CLUB DREAD share their mammoth new single ‘REPTILE’ released via respected UK alternative label SILENT CULT RECORDS.
Recorded and produced at MONOLITH STUDIOS, London by Steve Sears (GALLOWS, GOLD KEY, CREATURE, WACO). The band’s latest offering is packed with brutal, pit-churning riffs interwoven tales of savagery. Vocalist Jim Dummer explores the slippery moments between wake and sleep.
Check out ‘Reptile’ below.
CLUB DREAD is a five-piece metal band from Bedford, UK, who set out to express and capture the uncomfortably dark emotions brought on by the current state of the world. Riddled with disdain and backed by aggressive, low pounding chords that combine with soaring melodies, twisting into a strange, melancholic journey into the unknown.
North Queensland Quintet Poison Oak have dropped a new track, ‘Sarah’. It’s a vocally staggering injection with a dynamic build up to create a fresh take on what the genre in dire need of right now.
“The song Sarah is about the idea that you cannot fix someone else’s problems despite how hard you try. The song also reflects on past traumas, learning to let go of this and showing how to move on with life. Sarah, accentuates the fact that the best option is to let someone go than to rather stay with them and try to help. The song contains dynamic build ups with a indie rock tone and a sprinkle of brit rock. The song highlights the message that it’s better to focus than to try and fix someone.”
‘Sarah’ by Poison Oak is available to stream via the your preferred streaming service.
We’re back with another Band Interview of the day post and this week we have the Greek Alt Rockers in SKAGS! Let’s get to know them.
If could introduce yourselves for us, who are you? Hello guys, we are the alternative rock band SKAGS, from Athens , Greece.
How did you all meet? In 2017, founding members vocalist Spyretta Driva, Kostas Sokos (guitar), and Sotiris Angelidis (bass/vocals) came together with others to form a cover band, taking the first letter from each other’s name to form the acronym, and band name – SKAGS. Keyboardist Christina Papandreou and drummer Christos Alexandris would later join the band, as SKAGS found a solid line-up. Even though 2020 was a turbulent year for many, SKAGS used it to their benefit as they created what would become their debut album – ‘Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation’. Released in November 2020, the record fuses together several style and influences, giving way to a unique sound for SKAGS. With its theatrical grandeur, euphoric synth lines and guitar-led soundscapes, ‘Digital Cage Of A Cursed Generation’ is a compelling collection as the Athens five-piece tell thought-provoking stories.
How long have you been playing? We are a band since early 2017 so about 4 years now.
What three words would you use to describe the music you play? Alternative Electronic Rock
What are your musical influences? We all share the love of music, however each one of us has his/her own personal taste. As a result, our music is influenced by diverse music genres, composers, and bands. It is worth mentioning though, Pink Floyd , Radiohead , Guns N Roses and Dream Theater which are the band’s most favourite artists and the ones that we grew up listening to.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen during a show? After the end of a concert, a fan followed our singer to the toilet and opened the door, in order to ask for her cellphone number.
Being away from the stages since last year, where is the one place you’d visit when the restrictions are lifted? We can’t wait to play again live and also go to a concert of another artist.
What’s the one record you own but wouldn’t ever admit to owning? Madonna – Like A Virgin
What have you been listening in the last few weeks? Not something specific really… from Greek folk music to black metal to disco.. in general we have taken these time in order to expand our musical horizons.
Are there any releases you have planned in the near future? The band has many plans for the future and only some of them are: -A release party for our album -A live videoclip -A new photography session -Recording and releasing our second full album
Viking Metal pioneers EINHERJER are about to release their eighth studio album, North Star, this Friday, February 26, proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic Black Metal and Folk Metal genres into pure Norse Heavy Metal once again.
The album marks the band’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, and the release of their legendary Dragons Of The North album (1996), which will be re-released as a re-mastered version on February 26 as well.
To celebrate the double release, EINHERJER just released the third single, “West Coast Groove”, together with an animated video. Old school Heavy Metal vibes meet dark Viking Metal atmosphere – EINHERJER are in top form and still prove their status as genre pioneers after more than 25 years!
EINHERJER on “West Coast Groove”: “There is a massive portion of rock’n’roll spirit in most of the stuff we do these days. As we grow older I find it more natural to let our influences shine through as we see fit. “West Coast Groove” is a solid fist in the air for the heavy metal we love, and to the place that’s been an essential part of our inspiration since day one. A tribute to our hometurf!”
Check out ‘West Coast Groove’ below.
Frode Glesnes on the video and the collaboration with Costin Chioreanu: “We’ve worked with Costin Chioreanu for many years now, and he has become a dear friend. He’s been to Haugesund several times. He knows where we’re at and what we seek and I think he portrays this beautifully in this animated movie. My initial reaction was to laugh out loud while the hair stood up on the back of my neck. A rare combination!”
North Star was recorded in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic at the in-house Studio Borealis, owned by founding member and mastermind Frode Glesnes. The raw production ties in seamlessly with its predecessor Norrøne Spor and makes North Star probably the most powerful EINHERJER album to date! North Star is EINHERJER‘s musical mission towards something bigger – the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability.
EINHERJER on North Star: “North Star is our 8th full length album, and follows in the (Norse) tracks of Norrøne Spor. The North Star is a symbol with numerous meanings. It can be guidance, or it can be a personal mission. Something to reach for. It’s the Anchor of the Northern Sky. We need something steady in this rapidly shifting world we live in. The North Star album is us reaching for something greater. Developing ourselves through a musical journey in classic Einherjer style – no bullshit, just proper Norse Heavy Metal!”
All aboard! The world’s favorite Pirate Metal Drinking Crew, ALESTORM, are taking you on a wild, wet ride across the seven seas with their new live album/DVD/BluRay, Live in Tilburg, out May 28, 2021 via Napalm Records!
Starting within the very first seconds of the energetic “Keelhauled”, it is crystal clear that ALESTORM are one of the most creative and unique live bands out there today – and judging by Tilburg’s incredible live audience of 3,000 fans, the band’s unmatched energy leaves no one standing still. Feast your eyes on ALESTORM’s exciting funfest of a live show experience – featuring everyone’s favorite giant blow-up rubber ducky and loads of alcohol – from the comfort of your own couch!
Christopher Bowes about Live in Tilburg: “Oh wow! Live concerts! Remember those? Nah, me neither. Anyway, a couple of years ago we played a giant show at the 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands. It was a whole lot of fun. We even filmed the whole thing. And when we released the recording for free on YouTube last year, a whole bunch of you said you really liked it. And being the treasure-hungry sellout pirates that we are, it made us realize we could probably convince a bunch of you to buy it if we wrapped it in plastic and stuck it in a big wooden box. We even added some low-effort bonus features. Enjoy!”
Excellently produced and mixed by the renowned Lasse Lammert, who has already been involved in ALESTORM’s studio albums Curse Of The Crystal Coconut,No Grave But The Sea, Sunset On The Golden Age and many more, Live in Tilburg features an amazing mix of ALESTORM’s most beloved hits like “Drink“, “Mexico”, “Alestorm”, “Hangover”, “The Sunk’n Norwegian” and of course, “Fucked With An Anchor”.
The live album will be available on splatter-colored double-LP with a slipmat and a patch, as well as on mint colored and golden colored vinyl. The special edition of Live in Tilburgcomes in a wooden box, along with a CD+DVD, a mediabook and a 7-inch vinyl featuring two new acoustic ALESTORM cover songs! Live in Tilburg’s immersive experience is the true definition of what ALESTORM is all about – an endless fountain of foot-stomping, riff-busting, piratical singalong fun. A must-have for all the filthy landlubbers out there!
Here’s the track listing.
1. Intro 2. Keelhauled 3. Alestorm 4. Magnetic North 5. Mexico 6. Over the Seas 7. The Sunk’n Norwegian 8. No Grave But The Sea 9. Nancy the Tavern Wench 10. Rumpelkombo 11. 1741 (The Battle of Cartagena) 12. Drunken Sailor 13. Hangover 14. Pegleg Potion 15. Bar ünd Imbiss 16. Captain Morgan`s Revenge 17. Shipwrecked 18. Drink 19. Wolves of the Sea 20. Fucked with an Anchor
Pre-order ‘Live In Tilburg’ via the following link.
“Drugs in California is a song about a toxic relationship. Specifically, it’s about a toxic relationship between fame and adoration. I’d always felt sort of ambivalent to fame. it always just seemed like an inconvenient side effect to making music that I might have to endure one day if things went really well. I felt like I could prepare myself for it. I’ve had small tastes of fame now, but it’s nothing like I anticipated.
it’s weird because I wouldn’t think of myself as famous, but the truth is, to some people, I am famous. I won’t lie to you, it feels amazing to have people connect with my work so deeply- to feel so seen, understood, and appreciated- to be adored. However, that feeling can be really addictive, even destructive. it’s made me question myself- who I am, my intentions, my integrity; at times it’s made me feel isolated and disconnected from people. it’s fucked with my head more than anything else I’ve ever experienced. should I want this? should I not want this? I still don’t know.”- Sarah McTaggart (Transviolet)
Check out ‘Drugs In California’ below.
After a successful catfishing on a musician networking website, Sarah McTaggart began to collaborate with producer and bassist Mike Panek across the world, and over the internet writing the beginnings of what would eventually become Transviolet.
She made the move from the Cayman Islands to Toronto, landing eventually in San Diego where they met for the first time and sparks flew, or at the very least no one was serial killed. Jon Garcia was brought in on drums, and later Judah McCarthy on guitar and keys after moving to LA and signing their first publishing deal.
For two years the band locked themselves in studios across the purgatory that is the San Fernando Valley (which would later be the title of their 2018 release), writing song after song, until piquing the interest of LA Reid and their first major-label partner EPIC Records.
From the very beginning, Transviolet has made a point to approach music differently. Like when they released their first single Girls Your Age, the band sent out 2,000 plain manilla envelopes to kids across the country containing a cassette tape that only said “play me”, not realizing that was pretty near to the exact plot of the horror movie SAW. Blogs and press outlets took notice, but no one cared nearly as much as the mothers across the country when they took to Facebook to demand answers, and threaten the band with legal action. It was hilarious.
24 hours later and Katy Perry Tweeted out the song, a week later Harry Styles. A flood of attention came to the band and they were thrown into the deep end that is the music industry. Writing with collaborators DreamLab (Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj…) Sam Hollander ( Panic At the disco, Fitz and the tantrums) Andrew Dawson (Kanye West, Tyler the Creator) and Nate Motte of 3OH!3, among many others, Transviolet put out two more EPs, seeing critical acclaim from countless press outlets.
Now in 2021 with multiple support (Twenty-one pilots, LANY, Dua Lipa, Joywave) and headling tours (US, UK) under their collective belt, and tens of millions of streams – Transviolet is feeling as they’re writing the best material of their career thus far.
Self-written, self-mixed, self-released, the band is taking the reins and shows no signs of slowing down.
Today, Mexican-American artist, activist and actress Alma Grace is sharing her new single, “Girl Fight.” The single is the first to be released from her upcoming EP, ‘FRIDA,’ due out on May 5th.
As a Mexican-American, Alma Grace has always felt a strong connection to Frida Kahlo. Grace first learned about her through the Frida decorated matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring back from Mexico City. As she grew older, she became fascinated by the ways in which the Mexican painter redefined beauty standards and broke down the boundaries placed on gender, race, and sexuality. The ‘FRIDA’ EP is both an ode to a groundbreaking artist and an autobiographical journey through Alma Grace’s own life.
The first single from the EP, “Girl Fight,” was inspired by Alma Grace’s favorite Frida story: after her husband Diego Rivera cheated on her, she had an affair with the same woman. “At it’s core, it’s a bi-sexual and feminist anthem that rebels against the trope of women fighting over men,” Grace writes, “we’re better off standing by each other.” The resulting track is a poignant and empowering pop anthem.
Alma Grace is a 20 year-old activist, artist, and actress born and raised in New York City. Her mixed musical influences are reflective of a globalized upbringing— she learned how to love from Selena, make witty comebacks from Shania Twain, and turn pain into art from Lauryn Hill. As an activist, she attended her first protest at the age of 13, has volunteered with community-based organizations in Harlem, and has worked in both the Bronx and the U.S. Senate to defend immigrants facing deportation — a cause close to her heart as a second generation Mexican American.
When it comes to her art, Alma Grace is no less impressive — she has performed on Broadway and Lincoln Center stages, been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, and acted in films and tv shows alongside Tobey Maguire and Ed Zwick. Last year, Alma Grace launched her musical project with the release of her first single, “Adios Maria.” She continued to roll out singles throughout the year, landing Spotify playlist support, blog buzz, and a rapidly growing fanbase.
Kent-based alternative-rock four-piece Dohny Jep began as a duo in early 2019, with Stuart and Pete deciding to create something unlike anything either of them had done before in previous bands and projects. With their unique video concepts and mesh of pop-synth melodies and rock guitars, they did just that. Fast forward one year and with an additional two members in tow, the group self-released their much celebrated debut album L.U.S.T in July 2020.
Since the release the band have amassed over 50,000 streams on Spotify, received regular airplay from Hard Rock Hell Radio and BBC Introducing as well as glowing reviews from the likes of Dead Press and Distorted Sound.
After playing just one show together as a band, they had tours planned throughout 2020 to coincide with the release of their debut album, but as the Coronavirus put a halt to any plans of playing their new material live, they headed back to the studio to record more new music. A product of this recording session is their fantastic upcoming EP ‘Smile, It Might Never Happen’, due for release February 26th 2021 via Favour The Brave Records.
Recorded at their recently-built home studio and produced, mixed and mastered by Rhys May (Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco, While She Sleeps), the EP explores the subjects of mental health, friendship, and letting go of the negatives in your life & living in the moment.
Prior to the release comes the EP’s leading single ‘Looking In’. Commenting on the track the band state: “Looking in is about feeling left out and neglected, wanting to be included but also struggling to make these feelings known, causing you to never really get anywhere”.
At face value from the previous release of ‘Looking In’, this band hitting the ground running should be the next British band to be keeping your eye on. And they are getting there. Fingers crossed touring resumes at some point this year so there’s a chance to see them live sometime in the next twelve months.
Starting off with Control, the techno vibes, hooks and vocals are reminiscent of Don Broco’s ‘Technology’ but trust me, it does work! They have their own spin on production, which could be down to their producer Rhys May who is assistant producer to Dan Lancaster whom Broco have worked with before. After that opening and digging deep into the track has just huge storming guitars fuse into something which is unlike most newcomers you come across, this a good belter.
With ‘Smile’ this develops their sound with the more techno aspect where the production helps them in the best way but when it hits the breakdown, that’s where you’re seeing the potential of the band and root for them more.
‘Looking In’. This is my personal favourite off the EP as a whole. “There’s got to be a way to get out” is an all too feel representation of what life is for many people in the UK and this track in a matter of speaking in social aspects and more makes it so much more personal for anyone listening.
On the last track, ‘Get Fucked’ this seems as if it’s something I would’ve listened to back in my teenage days if the lyrics are anything to go by but, this is a great closer for the EP. There’s something as well in the breakdowns which just makes this a standout track where on the final third is somewhat masterful and just has so much potential where Dohny Jep have the chance to breakout and be the voices of a new generation in the UK.
What occurs on this EP is a well crafted rounded out set of tracks that make you want to listen to it over and over again. There’s certainly something to be said about Dohny Jep as a band to be on the lookout for once lockdown ends because how it translates live will be a deciding factor for most.
“Fade Away” is both an exercise in self-forgiveness and an acceptance of unresolved trauma. “It’s about what it feels like to wade through childhood traumas and the emotional turmoil they cause,” Zobrist writes.“But it’s also about finding your light again.” Zobrist’s dusty vocals and stripped-back acoustic guitar guide the track with a raw intimacy that immediately envelops the listener into her thoughts in a way that feels like a peek inside her diary. In keeping with her 2020 singles, “Fire,” “Who You Gonna Be,” and “All My Friends Are Dead,” “Fade Away” is another defiant, deliberate, and deeply personal addition to her fast-growing repertoire.
Hailing from Dallas, Texas and now living in Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Zoe Zobrist crafts songs that are as personal as they are dynamic. Like many of her contemporaries, her love affair with music began at an early age. She was just 5 years old when she learned to play piano and she began writing songs only 2 years later. But her passion was fully ignited when she stumbled upon her father’s 70s-era record collection in the garage of her childhood home and fell in love with the hard-hitting choruses and memorable melodies of classic rock.
She debuted her first single in 2018 and has since gone on to rack up over 40K monthly listeners and praise from publications like Under The Radar Magazine and Culture Collide. She has also performed and toured across North America, gracing the stages of iconic music venues like The Viper Room, The Troubadour, and Dallas Fort Worth’s Six Flags Amphitheater. In 2019, she was featured in John Mellencamp’s tour documentary that played on-screen during his “John Mellencamp Show” North American Tour.
Zobrist has spent the past few years refining her sound and experimenting with different styles, ultimately leading to her unique blend of classic rock inspired indie music.
Now this track is definitely going to be one hell of an ear worm, a testimony to just how grand the track is. The acoustic guitar is second to none and one of the best performances you’ll here year round. In addition, there’s something just deeply personal to the track, giving you a feeling you just can’t shake, something which is just universally nurturing and dynamic about Zobrist’s music to make her music so addictive.
Here’s something brand spanking new for your earlobes. I give you Kite Thief. A quintet of Alt Rock / Prog Metal from Bristol, UK. Their sound is like dropping your candy in a gutter, sweet and topped with grit. Joyously brimming with angular riffs, catchy choruses and a ballsy rhythm section. It’s a filthy buy you still want to pop it back in your mouth. That’s how good it is.
On their track, ‘Sweepstake’ they say:
We gamble & bet our humanity in the digital world.
Sweepstake narrates how we share everything on our social media pages in the hope of accumulating ‘digital wealth’, but this amounts to nothing in the real world.
Humans are so eager to give up so much, both physically and mentally, for fake, unsustainable virtual wealth. These social platforms, our phones, online advertising; they are all here to manipulate us.
They have changed our behaviour as a society, as humanity. We have two personas now, the real world us and the online us.
And the sad thing is; we fully recognise it and accept it. Clout has the value of gold, and we’re chasing rainbows. Join us and dance to the tune of our algorithmic masters.
With a track that gets straight to the point, ‘Sweepstake’ hits every single one of your nerves to make a point that this is such a powerful piece and noisetastic. The frenzy which comes from this track alone is unlike anything I’ve heard in the past twelve months and the breakdown in the final third takes no in a no holds barred way to make you want to hear more from this band and I think I can speak for everyone listening when I say I can’t wait to hear any future release that they have in the grand scheme of things.
Almost Anything Music 