SOFT PLAY release first taste of new era with ‘Punk’s Dead’
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We hope that you are enjoying your Bank Holiday weekend whatever you are doing? Be sure to read until the end for some News Report news!!
We begin though with the return of SOFT PLAY (formerly known as Slaves). The duo have now shared their first taste of new music since they reconvened for 2000trees last month.
Next up in our News Report this week are Black Stone Cherry who are on the home stretch towards new album, ‘Screamin’ at the Sky’, which arrives on September 29th.
Continuing the build up, the band have now shared latest single, ‘Smile, World’, which you can check out above.
DragonForce vocalist Marc Hudson has shared, ‘Starbound Stories’, the latest track from his solo album of the same name. You can of course listen to the track above.
Hudson says, ââStarbound Storiesâ, the title track, serves as the unrelenting epilogue to the albumâs sonically rich tapestry of adventure & destiny, resounding into skies and souls alike the ultimate power metal anthem of perseverance & belief in the self.â
The final new release in our News Report this week comes from Silent Planet, who have shared new single, ‘Collider’, which you can check out above.
The track comes ahead of upcoming album, ‘SUPERBLOOM’, which arrives on November 3rd.
Take all the darkness. All the vitriol, the greed and the vanity; lay it again as dust. Everything can be alchemized. This song is called ‘Collider,'” says singer Garrett Russell. “It’s about what comes out of our lives when the people we trust and hold closest are the ones who can hurt or betray us the worst. We don’t have to run from the pain or be afraid. The dark gives us the energy to make something beautiful. The song is about alchemizing the darkness and transforming its negative properties.”
“A SUPERBLOOM is this strange moment where brilliant fauna spring forth unexpectedly and bring forth such an array of colors, it almost feels alien in origin,” Garrett notes. “It only lasts for a couple of weeks before itâs gone. While we were recording, the SUPERBLOOM was happening. For me, the record is getting in touch with the other side and watching the strange and paranormal emerge from the mundane and profane, hence the title.”
Northern Irish metal outfit ARCHIVES have announced their new album ‘No Bliss In Ignorance’ and shared lead single âNo Sweatâ.
Talking about the new single, vocalist Adam Holland shares: âNo sweat is about the concept of corruption/hypocrisy within corporations and institutions. Regardless of how much you try to hide it the truth will always find the light eventually. The single shares the harsh reality that much of the worlds corruption is covered up by those who financially gain from it. Some people are born into wealth & privilege and are undeserving of it.â
Skies Turn Black – ‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’
British heavy metal up-and-comers Skies Turn Black have released new anthem ‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’.
The band comment: “‘Sweet, Sweet Solitude’ was written back in lockdown, and lyrically it discusses the loneliness that lots of us went through during that time. Musically speaking, it’s a contrast from our usual flashy guitar work, leaving more space for the voice and the other instruments to shine.”
Raisin Awareness – ‘No More’
UK punk band Raisin Awareness share new song ‘No More’.
Jo D, the band’s lead vocalist, and guitarist, says, “This song is my way of personifying my internal struggle with depression and anxiety. The lyrics, ‘As we converse with these voices inside of our heads, I just can’t believe all the things that I said to myself,’ depict the constant, often self-deprecating dialogue that occurs in my mind.
Followed then by the line, ‘it’s like Piccadilly Circus inside of my head,’ metaphorically illustrates the chaotic nature of my mental health battles. Much like London’s Piccadilly Circus’s bustling, overwhelming nature, my mind is constantly filled with noise, confusion, and turmoil brought on by anxiety and depression.
Despite the personal growth I’ve experienced, the response ‘No more, no more, do you care’ represents the relentless nature of anxiety and depression. Even as I evolve and grow stronger, these personified entities remain, constantly challenging my perception of self-improvement.
Further to that, the song’s dialogue between ‘Do you know me’ and ‘Do you care’ signifies the complex relationship between personal growth and mental health. It’s a testament to the fact that even as we make strides in understanding ourselves and growing, our mental health battles persist, sometimes making us question if any real progress has been made.”
We began our News Report in February 2021, but this week will be the last edition in its current format. We will be announcing our replacement later this week on Social Media so make sure that you are following Full Pelt!
As Trivium themselves proclaim tonight, it always feels like a homecoming when the Floridian metallers come to the UK. The band grew up on our island and their success has become intrinsically linked to the response of the UK to each release.
Tonight will see the band at the UEA in Norwich playing a tailored set to include a celebration of âShogunâ. Their fourth studio album, the record arrived at a crucial time for the band as they navigated a lukewarm response to âThe Crusadeâ â an album which was supposed to take the band to the pinnacle of the industry.
When that didnât happen, âShogunâ was the reset moment needed for the band to almost start again. Over the course of the subsequent fifteen years the band have matured into one of the most loved and respected metal bands on the planet with a consistent flow of high quality albums which looking back is quite astonishing.
ORBIT CULTURE
Also astonishing is the bands aptitude for selecting support acts and on this run of shows, they have both Orbit Culture and Bleed From Within along for the ride! Swedes Orbit Culture are a decade into their own career and that comes across with an experienced and assured performance to get the crowd engaged early.
BLEED FROM WITHIN
Having formed back in 2005, Bleed From Within certainly canât be classed as a new band either, but the current momentum behind them is relatively new. Emerging from the pandemic with not one, but two acclaimed albums the band have made of the most of their recent studio time.
Theyâve also made the very most of any stage time given to them and again tonight if you didnât arrive as a fan of the band, youâll most definitely be leaving as one. The group are able to create an instant connection with the audience and the synergy between them is mightily impressive.
TRIVIUM
With both bands having already turned the venue into a sweatbox, itâs soon enough time for Trivium to arrive on stage and close out the evening with ninety minutes of pure majestic brutality.
âIn The Court of the Dragonâ and âDown From The Skyâ quickly ensure that the audience is fully onside as the band flex their muscles early. It isnât long before the likes of âStrifeâ and âPull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyrâ absolutely annihilate venue security with a seemingly endless barrage of crowd surfers.
The love between band and audience is clear for all to see and as the band begin to explore âShogunâ with rarities likes âThe Calamityâ and âInsurrectionâ, an appreciation of the depths of the bands discography is overwhelming.
Newer material like âCatastrophistâ and âThe Heart From Your Hateâ receive just as euphoric responses tonight as classics like âA Gunshot to the Head of Trepidationâ and staple set closer âIn Wavesâ. This is just further evidence both of the bands connection with the UK audience but most pertinently the intense quality of all their releases.
Ten albums and nearly twenty-five years in the band tease a short break is coming after this tour. Whilst this is very much hard earned, on the form the band find themselves in both on record and onstage as evidenced tonight, you are left praying that the gap isnât that long!
Next comes news of a brand new album from Within Temptation!
The band announced this week that, ‘Bleed Out’, will be released on October 20th. You can also listen to the title track above!
Vocalist Sharon den Adel states, âThe war in Ukraine has influenced us a lot. As artists we are inspired by the world, and we have this platform. We are storytellers, and I think as human beings, these are things we should be talking about.â
Whilst songs such as âWirelessâ and âWe Go To Warâ examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.
Sharon explains, âI lived in Yemen when I was a kid. My parents lived in several countries in the Middle East, and Iâve visited them a lot when they were there. Itâs a different world. Due to my time there, I feel connected to that part of the world. Iâve been so incredibly impressed by the bravery of the young women there whoâve been burning their scarves knowing they were going to be thrown in prison or worse â itâs heartbreaking.â
Ash continue to prepare for the release of their new album, ‘Race the Night’, which arrives on September 15th.
This week saw the band share new single, ‘Usual Places’, which you can check out above.
Tim Wheeler comments: âOriginally written as a tribute to long forgotten bars and faces as I was leaving New York, âUsual Placesâ took on extra significance as the first thing we worked on together post-lockdown. Below the surface of the joy of writing and playing together again, there’s a subconscious grief to all that was lost in those years. Friends and family, pubs and venues. This is our eulogy to them all. No coincidence the video was shot in the Marquis of Lorne, just a walk from Brixton Academy.â
K.Flay teams with Pierce The Veil on ‘Irish Goodbye’
K.Flay – ‘Irish Goodbye’ ft. Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil)
K.Flay has shared new single, ‘Irish Goodbye’, which features Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil.
Check out the track above, which comes ahead of new album, ‘MONO’, which arrives September 15th.
âI was screaming in the demo to that song and eventually I realized, âI have a friend who screams professionally, so maybe I should get him on this,ââ K.Flay recalls.
JAWS have shared new single, ‘Sweat’, which you can check out above.
The tracks comes from upcoming EP, ‘If It Wasn’t For My Friends, Things Could Be Different’, which is out on September 15th.
Connor Schofield explains, âLyrically âSweatâ is about dealing with your anxiety in the moment, everything slowing down and trying to take it as it comes when in an overstimulating situation.â
Soon after news of a Creed reunion, Scott Stapp have shared a new single, ‘Higher Power’, which you can check out above.
Stapp says, âLifeâs mysteries can be unraveled by listening to one’s inner voice. For me, that means leaning on my faith in God and listening to His voice to guide me through the struggles and darkness. For others, whether itâs through art, nature, science, family, or a combination of all, tapping into a higher power is an individualized process that requires an open mind and a willingness to flow with a force thatâs greater than the individual.â
“UK! It has been far too long (since 2018!) and weâve missed you so much. Weâre so excited to come back this December”. Those were the words of The Used as they announced a new headline UK Tour.
Support will come from The Home Team and Honey Revenge.
The Cult have revealed details of a very special tour focusing on their early material and material from predecessors Southern Death Cult and Death Cult.
Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun reveal headline dates
Recent Podcast guests Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun have revealed a new headline tour which will take place this autumn.
The band commented, “Our first tour since 2019. Weâll be playing songs from our new album as well as all our old favourites. Donât miss out! Stoked to see you all.”
Oxymorrons share new single, ‘Look Alive (Netic)’ from upcoming debut album, ‘Melanin Punk’.
The band explains, â’Look Alive’ is the perfect sonic representation of our unique blend of Rock and Hip-Hop. It hits hard, exudes energy, and lives authentically in both spaces. With swaggy, unapologetic vibes, it simultaneously uplifts while delivering a powerful message: ‘Hard Times Get Better.’ Stay focused, Stay Active, and Push Forward, always Look Alive.”
Noise – ‘Victor’
Glasgow four-piece Noise share ‘Victor’ from newly announced debut EP, ‘Not Until Tomorrow Night’.
âOur debut EP explores the link between nostalgia and the present,â explain the band. âThese themes are woven into retellings of classic novels such as Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray with a modern twist. The songs perfectly represent our musical ideals and weâre immensely proud of them.â
Matthew Lowry – ‘Coming For You’
Matthew Lowry shares latest single, ‘Coming For You’.
âI knew right away when I wrote the riff for this song that I needed to follow through on it. It was so much fun from the start because, for a long time, my songwriting had been missing the hard rock that I grew up loving. The stuff that made me want to put a guitar on. A little Southern flare mixed with the rock anthems I blasted throughout my entire childhood. No better way to be honest with yourself and move forward than to let out the real stuff you have inside. And since this album is about that journey to embrace yourself and move forward in life, it was perfect.
Once this was tracked in the studio, that feeling I had from the start was confirmed. I wanted this to be the final single before the album came out. Lyrically, itâs pretty straightforward: Iâm over trying to be anything for anyone. No more fear, no more paranoia. Iâm bringing my shit front and center. This is me, this is my music, this is who I am.
Then to be really me, we knew that we wanted to make the video as ridiculous and goofy as we could. Since I started planning the album, I had this idea for the âFlamingo County Gamesâ as a Jackass style backwoods Florida olympics. A bit of a nod to the Foo Fighters in their golden era of amazing music videos with those huge rock anthems. In the end, it all came together, and I honestly could not be happier. â -Matthew Lowry
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the best new releases from the past week and up first is the latest single from Creeper.
This week saw the band share, ‘Teenage Sacrifice’, which you can check out above. The track comes ahead of the release of new album, ‘Sanguivore’, out on Friday 13th October.
Singer William ‘Von Ghould’ says: âThe song introduces Mercy, the protagonist of the Sanguivore narrative. Sheâs deceptively innocent yet savagely violent, and her ability to make people fall under her spell is just one indication that Mercy is not all that she seems.â
Next up is the return of Lonely The Brave, the band this week sharing their brand new single, ‘The Lens’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on newly announced upcoming album, ‘What We Do To Feel’, which will arrive on November 10th.
Guitarist Mark Trotter comments: “You can plan it out as much as you want, but you’re just along for the ride. That’s the most exciting part, seeing what it decided to be. With this album, we’re certainly more mature as people and as a band. That makes sense with everything that has happened since our last one.”
Singer Jack Bennett continues about the single, saying it “is a track about the way we value each other. It’s different for everyone and we each have a unique perspective towards the world.”
The Struts are next in our News Report as this week saw the band reveal details of their new album, ‘Pretty Vicious’, which will be out on November 3rd.
The band also shared a live visualiser for their recent track, ‘Too Good At Raising Hell’, which you can check out above.
âThis record showcases each individual member’s strengths,â vocalist Luke Spiller says of their impending album. “Itâs some of my favorite music, hands down, weâve ever conjured up. Itâs the record everyoneâs been waiting for.â
This week also saw Daughtry debut their new single, ‘Artificial’, which you can check out above.
“‘Artificial’ is about the potential nightmare that AI could become and the idea that everything and everyone could eventually be replaced, essentially to perfection, and rendered obsolete,” Chris Daughtry explains. “However, the heart and soul of humanity and the ability to feel love, sadness, and compassion can never be replaced. While there are plenty of applications where AI can improve our lives and assist in many areas of creativity, I feel it’s imperative that we find a way to protect our musicians, actors, writers, and all creative outlets from being destroyed.”
Teenage Fanclub continue to gear up for the release of new album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ on September 22nd.
This week saw the band unveil their latest pre-release single, ‘Back To The Light’, which you can check out above.
The track was written by Norman Blake who says:
âI liked the idea of using being in a band as a metaphor for a personal relationship. They are not entirely dissimilar experiences. Like a few others on the album, this song has saxophone on it. The first time weâve had that since Songs From Northern Britain. Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) played those parts; we really like the richness it brings to the song. Steve will be with us when we head out on tour in October in Europe.â
Saint Agnes recently released their new album, ‘Bloodsuckers’ and this week the band shared a video for the track, ‘Follow You’, which you can check out above.
The band will be joining us this week on The Full Pelt Music Podcast!
The Pale White have debuted new single, ‘Validate Me’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on new EP, ‘A New Breed’, which is will released on October 20th.
“Ever felt like the world is against you? It probably is… Look around! Weâre surrounded by social pressures of what is perceived as ânormalââ say The Pale White.
“âValidate Meâ explores the mental tug of war between following your true purpose, and conforming to what society thinks you should be. It was born during the pandemic when we all lost our social identity and this heightened self-sabotaging paranoia was just as contagious.â
Finally for this section of our News Report we have a big hit single from Gen and the Degenerates who have revealed their latest single, ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’, which you can check out above!
Speaking on their new single, vocalist Genevieve Glynn-Reeves comments:
âIf you want the highbrow answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is about the experience of creating art under late capitalism. If you want the lowbrow âand slightly more honestâ answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is me trying to wind up our label.â
âTheyâd made quite a reasonable requestâŠâPlease can you write more songs like the song that did well and stop experimenting with every genre under the sun in a completely chaotic and hedonistic manner?â Unfortunately, I have issues with authority…My parents often regale me with the tale of my Year 4 parentâs evening, in which my teacher described me as âtoo wild, in the bohemian sense.â
âIf Mrs Baker couldnât get me to behave, then what chance did Marshall Records have? Luckily, they have a good sense of humour over at Marshall.â
Some festival news now in our News Report and whilst this year’s event was still in progress, Bloodstock organisers have confirmed the first wave of artists for the 2024 event.
Both Architects and Amon Amarth have been confirmed as headliners, whilst they’ll be joined by the likes of Malevolence, Clutch, Flogging Molly, Green Lung and more.
The city based version of Live At Leeds returns on October 14th and this week saw the event share a massive line-up of great acts.
You can catch the likes of Another Sky, Benefits, Big Special, Feet, Hamish Hawk, Hotwax, Jack Valero, Lynks, Pigs x7, Pip Blom, Shame, Snayx, The Mysterines and Wunderhorse.
Next in our News Report we focus on the best live announcements from the past week and we begin with Neck Deep.
The welsh band will be taking over Alexandra Palace in London on March 28th for a huge headline show.
Sharing the news the band said, “Itâs been a long time coming but weâre stoked to be finally headlining Ally Pally. Weâve always loved the venue, now itâs our turn for our biggest headline show. Weâre expecting it to be the best Neck Deep show ever, & you wouldnât wanna miss that would ya?”
Kerrang have team up with the Music Venue Trust for Conjurer to join the ‘United By Music Tour’ next month!
Support will come from Unpeople.
Conjurerâs Brady Deeprose says: âConjurer simply would not exist without the UKâs extensive network of Grassroots Music Venues. We cut our teeth playing everywhere from Merthyr Tydfil to Barrow-In-Furness for years, and we were lucky to be able to do so. The threat that GMVs are under is an utter travesty, and something that we are so thankful to MVT for getting involved in – without this network, everyone from fans to bands suffers. Throughout my childhood, I would go to The Roadmender in Northampton, The Vault in Rugby (RIP), The Flapper in Birmingham, and Corporation in Sheffield to both play shows and see my favourite bands – that thriving scene inspired me to pick up a guitar and start a band. If we donât protect it, we lose the next generation of musicians. Itâs that simple.
“To come full circle, Kerrang! putting us forward for this tour is a real privilege, their support for not just us but the UK heavy scene in general, has been untouchable over the last few years. We hope that MVT continues to have success, and that the UK can continue to foster exceptional talent with a strong roster of grassroots venues to support it.â
Luke Morton, editor of Kerrang!, says âThe UK heavy music scene is thriving right now, thanks in large part to the community and support of grassroots venues up and down the country. Iâm so excited and proud for Kerrang! to partner with the Music Venue Trust for this very metal incarnation of the United By Music Tour, featuring the mighty Conjurer â a band Iâve seen cause absolute chaos in some of our best independent venues over the years. As fans of rock, metal and alternative music, it’s vital we all champion the homegrown, grassroots venues that are the lifeblood of our scene. Support your local venue and make sure you catch Conjurer tearing it to shreds!â
Mark Davyd, CEO and founder Music Venue Trust, says: âIt’s great to be teaming up with Kerrang on The National Lottery’s United by Music Tour. The team at Kerrang! were so supportive to Grassroots Music Venues during the pandemic, and the heavy music scene is such an integral part of what makes live music in the UK so essential and vibrant.â
Vocalist Elin Allan comments –Â “When we were writing âThe Tideâ, I donât think I realised how much this song was a cry for help. Itâs such an energetic, in your face song and I was so angry at this point in my life that I honed in on a very cutthroat approach to life. I had just gone through a huge, very tough break up and was having one of the lowest points in my life and with time, now itâs finally released, I think I have accepted that anger and turned it into power.“
Bristol rock outfit Little Thief share their latest single ‘Geronimo’.
Vocalist and lyricist Charlie Fitzgerald states: âPeople do incredible things when up against it and true colours often show when everything falls apart. For me, it signifies sticking together through good times and bad.
We spent a few days in the basement of our place on Albany road in Bristol working together on a bunch of new tracks and Geronimo came from that batch. It was one of the first tunes where the music came first and the lyrics followed. I really enjoyed writing the words for this as they are a bit cheesy, fun and simple with a very repetitive nature. We had the demo banging around for ages and really enjoyed playing it live.â
Swear Blind – ‘Still’
Alt-Rock Nottingham natives Swear Blind share new single ‘Still’.
Drew Lawson says: âa certain global event gave us the time to finish a project weâve been working on for many years and to continue our writing. It gave us a new focus in doing the things that we love doing, plus it gave us a good reason to hang out! Weâve been mates for years so that wasnât an opportunity we wanted to miss.â
Nevrlands – ‘Chemicals’
NYC-based trio Nevrlands share a second track âChemicals‘ from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Timeless’.
“‘Chemicalsâ is about catching yourself in the heat of the moment,â shares Neverlands collectively. âAbout painting a portrait of passion and finding that distinction between love and lust in real-time. Thereâs a very fine line that can sometimes be blurry, or sometimes itâs crystal clear. Is this real? Or is it just another fugazi? âChemicalsâ is all about questioning whether or not that perfect chemical connection will last once the moment ends.â
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
This week we begin with the best live announcements from the past week and up first are Skindred!
Coinciding with the release of their new album, ‘Smile’, the group revealed details of three new live dates set for next March. These dates are punctuated by a headline show at the historic Wembley Arena.
Regarding headlining Wembley Arena for the first time, singer Benji Webbe says: âStanding on that stage is a mark of sheer hard work.We have stood upon that stage supporting many truly great acts. Now itâs Skindredâs time to take the headline slot.You may think youâve seen us, however this is our opportunity to rise, and to step up like never before!My Sound we come to take over and truly come to rock Wembley with a heart full of gratitude and a set full of the most rockinâ tunes that we have ever played live. Unity, love and togetherness. Letâs âave it. Quadruple XL.â
This week also saw Simple Plan announce details of a new EU/UK Tour which will begin in January next year!
Support on all dates comes from Mayday Parade and State Champs.
Drummer Chuck Comeau shares, âWeâre super excited to be coming back to Europe and the UK early next year! After an amazing arena tour with our good friends Sum 41 last fall and some incredible festival shows this spring, weâre thrilled to come back on our own headlining tour, playing full shows for our UK and Euro fans all over the continent.â
âItâs gonna be great to play a bunch of new songs from our latest album âHarder Than it Looksâ as well as all the fansâ favourites from our early records. We might even throw in a few jams we rarely play live to celebrate, as 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the band and the 20th anniversary of our second album,âStill Not Getting Anyâ!.
Weâre stoked to bring our friends State Champs and Mayday Parade with us, two fantastic bands that we and our fans love! This is probably one of the strongest UK / European tour line-up weâve ever put together and we canât wait for it to kick off next year!â
This week saw Muncie Girls share news of their split. Thankfully the group will treat fans to one final Farewell Tour later this year!
The band shared, “After nearly 13 years, a demo CD, a demo tape, three 12â EPs, three 7â singles, a 12â split record and two albums, weâre saying goodbye to our band Muncie Girls. We started this band when we were 17 and the biggest goal we could muster up was to release a 7â single. We ended up doing more things and going to more places than we could ever have imagined. We were lucky to be from a town with such a brilliant music scene and venue, the Cavern, and I remember how it felt to travel to so many cities and discover other scenes just like ours.
The community we found ourselves a part of was so special and really became our lives. If it werenât for the kindness of total strangers putting on shows for us, feeding us and letting us stay at their houses, we would never have been able to do any of the things that weâve done. We were even once temporarily adopted by a family in Texas when we went to play SXSW and they baked us cherry pie and drove us to our gigs. We were taken on a tour around Australia by complete strangers who became some of our best friends. We went to Japan after some strangers offered to book us a tour and we travelled around on trains and borrowed local bandsâ gear, guitars, everything. We spent most of our time touring in mainland Europe where we made friends for life, playing in squats, venues, gardens, bunkers, wherever.
I often heard stories of bands having to sleep in their vans or in parks or service stations. We always had somewhere to stay, no one ever let us sleep rough. I know we were incredibly lucky and we have our scene and our friends and fans to thank for that. Weâve relied so much on peopleâs kindness; I hope that we were always grateful enough.
Weâve decided to do a farewell tour and we hope that youâll join us at a show. Muncie Girls will always be a massive part of our lives and we will each always play music, just in different projects now. Thank you everyone!”
Stockholm trio, Normandie, have today returned with, âBlood In The Waterâ, their first new music since 2021âs âDark & Beautiful Secretsâ album.
Speaking of the track, frontman Philip Strand says, âBlood In The Water is about how “hurt people, hurt peopleâ, how negativity is contagious and how it can lead people into negative spirals, where they unknowingly hurt the ones around them.â
‘Dark & Beautiful Secretsâ subject matter drew heavily from Philipâs religious childhood, as the band moves into a new era, ‘Blood In The Water’ touches on that a little and acts as the perfect bridge.
âEven though i left the church at a very young age, I was raised with the belief that every person is born with a clean slate, and then our experiences and traumas form us as people. I’ve always seen hurtful people as damaged, sad and maybe even wrongfully judged by their behaviour, rather their past. Nobody was born evil, it’s something we pick up along the way and usually comes from pain and suffering in some way.
With this song, i wanted to get into the mind of the hurtful/hurt person and try to understand their behaviours and patterns. “Love me til my heart stops, hit me like a freight truck” is one of my favourite lines. Iâm positioning love as a drug, with the personâs tolerance building, leading them to seek being really blown away by their feelings, to cover the pain inside.â
Haunt The Woods have shared their new single, ‘Now Is Our Time’, which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Ubiquity’, which is released on September 29th.
The band comment: “Written during the global lockdown, ‘Now Is Our Time’ is an angered proclamation of the struggle to sustain oneself in this modern world. Forced to sell our lives by the hour in order to survive, without security or peace of mind and without a feasible alternative.
“Now is the time for change, and the only way for change is to come together against the oppressive, archaic system we find ourselves living in.”
This week saw Delaire The Liar share new single, ‘angel number.’, which you can check out above!
The track will feature on upcoming new EP, ‘Self Defence’, which is set for release on September 1st.
Speaking on ‘Self Defence’, the band said: âIn the throes of desperation, there’s no telling the lengths a person will go to preserve themselves or their loved ones. This EP presents a series of fictional scenarios to challenge the typical understanding of self defence. The usual themes surrounding the topic are present; antagonism, violence, action and reaction, but with a focus on the more drastic instances that require a less reflexive and more considered approach. Instances that require a deeper understanding of the self, emotional capacity for pain, physical capacity for punishment, moral detachment and sacrifice for the benefit of yourself or someone else. This EP explores whether there is any defence too drastic or too difficult to justify when love, pride and responsibility is involved.â
Grove Street are next up in our News Report with their latest single, ‘Ulterior Motives’, which you can of course check out above!
The single is the latest taste of their upcoming debut album, ‘The Path To Righteousness’, which is out on September 29th.
“Ulterior Motives is a song that goes through the motions of someone who is stuck in a toxic and abusive relationship with someone or something – be it a partner, friend or substance, or even a vice like gambling – and cannot find a way out. They keep getting pulled back into the situation at hand; theyâre in love, addicted, and canât see the impact of damage thatâs being done to them, because theyâve got rose tinted glasses on.
The second verse changes focus from the relationship/addiction itself to how people around that person turn a blind eye to whatâs going on, because itâs easier for many to just play ignorant to issues than to call it out or address it, which in turn just enables the problem to manifest further.
The outro finds the person coming to the realisation that theyâre better off out of the relationship/addiction, and in order to live a better life they gotta move on.
Musically this is one of our favourite tracks on the record, I feel like it captures our sound as a whole perfectly; from the bouncy hip-hop inspired grooves in the intro that lead into the thrash feel. The outro is personally my proudest part of the record, I remember writing that and being so surprised with myself – like, where the fuck did that come from!!” – Sandy (guitars)
“The Ulterior Motives video started life as a ‘Tour Survival Guide’ skit imagined by Sully (vocals). We were spitballing ideas in the van about all the trials and tribulations we’ve faced being in a touring band, reminiscing about all the previous funny ventures weâve experienced together. Most of these skits are based on true stories, like the time our van got clamped in Slovenia and Joe (bass), using nothing but brute force, managed to rip it off. We hope that other bands can relate to our experiences, and itâll also give people an insight into the touring lifestyle.” – Josh (drums)
Sydney Sprague has shared new single, ‘Nobody Knows Anything’, which you can check out above.
The tracks features on new album, ‘Somebody In Hell Loves You’, which is out September 15th.
âWhen I started writing songs for this record during covid lockdown it felt like the movie had ended and the credits had rolled on life but we were all still here for some reason,â explains Sydney going into the process of recording the new album.
âEverything was just floating in this void and because of that I felt like I had all the time in the world to just do whatever I wanted. It was weirdly the freest I’ve ever felt. Writing became a way to entertain myself and make myself laugh instead of a way to wallow. I spent a lot of time reflecting on the past and the people around me and processing things Iâd never been able to. I was able to be more honest than Iâd ever been in my songs. The fact that I’m able to share them now feels a little scary because when I was writing them they were really just for me, but I hope they can bring people the same sense of escape that they brought me.â
Lewis continues, âThe animated music video (by Studface Productions) was influenced by âone flew over the cuckooâs nestâ and is set in an old rundown insane asylum. This is the archaic perception of mental health and we wanted the video to symbolise that society has thankfully escaped those outdated ways of thinking and the band are rescued by an unlikely hero; Atticus T. Mouse.â
Danish newcomers Cold Culture present you with their infectious new single âDownfallâ
“Downfall is about when the person you need the most is being distant, in a difficult time in your life. A lot of feelings and thoughts go through people, when theyâre unsure of what they want, which can lead to mistakes, and misunderstanding.” – Mads Zelasny (Vocalist)
Tribe of Ghosts – ‘HIVE’
Brightonâs Industrial / Post Metal band Tribe Of Ghosts have today shared a brand new single titled âHIVEâ.
âWhen we were writing Hive, we felt that we were at a point where we understood our sound and what we wanted to create. With this in mind, we wanted to craft a song that sets the scene of the world that we build with our music, that explores the electronic and the organic, and declares our intent of giving into the chaos that oozes out of us on stage and in the writing process.” – Guitarist Adam Sedgwick.
Recent ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist additions BIG SPECIAL have announced their debut London headline show at the Dublin Castle in Camden on August 9th!
We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and we begin with Duff McKagan!
McKagan this week shared his latest single, ‘I Saw God on 10th Street’, which you can checkout above!
The song features on upcoming new album, ‘Lighthouse’, which is out on October 20th.
âI picture him as an old guy with white beard and hair, leaning up against a wall on a city street,â says Duff McKagan. âThe ultimate jurist of us all. Pissed off, squinting eyes to ward off what he sees, spitting frequently with no care for who may be around. The Creator. God. Allah, Shiva…or whomever. I think I see him sometimes over on 10th St., hands in tight fists, and toes curled up and tense.â
We are starting this section of our News Report with a run of iconic figures and next up is K.K. Downing and his group KK’s Priest.
The band have this week shared their latest single, ‘Reap the Whirlwind’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on upcoming sophomore offering, ‘The Sinner Rides Again’, which is out on September 29th.
K.K. Downing says about ‘Reap The Whirlwind’:
â’If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwindâ – this is a common phrase that has been familiar with me from a very young age. Obviously itâs very meaningful – itâs a warning that if you mistreat people, or really whatever you do in life, you need to be very careful, because whatever sufferance you inflict on anyone, it could come back to haunt you, and your suffering could be even more severe. Everyone knowingly or unknowingly has made the mistake of thinking they can get away with small misdemeanors to suit their selfish pursuits, but if justice is to be served, you will reap exactly what you sow. That is the message of this song.”
Revered Public Image Ltd bassist Jah Wobble makes his long awaited return to the post-punk sound he helped create with his new album, ‘A Brief History Of Now’ out on August 11th.
This week saw Wobble share new single, ‘Last Exit’, which you can check out above.
âItâs all about the dopamine rush. Assault on the senses. Bang! Bang! Bang! Rush after rush after rush. But never satisfied. No satisfaction. Never any conclusion. Always moving. Appearances arising. Ephemeral. Lacking substance. But often so beautiful and exciting. Glorious esoterica.â
Yonaka released their new EP, ‘Welcome To My House’, this week and shared new single, ‘By The Time You’re Reading This’, which you can check out above.
This week saw Laurence Jones share his brand new single, ‘You’re Not Alone’, which you can check out above.
The track comes from new album, ‘Bad Luck & The Blues’ which is set for release on August 25th.
Jones comments: âThis song is about the everyday struggles in life, about feeling down but always knowing youâre not the only one going through something difficult;â says Jones. âI had this image when writing the song, that we are all in this together, and no matter who you are, or where youâre from⊠Everyone feels low from time to time.â
âI grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, where the guitar riffs are iconic and a huge part of the song. Iâd like to think Iâve put a slightly modern touch on this, while staying authentic. Itâs one of my favourite tracks on the album, and it was one of the first songs I wrote, which helped shape the entire record. Thereâs nothing I love more than a big riffs and wild guitar solos!â
Empire State Bastard share new single ‘The Looming’
Empire State Bastard – ‘The Looming’
Simon Neil and Mike Vennart continue to build towards the release of the debut Empire State Bastard album, ‘Rivers of Heresy’, which is out on September 1st.
This week saw the new group share their latest single, ‘The Looming’, which you can check out above.
Next up in our News Report are Conquer Divide who are gearing up to release their new album, ‘Slow Burn’, on September 8th.
This week the band have debuted their latest single, ‘New Heaven’, which you can check out above.
“N E W H E A V E N was born out of the idea that you’ll never be satisfied with what you have if you don’t define your expectations,” the band offers. “We got together in Atlanta with Johnny Andrews for this one, and he’s a musical mad scientist. We played with religious metaphors, although the song is not about religion. You throw your whole life into something, and then you finally reach the pinnacle and get to pull the proverbial curtain back, but it’s not what you expected at all. So now you need a new high to chase. We did crowd-sourced gang vocals on this one, and it was fun to make that come together.”
As for the accompanying video, the band shares, “This video was sort of a continuation from last music video where in the opening scene you see the Grim Reaper take his hood off to reveal he is now the priest overseeing the funeral. Kia figuratively ‘went to heaven’ and came back after realizing heaven wasn’t what it was cracked up to be.”
Finally in this section of our News Report we have ‘Cruel State of Mind’, the latest single from recent The Full Pelt Music Podcast guests Black Water County!
You can of course listen to the track above which comes from upcoming new album, ‘The Only Life Worth Living’.
On the track, the band explain, âCruel State Of Mind is our own familiar love song for the ages, full to the brim of agonised imagery â âlike the deaf leading the blindâ and âfull circle, like Sisyphusâ stoneâ â and we wanted to hammer home the feeling of thoughts going round and round your head with no respite. The song hits its climax with a passionate U-turn â âSomethingâs got to giveâ and ââIâll leave it all behind unless it leads me back to youâ â ultimately ending up where we started in the hope of loveâs return, but can we ever escape our own vicious cycles?”
âDespite the recent dystopian environment the human race has had to endure with the undoing of habits and the re-writing of thought patterns, there are some things that will never NOT be tangled up in the human experience. This exasperated love song serves us all: past, present and future.â
Tropic Gold have announced their signing to UNFD with a huge new single, âAdrenalineâ.
âAdrenaline unravels the uncontrollable feeling of not being able to get through a day without an unreasonably positive event occurring,â share the band. âIt vocalises how having a day without an extreme positive lift can result in intense lows, similar to withdrawal symptoms. The lyrics are written from a âtalking to myselfâ perspective, with vocals representing an inner monologue highlighted throughout the song.â
Naked Lungs – ‘River (Down)’
Irish four-piece noise-punk band Naked Lungs share their new single, ‘River (Down)’.
Speaking about the track, the band say: âRiver (Down) is us crafting this auditory assault of distortion and drums against a despondent scream into the proverbial nothingness as you spiral deeper and deeper down into a well of self-pity. Thereâs a definite angst the song that is offset against these abrupt moments of reprieve – building of massive tension only to grant no release, leaving the listener on edge for the whole runtime. This was one of the earliest songs we wrote on âDoomscrollâ and it highlights some of the elements and styles we discovered and adopted during the formation of what would eventually become Naked Lungs.â
Gold Fever – ‘Leather (Wish I Felt The Same)’
Gold Fever craft a dance-along summer anthem with their catchy new single, âLeather (Wish I Felt The Same)â.
Oscar JD Sault (frontman & songwriter) â ââLeatherâ is about transition and how that was applicable to many aspects of my life at the time of writing. I felt stagnant while things around me changed. My perspective on my home city of Bristol became suffocatingly melancholic. Ultimately, I realised it was me who was losing myself. That kind of nostalgia is intoxicating, itâs surreal and numbing and almost feels sentient. âLeatherâ is a song about forgetting who you are.â
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We begin this week with the best new releases from the past week and it’s Ash that get us started.
The trio have recently revealed that they will release a new album, ‘Race the Night’ on September 15th. This week the group debuted their latest single, ‘Like a God’, which you can check out above.
Frontman Tim Wheeler comments: “Like A God pushes the rock aspect of the album to its furtherest limits. An ode to sexual apotheosis it revels in a carnal riff played with mantra like repetition before reaching a frenzied climax.”
Skindred are also building towards the release of a new album with ‘Smile’ set to arrive on August 4th!
This week saw the group share their latest single, ‘Unstoppable’, which you can check out above.
As a band, weâve survived the rise and fall of a million genres, trend and fads in this world,â says guitarist Mikey Demus. âPeople have tried and failed to put us in a box we refuse to live in. Skindred has a determination and a tenacity to stay true to ourselves, and true to our fans. Skindred will not be ignored. We are Unstoppable!â
âWe keep going and we keep pushing forward,â says frontman Benji Webbe, a man whoâs no stranger to being unstoppable, having survived sepsis and having his throat slashed. âIn life, itâs about hearing that our music has encouraged people and got them through dark times. But even when weâre done and gone, people will still be listening to this music. That thought makes me smile.â
Following a slew of successful festival appearances, Bob Vylan have shared their brand new single, ‘Dream Big’, which you can check out above!
Commenting on the single, Vylan said “Written for my younger self and anybody that dreams of accomplishing or changing something. A reminder of where we have come from and what we are capable of.”
Bad Wolves have this week shared their new single, ‘Bad Friend’, which you can check out above!
ââBad Friendâ exemplifies exactly where Bad Wolves always wanted to be as a band,â relays vocalist Daniel âDLâ Laskiewicz. âIt lives dead center of being melodically catchy as well as crushingly heavy and is a great representation of our new upcoming album. This song reminds us that TRUE friendship is not about being perfect or always saying the right thing but being there for each other through the good times and the bad. Itâs also to be willing to acknowledge oneâs own mistakes and make things right. If you canât do that, you might be a bad f*cking friend.â
Next in our News Report are The Dollyrots who have this week revealed that they will release a new album, ‘Night Owls’, on October 13th.
You can check out previous single ‘Hey Girl’ above.
âYou know how they say a bandâs first album is usually their best? Well, I think because we had time for this one, you know, since the world stopped due to Covid, itâs a lot like a first album. We had so many bits and pieces and once we could finally get into the studio it all just flew out of us, like we had been holding something vital & urgent in for years. Because we had. If you love The Dollyrots youâll love âNight Owls”. If you donât know The Dollyots, youâll probably love it too,â says singer / bassist Kelly Ogden.
Rising indie rockers The K’s recently unveiled their latest single, ‘Landmines’, which you can check out above.
Frontman Jamie Boyle explains:
âLandmines is a memoir of myself growing up. Itâs a story that is familiar to me, the band and thousands of other people across the UK who experienced the transition into adolescence living in a working-class town. The song sends many of us back to our late-teen days where the only recipe for a good night with friends was cheap alcohol and some sort of shelter, whether that be a tunnel or a skate park. Landmines brings back fond memories of the first real time we were free to explore the world by ourselves as, what we then thought were, âadultsâ and the events that ensuedâ.
Willie J Healey shares new single ‘Woke Up Smiling’
Willie J Healey – ‘Woke Up Smiling’
Next up in our News Report this week is Willie J Healey who has shared his latest single, ‘Woke Up Smiling’, which you can check out above!
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Bunny’, which will arrive on August 25th.
On the track, Healey says “I wrote this during a glorious period of my life. I was living in a studio flat in Bristol, it had these huge sash windows which let huge amounts of morning sun in. Iâd make coffee and sit with my guitar & cat, Iâm pretty sure my cat helped me write that song.â
King Nun have this week debuted new single, ‘Golden Age’, which you can check out above!
The single will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Lamb’, which is due for release on September 29th.
Speaking in the new single, vocalist Theo Polyzoides comments: ‘Golden Age is about feeling damned by the normalcy of life around youâ contemplates the front man. âit’s about trying to have fun and break away from the mundane too. There is so much about modern life that feels unnatural, or that things could have happened differently, so the humour lightens things up a bit in an anti-defeatist way.â
The Menzingers share ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’
The Menzingers – ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’
Finally in this section of our News Report this week comes, ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’, from The Menzingers, which you can of course check out above!
The band commented, “This song is an anthem for anyone stuck between where they are and where they want to be.”
Scottish fellowship North Atlas have shared their brand new single, ‘Superego’!
âAccording to Freud, the Superego acts as our moral compass, what he calls the Id describes the drives for primal behaviour, while the regular Ego works to strike a balance between those two needs. The Superego strives for a sort of moral perfection, so I suppose that means thereâs usually a cost for what you want. This song is about not paying for what you want by sacrificing your own values.â
Leon Hunter – Vocals
Bellwether – ‘fallingshort’
Sydney based Pop Punk band Bellwether have shared their new single, ‘fallingshort’.
âfallingshortâ is a pensive, emotionally driven pop punk track that is musically inspired by the works of electronic artist Porter Robinson, with further inspiration taken from 2000âs era emo pop punk. The song is a reflection on the decisions we wish we would have made in the past and the opportunities we feel have passed us by, while maintaining a determined outlook towards the futureâ – Guitarist Heath Joukhadar
Lucky Hit – ‘Shoebox Memories’
UK based pop punk band Lucky Hit have shared a brand new single, ‘Shoebox Memories’
âShoebox Memories focuses on the perspective of someone looking back at a time shared between two people. It recalls some of the experiences they shared and questions if the importance of those experiences were indeed shared. We all have those things that we hold on to which to anyone else means little to nothing. Not to you though, for you they hold a core memory. They take you back to the past. These can be anything from a ticket stub to a mixtape of songs from a time in your life. They hold memories you wouldnât trade for anything.â – Vocalist Lawrence Murphy.
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We are kicking off this week with the best live announcements from the past seven days and up first is the above arena tour from Depeche Mode!
Following stadium and arena shows across Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the US this summer and fall, the group have announced 29 new European dates which will extend the ‘Memento Mori’ tour into 2024.
The Wonder Years announce ‘The Greatest Generation’ 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Next up in our News Report are The Wonder Years who will be returning to the UK in November for a very special tour.
The group will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ‘The Greatest Generation’ with support from Origami Angel and Kississippi!
Speaking of tour, frontman Dan Campbell says, âThe second leg of The Greatest Generation 10 Year Anniversary is coming to the United Kingdom this November. Weâre ripping six shows with our pals in Origami Angel and Kississippi where weâll be playing the entire album plus a second set of songs spanning our whole catalog.â
Wargasm continue their ascent with news of their debut album, ‘Venom’, which is due out on October 27th! The band have also confirmed details of a full headline tour taking place later this year!
Alongside these announcements the band also shared new single, ‘Do It So Good’, which you can check out below.
Wargasm – ‘Do It So Good’
You can pre-order your copy and pick up tickets here.
Following their big return at Download Festival last month, The Blackout have now revealed a string of new tour dates taking place in February next year!
Our News Report turns now towards the best new releases from the past week and we begin with the latest single from Royal Blood. You can check out ‘Pull Me Through’ above!
The tracks comes from upcoming new album, ‘Back To The Water Below’, which is out September 1st.
On the single, the band commented “Itâs ultimately about giving up on persevering alone and finding strength in asking for help. Hope you connect with it”.
Guitar icon Chris Shiflett has shared details of his next solo album, ‘Lost At Sea’, which will arrive on October 20th.
Most of the new album was recorded in Nashville, working with his producer and collaborator Jaren Johnston, frontman of The Cadillac Three, as well as the songwriter behind nearly a dozen Number 1 country hits.
âWe wrote a lot of these songs during the lockdown,â recalls Shiflett, who spent much of the pandemic at home in Southern California. âThen I began making trips to Nashville to work with Jaren. He and I have a lot of overlap, in terms of the music we like. We made a guitar-centric record that encapsulates everything I’ve been listening to over the years, from the most country songs I’ve ever recorded to punk rock and even songs that sound like a California version of The Clash.â
New single, âDamage Controlâ, is the track heâs referencing, which strays further from the country influence than most of the album. Itâs also the only âoldâ tune that Johnston and Shiflett included on ‘Lost at Sea’.
âAll the other tunes were written in the months leading up to recording, but when Jaren and I were sorting out which songs to do he mentioned something about The Clash and I remembered this old one Iâd demoed about 15 years prior,â recalls Shiflett.
With its layers of reverb, pulsing percussion and Echoplex tape delay, âDamage Controlâ went through a number of versions before reaching its final form in the studio with Johnston.
âI love that the musical inspiration on this one was late-stage Clash, but we wound up layering it with banjos and what-not. Definitely takes it somewhere else. Ska-mericana?â Shiflett laughs. âThereâs nothing better than when influences converge taking you places you never expected.â
The Struts share video for ‘Too Good at Raising Hell’
The Struts – ‘Too Good at Raising Hell’
The Struts have unveiled the video for their latest single, ‘Too Good at Raising Hell’, which you can check out above!
âWe are so excited to release our devilishly cheeky video for our latest single, âToo Good At Raising Hell,ââ announces vocalist Luke Spiller. âItâs a song that was written about the disenchantment I felt after having a little too much fun. However, it still captures the essence of living an excessive life and all of the glorious moments that come along with it.â
Rockers Crobot have this week unveiled their new cover of Janet Jackson’s ‘Black Cat’, which you can check out above.
Crobotâs Brandon Yeagley shares, âEvery time we talked about covering a song, âBlack Catâ would come up as one we wished we had written. So, hereâs our chance to pay homage to the great Janet Jackson. Itâs got all the things that go into the Crobot sound – bad ass riffs, a funky groove for days, and soaring high vocals. Whatâs not to like about this tune? Itâs even got cow bell!â
Caskets will release to their new album, ‘Reflections’, on August 11th. This week saw the group share their latest pre-release single, ‘Believe’, which you can check out above.
Speaking of the track, frontman Matt Flood says, â’Believe’ is a song about realising and recognising your own worth. Itâs about letting go of the toxicity in your life and making that step forward. Believe in yourself and the choices youâre making. Even if the path doesnât seem clear right now, theyâll get you where you want to be.â
Tempt have shared their latest single, ‘Burn Me Down’, which you can of course check out above!
The single comes from their newly announced self-titled debut album, which is set for release on August 25th.
“Our new single ‘Burn Me Down’ delves into the intense and addictive nature of a toxic love,â reveals singer Zach Allen. âIt captures the bittersweet realization that someone has the power to consume you completely, even when you know it’s not healthy. It’s a raw expression of the conflicting emotions that arise when you can’t resist the fire that’s destined to burn you.”
Guitarist Harrison Marcello shares, “âBurn Me Downâ reflects the chaos of passion and desire. We wrote it with driving riffs and electrifying energy to capture that feeling. it’s about the kind of love that both exhilarates and destroys, and the inner turmoil we experience when we’re caught in its relentless cycle, unable to escape the allure of someone who has the power to ignite and consume us.”
Keeping it heavy next in our News Report we have ‘Keres’, the latest single from Thy Art Is Murder, which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Godlike’, which is due for release on September 15th.
“Itâs not often we have this level of excitement to present a new single to the world. Keres is a metal anthem filled with grinding verses and stomping choruses, stripping down some of the complexity that may have gotten in the way of previous attempts to deliver a song of this magnitude. The Keres was an evil sprite in ancient Greek mythology that would feed on the dead, but could not participate in acts of violence. We think this behavior is as relevant in the arena of news and politics as it was on those ancient battlefields.” – Guitarist Andy Marsh
Skinny Lister this week unveiled details of new studio album, ‘Shanty Punk’, which is due out on October 20th.
The group also debuted new single, ‘Company of the Bar’, which you can check out above.
Dan Heptinstall says: âItâs a simple sentiment, but one that is at the heart of the Skinny Lister philosophy. This is a song that has been built for the rugged road, and we canât wait to hear it belted back at us on our upcoming US and UK Tours later this year!â
“Shanty Punk is our concept album â and the concept is Skinny Lister. Itâs a pure distillation of what makes Skinny Lister tick, and perhaps a collection of songs that leans further into our folky routes than weâve ventured in some years. It felt to us like it was time to touch base and celebrate the essence of the band, while at the same time â giving it a fresh and dynamic feel.â
Finally in this section of our News Report this week is ‘Mercy Wave’, the latest single from Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Colour’, which is out on July 28th.
In an update to fans Lockey said of the single, “Itâs one of my favourite songs on the record and one of the last songs we wrote before heading in to record. In fact, lots of the instrumental parts on it were written very much in the moment, in the depths of the Cornish countryside in the darkness of December, and it developed into exactly what it needed to be; a bright and uplifting Summer anthem. Funny how those moments of darkness can produce hopefulness. Kind of the perfect fit for our record in many ways.”
“It feels exciting that this is one of the most up to date snapshots of our band. I think weâve always had a multi-faceted sound which hasnât always worked to our advantage but is an honest representation of who we are as musicians and our wide spanning and ever evolving influences. âMercy Waveâ shows a side of the band that is possibly a bit brighter, a bit naughties indie and is reductive in its arrangement; almost a minimalist version of a classic JL&tSS tune. It has one of the biggest sing along choruses on the record and it gets stuck in my head for hours at a time.”
SnÔÔper have shared new single âRunningâ, from their debut album ‘Super SnÔÔper’!
On the track, vocalist Blair said âRunning was written during the pandemic as many of our early songs were. This song was written deep in the pandemic when people began to feel hopeless and everything began to feel really scary. The George Floyd protests were happening, Trump was president, and people felt out of control as we watched our country experience the consequences of an unjust system. Political leaders were fanning the flames as people were screaming for change. All of this was happening at a time when people couldnât properly take action due to pandemic restrictions. It was a horrifying feeling. Most days, all I could do was go for a long walk or run. I think sometimes thatâs all anyone can do when things feel out of control. We can always get out of our minds and into our bodies. Move, breathe, jump, put one foot in front of the other.â
DEADLETTER – ‘Degenerate Inanimate’
DEADLETTER share their new single âDegenerate Inanimateâ!
On the single, frontman Zac Lawrence says âDegenerate Inanimate alludes to the feeling of betrayal felt when someone close to you is revealed as dishonest to the bone. There’s a unique form of unease which arises from having your basic intelligence mocked, as they reveal their complete lack of decency.â
Break Fifty – ‘A Familiar Face (Of Someone I Never Knew’
UK Nu-Core band Break Fifty kick start a whole new era by announcing a fresh line-up and sharing new single, âA Familiar Face (Of Someone I Never Knew)â
âA Familiar Face (Of Someone I Never Knew) is an expression of childhood trauma. The main focus in lyrics within this song quotes âthe end of eternal youthâ, This can be taken as upon the instance of trauma it can often feel as if your youth has been stripped away and all joy of childhood has been tarnished.â – Vocalist, Angus.
The metalheads have taken over Birmingham with battlejackets visable on every street corner. Yes, the mighty Iron Maiden are in town and a sold out Utilita Arena is braced for a theatrical evening of fun with a band currently firing on all cylinders.
The legendary group are here as part of their aptly titled âThe Future Pastâ Tour which sees them focus on material from their latest studio release, âSenjutsuâ and their 1986 sixth album âSomewhere In Timeâ.
Up first however are openers Lord of the Lost, fresh from the indignity of finishing last at this yearâs Eurovision. Given the reputation of Maiden fans to be rather harsh on their support acts, and the German groups recent past, we were concerned that Lord of the Lost would go down like a certain variety of balloon!
That thankfully isnât the case though as they deliver a polished yet honest performance which is well received by the waiting masses. The band are able to show that they possess quality with substance and some great songs, which is probably why Eurovision fans werenât interested! If that experience was a disappointment, this one is a big success for the band.
Soon enough those familiar strains of UFOâs âDoctor Doctorâ start to fill the arena and the atmosphere kicks up a few dozen notches. With an updated stage show complementing a setlist full of rarer heard fan favourites it doesnât take long for the band to suck you right in.
Within moments Iron Maiden have the audience in the palm of their collective hand as they lead them back and forth from new tracks like âThe Writing on the Wallâ to deep cuts like âStranger in a Strange Landâ and classics such as âCan I Play With Madnessâ!
With multiple appearances from Eddie plus all the usual trimmings this show is Maiden at their very best. The carefully curated setlist makes this a unique opportunity for the diehards but also a fine example of what the band do for any newcomers. This is perhaps best summed up by the final main set run of âHeaven Can Waitâ, âAlexander the Greatâ, âFear of the Darkâ and âIron Maidenâ.
By the time âThe Trooperâ and âWasted Yearsâ close out the evening, Maiden have one again shown themselves the masters of their craft. Those metalheads then head back out into the Birmingham night filled with glorious, dramatic metal!
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
This week we begin with the best live announcements from the past week and up first are The Darkness who will revisit their iconic debut album, ‘Permission to Land’ for its 20th Anniversary this December.
Regarding the shows frontman Justin Hawkins says, âWe, The Darkness, are delighted to announce that weâll be hitting the road in the U.K. once again. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Permission to Land, our set will include every song from our debut album faithfully reproduced (with additional clam notes and meanderings) in the order in which they appear on the record. Weâll also play all of your favourite Darkness songs from the rest of our illustrious and tipsy turvy career. It will be the best show youâll see this year. I should know, Iâm the singer and also a YouTube music expert.â
In further celebration the band will re-issue the album with a new collection set for release on October 6th.
On the new release Hawkins says, âSo much has happened since the original release of Permission To Land that I can hardly believe itâs only been 20 years. Such turmoil, upheaval, the emotional rollercoaster ride of being nobody, becoming somebody, going back to being nobody and LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT. The past two decades have only been this eventful BECAUSE of the impact that our debut album had. Iâm grateful for every second of this experience and delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the best debut album by The Darkness of all time. Join me in giving this seismic long player 20 heartfelt bumps. Happy birthday PTL!â
Festival favourite Beans On Toast may currently be serenading fields across the country, but as if like clockwork the singer will soon be back out on the road once again.
You can catch Beans later this year playing many often forgotten towns and cities!
Lord of the Lost share video for ‘Reset the Preset’
Lord of the Lost – ‘Reset the Preset’
We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and up first are Lord of the Lost who are fresh from supporting Iron Maiden in arenas across the UK.
The group have now shared their latest video for the track, ‘Reset the Preset’, and you can check it out above.
Commenting, the band say “In line with the song title ‘Reset The Preset’, we did everything the way we NEVER do it for this video. We put every creative decision of the music video – whether it was clothing, lighting, colors, content, whatever… – into other hands. Namely, into the hands of our tour photographer and cameraman Lennard Schmitt, who has an incredible knack for visually absurd art. So, with Lennard as director, we set every LOTL preset to reset and let ourselves be surprised with this video from start to finish. The result is definitely the most shrill and weirdest piece of visual art we’ve ever released.”
We have plenty of new music to get through this week and up next are Dirty Honey who have debuted their latest single, ‘Won’t Take Me Alive’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Can’t Find the Brakes’.
Singer Marc LaBelle describes the song as, ââŠthe best riff Iâd heard in the last decade.  The song is full of sex and swagger, but itâs still the heaviness and the fun that Dirty Honey is all about.â
ââWonât Take Me Aliveâ was an instrumental idea I demoed on bass, drums, and guitar at my home studio,â says guitarist John Notto.  âI bought it to the band, and we wrote a new chorus, and it was basically finished that quickly.  Nick [DiDia] rented some vintage amps and really helped me get the raunchy sound and attitude I wanted for the riff.â
In a big week for Bad Touch, the group revealed that their new album, ‘Bittersweet Satisfaction’, will be released on November 10th.
Coinciding with the announcement the band shared their brand new single, ‘Nothing Wrong With That’, which you can check out above.
âWe’ve never sat on anything that long because we’re like kids in a candy shop, as soon as we write something, we want to get out there and play stuff,â says frontman Stevie Westwood on the album. âSo, it’s very exciting. It’s slightly more mature. I love every song. It’s a different sound for Bad Touch. It’s less balls-to-the-wall rock, and the songs seem a bit more thoughtful rather than just kind of exploded out of a tin can.â
Speaking on their latest single the band adds, âWeâre delighted to present to the world our new singleâ exclaims Stevie. Itâs a song for everyone that encompasses the Bad Touch mantra âas long as you carry a song in your heart, and a smile on your face, then nothing can get you down.âÂ
âThis song came together during a time when there was a lot of unrest, fear of the unknown, and we all were just getting through day by day, in whatever way we could. A time when we felt the world could use a little lift to somewhere a little bit brighter. So whatever is getting you down, this song is here to say youâre not alone, we are with you, and whatever way you need to get through the bad times⊠a good book, some good company⊠or some good wine!⊠we say⊠ thereâs nothing wrong with that.â
Teenage Fanclub share new single ‘Tired of Being Alone’
Teenage Fanclub – ‘Tired of Being Alone’
Our News Report continues with the latest single from Teenage Fanclub. You can check out ‘Tired of Being Alone’ above.
The track will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, which is out on September 22nd.
Commenting on the track Raymond McGinley says: âTowards the end of our session in Rockfield Studios making the album I woke up in the middle of the night. There was a guitar next to the bed. I picked it up and this song came out. The words for the chorus were there already. I recorded a rough version on my phone and then went back to sleep. We recorded the song later that day. As a band we like to trust our instincts and let things happen. As with Normanâs song âForeign Landâ this song only exists because we decided to go to the studio and make a record. If weâd waited for the stars to align first before recording weâd still be waiting now.â
Courting have shared their latest single, ‘Flex’, which you can check out above.
Speaking on the concept of the track, frontman Sean Murphy-OâNeill, says ââFlexâ is designed to be a theatrical performance, a short play. Our protagonist is wealthy, successful, and famous⊠but at what cost? Our protagonist misses their ex (after seeing their glow-up), wears Ricks, chainsmokes, sends thought-out emails about their wellbeing to people they shouldâve replied to sooner, and has increased their screen time by 25%
In the thrilling conclusion, our protagonist does donuts in a closed car-park, in a 1967 mustang, with all of their friends. The event is livestreamed on twitch to be rewatched until the end of time.
âFlexâ is as sincere as we can be. Sometimes the lines between real life and fiction get blurred here, but weâre nothing if not committed.â
Lacey have unveiled their latest single, ‘Middle England’, which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘This Is All We Are’, which is out July 17th.
Frontman Graham “Graz” Turner describes the single as “reflective of the typical English sentiment of looking on the bright side, things could be worse.”
Turner describes the record as, “Basically, the soundtrack to what itâs like to feel everything and nothing, all at the same time. Lyrically, no stone is left unturned, and I can guarantee if youâve ever felt anything, it will be addressed here. This really is a soul bearing ride through every, conceivable human emotion. This is all we are”.
The final new release in this section of our News Report comes from ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast alumni Call To The Faithful!
The band have unleashed their brand new single, ‘Let Me Down’, which you can check out above.
There is more new music on the way from the band as the single will feature on their debut EP, ‘Strong / Stable / Suffer’, which will be released on September 1st.
Staffordshire UK quartet Death Of Me are back with their brand new single âHaloâ!
“This was one of the more difficult songs to write from the release as it deals with the themes of grief, loss and love. Exploring the guilt that comes from letting go and moving on with life when facing a loss, the realisation of how things could have been done differently, all that will never be and all that could have been.â – Vocalist, Jim Carter.
As the band describe: âDeath Of Me was always a project intended to transcend genre and trends. The premise instead was to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche both sonically and visually and just be ourselves in our purest form. Death of me became the vessel to put pen to paper, exercise demons and expose open wounds on the stage of the worldâ
FEATHER TRADE – ‘BIG NOTHING’
Manchester via Athens, Georgia trio FEATHER TRADE have released their new single, ‘BIG NOBODY’!
The band say, âCreated or destroyed by crucial influence, each personâs world is a lifetime searching for meaning and reconstruction. They push through the strata â anger, grief, fear, shame, loss â fueling the desire for absolution and certainty. Some find it in religion. Some find it in drugs. Some find it in sex. Feather Trade brought the flames to one another. We scream in the darkness, the echoes giving black shape in sound. A fight with cancer. Watching a loved oneâs descent into schizophrenia. Losing it all to fire. The unceasing longing to seal the fissure of three broken words.â
Hunch Power – ‘Is This the End (Or Just the Beginning?)’
Nottingham band Hunch Power deliver new single ‘Is This the End (Or Just the Beginning?)’!
Frontman Harvey Springfield says:
âIâd only just been through a break-up when Covid hit so I had plenty of reasons to give up but instead I decided to work twice as hard. People kept talking about the end of the World but you could also see it as the beginning of a new era. The sky over London never looked so clean. We could hear the birds over the traffic and working from home was finally accepted as normal.
Manic Street Preachers inspired me to write the chorus when I was 20 but didnât have a band back then. I forgot about it and only finished the song a couple of years ago, adding in an instrumental part which Deano took to another level with a ripping guitar soloâ.
Watch Episode 43 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Hunch Power
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 43 – Hunch Power
