Band reveal first single and video for “Denigrate” (feat. Daniel Tompkins)
Godsticks open 2020 with their new and most accomplished studio album, Inescapable. Their mix of heavy rock, progressive and alternative metal with a dynamic range of angular riffs and emotional depth will leave listeners reeling. The band’s sound has refined over their releases on Kscope, beginning with the technically astounding metal on Emergence to the more industrial and progressive-influenced Faced With Rage. Now, with Inescapable, the band have channeled their energy and technical ability into the melody, phrasing and vocal performance, allowing emotion to take center stage.
The band found themselves wanting a definitive theme running through Inescapable, without turning it into a concept album, of being more open, more personal and ultimately one that shines an inquisitive light on Charles’s struggle with inner demons which gave the songs a new level of intimacy. “Lyrically, I’ve always shared personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences but in a very ambiguous way. For Inescapable – in a conscious effort not to repeat ourselves – I thought I’d be a little more self-reflective and perhaps examine some of my inner demons. I have a strange relationship with music, and especially playing guitar. I would struggle to survive without either, but equally, they have made my life mentally torturous because my own self-worth is completely wrapped up in them. I used to be very much a perfectionist in my early years, and whilst some people may wear that as a badge of honor, I eventually viewed it as a huge heavyweight dragging down. It was a long time before I arrived at the realization that perfection was impossible to achieve.” elaborates Darran Charles.
Perfectly highlighting the album’s leitmotif, the band reveals their first single “Denigrate”, “the writing of this song was a sort of analysis of my ongoing battle with perfectionism and the general feeling that nothing you do ever meets the impossibly high standards you set for yourself”. The song features additional vocals from TesseracT’s gifted vocalist Daniel Tompkins to record vocal harmonies, adding an extra layer of aggression and energy.
The shoot for the quirky video, directed by George Laycock (Blacktide Audio/Visual) proved to be a memorable day for the band as Godsticks drummer Tom Price recalls “Everyone in the band was so excited about the concept, but when we arrived on set and saw a large table full of cakes, sweets, chocolate, sugar, sprinkles, honey and all manners of confectionary, the magnitude of what we had all let ourselves in for finally dawned on us! By the end of the shoot we were completely covered in everything – it was like ‘The Great British Bake Off’ meets ‘Apocalypse Now’! It was so much fun to make, but despite several spins in the washing machine I still can‘t get that sweet sickly smell out of my jeans!” Charles chimes in “It wasn’t fun, it was horrible!”
Inescapable was produced by James Loughrey (Skindred) and recorded at the famed heritage Monnow Valley studio.
Godsticks are supporting the new material beginning in April with a UK tour followed by summer festivals
2/4/2020 – Cardiff – Fuel Rock Club 3/4/2020 – London – Black Heart 4/4/2020 – Edinburgh – Opium 5/4/2020 – Manchester – Gullivers
Inescapable will be released on CD, LP & digitally. (“Denigrate is available as an instant download on digital pre-orders) on 7th February through Kscope and is available to PRE-ORDER HERE NOW
Godsticks are: Darran Charles: Vocals, guitars, keys, synths Dan Nelson: Bass Gavin Bushell: Guitars Tom Price: Drums Backing vocals on ‘Denigrate’ – Daniel Tompkins
In order to promote this upcoming release, a new video clip directed by Tomasz Pulsakowski / Sightsphere & Animatic is being launched today here:
Polish progressive Rock masters RIVERSIDE will soon be releasing a special edition 2CD+DVD version of the “Wasteland” album on November 29th, 2019 via InsideOutMusic.
The ”Wasteland – Hi-Res Stereo and Surround Mix” 2CD+DVD (as pictured above!) will come as Digipak format with Slipcase and includes a DVD bonus disc of “Wasteland” as Hi-Res Stereo 24bit version and as Surround Mix (4.1), plus 3 video clips. This special edition also contains 5 previously unreleased acoustic tracks/versions on a separate CD. Here is the exact tracklisting for the 3-Disc release:
CD 1 – “Wasteland” Album (50:58 min.):
1. The Day After (01:48) 2. Acid Rain (06:03) 3. Vale Of Tears (04:49) 4. Guardian Angel (04:24) 5. Lament (06:09) 6. The Struggle For Survival (09:32) 7. River Down Below (05:41) 8. Wasteland (08:25) 9. The Night Before (03:59)
CD 2 – “Acoustic Session” (26:48 min.):
1. Vale Of Tears – Acoustic (05:18) 2. Out Of Myself – Acoustic (03:57) 3. 02 Panic Room – Acoustic (03:26) 4. River Down Below – Acoustic (05:01) 5. Wasteland – Live Intro (09:00)
DVD (122:20 min.):
“Wasteland” Hi-Res Stereo (50:58 min.): 1. The Day After (Hi-Res Stereo) (01:48) 2. Acid Rain (Hi-Res Stereo) (06:03) 3. Vale Of Tears (Hi-Res Stereo) (04:49) 4. Guardian Angel (Hi-Res Stereo) (04:24) 5. Lament (Hi-Res Stereo) (06:09) 6. The Struggle For Survival (Hi-Res Stereo) (09:32) 7. River Down Below (Hi-Res Stereo) (05:41) 8. Wasteland (Hi-Res Stereo) (08:25) 9. The Night Before (Hi-Res Stereo) (03:59)
“Wasteland” Surround Mix (50:58 min.): 1. The Day After (Surround Mix) (01:48) 2. Acid Rain (Surround Mix) (06:03) 3. Vale Of Tears (Surround Mix) (04:49) 4. Guardian Angel (Surround Mix) (04:24) 5. Lament (Surround Mix) (06:09) 6. The Struggle For Survival (Surround Mix) (09:32) 7. River Down Below (Surround Mix) (05:41) 8. Wasteland (Surround Mix) (08:25) 9. The Night Before (Surround Mix) (03:59)
Video-Clips (20:24 min.): 1. Lament (Official Video) (06:11) 2. River Down Below (Official Video) (05:40) 3. Wasteland (Official Video) (08:33)
RIVERSIDE checked in with the following comment:
“We’re coming closer to the big finale of our “Wasteland” adventure. The surround edition of the album with a bonus “Acoustic Session” EP will be out very soon, and the final concerts of the “Wasteland Tour” have already been announced for March and April 2020. But let’s start with the new clip to our title composition, created by our friends from Sightsphere.
“Wasteland” is without a doubt one of our most important releases, thanks to which the band was born again. We’d like to thank all of you who have made it possible.“
The 5 previously unreleased acoustic tracks/versions of the “Acoustic Session” will also made available as separate Digital EP on November 29th, 2019 as well.
The pre-order for both upcoming RIVERSIDE releases starts today and here:
The dates for RIVERSIDE’s next European tour in February & March 2020 are as follows:
RIVERSIDE – WASTELAND WITH THE SUN TOUR 2020 26.02. Madrid (Spain) – MON Live 27.02. Barcelona (Spain) – Salamandra 1 29.02. Milano (Italy) – Legend Club 01.03. Treviso (Italy) – New Age Club 03.03. Lubljana (Slovenia) – Kino Šiška 05.03. Zagreb (Croatia) – Tvornica Kulture 06.03. Novi Sad (Serbia) – Pozorište Mladih 07.03. Thessaloniki (Greece) – Principal Club Theater 08.03. Athens (Greece) – Gagarin 205 Live Music Space 10.03. Istanbul (turkey) – Zorlu PAC 11.03. Sofia (Bulgaria) – Music Jam Club 12.03. Bucharest (Romania) – Quantic Club 13.03. Cluj-Napoca (Romania) – /FORM SPACE 15.03. Budapest (Hungary) – Barba Negra Tickets: https://riversideband.pl/en/with-the-sun-tour-2020
RIVERSIDE – “I’m Your Private Wasteland Tour 2020” 16.04. Wrocław (Poland) – A2 17.04. Gliwice (Poland) – Arena Gliwice 18.04. Kraków (Poland) – Studio 19.04. Warszawa (Poland) – Progresja 25.04. Gdańsk (Poland) – Stary Maneż 26.04. Poznań (Poland) – Sala Ziemi
Following a run of dates in Europe and the UK, Canadian heavy music artist Devin Townsend will bring his ‘Empath’ tour to North America in Feb 2020. Joining the tour are InsideOutMusic label mates Haken, who will be reprising their run as support on the European leg, along with American progressive metal band The Contortionist. The tour kicks off Feb 27th in Toronto and concludes March 25th in San Francisco. Haken and Contortionist will alternate as main support. Devin Townsend released his critically acclaimed album ‘EMPATH’ in March of this year.
27-Feb Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON 28-Feb Corona Theatre – Montreal, QC 29-Feb Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY 01-Mar Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA 03-Mar Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA 05-Mar The Underground – Charlotte, NC 06-Mar Center Stage – Atlanta, GA 07-Mar The Plaza Live – Orlando, FL 09-Mar Warehouse Live – Houston, TX 10-Mar Granada Theater – Dallas, TX 12-Mar Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN 13-Mar The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI 14-Mar Metro – Chicago, IL 15-Mar House of Blues – Cleveland, OH 16-Mar Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD 19-Mar First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN 20-Mar Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS 21-Mar The Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 23-Mar The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ 24-Mar The Mayan – Los Angeles, CA 25-Mar The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
‘EMPATH’ is out now on Limited 2 CD Digipak in O-Card (including an entire disc of bonus material), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 180G 2LP Vinyl + CD + LP-booklet & as digital album. Order now here: https://devin-townsend.lnk.to/Empath
Devin recently released the animated video for the track “Why?” from ‘Empath’ which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/fT-uWOVP5q0
The Flower Kings – announce; Iamthemorning & Rikard Sjöblom to replace Kayak on EU tour
Progressive rock legends THE FLOWER KINGS are due to hit the road in December in support of their latest album ‘Waiting For Miracles’ (out 8th November 2019), and unfortunately touring partners Kayak have been forced to drop out of the tour due to unexpected health issues. Joining the tour as replacements will be Russian chamber prog band Iamthemorning who recently released their new studio album, as well as Rikard Sjöblom – known for his work in Beardfish, Gungfly & Big Big Train.
Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings comments: “We bring news regarding the upcoming Flower Kings tour of December – the Dutch classic band Kayak, who was initially to be our touring partner has had to pull out, due to serious and unexpected medical conditions of main guy Ton Scherpenzeel. We are all sad about this but wish for a speedy recovery and perhaps another chance to share the stage later on. The brighter news is that we’ve managed to get the brilliant band Iamthemorning, singer Marjana Semkina and pianist Gleb Kolyadin & band, to join us in a package show that will also include a set from genius Rikard Sjöblom (Big Big Train, Beardfish). We will all play our separate sets – but there will likely be guesting and as usual the grand finale is not to be missed! We’re really looking forward to a great evening of expanding, young, vibrant ‘prog’ music. New songs from The Flower Kings brand new double album ‘Waiting For Miracles’ and bundles of classic Flower Kings and beautiful and groovy music from our new guests.” The three acts will perform 12 dates across 6 countries, and you can find the full list of shows below, tickets on sale now:
1st December – Bahnhof Pauli, Hamburg, Germany 2nd December – Musik Zentrum, Hannover, Germany 3rd December – OK Andaluzia, Piekary Slaskie, Poland 4th December – Klub U Bazyla, Poznan, Poland 6th December – Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, Netherlands 7th December – De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands 8th December – Scala, London, UK 9th December – Piano, Dortmund, Germany 10th December – Columbia Theater, Berlin, Germany 11th December – Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark 12th December – Brewhouse, Gothenburg, Sweden 14th December – Kraken, Stockholm, Sweden
As mentioned previously, ‘Waiting For Miracles’ is due out on the 8th of November 2019.
Understated is definitely not an adjective that can be applied to Norwegian Prog Folk Rockers TUSMØRKE whose latest album “Leker for barn, ritualer for voksne” is set for release on Karisma Records on the 29th November.
Based on two musicals for children, “The Bridge to the Other Side” and “The Root of All Evil”, “Leker for barn, ritualer for voksne”, which translated means “Games for children, rituals for adults”, consists partly of Tusmørke’s take on traditional Norwegian children’s songs, and partly on new material by the band. And, whilst waiting for its release, Karisma Records have lifted the veil on what we can expect, by releasing a single from the album.
The album itself will be available in CD, Digital, Black Vinyl and Limited Edition White Vinyl formats, all of which include a 16 page lyric booklet, which, according to the band, “May, or may not, explain the plot”.
With artwork by Thore Hansen, track listing for “Leker for barn, ritualer for voksne” is as follows:
Bro bro brille 9. Velkommen til Hades
Per Sjuspring 10. Kharons vise
Kjerringa med staven 11. På den ytterste nakne øya
Ta den ring 12. Jeg gikk meg over sjø og land
Tornerose 13. Den tolvte Baal
Bjørnen sover 14. Gamlas seierssang
På Torneroses slot 15. Eventyret er ute
Sjubidubidu Sju 16. Du og jeg og vi to
TUSMØRKE’s lineup is drawn from bands like WOBBLER, JORDSJØ and ALWANZATAR, and, in keeping with the band’s innate eccentricity, the variety of instruments they have at their command is staggering, with Benediktator on Bass, vocals, Glockenspiel and percussion, Krizla on Flute, vocals, electronics and percussion, The Phenomenon Marxo Solinas on Minimoog Model D, Korg CX3, William de Blaise on harpsichord, Steinway & Sons Grand Piano, Hohner Clavinet D6, Mellotron M400, Hammond C3, Wurlitzer 200 and Solina String Ensemble, and HlewagastiR on Drums and percussion.
The band happily admit that:
Not everyone who took part in the plays completely understood what they were doing. Neither did everyone in the audience. But here it is, in all its gory glory as the collegium of dashing adventurers and explorers of the unknown reaches of history, known to the unwashed masses under the pseudonym TUSMØRKE, have yet again brought fresh fever from the stars.
With no small risk to their very lives, they have investigated the Mesopotamian idolatry that hid beneath what we, in our innocence, thought were simple songs and verses concerned with harmless folklore and creatures of fantasy. Concealed by a veil of ignorance, these ritualistic rhymes and summoning songs reveal themselves as portals to blissful and terrible realms. Astral worlds and delirious peaks tread forth from the inner places of mankind, and thus exert their power over the reality we share in our waking hours.
Our rhymes, riddles and games for children contain ancient elements. Could one find traces of past religious rituals in them? Seemingly innocent texts gain a more foreboding aspect when viewed in light of the human sacrifices, spiritual journeys and ecstatic trance rituals of Europe in times past. Cultural traits that are today associated with exotic voodoo rituals, Buddhism or cannibalistic head hunters of New Guinea were once widespread among our Celtic and Germanic tribes.
“Leker for barn, ritualer for voksne” is now available to pre-order from:
District 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. For over a decade, this quintet from Chicago has melded an adventurous instrumental prowess with the look, sound, and stage presence of Leslie Hunt. Through world tours and a stream of studio and live releases, the band has garnered a worldwide fanbase; collaborating with John Wetton and drawing praise from Bill Bruford, Mike Portnoy and other rock luminaries along the way. Their forthcoming album “Screens” and its accompanying live show promises to be their most ambitious effort to date.
“We had a blast playing ‘Screens’ live earlier this year in North America, and we can’t wait to bring that and some of our older material across the pond for the very first time. To do so whilst teaming up with incredible bands like Flyiing Colors, Goblin, and Maschine make this tour an absolute must see.”
Tour dates: 9/30/19, Burg Schnabel Berlin, DE 10/02/19, Das Rind Rüsselsheim, DE 10/03/19, De Boerderij Zoetermeer, NL 10/05/19, Spirit of 66 Verviers, BE 10/06/19, Summer’s End Prog Festival, Chepstow, UK 10/07/2019, The Robin 2 w/Maschine, Bilston, UK 10/08/19, The Musician w/Maschine, Leicester, UK 10/09/19, 229 w/Maschine, London, UK 10/10/19, Trading Boundaries w/Maschine, East Sussex, UK 10/13/19, Progtoberfest V @ Reggies, Chicago, IL 10/17/19, Arcada Theater w/Flying Colors, St. Charles, IL
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