Underoath are adding 2 more shows: 1/13 in Worcester, MA and 1/15 in New York City. They are also moving the Detroit show to a larger venue. Pre-sale bundles (ticket, limited edition vinyl and poster) for the added shows are available now at http://tixx1.artistarena.com/underoath/. Regular tickets for the new shows as well as additional tickets for Detroit will be on sale to the public this Friday, 10/26.
Heavy rockers SPIRALARMS rose from the ashes of millennial bands Systematic, Forbidden and Manmade God. This sextet has one mission. That mission is to uplift today’s music scene by bringing true heavy melodic rock to the forefront. To help accomplish that task, the band has announced a six day tour of California (and Reno, NV) that will take place throughout the month of November.
Directly supporting SPIRALARMS will be California rock n’ rollers ZED and alt-rockers SWERVER will open each show. See directly below for all current tour dates and learn more about the tour at www.facebook.com/Revivalutiontour.
“REVIVALUTION TOUR 2012”
SPIRAL ARMS W/ SWERVER and ZED
11/8 – West Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
11/9 – Merced, CA @ Star Club
11/10 – San Jose, CA @ Blank Club
11/15 – Reno, NV @ Jub Jubs Thirst Parlor
11/16 – South Lake Tahoe, CA @ Whiskey Dicks
11/17 – Cotati, CA @ Spancky’
Run For Cover Records has released Young States, the debut EP from Toledo, OH indie rockers Citizen on October 23. Available on vinyl for the first time, the CD and digital versions will also feature the EP + bonus tracks.
The band have been busy touring this fall with the likes of Aficionado and Mixtapes. A trek with Such Gold, Mixtapes and Raindance is now underway and runs through November 3rd. On November 8, Citizen kicks off their headline tour, featuring support from State Champs and Candy Hearts. The run marks the band’s first time touring Canada. See dates below.
With influences ranging from Brand New to Knapsack to Sunny Day Real Estate, Citizen started in 2009 as a side project and came to full fruition in 2010. In 2012, the band recorded 2 songs with Will Yip in Conshohocken, PA which made up their side of a split EP with Virginia Beach’s Turnover. Soon after, the band signed to Run For Cover Records, graduated high school, and went on a full US tour with Turnover and Light Years.
Young States was recorded at The Getaway Studio in Boston, MA with Jay Maas (Title Fight, Defeater) and is now available on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/young-states/id571761246.
Tour Dates
Citizen w / Such Gold, Mixtapes and Raindance (support)
Wed Oct 24th Greensboro, NC @ Green Street Music Hall
Thur Oct 25th Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Fri Oct 26th Melbourne, FL @ Black Box Studio
Sat Oct 27th Gainesville, FL @ THE FEST 11 @ The Atlantic
Sun Oct 28th Nashville, TN @ Rocket Town (headline show small room)
Tues Oct 30th Ft Wright, KY @ Shimmers Ballroom
Wed Oct 31st Louisville, KY @ Spinellis Pizza
Thur Nov 1st Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome
Friday Nov 2nd Toledo, OH @ Micky Finn’s
Sat Nov 3rd Lansing, MI @ The Loft
Citizen w State Champs, Candy Hearts (headline)
Fri Nov 9th Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee’s
Sat Nov 10th Ottawa, ON @ Pressed
Mon Nov 12th Montreal, QB @ L’ESCO
Tues Nov 13th Portland, ME @ Studio 250
Wed Nov 14th Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (upstairs)
Thur Nov 15th Hoboken, NJ @ The Stevenson Institute
Friday Nov 16th Allentown, PA @ Fearless Fire Company
Sat Nov 17th Stanhope, NJ @ The Stanhope House
Sun Nov 18th Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose (upstairs)
Mon Nov 19th Columbus, OH @ TBA
By now if everyone reading these reviews couldn’t tell metal is one of my favorite genres, that’s not to say I don’t like others, but there have just been so many releases and upcoming releases lately with so much to listen to. Now with a lot of music to listen to, bands have to stand out, offer something to listeners that is top quality and stands out from the crowd. With that comes The HAARP Machine’s debut full length, ‘Disclosure’.
On Sumerian Records if you were to search for the HAARP Machine, the first thing you’d find in their about me is that they are “The UK’s newest progressive extreme metal juggernaut.” That’s a good amount of hype to live up to coming from their own label and The HAARP Machine easily surpasses it. I’ve been anticipating their release ever since they released the instrumental version of The Escapist Notion a year ago, possibly longer. Ever since then there has been from my memory a decent amount of delays and vocalist searches, but it’s in my opinion been very much worth the weight for their first release.
The record opens up immediately with what sounds to be a sitar, already utilizing and showcasing a diverse cultural influence in their songs. Near the end of Esoteric Agenda is a combination of guitars, bongo drums, and a “goop” sound, one that I can only describe as from my knowledge being out of a video game. Another example from the second track ‘Lower The Populace’ near the end with the use of a Shamisen (or a Koto) and flute to give off a typical ancient Japanese vibe, one that would normally be found within a movie. There is no shortage of the use of these nontypical instruments and that is possibly my favorite part about this album, the excellent use of a wide variety of cultural backgrounds to complement the main instruments. It really makes The Haarp Machine stand out compared to other bands in recent memory. The incorporation of piano, violins and the other instruments I mentioned truly adds a beautiful element to their songs that is a breath of fresh air compared to the constant use of techno/electronic/dubstep. They incorporated these elements perfectly into their music, again, complementing the primary use of guitars instead of relying on it as a lead like other bands do with the previously mentioned electronic elements.
As it is with any other big release, the quality of the album is suberb. Full sounding guitars, chugging and higher riff work is cleary and precise. No sloppiness is heard, and if there is any, it’s been fixed by the high quality production. However, I believe The Haarp Machine’s guitarist Al Mu’min is talented enough to not make simple mistakes like that. Alex Rudinger on drums provides excellent fills and a great drum track that works perfectly in their songs. Bassist Oliver Rooney does his job, adding a fuller sound to the guitar tracks, though I haven’t heard anything that sounds like a complicated bass solo or anything similar, other than working as a companion to the guitar. The the mix for bass is rather low, so it’s hard to hear it anyway, which is disappointing. A good bass track is something that I always enjoy listening to. This isn’t a huge issue since the guitar tracks are what make up the strong points of this album, especially seen with a final solo at the end of Machine Over. Their new vocalist Michael Semesky providing clean and scream vocals adds to the mezmerizing sound of this album. While not projecting incredibly powerful or high pitch vocals; he instead uses his voice to add a harmonic element to the music, working with it instead of trying to sing over it. Lyrically The Haarp Machine put their focus on a variety of things, ranging from corruption in politics and world events to conscious elevation, and spiritual awareness. Subjects fitting for their music, though the lyrics for ‘The Escapist Notion’ fall flat. Sounding like a person reading from a speech they’ve prepared, and trying to fit in a lot of words all at once instead of working to make them flow.
The only negative I could really find with this album is the length. With 8 songs at 34 minutes in length, it feels like a short album. You get drawn in and are enjoying it then suddenly it’s over before you know it. That’s not something that should greatly affect your listening experience however. Disclosure is an incredibly powerful album, filled with culturally diverse instruments, strong and rather technical guitar work, and vocals that complement them well. This album is definitely in my top ten for 2012 and full recommend everyone picking up a copy. It will be well worth your purchase.
- Christian
Bilingual Latin metal warriors, ILL NINO have released their sixth studio album EPIDEMIA, in stores and online today. EPIDEMIA is available at your favorite digital and physical music retailers and through the Victory Records’ webstore.
Watch a clip from ILL NINO's upcoming music video “La Epidemia” featuring EMMURE vocalist, Frankie Palmeri and stay on the lookout for its premiere on Monday, October 29th through VEVO’s Metal Monday’s.
&M/Octone recording group Flyleaf announce the departure of long time singer Lacey Sturm today. The bands final album with Lacey, New Horizons, will be out on October 30th on A&M/Octone Records and is available now for pre-order.
Flyleaf are pleased to announce that Kristen May formerly of the band Vedera will be stepping in as the bands lead singer for future tour dates in support of New Horizons. Fans can direct questions to the band on Twitter (@flyleafmusic) for a live Q&A tonight at 8pm ET using the hashtag #NewHorizons.
“When listening to New Horizons, I would hope that fans would be able to lose themselves in the story of each of these songs and form their own connections to themas we have in the band, remarked bass player Pat Seals. There is a great deal of our souls laid bare on this record, and I feel like it really comes through on the tracks.”
Seals also commented on Laceys departure, As Flyleaf begins this new cycle to introduce our third record New Horizons, we feel our fans should know that Lacey has stepped down as lead vocalist of the band. Her statement below expresses her reasons for leaving. In order to continue on with New Horizons, Sameer, Jared, James, and myself have selected Kristen May, formerly of Vedera, to assume lead vocal duties for future tour dates. We are excited for this new chapter in the history of Flyleaf, and hope that our fans will accompany us as we continue on this journey to bring hope and inspiration through our music. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and we are looking forward to playing for you again soon.
Lacey commented on her departure
I have been beyond blessed to be in Flyleaf for the past ten years, touring with 4 amazing men and the Flyleaf crew, whom I love like my flesh and blood family. They have all given so much. It took everyone on our team to make the beauty in Flyleaf possible. I am honored to have met so many wonderful people who love Flyleaf music all over the world. Your incredible stories continue to inspire me. I am very thankful to have recently become a mom to one of the greatest blessings of my life, my son Jack. You may have also heard that we recently lost our brilliant sound engineer, Rich Caldwell, in a devastating car accident. Now, more than ever, I understand the phrase Memento Mori. I understand that, for me, living life to the fullest in this season means to step down as the lead singer for Flyleaf. I wish the best to Jared, Pat, Sameer and James and I know that as I continue to pursue the highest heights of what I am created for, it will free them all to pursue that for themselves too.
The guys will continue to tour and write music together. I’m so very grateful that they are able to do what they desire and that there is a beautiful and talented, warm hearted girl like Kristen May to sing for them. Because of this, you will all get a chance to see a new Flyleaf show and support the new album.
As I take this first step on a new journey, I pray that each one of you would pursue your highest calling with reckless abandon as well, understanding that sometimes the fullness of life comes in doing things that are only understood by you, God, and the special people God has put in your life that truly love you for you not for what you do, but for who you are. I love you guys so much and in many ways, I will stay in touch. May God bless you all with healthy hearts, full of courage to weather the journey to your own New Horizons.
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You can now play Motion City Soundtrack's 8-bit game True Romance.
Artist/Producer/DJ Celldweller has just released a FREE Klash-Up of “Cry Little Sister Vs. Hello Zepp (Saw Theme).” Klayton (Celldweller) adds original vocals, intricate programming and polished production leaving his signature mark on these 2 classic horror theme songs just in time for Halloween.
The track is available as a FREE Download on Soundcloud.
Formed in Oxford, UK, and recently relocating to the U.S., A Silent Film’s expansive and poetic pop-rock sound has garnered comparisons to everyone from Coldplay to The Killers to U2. Sand & Snow is just a snapshot of the fevered creativity inspired by an impulsive tryst with Americana. “Jack Kerouac and Bob Dylan are massive inspirations to me. I felt like I always had a kinship with America. As soon as I could experience it, and I didn’t have to read it in a book anymore, it changed my process; I wanted to live and breathe it,” vocalist/pianist Robert Stevenson says of the creative necessity of the move.
The band self-produced Sand & Snow in their new Arizona home-rehearsal studio and latterly at Sonic Ranch studios, El Paso, TX (recently home to Animal Collective, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beach House). Mix engineer Alan Moulder - best known for his work with The Killers, Death Cab For Cutie, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Foo Fighters - tied the album together with a mix that favors theatrical dynamics and scene-setting ambience. Collectively, they created an unyielding positivity in Sand & Snow, a spirited and romantic musicality that belies an unashamedly upbeat pop attitude.
To hear A Silent Film check out the video for the inspirational epic Danny, Dakota & the Wishing Well and listen to their euphoric, soaring new single"Harbour Lights,”which Robert describes as capturing the liberation of a breakup. “You know that feeling when someone leaves you in a relationship, they have moved on and you’re left behind?” he says of the track documenting the wisdom gleaned from self-discovery. “It’s the peace you make after the mourning.”
A SILENT FILM UPCOMING SHOWS:
DATE CITY/STATE VENUE
10/31/12 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot w/ Blue October
11/01/12 Boise, ID Knitting Factory w/ Blue October
11/02/12 Seattle, WA Showbox Theater w/ Blue October
11/03/12 Portland, OR Roseland Theater w/ Blue October
11/04/12 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory w/ Blue October
11/05/12 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom w/ Blue October
11/08/12 Reno, NV Knitting Factory w/ Blue October
11/09/12 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades w/ Blue October
11/10/12 San Francisco, CA The Regency Ballroom w/ Blue October
11/11/12 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern w/ Blue October
11/13/12 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Hotel-Vinyl w/ Blue October
11/14/12 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Hotel-Vinyl w/ Blue October
11/15/12 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues w/ Blue October
11/16/12 Anaheim, CA House of Blues w/ Blue October
11/17/12 Scottsdale, AZ Pub Rock (formerly Chasers) *KUKQ Evening
11/18/12 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater w/ Blue October
11/20/12 Lubbock, TX Wild West w/ Blue October
11/21/12 Houston, TX House of Blues w/ Blue October
11/23/12 Dallas, TX House of Blues w/ Blue October
11/24/12 Dallas, TX House of Blues w/ Blue October
* additional dates TBA
