finalists in the Best Breakthrough Band category in the inaugural Heavy Music Awards.
Lyrics:
So thoroughly convinced that the product of persistence was a love that I’d been told of when I was just a kid, I was wed to my misery in the hope that at the ceremony you’d interject, but you never did. Now seven years on, bitter and resentful, I still contemplate what I did to deserve the glimpses of affection you used to distract me, as you were filing my teeth to the nerve.
I know you were the death of me but still in spite of everything, I hope that you are finding sleep while I still lay awake. Although my throat is burning now, it’s still so quiet in the house. The emptiness you occupied is more than I can take.
Tell me, are you ashamed? ‘Cause I felt alone and you watched as I decayed, I slipped through your hands as I faded. I’ve tried to forget, but your love will make a museum of me yet, I hope you know how long I’ve waited.
Though reservoirs of self-disgust have swollen up inside my lungs, Pulmonary Oedema is no substitute for love that once lay its head upon my chest, a comfort cradled motionless, but I have come undone. My love is not enough.
I know it’s hard to watch your light fade from my eyes, but darling for my sake you’ve got to let it die. My weathered hands have dug this grave enough, it’s time for us to bury our love.
Tell me, are you ashamed? ‘Cause I felt alone and you watched as I decayed, I slipped through your hands as I faded. I’ve tried to forget, but your love will make a museum of me yet, it kills me to say I’m still waiting.
Brazilian gritty post hardcore act EU SOZINHO release new EP Da falência à barbárie. Listen below and go here to check out their previous record called “Mal Estar”:
Southern California’s hardcore band THE EULOGY (members of MADBALL and AGNOSTIC FRONT, debut EP released 2 years ago via Flatspot Records) sign with Bridge Nine Records; announce new EP called “Last Days”, due out on September 22nd.
The band’s Matt Henderson commented:
“This isn’t some nostalgia trip. There are other elements to the sound. We are tuned down which gives us a much heavier feel. The band was founded by guys from NY, Boston and New Jersey so of course we bring that to the table, there are also elements of early punk and death metal.”
COMEBACK KID released the first track by track video for their upcoming album, Outsider. Watch below and head over HERE to check out new videos, tour dates with EVERY TIME I DIE, and more CBK-related stuff.
‘Is It’ video by grunge / garage rockers TEEN MORTGAGE has been premiered online. The track comes from the band’s latest EP ‘Strange Times’, released on May 12th via Wiener Records.
THE BODY and FULL OF HELL integrate a love for electronic noisescapes with abrasive, precise sonic assaults into a sound unlike anything either has produced before. New record “Ascending a Mountain of Heavy Light” announced, new track “Earth is a Cage” streaming:
London melodic post hardcore rockers HELL IS FOR HEROES reunite to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album The Neon Handshake with 7 English shows next year. Tickets can be grabbed here.
Feb 16: Bristol O2 Academy
Feb 17: Manchester O2 Ritz
Feb 19: Birmingham O2 Institute
Feb 20: Glasgow O2 ABC
Feb 22: Nottingham Rock City
Feb 23: Portsmouth Pyramids
Feb 24: London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Ahead of its release through 20 Buck Spin next month, ACEPHALIX – featuring members ofVastum, Necrot, Depressor, and more – offers a terrorizing indication of the horror their new Decreation LP delivers, partnering with Cvlt Nation magazine for a premiere of the album’s “God Is Laughing,” alongside an interrogation with the band. GO HERE to check it out.
RADIOHEAD drummer Philip Selway teasing his new record, the soundtrack to the film Let Me Go, which will come out next month when the movie is released. You can hear a new song below. Listen and stay tuned for the full release on September 15th via Bella Union label.
Ontario, Canada’s SILVERSTEIN (check out our recent interview at this location) released new music video for “The Afterglow”, a choice cut from their recently released eighth full length, Dead Reflection, out now on Rise Records. Watch beloow and scroll down to see their upcoming tour dates.
To compliment the infectious hooks of “The Afterglow” Silverstein paired the track with a video chronicle of their time on the entirety of the 2017 Vans Warped Tour. From the raucous live show to the backstage camaraderie, the music video is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a long summer of sweat, stage dives, and Silverstein.
09/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Self Help Fest
09/15 St. Catharines, ON @ Warehouse
09/16 Kitchener, ON @ Maxwell’s
09/29 Köln, DE @ Gebäude 9 ^
09/30 Münster, DE @ Gleis 22 ^
10/01 Bremen, DE @ Tower ^
10/02 Hamburg, DE @ Logo ^
10/04 Hannover, DE @ Chez Heinz ^
10/05 Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia ^
10/06 Leipzig, DE @ Naumanns ^
10/07 Dresden, DE @ Puschkin ^
10/08 Dortmund, DE @ FZW ^
10/10 Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof ^
10/11 Trier, DE @ Mergener Hof ^
10/12 Würzburg, DE @ Café Cairo ^
10/13 Erlangen, DE @ E-Werk ^
10/14 München, DE @ Kranhalle ^
11/01 Kingston, ON @ The Mansion %
11/02 Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe %
11/03 Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle %
11/04 Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey %
11/07 Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre #
11/08 Saskatoon, SK @ Louis #
11/09 Edmonton, AB @ The Needle #
11/11 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw #
11/16 Calgary, AB @ Marquee #
11/17 Regina, SK @ The Exchange #
11/23 Hamilton, ON @ Club Absinthe #
11/24 Oshawa, ON @ The Music Hall #
11/25 London, ON @ London Music Hall #
12/08 Southampton, UK @ Talking Heads *
12/09 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt *
12/10 Cardiff, UK @ The Globe *
12/12 Glasgow, UK @ G2 *
12/13 Newcastle, UK @ Think Tank *
12/14 Manchester, UK @ Sound Control *
12/15 Huddersfield, UK @ The Parish *
12/16 London, UK @ Garage *^ w/ Trash Boat
% w/ Like Pacific
# w/ Seaway, Creeper
* w/ Hail The Sun
Toronto post punks WHIMM (featured on IDIOTEQ earlier this Summer) premiere the title track from their debut album A Stare Ajar; the album release date announced for October 27th on Pleasence, plus some upcoming shows with Pop. 1280 and Cindy Lee.
“A Stare Ajar” reveals a slower-paced, mesmerizing side to WHIMM’s expressionistic avant-rock sound. The song’s lyrics by singer/guitarist Mounir Chami tell the tale of an H.P. Lovecraft-ian haunted soul struck and captured by horrific apparitions.
With contributions from producer Dean Tzenos of Odonis Odonis, Anna Mayberry of HSY / Anamai, and electronic artist Scott Hardware, WHIMM’s debut LP joins Pleasence Records’ dense and diverse discography that includes acclaimed releases from Slim Twig, New Fries, and Young Guv.
Utah emotive punk rockers POP WARNER release new self-titled EP on Hidden Home Records; playing shows in the US West Coast (see the details below). The record is a heartwarming indie punk offering that shows you can still teach old tropes new tricks, ha! Listen below.
8/15 – San Diego CA @ Space Bar
8/16 – Los Angeles CA @ All Star Lanes
8/17 – Fullerton CA @ Programme Skate & Sound
8/18 – Oakland CA @ Independent Brewing Company (w/ Mom Jeans and Graduating Life)
8/19 – Arcata CA @ House Show
8/20 – Portland OR @ Ash St Saloon
8/21 – Seattle WA @ Funhouse
8/22 – Boise ID @ Wastelander Studios
8/26 – Provo UT @ Provo Bike Collective
Heavy hardcore act JESUS PIECE confirm Fall US Tour with COMEBACK KID and BURN, plus additional dates. Watch their recent live performances from Berlin and This Is Hardcore Fest below.
The ongoing JESUS PIECE European tour runs through August 24th. Upon their stateside return, the band has confirmed two new shows in Amityville and Toronto with Code Orange, Eternal Sleep, and Trail Of Lies on September 1st and 2nd. JESUS PIECE will embark on a run into the Midwestern US and lower Canada with shows October 1st through 5th with shows in Franklin, Fargo, Regina, Calgary, and Vancouver.
The new tour that was just announced will see JESUS PIECE out on Comeback Kid’s Outsider USA Tour, also joined by NYHC legends Burn. The tour kicks off October 6th and runs through October 23rd, beginning in the Pacific Northwest and carving a counter-clockwise loop into the country back to the East Coast. Additional tour dates are to be expected.
9/01/2017 Revolution Music Hall – Amityville, NY w/ Code Orange, Eternal Sleep, Trail Of Lies
9/02/2017 Hard Luck Bar – Toronto, ON w/ Code Orange, Eternal Sleep, Trail Of Lies
10/01/2017 JJ’s/house show – Franklin, WI
10/02/2017 Red Raven – Fargo, ND
10/03/2017 Exchange – Regina, SK
10/04/2017 Palomino – Calgary, AB
10/05/2017 333 Venue – Vancouver, BC
w/ Comeback Kid, Burn:
10/06/2017 West Seattle American Legion Hall – Seattle, WA
10/07/2017 Analog Theatre – Portland, OR
10/08/2017 The Cornerstone – Berkeley, CA
10/09/2017 Union – Los Angeles, CA
10/10/2017 Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA
10/11/2017 The Nile Theatre – Mesa, AZ
10/13/2017 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX
10/14/2017 Dirty 30 – Dallas, TX
10/15/2017 Walter’s Downtown – Houston, TX
10/16/2017 Spanish Moon – Baton Rouge, LA
10/17/2017 Kings Barcade – Raleigh, NC
10/18/2017 Black Box – Philadelphia, PA
10/19/2017 Brooklyn Bazaar – Brooklyn, NY
10/20/2017 The Raven – Worcester, MA
10/21/2017 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
10/22/2017 Cattivo – Pittsburgh, PA
10/23/2017 El Club – Detroit, MI
Pelagic Records announces In The Twilight, These Rocks Have Teeth, a compilation of one-hundred-eighty minutes of contemporary post rock, metal, and experimental rock music. This release showcases the entire Pelagic Records roster and includes bands such as Mono, Pg.Lost, Klone, Wang Wen, and many others. Previously unreleased tracks by The Ocean and new signing Spook The Horses, as well as a previously digitally unreleased track by Cult Of Luna round off this fine compilation, which is set for a September 29th release. The collection features artwork by Max Löffler.
CD #1: In The Twilight… Track Listing:
1 .pg.lost – Monolith
2. Mono – Cyclone
3. EF – Delusions Of Grandeur
4. Khoma – Dead Seas
5. Wang Wen – Red Wall And Black Wall
6. Cult Of Luna – Nord
7. Tiny Fingers – The Fall / Eyes Of Gold
8. Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving – The Albanian Sleepover – Part One (Edit)
9. Spook The Horses – Lurch
10. The Ocean – Turritopsis Dohrnii
11. The Shaking Sensations – Raveli
12. Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto – Muse
13. Klone – The Last ExperienceCD #2: …These Rocks Have Teeth Track Listing:
1. Abraham – Dawn
2. The Old Wind – In Fields
3. LLNN – Monolith
4. Dioramic – The Storm
5. Earthship – Serpent Cult
6. Klone – Rocket Smoke
7. Hypno5e – North Shore – The Abstract Line
8. Coilguns – Submarine Warfare Anthem
9. Family – Daddy Wronglegs
10. Silver Snakes – Red Wolf
11. Kruger – The Wild Brunch
12. Lo! – Orca
13. Nebra – Shoulder Of Orion
14. Hyenas – Self-Adjusting
15. Implore – Sentenced
16. The Ocean – Benthic: The Origin Of Our Wishes
17. Mono – The Last Rays
On the 20th anniversary of Dutch ppop punk rock act TRAVOLTAS’ debut full length album BAJA CALIFORNIA, the album will finally be released on vinyl. A very limited pressing of 300 copies (125 white, 175 black) will be released by their new label White Russian Records, in kind cooperation with My First Sonny Weismuller Records. Earlier this year, the band returned to the poppunk front with their first new full length in thirteen years. Their first release on Dutch label White Russian Records showed that Travoltas still are the kings of poppy, catchy upbeat tunes – and the album was received with raving reviews, praising the songwriting and importance of the Beach Boys and Ramones influenced punkrock band.
In July, their first hometown show since their reunion tour in 2014 proved the importance of the band; in a packed & steamy hot venue, the band ripped through a set list of classic songs and new material – with the audience singing along to every song. Old and new.
THE HOMELESS GOSPEL CHOIR stream new album The Homeless Gospel Choir Presents: Normal; out August 18th via A-F Records; on tour with Frank Iero & The Patience (Europe), AJJ and Beach Slang (US) – see the details below.
The Homeless Gospel Choir has released three music videos for songs from The Homeless Gospel Choir Presents: Normal, “Normal,” which NPR Music called “a full-blown, anthemic rocker out of The Replacements songbook,” “Crazy,” which features vocals from Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance, Frank Iero & The Patience) and “Everyone,” a song that flows seamlessly between biting condemnations on police brutality and tongue in cheek lines like “If you want to damn the man, someone’s gotta be the man,” creating a piece of political satire both entertaining and fiercely relevant.
The Homeless Gospel Choir are touring with AJJ this September, followed by a tour with Frank Iero & The Patience in UK/Europe beginning in September later dates with Beach Slang. Tickets for all tours are available now. A full list of dates can be found below.
09/05 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court#
09/06 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre#
09/08 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room#
09/09 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry#
09/10 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon#
09/20 – Newcastle, UK – Uni^
09/21 – Liverpool, UK – Arts Club^
09/22 – Leeds, UK – Key Club^
09/24 – Manchester, UK – Academy 3^
09/25 – Brighton, UK – Concorde 3^
09/26 – Bristol, UK – Fleece^
09/27 – London, UK – Tufnell Park Dome^
09/29 – Wiesbaden, GER – Schlatchof^
09/30 – Lindau, GER – Club Vaudeville^
10/03 – Zurich, CH – Dynamo^
10/04 – Vienna, AUS – Arena^
10/05 – Nuremburg, GER – Hirsch^
10/06 – Cologne, GER – Gebaude 9^
10/08 – Cardiff, UK – Globe^
10/09 – Norwich, UK – Waterfront^
10/11 – Edinburgh, UK – La Belle Angele^
10/12 – Aberdeen, UK – Garage^
10/13 – Glasgow, UK – Garage^
10/15 – Sheffield, UK – Plug^
10/16 – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms^
10/17 – Colchester, UK – Arts Centre^
10/18 – Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms^
10/19 – Wolverhampton, UK – Slade Rooms^
10/20 – Aldershot, UK – West End Centre^
11/27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Cattivo*
11/28 – Washington, DC – Black Cat*
11/29 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
11/30 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair*
12/02 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA*# = w/ AJJ
^ = w/ Frank Iero & The Patience, Dave Hause & The Mermaid
* = w/ Beach Slang, Dave Hause & The Mermaid
Belgian beatdown metal/hardcore act NASTY (IDIOTEQ interview coming soon) release more new songs; announce November/December tour with LIONHEART and GET THE SHOT”; new record “Realigion” coming on September 22nd via Beatdown Hardwear Records.
Philadelphia rockers THIN LIPS announce a tour this fall with WORRIERS, including dates at The Fest in Gainesville, FL. The band is touring on their 2016 release Riff Hard, available now physically and digitally via Lame-O Records.
Thin Lips are a rock/roll type indie band who place a whole lot of value on humility, kindness, and erudite riffage. Following their fledgling EP Divorce Year with the release of their first full-length record Riff Hard (Kyle Pulley/ the Headroom, May 2016), Chrissy Tashjian steers Thin Lips down the middle lane of pop sensibility while simultaneously testing the boundaries of some pretty wild licks. Backed by rhythm keepers Michael Tashjian (drums and Chrissy’s younger brother), and Kyle Pulley (bass/audio engineer), and auxiliary guitar player, Christopher M. Diehm. In January of 2017, Thin Lips released a three-way split with friends in Modern Baseball and The Superweaks, released during their tour through UK and Europe that month. Thin Lips are currently recording their new album, to be released on Lame-O Records in 2018.
Tour Dates:
10/03 – Ithaca, NY – Chanticler
10/04 – Toronto, ON – Smiling Buddha
10/05 – Detroit, MI – PJ’s Lager House
10/06 – Chicago, IL – Township
10/07 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill
10/08 – Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge
10/09 – Omaha, NE – Milk Run
10/10 – Denver, CO – Moon Room
10/12 – Boise, ID – The Olympic
10/13 – Olympia, WA
10/14 – Vancouver, BC – The Astoria
10/16 – Portland, OR – Blackwater
10/17 – San Francisco, CA – Knockout
10/19 – Anaheim, CA – Parks and Rocks
10/20 – Phoenix, AZ – Trunkspace
10/22 – Austin, TX – Sidewinder
10/23 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
10/26 – Tallahassee, FL – The Bark
10/27-29 – Gainesville, FL – The Fest*
10/31 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade*
11/01 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local506*
11/02 – Richmond, VA – Gallery 5*
11/03 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s*
11/04 – New York, NY – Knitting Factory*
11/05 – Boston, MA – Middle East** = w/ Katie Ellen
