Mad About Rock

  NORTH ATLAS have just released another new track which is taken from their forthcoming EP release ‘The Longest Shadow Attached To The Ankle’ out 22nd September. ‘Some Kind Of Circle’ is another dynamic delivery from the band that possesses you from the start, with their trademark thunderous drums, ghostly vocals and synths that draw you into a trance-like state. The Scottish fellowship often draw creative influence from the folklore of their homelands, whilst also touching on topics of a neuro-divergent nature and deeper inward analysis, to create a blistering blend of hard rock and electronica drawing heavily from influences such as Biffy Clyro and Nine Inch Nails. “Some Kind of Circle is about feeling like you’re in an infinite loop, stuck as the same old version of yourself. Sometimes we feel trapped by our own nature, breaking out means breaking out of yourself. This feeling is probably best observed at the uneasy lurch at the precipice of a change in your life.” Leon Hunt...

  London, UK 30 August: Pink Floyd and Warner Music [Sony Music outside Europe] today announced the upcoming stand-alone release of the newly remastered ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ on CD, LP and Blu-ray. These versions will be released on October 13th. First released as part of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ 50th Anniversary Box Set, this is the first time that the new remaster of the classic album will be available on its own. The Blu-ray contains the Dolby Atmos and a 5.1 Surround mix as well as the remastered Stereo version. The package comes with commemorative postcards, stickers and a 24-page booklet. Originally released in 1973 and becoming one of the most iconic and influential albums ever, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ continues to find new audiences globally. The famous sleeve, which depicts a prism spectrum, was designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and drawn by George Hardie. ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The 50th A...

  ELECTRON continue to climb with the release of their deeply engrossing new single and video, Survivor, out now. Watch the video, here - https://youtu.be/yO7CICDQ-Xc?si=ModKhD9vHemdR-0R . The single is taken from the band’s upcoming debut album, 'Defiance', out on Friday 1st September. Exciting metal crew, ELECTRON, are poised to attack your senses. Drawing influence from the likes of Architects, and Metallica through to Halestorm and Alter Bridge, and comprised of Jason Payne (Vocals/Guitar), Joanna Hyde (Bass), and Nuno Bessa (Drums), the talented three-piece are set to leave a heft imprint. The rising riff merchants have already widely performed throughout the nation’s capital and have widened their base in playing a host of stirring shows throughout England. ELECTRON’s previous singles, Wake Up, Throw Me Away, Break Me! and Sick And Wrong, all picked up glowing support and notable awareness within the UK scene, securing radio airplay from a slew of stations, includin...

  Long Beach, CA based Rockers OF LIMBO have released their provocative new single “California Demon” – Listen Here . The heavy and sinister groove-laden track explores the concept of making a Mephistophelian bargain for diabolical favors to achieve your Hollywood dreams. The song was recorded at Fab Factory Studios and produced by Mike Pepe (Taking Back Sunday, Plain White T’s), with mixing and mastering done by Grammy Winner Jett Galindo. The song features wicked & sinewy dark guitar riffs, thunderous drums, a throbbing bass line, and a chorus as addictive as it is memorable. The band’s influences from 90’s stalwarts like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden shine through on the track. The band’s Luke Davies says “The song explores the concept of “selling your soul for fame and fortune” but in a literal sense. As if the devil was real and young, innocent and corruptible people are actually coming to Hollywood and selling their soul to become a star. There’s a large section of ...

  A young, fresh touch to progressive metal from the heart of Slovenia: Hei’An sets the mood for sensitive post rock, mixed with strong metal elements. Following the lead of the band’s mastermind Matic Blagonič, Hei’An released their dreamy album imago in November 2022. This philosophical full-length revolves around traumas, inner hell and toxic states of mind. As turbulent as these sad stories are, the melodies also maneuver the listener towards dark and deep worlds. On top of performing successfully at 2023’s 70000TONS OF METAL Cruise in the Caribbean, recent Metaldays and looking forward to this year’s ProgPower, Hei’An continue to move their musical genius forward: The Slovenians stopped by in the halls of legends, the renowned EastWest Studios in Hollywood. The recording facility has produced some of the most celebrated music of the last fifty years, ranging from Frank Sinatra to The Rolling Stones. Hei’An’s adventure in LA gave birth to four smashing tracks with magnificent o...

  Gold-selling, billion-streaming rock band BEARTOOTH — Caleb Shomo, vocals; Zach Huston, guitars; Will Deely, guitars; Oshie Bichar, bass; and Connor Denis, drums — have announced their fifth album “The Surface”. It will arrive on October 13 via Red Bull Records. Pre-order it here . Like its predecessors, “The Surface” is an intensely personal and powerful journey for Shomo, who has never shied away from sharing his demons in his music and with his fans. However, the frontman has turned a corner with a more optimistic outlook and demonstrates exceptional growth as both an artist and a human being through the songs that comprise the album. Today, the band has shared the video for new track " Doubt Me ." Watch it here The footage captures Beartooth in their most natural state — performing live and unleashed on their instruments with ferocious abandon! "We all have our own struggles that we deal with quietly," says Shomo. "Sometimes, it can be hard to explai...

  Copenhagen's metalcore outlet SIAMESE share their stunning live performance of the song 'Sloboda' from Roskilde Festival 2023. "Playing one of the biggest festivals in Europe and the culturally most important one in our country was bucket list material," comments singer Mirza Radonjica. "Having very little metal on the line-up it was a fun thing rubbing shoulders and sharing backstage with acts like Lizzo, Lil Nas X and Kendrick Lamar. Something to tell your kids for sure.” With over 55 million streams worldwide and top placements on some of the biggest influential Spotify playlists including Kickass Metal, New Core and All New Metal, Siamese are quickly becoming one of Denmark's most popular new musical exports. Coupled with ever growing support from media and fans alike, Siamese have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Watch 'Sloboda - Live at Roskilde Festival' here https://youtu.be/VyzTopuZVTc Stream the song here https://orcd.co/si...

  Dutch metal titans Within Temptation have released the music video for their brand new single ‘Bleed Out’. The video shows an AI-animated story of a woman being suppressed and chased by a malevolent entity, whilst AI-generated band members perform. For the music video, the band has worked together with their long-time friend and videographer SetVexy and digital designer RART. SetVexy captured the band's live-performance and RART molded this performance into an AI-driven, animated storyline. Within Temptation says that AI helps them realize their creative ideas, and thanks to this new technique, it enables them to make animation and CGI style videos at a quality that were previously unaffordable. The title track of the band’s forthcoming album Bleed Out (released October 20th), the song addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini. Sharon den Adel explains, “I lived in Yemen when I was a kid. My parents lived in several countries...

  Brighton-based, four-piece electronic metal band, The Undaunted released their latest single, 'R.I.P.' in June 2023, and now they have unleashed an exciting video to go with the song which we previously reviewed, stating: "R.I.P. is a blast! It is manic and infectiously catchy, with explosive synth melodies and crushing vocals, and demands multiple listens as it hooks you in." Check out the video for 'R.I.P.' below: 'R.I.P.' tells a story of two best friends burning their friendship to the ground, re-opening the wounds of a final melody of a musical journey they embarked on together from the very first note. Expect rageful notes of betrayal with countering synth melodies screaming at each other and melancholic undertones expressing a deep hurt and repetitive mantra, a warning to all that your closest friends always have the sharpest knives. The band have just announced a new support show. Check out the details below: For more on The Undaunted visit...

  The biggest metal band in the world, Metallica, took their M72 World Tour to a new level by streaming the two live shows from Arlington, Texas on August 18th and August 20th via Trafalgar Releasing to audiences worldwide in cinema screenings. The band played two completely different setlists, with songs from across the group's 40+ year career, ranging from 1983's debut 'Kill' Em All' to 2023's new release '72 Seasons'. Audiences who attended both nights wouldn't have witnessed the same song twice, presenting Metallica fans with a unique opportunity to experience - or relive - the band's acclaimed M72 World Tour and offered an excellent opportunity for those who couldn't make their tour in person or attend both nights of their World Tour. As I wasn't in Texas for the in-person event, I attended my local cinema in South East England, UK, for night two on Monday, August 21st, due to the time differences worldwide. It was great seeing Metal...

  Cabrakaän is a Mexican-Canadian folk metal band that relocated from Mexico to Canada, shortly before the global pandemic, after a moving performance in Calgary and friendships made as a result. Formed back in 2010 in Mexico by composer, drummer/percussionist, black/death metal shouter and producer Marko Cipäktli and classically trained soprano vocalist Pat Cuikani, the band quickly began to shake up the scene with sensational live shows. Inspired by their shared love of the diversity of Mexico's indigenous languages and cultures, the at first glance disparate duo combines a passion for raw metal with folk music and opera added in. The disruptive nature of their own ancestral roots reach both deep into the Mesoamerican culture of the Mexica/Otomi people and simultaneously into the Spanish culture of their repressive conquerors. This makes Cabrakaän a gang of the driven, of explorers and cultural ambassadors. The appeal of the disreputable – the denied world of the Aztecs (Mexicas)...

  Following a rapturously received set on the main stage at BLOODSTOCK Festival and an exclusive release show in Camden's Black Heart, London metal trio URNE have announced their first ever headline tour of the UK. "We are extremely excited to announce our first UK headline tour! This will be the first time we debut a lot of the songs from A Feast On Sorrow, and it is also a chance for us to play some older songs we have never played before. We have a really exciting tour line-up to announce too, so keep your eyes peeled for that announcement." Catch them at the following shows in December: URNE - A FEAST ON SORROW UK TOUR 03.12 - LEEDS, Boom TICKETS 05.12 - CARLISLE, Brickyard TICKETS 06.12 - GLASGOW, Cathouse TICKETS 08.12 - NEWCASTLE, Think Tank TICKETS 09.12 - MILTON KEYNES, Craufurd Arms TICKETS 10.12 - MANCHESTER, Satans Hollow TICKETS 12.12 - BIRMINGHAM, Institute 3 TICKETS 14.12 - BRIGHTON, Patterns TICKETS 15.12 - BRISTOL, Exchange TICKETS 16.12 - LONDON, Bosto...

  Following the release of the critically acclaimed new album Take No Prisoners, the Los Angeles-born heavy metal icons Alcatrazz are thrilled to announce the launch of new single ‘Sign Of The Cross’ (out now via Silver Lining Music). “We hope our fans will be thrilled for the release of this brand new song” comments co-founding member and keyboardist Jimmy Waldo, “‘Sign Of The Cross’ was only recorded earlier this year, showing that even mere months after our latest album Take No Prisoners was released, we are not slowing down one bit!” Listen to ‘Sign Of The Cross’ at this location To coincide with the single release, Alcatrazz will perform a unique and one-of-a-kind free show on Thursday, August 24th, at London’s iconic Cart & Horses, the birthplace of Iron Maiden. Known for their incendiary and explosive performances, Alcatrazz promise to bring their new album to life, alongside all the classics and fan favourites, in such a characteristic and legendary environment. Joini...

  Taken from their newly released and acclaimed debut album 'Signed In Blood', Shadow Smile unveil news of their 'Before Every Fall' lyric video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHcNNY3irHE The Sheffield (UK) four piece launched their long awaited crowd-funded debut album on the 18th August 2023. A concept album exploring how the Seven Deadly Sins ideology still impacts upon modern life and our society. Over the course of two years, Shadow Smile have been finely crafting anthemic metal-edged tracks under the guiding hand of Daniel Jeffery at Treehouse Studios (UK). Since forming in 2019, the independent releasing band have propelled themselves onto the British metal scene, gaining an army of followers, headlining shows and making festival appearances, along with garnering support from both independent and national media. 'Signed In Blood' debut album is available now on all major digital platforms. https://open.spotify.com/album/647vzvwkc0zLtoukUPGJ44 Shadow S...

  Scottish rockers She Burns Red have been announced as guests on South of Salem’s U.K. tour this Halloween season. To coincide with the news, the band has premiered a colourful yet slightly chilling animated video for ‘Crosshairs’ that’s the stuff of nightmares if clowns aren’t to your liking. Previously featured on their 2020 EP, this single is a new studio recording and taken from She Burns Red's debut album, ‘Out of Darkness’, which will be released this September. Watch 'Crosshairs' (official lyric video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwHBTxAcM9M The band says, "‘Crosshairs’ speaks of bad relationships and how they can affect you. It's in these desperate moments that you're looking towards hope when all around you seems lost. It is far too easy to lose sight of what you have and blame others for what is happening to you when sometimes the answer to the question of what is wrong is yourself." Produced by Matt Elliss (Massive Wagons/Black Spiders),...

  Within Temptation, the renowned Dutch symphonic metal band, are set to captivate fans with their eighth studio album Bleed Out on October 20, 2023. Bleed Out signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, Within Temptation have created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who aren’t afraid to make a stand on issues they care about. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Within Temptation have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do. Vocalist Sharon den Adel states, “The war in Ukraine has influenced us a lot. As artists we are inspired by the world, and we have t...

  UK metalcore newcomers ACHE have independently released their brand new single and music video ‘Dark Souls’, which premiered on BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock with Alyx Holcombe. Written as a portrayal of the internal battles that so many of us have with our demons, it’s a sinister aural assault full of murky riffs and furious vocals, driven by an unsettling and often erratic delivery. Watch the music video to 'Dark Souls' here . Stream 'Dark Souls' here . On the new single, vocalist TJ Smith comments: "'Dark Souls' is a song about my experiences living with agoraphobia. The feeling of always having something looming over me, lurking in my shadow, and ultimately about being able to break free from its grasp. Some days, a simple thing like leaving the house feeling comfortable in my own skin isn’t so simple at all." The audio is accompanied by a horror-tinged music video, recorded with Loki Films and starring actor Neal Ward, that renders that feeling...

  Multi-platinum GRAMMY® Award-winning Sacramento band Deftones share the details for their fourth annual Dia De Los Deftones set for Saturday Nov. 4 at Petco Park in San Diego, CA. Headlined, hosted, and curated by Deftones, the all-ages festival lineup also features 100 Gecs, Knocked Loose, Doechii, Pinback, Pieri, Rile, and Capra. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 18th at 10:00 AM PST at Ticketmaster.com. Deftones' Artist Presale will run Wednesday, August 16th at 10:00 AM to Thursday, August 17th at 10:00 PM PST. Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Padres, and local radio pre-sales will all run Thursday, August 17th only from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM PST. On its two stages, Dia De Los Deftones showcases artists across the spectrum of culture, encompassing hip-hop, electronic, indie, alternative, and metal. Inviting complete immersion and an inimitable experience, its concourse comprises art installations, local vendors, exclusive merchandise, and more. After three prior installments, it ...

  M.E.L.T米爾特from Taiwan announces the release of their debut self-titled album on August 16, 2023. Combining symphonic and power metal elements with modern influences, M.E.L.T. incorporates melodic female vocal lines and male brutal screams with growling guitar riffs and soaring symphonic layers to display their unique aura. Formed in 2021, M.E.L.T. derives their name from four characters in the literature by Albert Camus, Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller and Charles Dickens. Despite being a relatively new band, they’ve received rapid domestic recognition in Taiwan by performing alongside Nightwish during a leg of their Asia tour in 2023. M.E.L.T’s eponymous debut album strikes a balance between traditional and modern metal music timbre. Exquisite symphonic layers and synthesized sound effects are crucial elements in the album to contrast with the iconic bass slapping & tapping and heavy walls of electric guitar sound that are ubiquitous throughout the whole album. The concept o...