WINGTIPS - "Run for Shelter"

WINGTIPS: "Run for Shelter" music video now streaming; North American tour kicks off in November

The official music video for Wingtips' track "Run for Shelter" is now streaming via Post-Punk.com.

The song appears on Cutting Room Floor, the Chicago duo's sophomore album, released in September on Artoffact Records.

Stream the video, here:

https://post-punk.com/goth-pop-duo-wingtips-explore-love-and-sensuality-in-their-dance-driven-video-for-run-for-shelter/

Buy the album, here:

https://wingtips.bandcamp.com/album/cutting-room-floor

Of the new album, Post-Punk.com states: "Wingtips’ sophomore album Cutting Room Floor is a love letter to the classic dark pop sound of the 80s, while highlighting songwriting that transcends nostalgia with shimmering melodies and heartfelt emotions that resonate throughout."

A recent review in the Chicago Reader proclaims: "Vincent Segretario and Hannah Avalon have developed an aesthetic steeped in love for theater and the dreamy, dreary sounds of gothy 80s and 90s synth-pop bands, but on Cutting Room Floor they also embrace new directions and experiments—as well as some of their best songwriting yet."

Of the new music video, Wingtips' Vincent Segretario states: “For the music video, we sought to take the story to the next level through movement and dance. Our collaborator, Neil Schwartz, a visionary choreographer based in NYC, truly captured the unique dynamics of the song. The final product is a beautiful story of how love is fluid, and how the uncertainties of life can lead you through divergent paths ultimately finding your true self.”

Having just completed a US fall tour, Wingtips returns to the road in November for more dates, including shows with Vision Video and Lebanon Hanover.

Nov 26 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar (w/ Vision Video)
Nov 27 - Orlando, FL @ Will's Pub (w/ Vision Video)
Nov 28 - Miami, FL @ Gramps
Dec 2 - Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
Dec 4 - Louisville, KY @ Art Sanctuary
Dec 7 - Richmond, VA @ Fallout
Dec 8 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
Dec 9 - Philadelphia, PA @ Warehouse on Watts
Dec 11 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Dec 12 - Providence, RI @ Dusk
Feb 11 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace (w/ Lebanon Hanover)
Feb 12 - Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount (w/ Lebanon Hanover)

Photo by Carlos Azuara

CONFINES - Work Up the Blood

CONFINES: Synthicide label to release new "Work Up the Blood" EP; new track streaming now

NYC vocalist and producer David Castillo announces the release of Work Up the Blood, the newest manifestation of his solo project, Confines. A five-song EP, Work Up the Blood will see a December 3rd release via the acclaimed Synthicide label.

Stream first single "Oro y Muerte" and pre-order the EP, available in digital and cassette formats, here: https://synthicide.bandcamp.com/album/work-up-the-blood

A lynchpin of Brooklyn's nightlife scene for more than a decade, Castillo synthesizes his experiences and passions into Confines, a project which sees him out on his own for the first time and zealously pursuing a new mode of expression.

Castillo's first forays under the Confines name included 2019's debut EP, Geography of Nowhere 1, a Full of Hell remix track, and this year's "Hammer and the Dance" single. This small handful of tracks established the blueprint: hard, seductive industrial-techno built on irresistible rhythms and heavy ambience, the type which could only be created by a person who knows firsthand the euphoria of early morning hours spent on NYC's darkest, smokiest dance floors.

Of the new EP, Castillo states: "I saw Jeff Daniels play Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway. Instead of using the phrase 'work up the nerve,' he said 'work up the blood,' and it just hit different. I needed to work up the courage to fully be myself and just explore everything I am, or could become, musically. NO FUCKING FEAR."

On Work Up the Blood, Castillo's newfound energy radiates from every beat and hook. "My ideal for this EP was to create dance music that incorporates the rhythms and bass heaviness that get me excited to move, while juxtaposing it with a memorable mood that gives it depth," he says. The result is five absolute bangers that demand to be spun repeatedly. Reference points range from the militant EBM of Nitzer Ebb to the moody synth-pop of Depeche Mode; from the darkest techno of Vatican Shadow to the Colombian cumbia music that played in Castillo's childhood home. 

"As far as process goes, I recorded a bunch of my own samples in my dad's machine shop," he says. "I produced the entire thing at home." Work Up the Blood's rhythms and textures are designed for maximum impact and they deliver, but the secret weapon is Castillo's singing voice, an element which barely appeared on previous Confines tracks. Castillo peppers Work Up the Blood's songs with soulful screams and murmurous vocal melodies that elevate the EP from mere "electronic music" status to something even greater and more universal – music with the potential to stir the passions of anyone with a pulse. "I am happy to be using my voice more now," he says. "Vocally, I am a product of years in punk, hardcore, metal and that reflects clearly, alongside some new more melodic approaches."

Lyrically, Castillo credits NYC as his first and foremost muse and his lyrics navigate the existential highs and lows of life in the city. But not only has Castillo been a resident of NYC and witness to its extremes, he has been a very central figure in the city's music scene for the past decade. As co-owner and booker of Saint Vitus Bar – the wildly popular Brooklyn venue where all manner of heavy, underground sounds coexist under one roof and where artists ranging from Converge to Dreamcrusher have performed intimate shows since 2011; as a vocalist in stage dive-worthy bands like Primitive Weapons; and, most recently, as the co-founder of new label Faktor Music; Castillo's efforts have arguably been shaping the culture of the very city he is singing about.

Confines is Castillo's most personal project to date and Work Up the Blood is its ultimate representation so far. In Confines, Castillo has created a space where he can exorcise his own demons while also selflessly providing a thumping, cathartic soundtrack by which for others to find their release.

Work Up the Blood was produced entirely by Castillo at his home studio, Chateau Castillo. The EP was mixed and mastered by Kris Lapke (Alberich). The cover art was created by AJ Annunziata.

Tracklist:
1) Oro y Muerte
2) Buried Clothes

3) Every Day the Warehouse Shook

4) Concrete Club

5) Parma at Midnight

Discography:

Geography of Nowhere 1 (EP) - 2019, Synthicide

Angels Gather Here, Confined (Full of Hell remix) - 2019, self-released

Hammer and the Dance (single) - 2021, self-released

Work Up the Blood (EP) - 2021, Synthicide

Photo by A.F. Cortes

KÆLAN MIKLA + KANGA

KÆLAN MIKLA: Icelandic post-punks announce European tour with KANGA

With its fourth full-length album, Undir Köldum Norðurljósum, released last week on Artoffact Records, Icelandic post-punk trio Kælan Mikla announce an extensive tour for Spring 2022, hitting twelve countries across the European continent. Joining Kælan Mikla for the tour will be Artoffact labelmate KANGA.

Translated to English as "Under the Cold Northern Lights," Undir Köldum Norðurljósum bursts with the raw punk spirit and whimsical Icelandic visions which have fueled Kælan Mikla from the very start. As Revolver Magazine phrased it in a recent article: "Chilly, primal post-punk... In addition to the group's signature mix of ethereal native-tongue vocals, blood-curdling screams, propulsive bass and mechanized drums, the LP also features a stirring guest appearance from like-minded blackgaze outfit Alcest." Stream the album and buy it, here: https://kaelanmikla.bandcamp.com/album/undir-k-ldum-nor-urlj-sum

Kælan Mikla has toured with the likes of Alcest, Drab Majesty and King Dude and was hand-picked by Robert Smith of The Cure to play The Cure's 40th anniversary show as well as a slot on the Pasadena Daydream festival.

From Los Angeles, KANGA is a unique and powerful force, singlehandedly writing and performing her own strain of dark pop, informed by a love of industrial music. KANGA's second full-length, You and I Will Never Die, was released in March on Artoffact. In the words of Post-Punk.com: "[KANGA] is a unique fixture on the scene, fusing post-apocalyptic pop sensibilities with body-shaking rhythms and sinuous melodies... Her dynamic mix of production, songwriting, vocal melodies, and synth create a lush, highly-danceable tapestry." Stream the album and buy it, here: https://kanga.bandcamp.com/album/you-and-i-will-never-die

KANGA was handpicked by Gary Numan to tour the UK as main support for his 40th anniversary tour; she has also toured with The Black Queen (Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan) and more.

Kælan Mikla with KANGA: Spring Tour 2022

Apr 13 - Berlin, DE @ Urban Spree
Apr 14 - München, DE @ Rote Sonne
Apr 15 - Strasbourg, FR @ La Laiterie Artefact
Apr 16 - Lucerne, CH @ Sedel
Apr 17 - Luxemburg, LU @ Rotondes
Apr 18 - Paris, FR @ Petit Bain
Apr 19 - Nantes, FR @ Le Ferrailleur - Club Concert
Apr 20 - Tourcoing, FR @ Le Grand Mix
Apr 21 - Aarschot, BE @ Jeugdcentrum De Klinker
Apr 24 - Nürnberg, DE @ Desi Nürnberg
Apr 26 - København, DK @ Spillestedet Stengade
Apr 27 - Malmö, SE @ Plan B
Apr 28 - Göteborg, SE @ Showdown
Apr 29 - Oslo, NO @ Blå
Apr 30 - Stockholm, SE @ Hus 7
May 03 - Helsinki, FI @ On the Rocks
May 04 - Tampere, FI @ Tullikamari Tampere
May 05 - Tallinn, EE @ Sveta Baar
May 06 - Riga, LV @ Klubs Melnā Piektdiena
May 08 - Warsaw, PL @ Pogłos
May 09 - Krakow, PL @ Hol
May 10 - Gdansk, PL @ Ziemia
May 11 - Wroclaw, PL @ Akademia
May 12 - Hannover, DE @ Cafe Glocksee
May 13 - Bochum, DE @ Die Trompete
May 14 - Mannheim, DE @ MS Connexion Complex
May 15 - Leipzig, DE @ Moritzbastei

Photo by Kormákur Jarl

Out today: CREUX LIES - Goodbye Divine

 

"In essence, Goodbye Divine is a celebration to the post-punk lore that already exists, and it does this task with a penetrating gusto. It’s a succinct ride, densely packed with shimmering guitar work, melancholic synth, and a deluge of chorus effects. The overall aesthetic feels like a romantic love story, plonking its protagonists on top of a serene hill, beset by the end of the world unfolding around them."

– Sputnik Music

"Creux Lies have definitely become a tight unit live, playing shows with Clan of Xymox, Drab Majesty, Soft Kill, Glaare, Actors, Vowws. If you are a fan of the fore-mentioned bands, Creux Lies will definitely appeal to your ears, and should be part of your record collection."

– Northern Transmissions

"'With the dark, frenetic energy of bands like Editors, Interpol, and even a hint of Duran Duran, Creux Lies delivers a track that is both highly infectious and deeply unsettling.”

– Post-Punk.com

 

“CREUX LIES is making me wish I had a field to dance the pain away in as the autumn air starts to sift through Vancouver with its clammy fingers. I’m watching the video for their single ‘Becoming’ and their uplifting darkwave-tinged post-punk is helping me to welcome the dark days ahead.”

– Cvlt Nation

Check out the visualizer for track "PS Goodnight," via Northern Transmissions, here.

Stream the single “Becoming,” via New Noise Magazine, here. You can also enjoy the accompanying video for the same track, premiered via Cvlt Nation, here.

Watch the spellbinding video for the album’s first single, “Misunderstanding,” via Post-Punk.com, here.

Residing in Sacramento, CA, CREUX LIES describe themselves as “Californian gazed-out romantic post-punk party-goth.” Having already shared stages with a roster of notable acts such as Clan of Xymox, Drab Majesty, Soft Kill, Glaare, Actors, Vowws and others, Creux Lies have been inspired to develop their own headlining performance antics, including powerful performances with dramatic visuals and lighting effects. Releasing their debut full length, The Hearth, on Cleopatra Records in 2018, the band bring both departures from and revivals of elements of their prior work with the release of their newest album, Goodbye Divine, to be released on Freakwave, new label for contemporary Post-Punk and Cold Wave.

Goodbye Divine will be released today on new label, Freakwave. It will be released digitally on all streaming platforms as well as on CD and limited edition 12” deluxe gatefold black vinyl. Vinyl/CD and t-shirt bundles are also available. Order it, here.

Following the release and subsequent year of our first album, “The Hearth,” Creux Lies began nurturing some new compositions for a second release. Taking off in many directions, lending greatly to the band’s dynamic sound once harnessed, led to a good departure from playing their previous album live for two years, and there was plenty of new material to work with and whittle down. Then, the pandemic hit. Suddenly isolated, the band was left trying to make responsible choices on how to continue writing and recording. This was a challenging endeavor for a band that typically relies on each member to bring their own perspectives to their sound. They began experimenting using virtual sessions, file sharing, utilizing home production, creating and flying around edits and changes to one another over the months leading up to their time in the studio.  Around the end of Summer 2020, Creux Lies finally had the demo tracks prepped enough to start working with their engineer and producer, Patrick Hills of Earthtone Studios. With the tedious and trippy experience of creating during a pandemic, the album took almost a year to finish recording and mixing. This album does, in true Creux Lies fashion, offer a complete range of emotions throughout the album; prepare to find yourself ass shaken and watery-eyed before you raise the needle on Goodbye Divine.

Goodbye Divine:

1. Jungle

2. Misunderstanding

3. Becoming

4. PS Goodnight

5. Renegade

6. Lore

7. I Wish I Was You

8. Wicked

CREUX LIES website 

Bandcamp

Instagram: @creuxlies

Facebook

YouTube

SO HIDEOUS - None But a Pure Heart Can Sing

SO HIDEOUS: post-metal visionaries return after six years with new album "None But a Pure Heart Can Sing"; surreal video for first single "The Emerald Pearl" now streaming

Silent Pendulum Records announces the December 3rd release of None But a Pure Heart Can Sing, the new album by So Hideous.

None But a Pure Heart Can Sing is the New York City band's first new album since 2015's acclaimed Laurestine, released on Prosthetic Records.

Stream the music video for "The Emerald Pearl" – a dazzlingly surreal slab of cinema by director Brendan McGowan – here: https://www.brooklynvegan.com/so-hideous-announce-new-album-ft-number-12-looks-like-you-members-watch-a-video/

Described with words like "stunning" and "haunting," 2015's Laurestine is an album of post-metal tempests, augmented by a 30-piece orchestra. BrooklynVegan hailed the album as "devastating, end-of-the-world type sh*t, putting screamo, post-rock, and atmospheric black metal in a blender and really letting those modern classical influences shine with the orchestral parts." Mass Appeal called it "metal heavily influenced by the sound of film scores... atmospheric bliss."

In the six years since Laurestine, So Hideous founder Brandon Cruz and his longtime collaborators Christopher Cruz and Etienne Vazquez went their separate ways and devoted themselves to families and careers. So Hideous receded into the mist but Brandon Cruz never stopped writing. In 2020, with a new album's worth of music taking shape, the Cruz brothers and Vazquez brought bassist DJ Scully and drummer Michael Kadnar – the explosive rhythm section of The Number Twelve Looks Like You – into the ranks.

None But a Pure Heart Can Sing is a new and astonishing piece of work from this adventurous band. Still raging as hard as ever, still expressing the extremes of torment and beauty, None But a Pure Heart Can Sing sees So Hideous incorporate new sounds and rhythms into its approach.

Brandon Cruz describes in detail the new direction the band has taken: "I think we still have the foundation of what we laid before, being influenced largely by Japanese post-metal bands Mono and Envy, and composers such as Arvo Part and Max Richter. We wanted more rhythm this time and we expanded outward to include influences from Fela Kuti and Tony Allen's Afrobeat percussion, James Brown's horn section, and the balladry of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. It was also nice to finally experiment a bit with more Penderecki-style tone clusters and glissando on the more dissonant sections."

Absolutely thrilling on a musical level, absolutely cathartic on an emotional level, None But a Pure Heart Can Sing is an example of the triumph of art created with open minds and open hearts.

Discussing the concepts behind None But a Pure Heart Can Sing, Brandon Cruz states: "The record is about rediscovering the freedom to share your passion, whether it be your art or your own voice, without any angst, anger or second thoughts. We talked a lot about the times we used to get into a room to play when we were 16 or whatever and the only barometer was if it 'felt right and sounded good.' When you see little kids they just extemporaneously break out into song and dance. They don’t care who’s watching. I had this idea of someone in some form of captivity, yearning to be free and sing her song."

None But a Pure Heart Can Sing was engineered, mixed and mastered by The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios. The vocals were recorded at Atomic Garden West by Jesse Nichols.

Tracklist:
1) Souvenir (Echo)
2) The Emerald Pearl
3) Intermezzo
4) Motorik Visage
5) From Now (Til the Time We're Still)

Lineup:
Brandon Cruz - guitar, keys, string arrangements, lyrics
Christopher Cruz - vocals
Etienne Vazquez - guitar
DJ Scully - bass
Michael Kadnar - drums

Strings:
SEVEN)SUNS
Earl Maneein, Adda Kridler, Blanca Cecelia Gonzalez - violins
Fung Chern Hwei - viola
Jennifer DeVore - cello

Horns:
Lynn Ligammari - saxophone
Nadav Nirenberg - trombone
Jackie Coleman - trumpet

Discography:
Last Poem First Light, self-released, 2013
Laurestine, Prosthetic Records, 2015
None But a Pure Heart Can Sing, Silent Pendulum Records, 2021

LOSS BECOMES - Healing

LOSS BECOMES: NYC metalcore mavericks, featuring Chef Brian Tsao, release stunt-filled music video for new single "Healing"; band enlists members of Killswitch Engage, Dillinger Escape Plan, Fit For An Autopsy for cameos; single and video available now

"Do yourself a favor and check out [Loss Becomes'] stunning new song and music video... It will have you hitting rewind." –Revolver Magazine

Loss Becomes, the New York City band founded by acclaimed chef and guitarist Brian Tsao, has released new single "Healing" on all platforms. Stream the track, here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lossbecomes/healing

Stream the song's official music video, here: https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-loss-becomes-wild-stunt-filled-star-studded-video-healing

With swagger and aggression evoking the likes of Every Time I Die and Throwdown, Loss Becomes revitalizes the spirit of American metalcore and drenches it in NYC attitude. The sound is thrashy, groovy, and anthemic – and, consisting of four New York natives hailing from Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, and Long Island, Loss Becomes is a New York beast, through and through.

New single "Healing" explores the concept of loss, a concept so central to Tsao's vision that he named his band after it. "There's a lot to be gained from loss, because it's often the catalyst for change... for better or worse," he states.

Loss Becomes vocalist Anthony Copozzi adds: "'Healing' is a song about celebrating life after death. Loss is always hard to accept, especially when it's someone you're close to, but having that person in your life is a miracle in itself worth honoring through celebration."

"Healing" is the fifth single to be released by the band since December 2020, all of which were recorded at Westfall Recording Co. in Farmingdale, NY with producer Anthony Lopardo (Moon Tooth, Cryptodira) at the helm. 

While the song itself is dead serious, the official music video, shot and directed by Washed Up Media, showcases the band's comedic side, utilizing the acrobatic skills of Loss Becomes drummer Alec Kossoff – by day, a professional stuntman.

"Before becoming a metal musician, I grew up as an acrobat/gymnast," states Kossoff. "Over the years that specific skill-set has put me in some really unique situations. I’ve performed for the NBA, Barack Obama’s inauguration, the 2017 film ‘The Greatest Showman’ starring Hugh Jackman, and most recently, as a stunt performer in NYC, which I do full time."

The video follows Kossoff through an odyssey to get to band practice, encountering mishap after bonebreaking mishap along the way. His bandmates' futile attempts to fill the drum throne with a suitable replacement bring them into contact with a rogue's gallery of rock clichés, played to perfection by Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicidal Tendencies), Tim Howley (Fit for an Autopsy), and YouTuber Justin Whang. Loss Becomes bassist Will Gomez, a former member of metallic hardcore greats Tiger Flowers, enthuses, "It was such a pleasure to work with every guest on this video... Tim Howley plays a drunken character he calls Jim. It was pretty hilarious and we all know Tim doesn't drink, which made it even funnier. The beginning of our scene begins with a firm handshake which was a total homage to one of my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, Predator. 'Dylan… you son of a bitch!'"

Kossoff is not the only Loss Becomes member with an enviable day job. Founder/guitarist Tsao first rose to fame in 2014 by outdoing celebrity chef Bobby Flay in Season 1 of the hit Food Network show, Beat Bobby Flay. In the years since, Tsao has held head chef positions at NYC hotspots such as Beauty and Essex and has appeared everywhere from CBS This Morning to Metal Injection. The metalhead epicurean is currently opening his own sandwich shop in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, while producing the "Sandwich Sunday" YouTube series which unites his passions for food and music.

Earlier this month Tsao put sandwiches from the YouTube series on showcase to a packed house at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY. The "Sandwich Sunday Pop Up," capped off by a short set from Loss Becomes, brought rave reviews, selling out supplies and leaving fans wanting more. Loss Becomes returns to Saint Vitus Bar on October 26th with New Zealand metal machine Alien Weaponry.

Lineup:

Brian Tsao - guitar

Will Gomez - bass

Alec Kossoff - drums

Anthony Copozzi - vocals

Discography:

"Focus" - single, 2020

"Promises" - single, 2021

"Memory" - single, 2021

"Moments" - single, 2021

"Healing" - single, 2021

Upcoming shows:

Oct 22 - Potsdam, NY @ Hurley’s w/ Sunflo’er
Oct 23 - Cobleskill, NY @ Mangoe Fest ‘21

Oct 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar w/ Alien Weaponry

Nov 6 - Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall w/ Extinction AD

More info:
https://linktr.ee/lossbecomes

https://chefbriantsao.com/

Photo by Sean Ageman

Out today: TUNIC - Quitter

Quitter, the new album by Tunic, is out today on Artoffact Records.

Stream the album, here:

https://tunicband.bandcamp.com/album/quitter

More info, here:

https://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2021/07/tunic-quitter.html

"Tunic make quick work reminding listeners of the shoulders they stand on: Fugazi, Jesus Lizard, Big Black, et cetera. They deftly maneuver into a signature but familiar sound, with Ellis’ overdriven bass and Schellenberg's go-for-broke punk playing style matched to Unger's impassioned drumming. Like the best of their contemporaries in KEN Mode, Whores., and Bummer, everything sounds like it’s teetering on the edge of collapse... As listeners, we trust that what is ostensibly disjointed anarchy will come together and, well, slap. And if 'Quitter' does anything, it slaps."
–Invisible Oranges

“No-frills, in-your-face noise-punk that could probably be classified as screamo if David Schellenberg’s vocals were just a little higher-pitched. It’s a winning formula that’s kept Converge in business for a few decades now, and which similarly makes each new single that trickles out from the Tunic camp an event to look forward to.”

–Flood

"Hurtling forward AmRep-style... while Schellenberg punishes his lungs to scream."

–Decibel

"An exhilarating onslaught of noisy punk madness."

–CVLT Nation

"Brutal, uncompromising songs... Quitter also has the primal sound of a group cut loose in the wilderness with only their inventive wits and sheer, screaming force of will to survive."

–Post-Trash

"Short bursts of electric energy... Flashes of noisy chaos and trembling bass lines."

–New Noise

"Canada’s Tunic does noise rock the right way: obtuse, jagged, extremely loud and pummeling in such a way that it bruises to the core. However, there’s another element to their approach... the realism in the lyrics, the real time experiences that color each track, and the scathing vocal delivery from David Schellenberg."

–Nine Circles

Out today: KÆLAN MIKLA - Undir Köldum Norðurljósum

Undir Köldum Norðurljósum, the new album by Kælan Mikla, is out today on Artoffact Records.

Stream the album, here:

https://kaelanmikla.bandcamp.com/album/undir-k-ldum-nor-urlj-sum

More info, here:

https://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2021/07/klan-mikla-undir-koldum-norumljosum.html

"We here at Revolver HQ are big fans of Kælan Mikla's chilly, primal post-punk, and we're not alone. Count among their champions the one and only Robert Smith, who handpicked the Icelandic trio to play the Cure's 40th anniversary show in 2018. It's as meaningful an endorsement as any trio of young goths could ever hope to win. Kælan Mikla's latest album is Undir Köldum Norðurljósum, and in addition to the group's signature mix of ethereal native-tongue vocals, blood-curdling screams, propulsive bass and mechanized drums, the LP also features a stirring guest appearance from like-minded blackgaze outfit Alcest."
–Revolver

"Dark, brooding, and eerily catchy."
–BrooklynVegan

"Haunting and melancholic."
–Post-Punk.com

"Profound darkness and elegance... Kælan Mikla's vision at its most expanded and audacious."
–Destroy//Exist

"Lush and cinematic material... pulling the listener into their unique world full of folklore, fairytales, magic, spells and mysticism."
–Joy of Violent Movement

"Undir Köldum Norðumljósum builds upon the 2018's Nótt eftir nótt in grandiose form... It's at times soothing and at times infectious... Narrating folk tales of magic and mysticism in their native tongue."
–Heaviest of Art

KÆLAN MIKLA + Revolver

KÆLAN MIKLA: new album "Undir Köldum Norðurljósum" now streaming in its entirety

Revolver Magazine is now streaming Undir Köldum Norðurljósum, the new album by Kælan Mikla.

Set for an October 15th release on Artoffact Records, Undir Köldum Norðurljósum (translated to English as "Under the Cold Northern Lights") is the Icelandic trio's fourth full-length album.

Stream the album, here:
https://www.revolvermag.com/music/kaelen-mikla-hear-icelandic-trios-stunning-new-album

Pre-order, here:
https://kaelanmikla.bandcamp.com/album/undir-k-ldum-nor-urlj-sum

Bursting with the raw punk spirit and whimsical Icelandic visions which have fueled Kælan Mikla from the very start, Undir Köldum Norðurljósum takes the band's unmistakable sound and presents it in a manner even more lush and engrossing than before. Cinematic layers of synth, ethereal vocals sung in their native tongue, spine-chilling screams, driving bass and programmed drums combine to pull the listener deeper than ever into Kælan Mikla's world — a place of folklore and fairytales, magic and mysticism.

Undir Köldum Norðurljósum features a guest appearance by Alcest, with whom Kælan Mikla toured Europe in early 2020.

The album artwork was created by graphic design duo Førtifem, known for their covers, posters, and merch for artists such as Emperor, Slipknot, Rammstein, and Carpenter Brut.

In addition to touring with Alcest, Kælan Mikla has toured with the likes of Drab Majesty and King Dude and was hand-picked by Robert Smith of The Cure to play The Cure's 40th anniversary show as well as a slot on the Pasadena Daydream festival. In 2018, the band's third album, Nótt eftir nótt, won Album of the Year at the prestigious Kraumur Awards in Iceland and landed on year-end lists in magazines and blogs worldwide.

Photo by Dean Wallflower

TUNIC + Invisible Oranges

TUNIC: sophomore album "Quitter" streaming now in its entirety

With Tunic's new full-length, Quitter, set for a Friday, October 15th release on Artoffact Records, Invisible Oranges has launched an exclusive stream of the entire album.

Stream Quitter, here:
https://www.invisibleoranges.com/tunic-quitter-premiere/

Pre-order, here:
https://tunicband.bandcamp.com/album/quitter

Engineered and mixed by Jace Lasek (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) at Private Ear Studios in Winnipeg, Canada, and mastered by Carl Saff (Bambara, Human Impact), Quitter is a concept album whose songs explore various manifestations of "quitting" –– frontman David Schellenberg's lyrics confront loss, abandonment, sobriety, and the process of tearing down one's life in order to rebuild. Bridging the gap between harsh and heartfelt, Tunic's sound unites caustic noise-rock pummeling and earnest post-hardcore confessions, as if Big Black and Drive Like Jehu were reincarnated as one trio from Winnipeg.

Invisible Oranges' write-up states: "Tunic make quick work reminding listeners of the shoulders they stand on: Fugazi, Jesus Lizard, Big Black, et cetera. They deftly maneuver into a signature but familiar sound, with Ellis’ overdriven bass and Schellenberg's go-for-broke punk playing style matched to Unger's impassioned drumming. Like the best of their contemporaries in KEN Mode, Whores., and Bummer, everything sounds like it’s teetering on the edge of collapse... As listeners, we trust that what is ostensibly disjointed anarchy will come together and, well, slap. And if 'Quitter' does anything, it slaps."

A recent review from Flood Magazine describes it as “no-frills, in-your-face noise-punk that could probably be classified as screamo if David Schellenberg’s vocals were just a little higher-pitched. It’s a winning formula that’s kept Converge in business for a few decades now."

Decibel Magazine summed up the new album in three words: "chaotic, clanging, recommended."

 

Prior to 2020, Tunic prided itself on playing a minimum of 100 shows per year. This attitude led to shows across North America with the likes of Metz, New Primals and Winnipeg brethren KEN mode. "This music is meant to be played live and experienced live. I love to tour and there is nothing else I'd rather do," says Schellenberg. Stay tuned for news of the next live appearances.

Photo by Adam Kelly

KÆLAN MIKLA + Alcest

KÆLAN MIKLA: Icelandic post-punks collab with Alcest on new single

Kælan Mikla's new single "Hvítir Sandar" is now streaming on all platforms. The track is a collaboration with French post-metal pioneers Alcest.
 

Stream the track, here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/456LMV2LbrV7LnuIUd6Anl

Stream the official music video, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKts4tF9ue8

"Hvítir Sandar" appears on Kælan Mikla's forthcoming Undir Köldum Norðurljósum, the fourth album by the Icelandic band, set for an October 15th release on Artoffact Records.

Kælan Mikla gives this statement about the song: "'Hvítir Sandar' is about feeling like you’re being defeated by your inner faults and demons. It’s about self-acceptance. Even if you carry a darkness within, it’s what makes you who you are, and you shouldn’t have to change for other people."

Alcest offers these words about the collaboration: "We felt really honored when Kælan Mikla offered us to be guests on their song 'Hvítir Sandar.' Alcest and Kælan Mikla toured together in 2020 and from the start we definitely saw connection between the two bands, despite the stylistic difference. 'Hvítir Sandar' is one of our favorites on the album and before even starting to work on it we had a vision of what the aesthetics of Alcest could bring to the song. We are so proud of how it turned out and we hope that the fans of Kælan Mikla will enjoy this collaboration just as much as we did!"

Bursting with the raw punk spirit and whimsical Icelandic visions which have fueled Kælan Mikla from the very start, Undir Köldum Norðurljósum takes the band's unmistakable sound and presents it in a manner even more lush and engrossing than before. Cinematic layers of synth, ethereal vocals sung in their native tongue, spine-chilling screams, driving bass and programmed drums combine to pull the listener deeper than ever into Kælan Mikla's world — a place of folklore and fairytales, magic and mysticism.

The album artwork was created by graphic design duo Førtifem, known for their covers, posters, and merch for artists such as Emperor, Slipknot, Rammstein, and Carpenter Brut.

In addition to touring with Alcest, Kælan Mikla has toured with the likes of Drab Majesty and King Dude and was hand-picked by Robert Smith of The Cure to play The Cure's 40th anniversary show as well as a slot on the Pasadena Daydream festival. In 2018, the band's third album, Nótt eftir nótt, won Album of the Year at the prestigious Kraumur Awards in Iceland and landed on year-end lists in magazines and blogs worldwide.

Photo by Dean Wallflower

KILLER HILL - Frozen Head

KILLER HILL: Helmet, Guzzard members announce debut EP "Frozen Head"

Killer Hill announces the December 3rd release of debut EP Frozen Head.

Based in Los Angeles and New York, Killer Hill is a new trio featuring two members of Helmet – guitarist/vocalist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case – along with drummer Pete Beeman whose resumé includes Amphetamine Reptile greats Guzzard.

Stream new single "Bent" and pre-order the Frozen Head EP, here:
https://killerhill1.bandcamp.com/album/frozen-head

On Frozen Head, the Beeman brothers and Case dance on a knife's edge between volcanic alt-rock and teeth-gnashing thrash. Across the EP's six songs, swinging grooves and soaring vocals intertwine with fangs-out metal mania. Radiant songcraft meets venomous shred; euphoric hooks meet feral riffage and double-bass volleys. A must-hear for fans seeking levitation as well as annihilation, Frozen Head hits a bulls-eye on the same range where bands such as Helmet, Mastodon, and Red Fang have been firing for decades. It is a riveting new slab of music from three consummate professionals.

As a lyricist, Dan Beeman peruses the dark corners of existence, using different characters' perspectives to tell his surreal stories. He states: "'Trash' is about a gardener's battle with the pests attacking his garden. 'Frozen Head' is about a guy having a drug-fueled bout of insanity, armed with a machete. 'Bent' is from the perspective of a pickup truck that has a bent frame... It's about overcoming odds despite our damage."

Frozen Head was engineered and mixed by Travis Pavur (Black Lips, Eagles of Death Metal) at Golden Beat Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Bass was recorded by Joe Cincotta (Obituary, Suffocation) at Full Force Studios in Ronkonkoma, NY. Helmet drummer Kyle Stevenson added percussion to "Trash" and "Frozen Head." Mastering was handled by Pete Lyman (Sturgill Simpson, Trash Talk) at Infrasonic Mastering in Nashville, TN. The cover art was created by Cody Drasser.

The EP follows 2019's "About a Goat" seven-inch and two prior singles.

In addition to his role in Helmet, bassist Dave Case is a member of death metal veterans Afterbirth; drummer Pete Beeman counts hard rockers Burning Brides amongst his past credits.

Stand by for news of Killer Hill's next live shows.

Tracklist:

1) Trash

2) Frozen Head

3) Laser Head Removal

4) Bent

5) Bullshit Mountain

6) Re-Entry

Lineup:

Dan Beeman - guitar, vocals

Pete Beeman - drums

Dave Case - bass

Photo by Raz Azraai

TUNIC - "You're a Bug"

TUNIC: Flood Magazine premieres seizure-inducing video for new single "You're a Bug" from upcoming Artoffact Records album "Quitter"

With Tunic's new single "You're a Bug" released today via all streaming platforms, Flood Magazine has premiered the track's official music video.

Stream the "You're a Bug" video – which comes with a strobe warning – here:

https://floodmagazine.com/94474/tunic-youre-a-bug-premiere/

The video was created by director Ryan Steel.

"You're a Bug" appears on Tunic's upcoming sophomore album, Quitter, out October 15th on Artoffact Records. 

Tunic guitarist/vocalist David Schellenberg states: "The song 'You're A Bug' is the oldest song on Quitter. I wrote the bassline and the lyrics on the last night of our first-ever European tour in early 2018 and I knew I had something that I was excited to work on once we got home. The video was very fun and quick to make, we just went to Ryan's apartment, painted our faces green and jumped in front of his green screen and then he worked his magic."

Engineered and mixed by Jace Lasek (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) at Private Ear Studios in Winnipeg and mastered by Carl Saff (Bambara, Human Impact), Quitter is a concept album whose songs explore various manifestations of "quitting." Pre-order the album, here: https://tunicband.bandcamp.com/album/quitter

Tunic can trace its musical roots to the caustic, angular stylings of Big Black and The Jesus Lizard and their colleagues from across the AmRep and Touch and Go rosters. Pummeling drums, distorted bass, discordant guitar, and wild-eyed vocals combine and lurch forward like an Army tank of sound. Yet, Tunic is more transparent than its noise-rock heroes ever were. There is an earnestness that links the Winnipeg outfit to a line of more heartfelt ancestors — post-hardcore gods like Drive Like Jehu and Fugazi. Frontman David Schellenberg lays his soul bare as he screams his head off about the most personal of topics.

Prior to 2020, Tunic prided itself on playing a minimum of 100 shows per year. This attitude led to shows across North America with the likes of Metz, New Primals and Winnipeg brethren KEN mode. Stay tuned for news of the next live appearances.

Photo by Adam Kelly

Out today: ACTORS - Acts of Worship

ACTORS' new album Acts of Worship is out today on Artoffact Records.

Stream the album and buy it, here:

https://actors.bandcamp.com/album/acts-of-worship

More info:

https://thechainworld.blogspot.com/2021/08/actors-acts-of-worship.html

"Vancouver's ACTORS have been making dark, danceable post-punk for the better part of a decade, and are gearing up to release their second album, Acts of Worship, on October 1 via Artoffact Records. We've got the premiere of the video for the album's new single, the sultry 'Cold Eyes,' which sounds like neon-lit black leather, as [frontman Jason] Corbett whisper-growls over an incessant, minimal beat."
–BrooklynVegan

 “Acts of Worship is one long love song to post-punk, new wave, and darkwave. There’s not a weak, non-danceable track on here. It’s all goosebumps and closed eyes and laser lights in my head."
–CVLT Nation

"On their latest album, Acts of Worship, Vancouver favorites ACTORS have traded their post-punk for 80s euro synth pop. It’s a dark gothic record, filled with heartache and black romance."
–Northern Transmissions

"From the shattered glass goth-pop of “Obsession” to the mechanical, Numan-esque crunch of “Cold Eyes”... ACTORS’ second act is almost spiritual in nature."
–Vanyaland

"Amazingly crisp and pristine production accentuates this dark, spacious approach led primarily by bass and keyboards... One cannot deny the cinematic construction of the compositions."
–Aversionline

"This post-punk/new wave-esque band have really taken the genre by storm. Their new album, Acts Of Worship, is drenched in hard driving beats, huge hooks, and soothing atmosphere."
–Audioeclectica