February 2015
Winx Club Releases Season 7 Trailer
Winx Club are back with it's seventh installment in the Winx Club series. Bloom, Flora, Tecna, Musa, Layla and Stella are back! This time the most powerful fairies of the Magical Dimension will have 6 new amazing animals friends that will face the journey with them, through many never-seen before worlds, to the conquest of the Butterflix power and another mysterious transformation! Ready to fly to the next Winx adventure? Check out the video HERE.
Unzucht's Fuhrmann says They want to Tour and Play!
Dark rockers. Unzucht was started out as a project that would develop into what it is now. Over that span of time, the band has played shows, toured, written and recorded material for numerous releases including their most recent being "Venus Luzifer" with new material a work in progress. Drummer Fuhrmann discusses that release, the new material, and wanting to tour, tour, tour!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Fuhrmann: Unzucht started out as a project from De Clercq (Guitar, Programming) and Der Schulz (Vocals). I later joined as a manager and then live drummer. We played our first show in December 2009 and our second one in April 2010. That was when we knew it would become a real, proper band - so we're almost 5 years old now! We started playing lots of festivals, got our new bass player Blaschke in 2011, signed a record deal - and now we have already released three albums, an EP and several singles and video clips. We just finished our second and so far biggest headline tour in Europe with Death Valley High from San Francisco as support.
2. What’s the story of the band’s name?
Fuhrmann: I don't know who came up with it, but we just thought it's an awesome sounding word. It's really old school German language, nobody really uses it anymore, and it has some really creepy connotations. It's about sexual things you're not supposed to do according to religion.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Fuhrmann: One half of the band is based in Hameln, where it started, and the other half in Leipzig. Hameln is kinda small, but still both cities have really vibrant music scenes. Of course, Leipzig is known for it's annual book fair, which is ones of the biggest ones in Europe, and for the annual WGT (Wave-Gotik-Treffen), a huge gathering of the worldwide dark/gothic scene with like a hundred live bands and tons of events. Local bands I recommend are Annisokay from Leipzig (www.facebook.com/annisokay) and Sonic Skies from Hameln (www.facebook.com/SonicSkies).
4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Fuhrmann: It's basically rock music, sometimes very dark, with heavy guitars and electronic elements. Our influences range from all kinds of metal to pop music, like At The Gates to Katy Perry. Nine Inch Nails is a band we can all agree on, but that doesn't mean we try to sound like them.
5. What's your favorite song on "Venus Luzifer" right now?
6. Do you have any new music in the works in terms of a follow-up release to "Venus Luzifer"?
Fuhrmann: Yes, definitely! The music never stops, there are new riffs and lyrics being written in Hameln as I type this in Leipzig.
7. How do you promote your band and shows?
Fuhrmann: We have a street team called Triebwerk and a fan club called Das Kommando. They do a great job passing out flyers and spreading the word. We obviously have a website (www.unzucht-music.com), are pretty active on Facebook (www.facebook.com/unzucht) and also have a webshop with t-shirts and stuff (www.unzuchtshop.com) that ships worldwide. Other than that, we try to do as many interviews as we can, which are mostly set up by our label. And, of course, we have our own channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/unzuchtofficial) with more than just the official video clips: We create our own show called "Das Gothic Internat" (the gothic boarding school) which is already more than 100 episodes in that you can all view online! We film a lot, backstage and at almost every show. Lots of drunk shenanigans and stuff.
8. Could you describe your shows, visually and musically for those who may have not seen you before?
Fuhrmann: It's a really intense rock show and the crowds does get really involved. Lots of singing and clapping and swaying along. We have a great female light engineer from France, Nasa, who also does lights for our brothers Lord Of The Lost, and she does an awesome job to enhance the mood.
9. What have you done to prepare yourselves for this tour?
Fuhrmann: Record a great album, Venus Luzifer, and then try to play as many good songs as good as we can by locking ourselves up in our rehearsal room near the Weser river and just play, play, play.
10. What can the fans expect to hear on this tour?
Fuhrmann: We had a full length set with songs from all three albums, no complaints as far as I know.
11. Do you have anymore plans to play more shows and go on tour?
Fuhrmann: Yes, we're preparing a couple of special anniversary shows. These will take place in Hameln on April 30th in Goslar on May 1st. Special extra long sets with special guest The Fright (www.facebook.com/TheFrightOfficial). Then we'll play some great festivals during the summer like Hexentanz, Blackfield, and M'era Luna with Nightwish and Rob Zombie. And after that, we'll tour even more, but that is still being planned.
12. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Fuhrmann: We're one of Germany's most up and coming underground bands! Actually, we're not that underground anymore, since we've already entered the charts with our albums twice. But we're one of the most interesting bands in the dark scene right now, crossing over into metal and all kinds of other scenes. And our show in London last month was really great, too, so we're not limited to just Germany. Fuck the language barrier, it doesn't really exist!
13. What plans do you have for the future?Fuhrmann: Write new songs, put them out, and most importantly: Tour, tour, tour! We want to go to Russia, Belarus, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Canada, Mexico, the US... there's so many places we need to play!
14. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Fuhrmann: You can listen to Unzucht on Spotify and Last FM and YouTube, you can buy it on iTunes and Amazon and EMP! If it's not available in your country yet: we're working on it.
15. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Fuhrmann: "Once I started to really listen, I was hooked!"
Johnny B. Morbid - Fall of the Cicada
Two years have come and gone, since then, so has the music
so to speak. "Welcome To Die", was the previous full-length by Johnny
B. Morbid, the act that can take such genres as; black metal, pop punk, power
metal, and punk, from the iconic New Jersey punk scene, to create a follow-up
so interesting it goes by the name of "Fall of the Cicada". A
10-track release that captures a whole another direction and approach to the
music entirely. Instrumentals and vocals are present, except there more laid
back, faster, and embrace a dramatic effect. Like take for instance tracks like
"True Believer", and "Before I Fade", these two capture
that laid back dramatic effect spot on. Whereas "Crucifiction",
"Exile", "Fear Itself", and "In The Unknown" are
more "out there" like stand out more than the other tracks offered.
The vocals and instruments working more intense and raw sounding than just
faster and dramatic, these really go there, expressing that intensity that is
there. "Fall of the Cicada" is a solid piece of work, it provides
what the previous release had, except this time around it's more powerful and
effective, showcasing something more, that could come of it, perhaps it's
already there, we just can't hear enough of it.
New Years Day Gets Signed
NEW YEARS DAY have inked a world-wide deal with Another Century Records and will release a brand new, full-length album later this year. Ash Costello (vocals) states: "We are so thrilled to be on Warped Tour again this summer. It is our favorite tour of the year, and can’t wait to get out there in the hot sun and hear your voices. We are also very excited to sign with Another Century Records and work with a great team of people, who are just as excited as we are. Our current tour with Motionless In White has been such an amazing experience. We have been friends for a few years and Chris sang on our last album, so it’s nice bringing it all together for us and the fans. We look forward to seeing you all soon, so come on out to the shows and be sure to come say hello to us.”
Sworn Enemy Announces the No Mercy No Surrender Tour
New York Hardcore legends Sworn Enemy have announced the dates of the No Mercy No Surrender Tour 2015. Wretched, Dark Sermon, and Hammer Fight will be joining them on the tour, kicking off April 7th in Charleston, South Carolina and working it's way throughout the U.S. and wrapping up on May 1st in Providence, Rhode Island.
Looking forward to hitting the road in April with Wretched, Dark Sermon, & Hammer Fight. Gonna be good times so everyone make sure you get your asses out to the shows. - Sal LoCoco (Sworn Enemy)
TOUR DATES:
April 07 - Charleston, SC @ Upstairs @ Joe's Pasta
April 08 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
April 09 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
April 10 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Boozers
April 11 - McAllen, TX @ Metropolis
April 12 - Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room & Garage
April 15 - Guadalajara, MX @ Calle 2
April 18 - Mexico City, MX @ Circo Volador
April 19 - San Luis Potosí, MX @ Bunker
April 21 - Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
April 22 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Adrenaline
April 23 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe
April 24 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Flux Capacitor
April 25 - Hays, KS @ Singers
April 26 - Crest Hill, IL @ Bada Brew
April 27 - Toledo, OH @ Iggy's
April 28 - Saginaw, MI @ Counter Culture
April 29 - Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
April 30 - Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joes
May 01 - Providence, RI @ Firehouse 13
Cruenta Lacrymis' Daniele Talks His Sweetness and Blasphemous Sides
Italian symphonic black/death metal band, Cruenta Lacrymis has combined their style of gothic influences, with the theme of horror meets dramatic, to create a release that is truly unique. Going as far as uniqueness can go, this release is divided into two parts, putting it simply "Sweetness & Blasphemy". Guitarist, production, and composition enthusiast Daniele discusses this album and all of the band's inner details about them and their future.
1. What type of band are you?
Daniele: We are an Italian metal band with 2 women and 2 men.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Daniele: The band was founded in September 2012 by the guitarist Daniele, drummer Teo and bassist Erika. The initial idea was to create a similar product of Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, very important bands for our influences. Daniele and Teo produce the material in a short time - in the studio of the guitarist were mixed aggressive riffs and melodic idea, together with concept of symphonic and horror. In this moment the band must take a voice that would give meaning for the project. After a various selection finally Elena joined the band. Elena offers a more personal style for Cruenta LaCrymis, also writing stronger lyrics.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Daniele: Usually Italian metal bands try linking with other bands from outside places like the states, Germany, and Scandinavian countries.
4. What is the story behind the name, Cruenta Lacrymis, if there is one to tell?
Daniele: Cruenta LaCrymis is undefined words, inspired by the works of Dario Argento, a cult Italian horror director. In the Latin language it's modified to mean "tears of blood".
5. Who are your musical influences?
Daniele: Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Moonspell, Dark Lunacy, Slayer etc.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)Daniele: Texts feed on violent and painful sensations, mental states of complex magma indefinite.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Daniele: The music is produced by Daniele and Teo, text by Elena Teo Erika.
8. You have your new release "Sweetness And Blasphemy", what can people expect from it?
Daniele: Who is going to listen "Sweetness and Blasphemy" will expect an album full of powerful sounds and obscure but also dark and sweet melodies.
9. If you had to pick one song off "Sweetness And Blasphemy", to show someone to introduce them to your music, which would you pick?
Daniele: Sicarius.
10. Why did you want to divide this album into two sides: the Sweetness Side and the Blasphemy Side?
Daniele: The “Blasphemy side” is musically more aggressive and the “Sweetness side” is more melodic and sweet!
11. Why did you see Metal Scrap Records as your record label home?
Daniele: We chose Metal Scrap because they were immediately available and a serious label!
12. "Sweetness And Blasphemy" is your official debut full-length album, as opposed to your 2013 demo "Cruenta Lacrymis". How would you say these releases differ, compare, and have evolved from one another? What runs through your mind on finally unleashing a debut album if anything?
Daniele: Having received a good response from the demo, it was appropriate to produce a full album for us to know more!
13. How about shows and touring, what do you have in-store? When will you be making your way to the U.S.?
Daniele: We're planning a promo tour in Italy for "Sweetness and blasphemy", with the intention to perform in other countries!14. What do you guys have planned for the future?
Daniele: We are already planning to produce another album!
15. Anything else you'd like to add or would want to say?
Daniele: We thank those who are working for us with passion and to all the fans who support us at our live performances and the web!!!!
American Standard's Announces New Tour
American Standards will embark on a tour of the western United States starting in April. They'll be taking along California natives Stay Wild. The tour is endorsed by BC Music, a label owned and operated by Matt & Toby of the band Emery. American Standards released 'Hungry Hands' in 2014. Check out the list of dates below.
TOUR DATES:
Apr. 24, 2015 - Los Angeles, CA - Perez Tire Shop
Apr. 25, 2015 - San Francisco, CA - Submission Art Space
Apr. 26, 2015 - Arcata, CA - The Card House
Apr. 27, 2015 - Portland, OR - Ash Street Saloon
Apr. 28, 2015 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Apr. 29, 2015 - Boise, ID - The Shredder
Apr. 30, 2015 - Logan, UT - WhySound
May 1, 2015 - Las Vegas, NV - OMD
May 2, 2015 - Victorville, CA - Thorny's Place
Whitechapel's "Let Me Burn" Video Released
Tennessee's WHITECHAPEL have unveiled their latest music video, today. But be warned: "Let Me Burn" isn't like other WHITECHAPEL videos. The band collaborated with director Mitch Massie, the director behind the latest and most visually striking videos from Cattle Decapitation, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and more. Mitch Massie brought the lyrics to "Let Me Burn" to life in gloriously gory fashion; this video is not for those with a weak constitution.
WHITECHAPEL vocalist Phil Bozeman explains: "The basis of the video is about a man, his wife and daughter. The story depicts the degradation of the man and him going insane. He kills his wife and eventually douses himself in gasoline and begs his daughter to strike the match. But the whole point of the story is that the man has everything he wants and needs, but has no control over his mind and suffers with clinical insanity/schizophrenia and regrets everything he has done." Guitarist Alex Wade adds: "It's our first time trying a story based video versus a performance video with us playing and we're really happy with how it came out. Phil's idea for the concept of the video mixed with Mitch Massie's directing developed a very dark and sinister feel that represents the song well."
Check it out HERE.
Vampire Releases Video For "The Fen"
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Swedish horror-death-metal visionaries VAMPIRE have completed a video clip for the track "The Fen" (taken from the band's self-titled debut album). This brilliant work of art was done by the very talented Mr. Daniel Garptoft of Dirt Frame - www.dirtframe.com.
VAMPIRE's singer Hand of Doom comments on the video: "Working with Daniel Garptoft for the first VAMPIRE video certainly fleshed out the aesthetics already in place on our 2014 album. We wanted something that gives off a classic horror film vibe, and that resonates with the recurring style of 'Scandinavian Gothic' present in much Swedish horror and thriller fiction from recent years.
The video for 'The Fen' elaborates loosely on the content of the song lyrics, but also does a good job at accentuating the moods of the music. To us in the band, it refreshes one of our favorite tracks off the album, and reinforces the status of a popular live song as an essential aspect of the VAMPIRE experience.
I am proud to say that with the release of Daniel Garptoft's 'The Fen', the VAMPIRE logo not only stands for hair-raising music. This broadens our horizon and raises the bar for future projects."
"The Fen" director Daniel Garptoft adds: "The video for 'The Fen' is where old school horror goes hand in hand with an evil soundtrack of old school death metal. Influenced by Italian horror and classics like 'The Bad Seed', it portrays a gang of awkward children with sinister plans in an eerie nature setting. Our goal was to put together something that isn't your average metal video, but something else. A horror short seemed to be the perfect match to a band like VAMPIRE that dwells anonymously away from the light."
Check it out HERE.
Ransom Price's Mike Discusses Band's Record Debut
Punk rock act, Ransom Price has been hard at work writing and recording for their debut full-length album "My Kidnap Money". Mike Ransom the song writer/guitarist/vocalist says that this album confronts poignant issues such as depression, stress, marriage, raising kids and managing the work/life balance. "I felt captive to some really negative feelings for a really long time, and I think this album really captures that. Writing it was a definite catharsis for me; and the album is named for the price I paid, and the price those around me paid, before my eventual escape from those feelings." Having said that, Mike Ransom himself discusses this release and all it details, including some insight into the band and their plans ahead.
1. How did your band form?
Mike: The band was formed in 2012 by veteran musicians Mike Ransom (guitar/vocals) and Chris Mazure (drums), originally with just one goal in mind: to record and release a benefit single. It just kept going from there. Ransom was formerly the guitar player and singer in '90s punk band Point Blank, and Mazure was the drummer in Endless Sacrifice.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Mike: In December 2012 my (Ransom's) father-in-law passed away after a year long battle with lung cancer. When he was sick, I wrote a song for him as my way of expressing to my father-in-law how I felt about him, his illness, and what would happen when he was gone. After he died, I wanted to record the song, called "West from El Paso", and release it as a single to raise money for lung cancer research. At the time, I wasn't playing in a band so I kinda had to scramble. I knew Chris (Mazure) was a drummer because I worked with his father, so I managed to talk him into playing drums for me on this project. We rehearsed "West from El Paso" a few times, recorded it in a single afternoon, and released it January 19, 2013 on Unable Records. From sales of that track we raised well over a thousand dollars for the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.
People seemed to like the song, and reacted favorably to the band. A lot of people were asking when our next release was coming. Of course, I hadn't really thought that far ahead, and didn't really have a plan, but I did have a TON of material written. I pitched it to Chris. He seemed to really like the songs, we were having fun playing together, so we figured we'd just keep the project going. We set our sights on releasing a full length album.
3. What's the story behind your band's name Ransom Price? Does the name actually have to deal with an actual ransom and what is the price?
Mike: I'm glad you asked because I'm really proud of this! My last name is Ransom and my wife's maiden name is Price. Because the original goal of the band was to release the benefit single in memory of my wife's dad, putting our name's together seemed like a no-brainer. The fact that our two names together happen to make a really great band name, while meerly a coincidence, speaks volumes about us being a punk-rock-match-made-in-heaven. ALSO, when I was in Point Blank many years ago, people always assumed that Ransom was my stage name; seemed a good name for a punk rocker I guess. I figured naming the band Ransom Price would just help add to the confusion.
The other big reason that I love this name is because of the subject matter of our album. The entire My Kidnap Money album is based upon a REALLY dark 2 year period in my life. I was really struggling with depression, at times barely holding my marriage together, and things just seemed like they were falling apart all around me. I felt like a prisoner to my own emotions. The Ransom Price, or My Kidnap Money, was having to hit rock bottom before I could recover. The price I paid was enduring a total breakdown, totally unravelling emotionally, having to experience that pain. Only once I did that could I truly understand why I was feeling the things I was feeling, learn to deal with them, and move forward. So the band, and the album, are definitely aptly named.
4. How do you describe your sound to people who ask you what your band sounds like?
Mike: I tell people that we are a punk band. I generally compare our sound to 1990s Green Day and to bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, The Bouncing Souls and even the Ramones. I'd say we play simple, straight forward, un-pretensious punk rock.
5. Who are your influences and heroes (music-wise)?Mike: As you can probably hear from the music, I absolutely love Green Day. I grew up on Green Day; can't get enough of them. American Idiot is arguably the best album ever written, period. With that said, I tend to listen to Kerplunk or 39 Smooth more often, but that's just what I grew up on. I love it! Anyway, I'm also a huge fan of Screeching Weasel, The Queers and Mr. T Experience. Actually, I'm a huge fan of just about every band that was ever signed to Lookout! Records. And being from NJ, I'm also a tremendous Bouncing Souls fan. They are such a great band, and have now been together for over 25 years, and just keep putting out outstanding music. I'd say all of these are my musical heroes, and that all of them have been big influences on me.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Mike: The songs on the My Kidnap Money album are all about a very specific 2 year period in my life. The album is structured in a way that tells a story from start to finish, but the songs still make perfect sense out of context and can stand on their own. Some of the songs deal with my descent into serious depression ("Radar Contact Lost", "Enough is Enough"), while others are about my crumbling marriage and our successful efforts to put it back together ("With You", "Under Tow"). I'll leave it at that because I want people to take away their own story, their own message, from these songs; I don't want to color their perspective too much. I think everyone can relate to each of these songs in some way, even if it's not exactly the way that I had intended when I wrote the song; and that is important to me. With that said, I think it will be pretty clear to anyone who listens to this album all the way though, what exactly my songs are about.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Mike: Yes, definitely. I write all of the lyrics and the music. Generally, I write lyrics first. Writing is therapy for me sometimes; my way of getting my emotions and feelings out in front of me where I can get a little perspective, so I tend to write lyrics quite a bit. Sometimes I can only write a line or two, then I set it aside and come back to it later, sometimes weeks or months later. I'll collect lots of these fragmented lines, kinda like random thoughts, but I write them all down in a notebook. Then at some point, it just all comes together. Something clicks and I can finally combine these "one-liners" into a song, into a full formed thought and story.
Other times, though, I can just sit down and write an entire song, lyrically, in just a few minutes. Sometimes it just all flows out at once. While my lyrics are simple, and the writing not-at-all complex, each and every one of the lines is important to me. I feel them; I believe them.
After the lyrics come together they'll sit for a while until I feel inspired to pick up the guitar. Once that happens, I'll just mess around with different riffs and progressions until I find one that works for that particular set of lyrics.
8. When did Unable Records come into the picture? Are you happy with what they have to offer?
Mike: Well, Unable Records came into the picture long before Ransom Price. I am actually the founder and managing partner of Unable Records. I formed the company back in 2007, and we have since dramatically expanded. It is, of course, very convenient to have a label around to support your pet projects like Ransom Price. And YES, I'm very happy with Unable Records!
9. How does "My Kidnap Money" vary from past work?
Also, in the past I wrote all of my songs alone. For this album, my wife co-wrote two of the songs. She's my best friend and the love of my life, and obviously played a huge role in the ultimate recovery from my depression. She endured an immense amount of pain as she rode that roller-coaster with me, and I felt that it was really important for her to write some part of this album with me. Turns out she's a damned good song writer.
10. Has anything happened since your previous works, that you feel will influence the mood or lyrical content, on this release?
Mike: See the previous answers.
11. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?
Mike: Not really, no. We just knew that we had some pretty good songs to work with, and wanted to make sure that we got them down on tape in a way that conveyed my story effectively, yet was still entertaining. At the end of day, we just wanted to make a good punk rock record.
12. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Mike: We didn't use any unusual instrumentation. After all, we're punks; we don't know how to play anything unusual. We did, however, use a decent amount of sound effects on this record. I think the effects allowed me to tell a little bit more of the story; allowed me to expand on certain things that were maybe left unsaid in the lyrics. They also served to very effectively set the stage for the songs, to help get the listener to understand the emotional place I was in when writing a particular song.
A lot of the time, the music is tied very closely with the sound effect. For example, the song "Fire Escape" starts with the sound of a fire engine approaching. Once the song starts, there is a guitar part that plays throughout the verse, fairly low in the mix but audible, that is meant to give the impression of a fire alarm sounding. I'm kinda proud of this one, because I think I definitely nailed what I was after; I think my sense of panic and hopelessness is conveyed quite clearly in this song as a result.
13. Do you have any favorites you would like to mention?
Mike: If I had to pick one favorite song off of this record, I think I'd have to say "Drink". This is one of the songs that my wife co-wrote with me, and it is a hopeful song, an upbeat song. I think it's fun and a good punk rock song.
14. What are the expectations for this album?Mike: I can honestly say that I have no idea what to expect with this album. I don't know if people will like it or hate it. I don't know if anyone will hear it. All I can say is that I'm happy with the finished product, and that it served its purpose for me. I hope that people listen to it and like it. I hope that people can relate to it. I hope that people understand my story. Really though, I have no idea what to expect.
15. What are your upcoming plans for this year?
Mike: We're gonna promote the hell out of this record! Beyond that, who knows?
16. If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do so now.
Mike: I encourage people to check out this album. I put a lot into this record and I sincerely hope that people will get as much out of it. I recommend listening through the tracks in order - but any way would work too!
Orgy Announces the Sick Talk Tour
Orgy will be hitting the road on the Sick Talk Tour, joining them will be 9Electric and Death Valley High. Check out the list of dates below.
TOUR DATES:
03/25 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
03/27 Minneapolis, MN – POV’s
03/28 Waterloo, IA – Spicoli’s
03/29 Des Moines, IA, Val Air Ballroom
03/31 Joliet, IL – Mojoes
04/01 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
04/03 Amityville, NY – Revolution Bar
04/04 Winchester, VA – Blue Fox Billiards
04/05 Beckley, WV – Muncheez
04/07 Louisville, KY – Expo 5
04/08 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
04/09 Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
04/11 St. Pete, FL – State Theatre
04/12 Sanford, FL – West End Trading Company
04/16 San Antonio, TX – Fitzgeralds
04/17 Houston, TX – Scout Bar
04/18 Austin, TX – Dirty Dog Bar
04/19 Dallas, TX – Trees
04/22 Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
Three Days Grace Reveals Album Details for "Human"
Three Days Grace have announced the title, tracklisting, and album artwork, as well as pre-orders for their new release "Human" due out via RCA Records on March 31st. The pre-order packages for "Human" are as follows, iTunes HERE, Amazon HERE, as well as a limited edition package HERE consisting of a 2-CD deluxe edition one of the album and the second disc containing live versions of "Painkiller," "Let Me Down, “Every Other Weekend,” and an alternate recording of album track “Human Race.” In addition to the music, the deluxe package includes a custom woven beanie, 12" x 12" window cling sticker featuring album art, and a 5 card set featuring picture and note from each band member.
On "HUMAN", Three Days Grace re-teamed with producer Gavin Brown who produced the band’s platinum-selling 2003 self-titled debut album. “We went back to our roots a bit and recaptured that collaborative feeling of being in a band and bringing out the best ideas in each other,” says band member Neil Sanderson. “Gavin was a huge part of that in the beginning and we feel like we’re back in those days where we’re high-fiving each other with guitars in our hands.” In addition, Nick Raskulinecz and Chris Lorde Alge mixed "HUMAN". The band has spent much of the year vigorously touring, writing and recording their new album.
Three Days Grace is Neil Sanderson (drums, piano, backing vocals), Brad Waist (bass), Barry Stock (guitar), and Matt Waist (vocals) who replaced long time vocalist Adam Gontier.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Human Race
2. Painkiller
3. Fallen Angel
4. Landmine
5. Tell Me Why
6. I Am Machine
7. So What
8. Car Crash
9. Nothing’s Fair In Love And War
10. One Too Many
11. The End Is Not The Answer
12. The Real You
DELUXE EDITION DISC 2:
1. Every Other Weekend
2. Painkiller (Live)
3. Let Me Down (Live)
4. Human Race (Atmosphere Version)
The Plot In You Departs from Rise Records with New Song “My Old Ways”
The Plot In You have announced their departure from Rise Records by releasing a new single "My Old Ways". They have also released a statement in regards to the matter;
"Hey everyone I know you all have questions on the status of the band and we are hoping to answer most of it for you now. As you may have seen we are no longer on Rise Records. We want to thank Rise Records for being a tremendous help to our band and putting out our past releases. Currently we are in the process of finishing up our new cd and will announce a new label soon. For now, we would like to give you a taste of our new music we have been working on. We made this new music video for the song “My Old Ways” and it showcases the sound and feeling of the new record. Thank you all for your patience and we will see you on the road next month."
Check out the video HERE.
Doyle (Featuring Legenday Ex-Misfits Guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein) Announces Tour Dates With Mushroomhead & DOPE
Doyle (featuring legenday ex-Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein) have announced the dates of their upcoming tour with Dope and Mushroomhead. The tour kicks off March 13th in Beckley, West Virginia and works it's way though the United States wrapping up on May 3rd in New York.
Doyle will be destroying a venue near you soon. What’s he got to say about the tour? "It's time to hit the road for real and take this as far as it will go. We're fucking ready" he says. And what can fans expect at a Doyle show? "To get fucking pummeled, man. And then go home and ask themselves 'What the fuck just happened to me?!?”...!
TOUR DATES:
March 22 - Expo Five - Louisville, Kentucky
March 23 - Boondocks - Springfield, Illinois
March 25 - The Machine Shop - Flint, Michigan
March 26 - Mojoes - Joliet, Illinois
March 27 - Q & Z Expo Center - Ringle, Wisconsin
March 28 - The Rave - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 01 - Mesa Theatre - Grand Junction, Colorado
April 02 - Area 51 - Salt Lake City, Utah
April 04 - Window Rock Sports Center - Window Rock, Arizona
April 05 - Vinyl - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada
April 08 - Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, California
April 09 - The Observatory - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, California
April 10 - Fullton 55 - Fresno, California
April 12 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, Oregon
April 13 - El Corazon - Seattle, Washington
April 14 - The Palomino - Spokane, Washington
April 15 - Pub Station - Billings, Montana
April 17 - The Summit Music Hall - Denver, Colorado
Side Effect's Kapri wants to Change Lives, Tour, Record Music, and Get more People to Hear Them Play!
Pop rock punks, Side Effect is a 5-piece act based in Hollywood, California. Their most recent release "Another Last Goodbye" an EP showcases their latest talent as musicians and individuals. They have plans to tour, release more tunes and just have more people hear what they can do. Frontwomen vocalist/guitarist Kapri discusses those matters and more!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Kapri: We started out in 2012 and since then we went through like a thousand drummers ;) just kidding of course, but it was hard to find a drummer who would work out for us! In 2013 when we were really upset with it already, and then we met John who auditioned for us like a real champ, and since then the only change was adding another guitar player, Jimmy. So now there's 5 of us, Kapri on vocals, Hisako and Jimmy on guitars, Jim on bass and John on drums.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
Kapri: Band name was a coincidence! Before that we were called "Street of Dreams", but we didn't like it much. Then I was hanging out with one of my friends and we were talking about music, goals in life, dreams, plans - including money, fame, expensive cars ;) and I said "yeah, that would be great, but these are just side effects, the goal is to change the world with your music", and I really liked that. I ran it by the band and we all loved it, so we changed our name to "Side Effect".
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Kapri: We are based down in Hollywood and there are LOADS of bands that we could recommend! Scene in Hollywood is equally great and horrible - a lot of fantastic talent, but scene is ruined thanks to all the clubs doing pay to play. It sometimes is hard to book a show! There are too many bands that we love to name all, but i never miss a show by Newborn Authority, Banshee Bones, Dear Boy or Butch Walker.
4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Kapri: We play pop-punk, but every person in the band comes from different musical backgrounds, so our styles intertwine a lot. Our influences vary from Sex Pistols to Butch Walker to Operation Ivy to Green Day to Dream Theater to Taylor Swift to Rancid to Avril Lavigne to The Brobecks to Good Charlotte to Guns n' Roses to Aerosmith to The Killers to Joan Jett, and that's not even the beginning of our influences list! We are all over the place! :) We also love all genres, as long as it's good music.
5. What's your take on this EP as a whole?
Kapri: I wish it were a full length record! We had few more songs written for it, but when we were doing it we had a pretty tight budget and had to limit it to the best songs we had at the time. What I love about it is that even though the songs together tell a story, each one of them has its own identity and sound, and each one is different from another. Next record we're gonna make towards the end of the year is gonna be a full length, and it'll be different from the EP as well. We like to mix things up a bit.
6. What's your favorite song on the EP right now?
Kapri: My absolute favorite is, and has always been "About You". My favorite song to sing is "92 Yesterdays". The rest of the band, however, favors "Jade Green Eyes" the most, and plenty of our fans agree!
7. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?Kapri: We are full of energy and we every time we play we give a 200%! Even if we're playing for a single person, we apply ourselves as if it were a full stadium - nobody has ever left our show dissatisfied! Also, even though we try to write all our music within the band, we like to collaborate with other authors and some of the songs on the EP are results of such co-writes. We are very determined, hard working, stubborn, and we never ever give up! Also, our song has been a #1 on radio chart in Poland for countless weeks now. ;)
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
Kapri: We want to tour more, record more music, play more music, get more airplay, get more people to hear us, and change more lives! We want to tour the whole world, and we will be starting with the West Coast tour this summer.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Kapri: You can find us on Spotify, CDBaby, Last FM, iTunes, Amazon, and pretty much everywhere else! You can also find it on our Facebook http://facebook.com/wearesideeffect and our website www.wearethesideeffect.com and our Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/wearesideeffect. On our website you can order a physical copy of the EP, and starting in March T-shirts!
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Kapri: Don't stop on the first song you hear, because the next one will be completely different! Other thing is: we like to hear from our fans! so if you particularly like something, want to suggest something, ask a question, or even just say hi, please do! And if you really like what you hear, tell your friends about us or put our songs on the playlist for the next party :) follow us on Facebook to get all the updates, cause there is, and will be, lots of things happening soon!
Swinging Popsicle Opens 20th Anniversary Website
Japanese pop-rock band Swinging Popsicle, veterans of multiple U.S. anime conventions (Fanime, New York Anime Festival, Anime Mid-Atlantic), have launched a “20th Anniversary 2015-2017″ website in celebration of their three phases of debuts:
1995 – Swinging Popsicle is formed
1996 – Indie debut
1997 – Major debut (Sony Music)
In addition to their regular live performances in Japan, Swinging Popsicle has spent recent years contributing to Japanese game soundtracks (Star Mine Girl, Axanael, Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi) and working on new material. Fans can keep up with the band’s anniversary activities and announcements at http://www.swinging-popsicle-20th.com.
In This Moment Announces New Tour
In This Moment have announced a new tour with support coming from Butcher Babies, Upon a Burning Body, and The Nearly Deads. Check out the list of dates below.
TOUR DATES:
April 17 Portland, ME The State Theatre
April 18 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theatre
April 19 Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall
April 21 Worcester, MA The Palladium
April 22 Stroudsburg, PA Sherman Theater
April 23 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
April 25 Fort Myers, FL Fort Rock
April 26 Jacksonville, FL Welcome To Rockville
April 28 Knoxville, TN The International
April 29 Chattanooga, TN Track 29
May 3 Concord, NC Carolina Rebellion
May 5 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
May 7 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
May 8 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room
May 9 Somerset, WI Northern Invasion 2015
May 10 Madison, WI WJJO MayDay MayLay
May 12 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
May 14 Huntington, NY The Paramount
May 15 Niagara Falls, NY Rapids Theatre
May 16 Columbus, OH Rock On The Range
May 22 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma
May 23 Tyler, TX Clicks
May 24 San Antonio, TX River City RockFest
STAGES Premiere "New War" (ft. Steven McCorry of Exotype) Single And Lyric Video At BryanStars
Jacksonville, Florida-based metal newcomers STAGES have dropped their gripping debut single via BryanStars. The song, which comes to listeners in the form of an artistically abrasive lyric video, is undeniably heavy — a powerful debut from a band ready to take the metal and hardcore scene by storm.
"'New War' is about anybody who has left me behind," said frontman Aaron Berkshire on the lyrically transparent track. The song, which was produced by internationally-renowned music producer Joey Sturigs (The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria), is the first to come off of the band's debut EP of the same name. The song features a dynamic guest vocal spot from Steven McCorry of Rise Records band Exotype.
STAGES frontman Aaron Berkshire on "New War":
"I truly believe there is so much out in the world besides the normal. I have fought a lot of my own demons over my dreams and the heart and knowledge it takes to succeed. "New War" is about anyone who has left me behind...you have only made me want to fight a battle to prove myself. This is "forever our war" to fulfill what we feel we are born to do. It lives and burns inside everyone of us. Forget about the past and remember. It is time to move on. This is a new war."
Check it out HERE.
Sister Kill Cycle's Raven Talks About Being Almost Human and Touring
Industrial shock power rockers Sister Kill Cycle, have been creating interest upon themselves since 2004. Thus, their stage presence in their live performances is something that is a true art form unlike anything else.They have crafted their image, performance style, and music tactics to a formula that suits them best. Frontman vocalist Raven Chain discusses of the band's process of their new release, touring plans, and more.
1. First of all, who are you, and what do you do in the band?
Raven: I am Raven Chain and I do vocals.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Raven: I started the band back in 2000 with my brother/drummer Jon Chain. We had been in a few other bands together and just evolved into what we are now. Originally from West Virginia we moved to Tampa, Florida in 2003 and recorded our first EP " Massacre the Guilty" with ex Marilyn Manson drummer Sara Lee Lucas in Orlando, Fl at Masterlab Studios. This record did pretty well and landed us on spots opening for some pretty major acts. We toured around for a few years and went through some member changes. In 2010 we released our second full length album "Redemption Through Rebellion" and toured constantly. Again more member changes and we continued touring. Now we are working on our third full length album entitled " Almost Human". We are also about to go on a long 3 month tour through the US.
3. Who is this sister in this Sister Kill Cycle?
Raven: There is no sister in Sister Kill Cycle. We started out as just Kill Cycle but after hearing that people thought we were a hard core band we decided to add the sister, to soften things up. I guess being a huge fan of Twisted Sister had something to do with that.
4. Who writes the songs, what are they about?
Raven: I write a lot of the songs but some of the other members write as well. I do all the lyrics though. They range from so many topics, some of them real life events while others are simply based on hypothetical ideas.
5. You picked "Dead Bird" as a single choice, will this song be on the "Almost Human" release?
Raven: Yes of course. We picked Dead Bird as the first single because it is a kind of seaway for the two records. There is going to be a lot of material on this record that is really different from the other albums but there is also some that sounds familiar. I felt Dead Bird mixed the new and the old perfectly.
6. What would you say are the bands biggest collective musical influences, and also individual ones that you feel can be heard in the record?
Raven: That really is a hard one to say. We are all so diversely influenced....I grew up loving Alice Cooper, Depeche Mode, Pink Floyd, Jim Carroll, Johnny Cash and a lot of other crazy artists. I guess those artist really influenced me in one way or another, whether it was musically or visually. I guess I would also have to include early Motley Crue.
7. Where are you in the recording process of the new album?
Raven: Right now we are about half way through. Our lead guitarist Dixxi still lives in Sweden so we work back and forth on songs through the internet. Basically we demo a song and then send it back and forth until it is finished, then we will get together and actually record the songs together.
8. Who is producing the album? How has the producer aided the recording process?
Raven: Right now Dixxi and myself are producing the record. We are kicking around the idea of bringing someone else in for another perspective but we have not settled on anyone yet. Would love to work with Tim Skold.
9. Where are you recording the album?Raven: More than likely Hollywood, California.
10. What label will be releasing the album?
Raven: We are going to release on our own label, Negative Image Entertainment.
11. How would you describe the overall sound of the new album?
Raven: I would say the over all sound is very dark. A lot of the songs are really raw and we are experimenting using a lot of different guitar and drum sounds which makes it sound really live. We are kind of liking what it is sounding like so far.
12. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?
Raven: I just knew that I wanted something that was going to be bigger and meaner than Redemption. A lot of things have happened since the writing of that record. I have a hole in my chest where my heart used to be and these songs reflect that.
13. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Raven: Just a lot more experimentation with tones on the guitars and the drums.
14. When did you start writing for this album? How was the songwriting process different/similar to previous Sister Kill Cycle albums?
Raven: I have been writing ideas for this album since 2013. It has taken a while for me to wrap my head around everything and get to the point where I wanted to sit down and record these songs. Not to mention this is the first real break we have had from touring.
15. How is the vibe in the studio?
Raven: Death...darkness... very quiet.
16. Can you say how many songs will be on this album?
Raven: I am hoping for 10-13 but we will see.
17. Who was the artist behind creating the album's artwork?
Raven: I create all the bands artwork. We have several photographers we work with as well.
18. When can we expect the new album to be released?
Raven: That I am not really sure of but I can say it will be in 2015.
19. You will be heading out on tour, what have you done to prepare yourselves for tour?
Raven: Lots of sleep because we certainly wont get much while touring.
20. How do you promote your band and shows?
Raven: Right now we do every aspect of the band ourselves. We left our label for lack of interest and decided that we wanted more control over what we did and how we did things so right now we use social media as much as possible. Nothing really compares to the mass media approach of a label with support goes though so things are a lot smaller than they were. We are really relying on our fans this time around to help promote the record, the tour, the band really.
21. Can you describe your show, visually and musically for us?Raven: Visually we try to make every tour different. We try and make the lighting match the mood of the songs that we are playing so everyone can become emotionally attached to the songs visually and in a way you can't get simply by listening to the record. Musically the shows are loud!!! We love it loud!
22. What will the setlist be like for this touring run?
Raven: Well I don't wanna give too much away but there will definitely be some songs from Redemption, a lot of songs from this new record and maybe even some from Massacre. We will probably also throw in some new covers just to have fun with. I have always loved doing covers and throwing a different spin on them.
23. How about other plans for the band, what else can we expect to see from you guys?
Raven: More touring, more videos and more touring....LOL. We are thinking of working on a short film but I cant say much about that right now.
24. Anything else you'd like to say or want to add on?
Raven: Just thanks for the interview and always thanks to our fans who are so amazing!
URBANGARDE to Make USA Debut at A-Kon 26
Japanese techno-rock band URBANGARDE will make their American performance debut at A-Kon® 26 in Dallas, Texas. The band's outrageous videos and live stage shows combining schoolgirl fetishes, exorcisms, and giant-baby samurai duels have garnered them multiple sold-out shows in Japan and an intense worldwide following.
URBANGARDE will perform a live concert with fan Q&A and autograph sessions during the three-day Japanese anime and pop-culture event, June 5-7, 2015. URBANGARDE appears at A-Kon® 26 by arrangement with RESONANCE Media.
URBANGARDE is a self-described “Trauma Techno Pop” band, mixing male and female vocals, outrageous performance-art visuals, and daring social commentary. After completing three independent albums, they released their major debut singles “Skirt Kakumei” and “Tokimeki ni Shisu” from Universal Music Japan in 2011, followed by their first major-label album release Mental Hells. URBANGARDE’s 2012 album Geiger Counter Culture achieved the number 10 position on the daily Oricon chart in Japan and made the top 25 on its weekly chart.
In 2012, URBANGARDE ranked in the top 5 J-Pop artists on France's NOLIFE TV and made their French live performance debut at the Toulouse Game Show (TGS). URBANGARDE returned to France in 2013 for Japan Expo and released their greatest hits compilation Koi to Kakumei to URBANGARDE, featuring the song “Tokai no Alice.”
URBANGARDE’s latest album Utsukushii Kuni was released in June 2014 on their new label Tokuma Japan Communications, featuring artwork by renowned Japanese painter Aida Makoto. The same year URBANGARDE released music videos for “Sakura Memento” and “One-Piece Shinjuu”. URBANGARDE will make their USA performance debut in 2015 at A-Kon® 26, presented by RESONANCE Media.
A-KON® Profile
Celebrating its 26th year in 2015, A-Kon® hosts anime fans and guests and offers other items of interest ranging from gaming to independent film, all in the quest to provide the best experience for the fans and bring the most engaging and educational entertainment to the anime community.
http://www.a-kon.com
A-Kon® info and registration:
http://www.a-kon.com
http://urbangarde.net
http://www.facebook.com/urbangarde
VIDEOS
"Sakura Memento"
http://youtu.be/E-eRDB3DXqU
"Tokai no Alice"
http://youtu.be/O2IRq6Wm_BM
Primitivo's Carlos and Mauricio says that the World is Out of Balance
Chilean thrash death metallers, Primitivo have released their latest album "World Out of Balance" and are excited to get out more material in the future for all their listeners. Guitarists Carlos Moreno and Mauricio Aguilera each provide information on the band, band's whereabouts, their music, and plans for new material and much more!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Hey Natalie, first of all we`d like to say Hi to all the people who read your zine. Primitivo was formed in 2005 in Santiago Chile. So far we have released 2 albums and 3 official video clips. The only two members that remain from the first line up are Mauricio Aguilera and Carlos Moreno, both on guitars. Our current line up is completed by Paolo Herrera on vocals, Gaston Munoz on bass and Andre Bravo on drums.
2. Why did you pick the name that you did for your band?
We were looking for a Spanish sound, a name that were a synthesis of the Latin American sound, very brutal, very primitive.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Santiago Chile, and well, I don`t know if you have heard that according to Anthrax and Iron Maiden (among others) Chile is the best metal audience in the world Lol... No seriously the Chilean scene it`s pretty good, even respected in other parts like in Europe. We could give you many band names like Recrucide or Sikario, they do a really good death metal.
4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?I`d say we play a technical Death Metal with a south american identity. We have a very broad metal taste and admiration for bands like Sepultura, Testament, Meshuggah etc.
5. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Two albums, the first one just called "Primitivo" and the second one "World out of Balance". I`d say that we've had a better response.
6. Do you play live as well? What do you have planned in terms of shows and touring, if any?
We love to play in gigs but currently we are only focused in composing material for a third album.
7. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
The honesty of our sound, a brutal and at the same time technical style, always looking for a clear musical language, never compromising the quality. Along with lyrics that talk about the reality that surround us. The mankind as a species, The world as our only home.
8. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We want to make a third album. That will keep us excited about the future.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
www.soundcloud.com/primitivometal
www.reverbnation.com/primitivometal
www.facebook.com/primitivometal
www.youtube.com/primitivoofficial
www.twitter.com/primitivo_metal
And if you wanna buy our stuff go to
primitivometal@gmail.com (directly with the band)
www.australisrecords.com (our record label)
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?The honesty of our sound and the clear messages of our lyrics. I don't know, you tell us, listen to our music lol. Bye Natalie, keep rocking and a hug from Primitivo to you and all your readers.
VAMPS ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, HEADLINING VAMPARK FESTIVAL AND NEW TOUR
VAMPS, the Japanese rock band formed by and featuring HYDE (L'Arc~en~Ciel) and K.A.Z (Oblivion Dust), will release a new studio album, Bloodsuckers, through Spinefarm Records on March 24. The pre-order is HERE.
This 13 track release-produced by VAMPS and Josh Wilbur (whose previous credits include Gojira and Lamb of God) and housed in the artwork of mysterious Japanese artist Rockin' Jelly Bean-is the follow-up to Sex Blood Rock N' Roll, released in 2013.
Songs on Bloodsuckers include "World's End," a UK single in 2014, and used in the Sony campaign for the Xperia UK mobile), "Get Away," "Replay," "The Jolly Roger," and "Vampire's Love," which is not just a Top 3 single in Japan but also the song selected to launch Hollywood blockbuster, Dracula Untold, in that market.
In addition, "Replay" was the theme song of Dark Labyrinth, one in a series of a world-famous smartphone apps from Dark Summoner; the app has been downloaded over six million times. "The Jolly Roger" features in the TV commercial for Nissan's X-Trail SUV. It's no surprise then that the album has already been a Top 5 success in Japan.
Says Hyde, who launched VAMPS with K.A.Z in 2008, "Bloodsuckers is a record that we spent almost one year putting together. For me, this is the best work we've done so far, and we would love to tour around the world with these songs."
Bloodsuckers sees VAMPS pushing their take on contemporary hard rock to exotic new heights, blending melody and message over 50 minutes of dramatic, impassioned music.
"Our aim was to build on the excitement of our headline show at Koko in London last year, and of course our appearance at the Download Festival in the UK," explained Hyde.
On the live front, VAMPS have played over 300 dates around the world in the past five years, including shows in North America; they have also visited the South American continent, where their second album, Beast (2010), charted in the Top 4 - a unique achievement for a Japanese act.
Most recently, they completed a run of dates in Japan (33 shows to 65,000 people), climaxing with a worldwide webcast of their Zepp Tokyo show on January 25.
Next, on February 18 + 19, VAMPS will be hosting and headlining their own festival, VAMPARK FEST, set to take place at the legendary Nippon Budokan in Tokyo; the bill will be completed by special guests Sixx:A.M., plus Buckcherry, Gerard Way and Nothing More.
Outside of Japan, VAMPS will tour the US with Sixx:AM in April; this major run of dates - which also features Finland's Apocalyptica - kicks off in in San Francisco on April 8 at The Regency Ballroom.
Says Nikki Sixx of Sixx:A.M, "Sixx:A.M. just played our first Japanese show ever with VAMPS in Tokyo at Budokan. They really gave us our first opportunity to play in front of so many rock fans in Japan. We now want to extend the same for them by bringing them out on tour with us. We can't wait for our fans to discover them all across the U.S."
TRACKLISTING:
1. Reincarnation
2. Zero
3. Lips
4. World's End
5. Evil
6. Ghost
7. Vampire's Love
8. Damned
9. Get Away
10. Replay
TOUR DATES:
APRIL:
WED 8 San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom w/SIXX:A.M.
FRI 10 Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint w/SIXX:A.M.
SAT 11 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia w/SIXX:A.M.
MON 13 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre w/SIXX:A.M.
TUE 14 Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre w/SIXX:A.M.
THU 16 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live w/SIXX:A.M.
FRI 17 Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory w/SIXX:A.M.
SUN 19 Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights w/SIXX:A.M.
MON 20 Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theater w/SIXX:A.M.
TUE 21 Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre w/SIXX:A.M.
SAT 25 Ft. Myers, FL @ Ft. Rock Festival
SUN 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome to Rockville
TUE 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory w/SIXX:A.M.
WED 29 Silver Springs, MD @ The Fillmore w/SIXX:A.M.
MAY:
Fri 1 NY, NY @ Best Buy Theatre (Headline Show)
Fri 15/Sat 16/Sun 17 Rock On The Range @Columbus, OH
SWORN IN TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM
Sworn In will release their new studio album, The Lovers/The Devil on April 7 on Razor & Tie.
The Lovers/The Devil was produced Will Putney (Amity Affliction, For Today, Miss May I). The band will launch the new album pre-order merch bundles next week.
The Lovers/The Devil is the follow up to Sworn In's 2013 debut album, The Death Card, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The Lovers/The Devil, in short, is a concept record delving into the darkness of a destructive relationship. The CD is split into two halves, the first dubbed "The Lovers" and the second called "The Devil."
"The Lovers" tells the story of the man feeling obsessed, psychotic, depressed, and drowning in unrequited love. This half of the CD covers the desperate romantic who lives inside his own head because the real world has become too unbearable. But such is life and this character reaches a breaking point. And with that, comes the split of the record.
"The Devil" charts the course of the role reversal, where the man snaps and becomes the cold, bitter, and numb person that drove him mad, while the female occupies the position the male just went through.
However, the record does not glorify self-destructive love; rather, it chronicles that situation and can be interpreted in any way that feels personal to the one listening. The Chicago-based band takes the listeners on an unforgettable, yet disturbing aural journey. Their mission is thus: to take heavy music from dizzying heights to harrowing lows and leave you speechless in the process.TRACKLISTING:
1. Sweetheart
2. Sugar Lips
3. I Don't Really Love You
4. Oliolioxinfree
5. Waltz
6. Pins and Needles
7. Lay With Me
8. Weeping Willow
9. Pocket Full of Posies
10. Sunshine
11. Scissors
12. Sour
13. Love Drunk
Void Creation Insist that 1984 is the Track for Them and Me
Thrash death metallers Void Creation have already given a glimpse of what was written and recorded upon "Deadnology" with the track "1984". While being busy writing and recording for this follow-up to their debut EP, it will all pay off dearly. Due to the band having loads of plans on playing shows, touring, and writing even more tunes for more material. The band took some time to discuss this release and those plans.
1. What type of band are you?
We are 5 different characters which unites the passion for metal music. Finally we play Death/Thrash Metal influenced by old school and modern metal.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Void Creation was founded in Vienna in 2006 by ex-members of Diabolica and Saviour. The former Seeds of Sorrow shouter completes the active Line-up in 2008. An absolute highlight for the band was the Wacken Open Air appearance in 2010 and our first record “Mind Control” from 2011. Void Creation now is an inherent part of the Austrian metal scene.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Our origins are in the Viennese underground scene, which is very alive. There are lots of venues where you can play and more Bands than you can name. So on the other side there is also a lot of competition. In Austria there are many great bands and a lot of these great bands we consider our friends. So if you wanna listen to some heavy shit, check out Catastrofear, Prometheus, Scarecrow N.W.A., Mastic Scum, Parental Advisory, Misanthropic Might, Pungent Stench, Days Of Loss, Harmanic, Horns Of Hattin, Vargsrikret, Black Inhale and many more.
4. What is the story behind the name, VOID CREATION, if there is one to tell?
This oxymoron combines the contradictory terms from the process of creation and the meaningless of the void which gives an idea of the existence and the actions of today's mankind.
5. Who are your musical influences?
Good Question. Wouldn't the cavemen have been pounding their drums with bone sticks we probably wouldn't be making music nowadays. So you can say we are influenced by them. But to be more precise: It’s hard to name specific genres or bands, but you can hear old school thrash as well as you can hear modern death metal or grindcore. Some people have been spreading rumors, that they heard an occasional slayer riff here and there in our music. Of Course, we deny that.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Most of the lyrics deal in a critical way with the shit whats going on in society or the human brain. Surveillance, destruction of our environment, mass slaughter, inner strife. But to not get depressive, we also have a few nicer songs about getting inked or playing live.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)Yes, all songs are written by us. The songwriting process is quite collaborative. If one person comes with an idea we try to work it out together. Of course this coin has two sides. Sometimes finishing one song takes longer, but on the other hand everyone has the same feeling about the songs.
8. You have your new release "Deadnology" what can people expect from it?
Those who have listened to our first album “Mind Control” can expect “Deadnology” not only to be faster and more brutal, but also to be more complex in the songwriting area. The years between the two albums were very important for us to define our style, to grow as a band and to bring our songwriting to a higher level. This we hope one can hear when comparing both albums. So, people can expect a hard Death Metal album with varied songs which leads to hurting necks including one little surprise.
9. If you had to pick one song off the new release, to show someone to introduce them to your music, which would you pick?
1984.
10. How does it feel to have yet another release under your belts and added to the VOID CREATION name?
It feels extremely good to put all the experience and the hard work oft he past years in this album. It shows that we've grown since “Mind Control”.
11. Why did you see "1984" as an opening track for everyone to hear first hand off "Deadnology"?
One reason is, that the topic of 1984 is more present than ever before. Another reason ist that it’s one of the fastest and diverse songs which prepares the listener for the rest of Deadnology.
12. Did you guys have any leftovers from this release that will be used for future releases or have you gone forth and already written material for future purposes?
Currently we have three songs which could also fit on this album, but didn't make it in time to get recorded. And also we are writing on new material.
13. How about shows and touring, what plans do you have for those events?
We are now promoting our album. The CD release show is on 11th of April in Vienna with Entrails. To perform on a festival this year would be great, but it’s nothing planned yet.
14. What else do you guys have planned for this year?Write new songs, try to play as much as possible and have a great time with our fans.
15. Anything else you'd like to add or would want to say?
Thank you fort he interview. Listen hard to our music and bang your head to this shit. Looking forward to see you on one of our shows.