Music News & Reviews from the Rock, Metal, Blues, Prog, Punk & Jazz Genres as well as stage and festival shows
The world’s favourite rebel Billy Idol has rescheduled The Roadside Tour 2022 with new dates now set for October 2022. All existing tickets are still valid for the revised dates. Says Billy Idol: “As many of you know, this year has dealt me some health […]
NewsOn May 6th Xander and the Peace Pirates released their eagerly anticipated 10-track album ‘Order Out Of Chaos’. If you’re a lover of rock and soul, subtle riffs that haunt and send the listener, stunning vocals and guitar mastery, beguiling and infectious melodies, Xander And The Peace […]
NewsWhat’s the definition of a gentleman?Somebody that knows how to play the accordion, but doesn’t. Unfortunately, JC Carroll is no gentleman so it is time to unleash his Roots Folk album unto the world. ‘This Is Our Record’ from The Wise Monkeys will be released […]
NewsSTREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH VIDEO HERE TAKEN FROM NEW EP: ‘CHIASM’ – SET FOR RELEASE 13 MAY 2022. “Paving the way in electronic music”Hunger Magazine “The crushing intensity of their music comes equipped with a redemptive, blissful edge”Clash Magazine TEMPLE INVISIBLE – have […]
NewsSTREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH VIDEO HERE TAKEN FROM NEW EP: ‘CHIASM’ – SET FOR RELEASE 13 MAY 2022.
“Paving the way in electronic music”
Hunger Magazine
“The crushing intensity of their music comes equipped with a redemptive, blissful edge”
Clash Magazine
TEMPLE INVISIBLE – have unveiled their arresting new single “Over My Feet”, taken from new ‘Chiasm’ EP coming next month.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH VIDEO HERE
Fusing chiffon vocals with impending electronic beats, “Over My Feet” comes as the third single plucked from Temple Invisible’s forthcoming ‘Chiasm’ EP, and boasts the breadth of the genre-defying duo.
Showcasing the two-piece’s knack for creating evocative electronic-tinged tracks that are as dark as they are diaphanous, “Over My Feet” feels eerie and overcast yet optimistic and inviting all at once.
Speaking of the inspiration behind the track, vocalist Irina Bucescu explains:
“”Over My Feet” is like a walk in the forest. It draws its roots from the deep and rich life of the underground — the mycelium. As you progress deeper into the forest, you connect with the life force, inside out, and blend the deeper and more disturbing truths into a multi-layered view of reality. The metamorphosis of death can be a beautiful thing when you walk in the forest.”
With its opening moments unfolding like a silken ballad — gauzy vocals and gentle key taps wind themselves around one another with cushiony ease — the docile ambience is soon underpinned by swirling electro rhythms that steadily threaten to erupt, before overflowing into a meticulous amalgam of rippling instrumentals.
Following earlier singles “Stardust” and “Hold”, “Over My Feet” arrives as an electric third glimpse into Temple Invisible’s upcoming ‘Chiasm’ EP, set for release on 13 May 2022. Featuring four all-new compositions of an awe-inspiring gravity and interstellar ambition, the songs of ‘Chiasm’ are all loosely connected by the love-hate relationship we as humans have with ourselves. Delving into our inner psyches, the EP reflects on those anxieties that pervade our perceptions and how they’re manipulated by fear, but also offers an in-depth examination of how our psyches change through time.
Produced, recorded and mixed by Temple Invisible’s Costas Ivanov, additional production comes courtesy of Irina Bucescu, final mastering for the ‘Chiasm’ EP was completed by Aneek Thapar.
Of the new EP, Irina explains:
“‘Chiasm’ is a crossing point. The point in which the upward current and downward current meet and intertwine in ever-changing patterns. It is about the journey of our psyche – from being one with the universe (“Stardust”), to holding on to the fascination that the small child has for his parents (“Hold”) and the process of maturing. It’s all about the journey.”
Irina Bucescu and Costas Ivanov are Temple Invisible, an electronic/industrial/trip-hop duo formed in 2012 in Bucharest, Romania. The genre-defying duo fuse a unique blend of electronic influences and musical genres combined with a classical sense of composition.
Since releasing their debut single ‘Disappearance’ in May 2014 they have performed regularly at major festivals and venues in Romania, sharing the stage with notable acts such as Orbital, Modeselektor, Actress, Douglas Dare and Bonobo.
With their music playlisted on stations across the globe in the UK, USA, Russia, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Portugal, Temple Invisible have also been critically acclaimed by publications such as Clash Magazine, The FADER, VICE, Hunger Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, Richer Unsigned and many more. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Gary Numan, the band have released two EPs: ‘ENTER_’ (2014) and ‘Void’ (2017) to date. Losing none of their sci-fi indebted sonic invention or mystic allure in the interim years, Temple Invisible will release their visionary third collection ‘Chiasm’ on 13 May 2022.
TEMPLE INVISIBLE – NEW SINGLE “OVER MY FEET”
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH VIDEO HERE
NEW EP – ‘CHIASM’ – RELEASED 13 MAY 2022FOR MORE INFORMATION
https://templeinvisible.com
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERENEW SINGLE ARRIVES AHEAD OF FIRST-EVER UK HEADLINE TOUR+ NEW ALBUM: ‘WONDERFUL OBLIVION’ AVAILABLE IN THE UK, 6 MAY 2022 VIA ANTI-FRAGILE MUSIC Ahead of their first-ever UK headline tour – CHARM OF FINCHES – are releasing a spine-tingling rendition of […]
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NEW SINGLE ARRIVES AHEAD OF FIRST-EVER UK HEADLINE TOUR+ NEW ALBUM: ‘WONDERFUL OBLIVION’ AVAILABLE IN THE UK, 6 MAY 2022 VIA ANTI-FRAGILE MUSIC
Ahead of their first-ever UK headline tour – CHARM OF FINCHES – are releasing a spine-tingling rendition of Joni Mitchell’s classic single: “River”.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Nodding to one of the natural world’s most beautiful and life-nurturing features, the release of “River” coincides with this year’s Earth Day (22 April).
Adorned with the hymnal vocal harmonies and spacious arrangements that define the duo’s trademark sound, Charm of Finches conjure a breathtaking version that showcases the band’s singular talents, while also paying fitting homage to one of the all time songwriting greats.
Initially recorded as an exclusive for their Patrons last year, the track is now being made available as part of an upcoming acoustic EP entitled ‘Bluest Colour’, which will feature a mixture of covers and alternative versions of previously released tracks. Full release details will be revealed in due course.
Speaking about the choice of cover, Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes say:
“We’ve been listening to a lot of the artists from Laurel Canyon and that era for a secret project we are working on. We’ve loved diving into the lyricism of Joni Mitchell, and felt an immediate affinity with the lyrics “I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly” – we have had itchy feet to travel with our music since forever, and now, with our UK/Europe tour finally upon us, we get to fly… Our song “Canyon” carries the same longing to leap into the unknown, to get going on an adventure. ”
With a spate of shows scheduled across the nation, their UK tour kicks-off in Oxford’s Holywell Music Rooms tomorrow (23 April).
Due to perform songs from their majestic third album: ‘Wonderful Oblivion’ (which will be available in the UK on 6 May 2022, via Anti-Fragile Music), fans will be able to catch Charm of Finches at these venues as follows:
Sister duo Charm of Finches live in Melbourne, Australia. They make haunted tunes about love, grief and whispering trees with tight sibling harmonies and chamber folk sound; baroque folk with many stringed things.
Sister duo Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes grew up busking old time tunes and singing on festival stages around Australia. Citing influences such as Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, Danish artist Agnes Obel and First Aid Kit, the sisters’ seamless blood harmonies traverse melancholy and wonder in equal measure.
Already adored in their home nation by press and public alike, the duo earned a nomination for the coveted 2021 Australian Music Prize. In recent times they have also been awarded the 2021 Music Victoria’s Best Folk Act and Youth Artist of the Year at the 2021 Australian Folk Music Awards. Releasing their third full-length album “Wonderful Oblivion” in the UK on 6th May 2022 via AntiFragile Music label, you can tune into the videos for recent singles “As A Child”, “Treading Water” and “Canyon” now.
CHARM OF FINCHES – ‘WONDERFUL OBLIVION’ – RELEASED 6 MAY, VIA ANTI-FRAGILE MUSIC
NEW EP: ‘BLUEST COLOUR’ – COMING THIS SUMMER
FOR MORE INFORMATION w/ https://charmoffinchesband.com
Following the release of “Infinite” and “Murphy’s Law” feat. Florent Salfati (Landmvrks), Suasion are now dropping their first brand-new single “Transformation” along with a music video today! The cinematic electronic metalcore architects Suasion have also announced that they are almost finished in the studio of […]
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Following the release of “Infinite” and “Murphy’s Law” feat. Florent Salfati (Landmvrks), Suasion are now dropping their first brand-new single “Transformation” along with a music video today! The cinematic electronic metalcore architects Suasion have also announced that they are almost finished in the studio of their forthcoming studio album and the newest single is taken from the album that will be released via Atomic Fire Records. “Transformation” is the third episode of the band’s album movie concept and the lyrical messages are matched by the music and by the band’s visuals. The video illustrates their further discoveries on their mission into outer space that will be revealed within the following music videos within the entire album sequence. Watch the newly unleashed song “Transformation” here: https://youtu.be/kFTEZ22lvEY Vocalist Steven states about the new song: “Beyond telling the next chapter of our story, the lyrics are about the fear of change. As in the music video, we are sometimes faced with difficult choices in our lives, choices that can change everything and break our balance, our comfort. However, sometimes, accepting the change can be beneficial and henceforth make us a better or a more adventurous person. Transformation or degradation? Will I transform into something that will help me reach my goals or will I degrade and fail? To answer those questions in our story, we decided to try and accept the change.” Julien, the bassist, adds: “The hard task of the music video was to find the good location. A cave that doesn’t look like dark grey rocks. We wanted something with textures like sand and it was hard to find in Belgium, especially in February because most of the caves were forbidden to the public due to the hibernation of the bats as these are protected species.” Listen to “Transformation” here: https://suasion.afr.link/Transformation All music videos by Suasion are created together with Pavel Trebukhin from TRE FILM as director and Julien Dejasse (bass) from JD Production as a video producer, while Nicolas Pirlet (guitar) is recording, producing, and mixing all the Suasion songs. Suasion already made an impact in the European scene with their previous releases and aesthetic music videos, which opened the doors to famed international festivals such as Euroblast Festival, UK Tech-Fest, Jera On Air, Miner Fest Kastival, and many more. SUASION is: Steven Rassart | Vocals Nicolas Pirlet | Guitar Julien Dejasse | Bass Virgile Degen | Drums SUASION online https://www.instagram.com/suasionband https://www.facebook.com/suasionband http://suasionband.com https://www.youtube.com/c/suasionband |
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“This is one of the most exhilarating records that I have heard in recent times.” “The all-out rock ‘n’ roll tracks on the album are honestly thrilling” (9 out of 10) – Powerplay “It’s a real belter of an album” “This is real rock and […]
News“This is one of the most exhilarating records that I have heard in recent times.” “The all-out rock ‘n’ roll tracks on the album are honestly thrilling” (9 out of 10) – Powerplay
“It’s a real belter of an album” “This is real rock and roll in the 21st Century” (4 out of 5 stars) – Music-News.com
British rock heavyweights Leader of Down, who are the final band of the late great Würzel (Ex Motörhead) release their sophomore album The Screwtape Letters today.
The album was mixed by long-time Motörhead producer and Grammy winner Cameron Webb and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. The CD comes with a 20-page full-colour booklet and there is also a limited edition delicious RED vinyl!
Leader of Down also release a brand new video for the second single to be taken from the album Cat’s Eye Night.
Watch the it here: https://youtu.be/7m65R3dJCfo
The new album is available worldwide through US label Cleopatra Records. It features 10 stellar tracks such as the first single Hitman with special guest Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden) which peaked at number 2 in the UK iTunes heavy metal chart & the brand new single Cat’’s Eye Night, which takes no prisonerswith the band’s own brand of heavy rock ‘n’ roll.
Cat’s Eye Night taken from The Screwtape Letters stems from a conversation between Alex Ward (Guitarist) & Tim Atkinson (Bass) after watching the film “Cats Eye” to which Tim added the word “Night”. This was then an inspiration for Tim to write the lyrics about the night in the studio recording with the legendary Lemmy Kilmister whilst working on the track Paradise turned into Dust from the bands debut album Cascade into Chaos.
April 8th is a busy one for Leader of Down as in addition to the new album and single they are headlining Heavy Metal Mayhem in Essex, England. “It’s going to be a manic day for us all and we cannot wait to play the new tracks on the day they are released for a sell-out crowd. We are all thrilled with the new record and so pleased that it’s being received so well already” – Tim Atkinson
The Screwtape Letters is already receiving great reviews before it was even released with the band being described as “the gutsiest rock ‘n’ roll on the planet” – Rawramp magazine.
“Although the year is barely three months old The Screwtape Letters is sure to be one of 2022’s key releases.” – Midlands Rocks
Check out The Screwtape Letters and catch Leader of Down on the road with many more dates due to be announced in 2022/23 throughout the UK and Europe.
FOLLOW THE BAND:
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/leaderofdownofficial
WEBSITE: https://leaderofdown.com/home
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/leaderofdown
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/leaderofdown
The Reytons have quickly risen from hometown heroes in South Yorkshire to a nationally renowned indie-rock outfit. A word of mouth sensation, they continue to hit the country with sold out show after sold out show. “Picture the scene: fans arm in arm singing back […]
NewsThe Reytons have quickly risen from hometown heroes in South Yorkshire to a nationally renowned indie-rock outfit. A word of mouth sensation, they continue to hit the country with sold out show after sold out show.
“Picture the scene: fans arm in arm singing back to a band they adore, faces gleaming because of how intensely perfect the atmosphere is. Biblical.” Exposed Magazine
The Reytons built on their Top 40 charting EP in February 2021 by smashing an 11th place finish with their debut album ‘Kids Off The Estate’ in November 2021, up against the likes of Abba, Ed Sheeran, Little Mix and Taylor Swift.
Frequent support has been received from the likes of BBC Radio 1 who have championed The Reytons with spot plays on Future Artists & The Indie Show (Jack Saunders), Future Sounds (Annie Mac), plus Radio X (John Kennedy) and more.
Recently dubbed as ‘a colossal live force’ by Clash, The Reytons are already infamous for their raucous live shows. After selling out every single show on their 2021 album tour, The Reytons went on to sell out Rotherham’s prestigious 4,500 capacity Magna in only 10 hours, before taking their trademarked live carnage the length of the UK, playing to thousands in Spring 2022.
After a summer of huge support slots and festival shows, including two massive slots with Gerry Cinnamon, The Reytons hit the academies, taking on huge rooms in each major UK city.
Tickets available from www.thereytons.com
THE REYTONS ON SOCIALS
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | OFFICIAL WEBSITE
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM FROM: WWW.INAFORSMAN.COM STREAM THE NEW SINGLES “DON’T LOSE TODAY” & “ONE NIGHT IN BERLIN” FROM HTTPS://MUSAIC.BIO/INA-FORSMAN A voice is always a voice. No other instrument in the world of music can be embraced by a true artist as unequivocally as human singing. […]
NewsPRE-ORDER THE ALBUM FROM: WWW.INAFORSMAN.COM
STREAM THE NEW SINGLES “DON’T LOSE TODAY” & “ONE NIGHT IN BERLIN” FROM HTTPS://MUSAIC.BIO/INA-FORSMAN
A voice is always a voice. No other instrument in the world of music can be embraced by a true artist as unequivocally as human singing. The voice is the acoustic union of soul and face. If an extraordinary voice can slip into different guises and can communicate extraordinary stories, then something special is guaranteed. Ina Forsman’s new album is such a thing. All There Is, the third studio album from Ina Forsman, is a multi-faceted affair. It is profound and exudes Ina’s powerhouse vocal vulnerability.
Released by Jazzhaus Records on Friday 24 June 2022, Ina’s highly anticipated new album is available to pre order from www.inaforsman.com.
Her new singles Don’t Lose Today and One Night In Berlin are out now.
Watch the music video for the new single Don’t Lose Today – https://bit.ly/35L8Jlz
Watch the visualizer for the new single One Night In Berlin – https://bit.ly/3LDPc5Y
Ina Forsman herself describes her music as cinematic soul. On the one hand, her songs are influenced by the soul of the 1960s and 1970s and give undisguised insights into mental states. On the other hand, they feature dramatic plot threads, an explosive colour palette, and character.
On the Berlin-based Finnish singer’s sophomore album Been Meaning To Tell You (2019) and her eponymous debut album Ina Forsman (2016), Ina presented herself as a promising vocalist, influenced by her role models. On the new album All There Is she comes into her own. The isolation associated with the lockdown may have initiated Ina’s new direction, but in doing so, the young singer moved into a new direction.
“Who am I, what am I doing here,” she seems to ask us in every song. She no longer relies on formulas that have worked for the last 50 years but trusts in her very own vocabulary in her atmospheric big city songs; sometimes in the shrill neon light, sometimes in the twilight of the nightshade.
“I look for melodies that are as soulful and organic as possible,” says Ina. “On the new album, for the first time, I wrote the music by myself. The pandemic suddenly left me with no other option. On my earlier albums I wrote the lyrics and my vocal melody but left it to the other musicians to write their parts around my idea. This time I had to do all this alone. I produced my own demos, learned to play the piano, and even developed some of the arrangements for horns and backup vocals. It was a big challenge for me to write all the material on this album, but along the way, I finally found out what kind of music suits me.”
In the journey to finding her true self, Ina discovered versions of her own personality. An album is usually the mirror of the respective performer. On the new album, Ina goes much further. The new album is a kaleidoscope with many colours, shapes, timbres, and references.
To compose her songs, she based them on stories from her own life. She describes All There Is, “a love album,” but it also depicts the different circumstances of an independent artistic personality. “Even behind the greatest love stories there is usually a struggle,” says Ina. “In some songs I tell how people fight together and then find their way to happiness. The two main aspects of this record are about life-changing love and life-changing struggles.”
Like any great storyteller, Ina always finds an outlet for her characters in her songs. Listening to Ina’s music is almost like she is learning about life, but in the most entertaining way. At the same time, she finds new appointments between past and present in every song. She makes no secret of her commitment to old school soul and jazz.
The album’s instrumentation, mix and sonic environment may indeed be very Sixties, and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. But thanks to Ina’s incredible presence in every single syllable that she sings, which is also expressed in her arrangements, this journey does not lead straight into the past, but always explores the sixties and seventies through the window of the present.
“I write my songs as intuitively as possible,” explains Ina. “When I sit down to write a song, I don’t think about what Aretha Franklin’s or Dusty Springfield’s producer would do but write down what comes to mind as a Finnish girl in Berlin.”
Life is complex and what we perceive as a moment is nothing more than a gondola on the cable car between the past and the future. Ina’s songs take us back to our memory and, through the power of her voice and imagination, carry us towards our hopes and expectations. An album about and for life in its endless creative diversity.
ALL THERE IS: – TRACK LISTING
1. LOVE ME (3:45)
2. DON’T LOSE TODAY (2:59)
3. ALL THERE IS (4:43)
4. WE COULD BE GOLD DIGGERS (3:56)
5. POOR HEART (5:09)
6. ONE NIGHT IN BERLIN (3:39)
7. PROMISES (4:32)
8. DIVE (4:27)
9. APRIL SONG (3:41)
10. RAW HONEY (4:38) PRODUCTION CREDITS
All songs written and performed by Ina Forsman
Recorded at Lowswing Studio in Berlin & Soul Food Studio in Helsinki
Produced by Michael Bleu, Guy Sternberg & Ina Forsman
Horn Arrangements by Janne Toivonen, Ori Jacobson, Ina Forsman
String arrangements by Michael Bleu, Thomas Moked Blum
Back up vocal arrangements Hanna-Maria Helenius, Ina Forsman
BAND LINE-UP
Ina Forsman – Vocals
Piano & Keys – Samuli Rautiainen, Doron Segal
Guitar – Kalle Outila, Regardt Scheepers, Michael Bleu, Thomas Moked Blum
Bass – Iiro Kautto, Paul B. Keeves
Drums & Percussion – Daniel Hjerppe, Nikolai Ziel
Percussion – Michael Bleu
Tenor Saxophone – Sirpa Suomalainen, Ori Jacobson
Trumpet – Janne Toivonen, Dmytro Bondarev
Trombone – Heikki Tuhkanen, Andrej Ugoljew
Baritone Saxophone – Johannes Salomaa
Strings – Jarkko Saura, Thomas Moked Blum
Back Up Vocals – Helen Meyer, Jenni Taari, Hanna-Maria Helenius, Ina Forsman
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
Love Me
Start of the whole storyline, the album’s main single ‘Love Me’ was written around the feeling of saying “I love you” for the first time. The up-tempo rhythm and old school arrangements will move your feet, yet the composition’s blue mood will make your soul shiver. The song is an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible
Don’t Lose Today
The instruments on this song will take you back to the golden days of Motown, as Ina’s storytelling is bringing you back to this modern day, and the difficulties of living in it.
All There Is
Album’s title song that ties the whole album theme together with a simple message; Love is all there is. That’s it.
We Could Be Gold Diggers
Ever got tired of being broke and dreamt about hitting the jackpot with your lover, and living lavishly for the rest of your life? Well, this is what that dream sounds like.
Poor Heart
Poor Heart is the ultimate peak, the mountain top of the first half of the album. This song is a true power trip that could fill up movie theaters on an epic fighting scene. Song about resilience, perseverance, fighting your inner demons and beating their asses.
One Night In Berlin
The second act of the album starts with this sweet and acoustic dream of a song. Ina surprises with hauntingly soft vocals as she sings through the biggest love story of her life.
Promises
Piano ballad that will break your heart in the sweetest way. Cinematic composition together with a deep storyline of a lost friendship. How could you keep a promise you never made?
Dive
Every album needs the odd bird, and these songs will surely take that place. We take a deep dive into a deserted island in the middle of the sea, where two lovers have a decision of a lifetime to make; Will they dive deeper than ever before, or drown while trying?
April Song
We are back with the Motown sound with this new soul classic. A true mood booster that will make you feel those first sun rays of Spring no matter the season.
Raw Honey
The last song will take you on a powerful journey of painful self-awareness, growing pains and finding hope in a difficult situation. This song will give you everything; horns, back-up vocals, strings, storytelling, and of course; Ina belting her heart out like it’s the last song she’ll ever sing.
Finnish progressive rock/metal band Varjo-Orkesteri released a new lyric video Sydänmusta. The track is taken from their debut album Prima Volta which was released on April 1st 2022 by Inverse Records. Watch Sydänmusta video: https://youtu.be/Bq9Wsoga6tM The Band comments the video and album:“A new lyric video from the […]
NewsFinnish progressive rock/metal band Varjo-Orkesteri released a new lyric video Sydänmusta. The track is taken from their debut album Prima Volta which was released on April 1st 2022 by Inverse Records. Watch Sydänmusta video: https://youtu.be/Bq9Wsoga6tM The Band comments the video and album: “A new lyric video from the Varjo-Orkesteri’s debut album Prima Volta, SYDÄNMUSTA, opens up the bands soundscape in a lighter and more sensitive direction. “My heart is so black, and in its hiding, the soul will contract.” Life itself is magical. Such is the debut album Prima Vista by the Varjo-orkesteri. Dark and deep, yet gentle self-reflection about the quality of being when you become you. Or someting else? You’ll find out by placing an apparatus potentiometer to eleven and letting Prima Vista hit a black stamp on your soul, too.” Listen to the PRIMA VOLTA album on: Bandcamp: https://varjo-orkesteri.bandcamp.com Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36CMnmZ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09NWB591C Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/album/209844113 Apple Music: https://apple.co/3wUuACq Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/album/281905082 Watch video of first single Vihtahousun illallinen: https://youtu.be/3YSbGgTMeRY Watch video of second single Luoto: https://youtu.be/cDpuJ8vo8gE Biography: he Varjo-orkesteri is a Finnish-language group flavoured by rock, metal and proge. The band is the “ready-to-go” missile of the hot Karhula scene, which is always ready to kick the nation with freshest and thickest beats. The band sort of formed by accident when the Fog Light boys (Jarmo Pikka, Pasi Hakuli, Saku Hakuli) were planning to put together a new album based on almost complete instrumental demos. Coincidentally, possible vocal contributions (Markku Pihlaja) was discussed. At first as usual, lyrics were to be written in English. But led by something unconscious, the text began to emerge in finnish. This intuition was definitely worth following. The album’s demos were therefore largely ready when singing melodies and text began to be written in the demos. At the same time, when the songs were demoed, tracks were already recorded for the album. Recording sessions were built according to the spirit of the times “remotely” so that each party recorded their share in their own studios. By late autumn 2021, the recordings were ready. Mixing and mastering were agreed with their final form at the beginning of December. The end result surprised the whole band, the album (Prima Volta) became a really fresh-sounding revelation, not least for the native languge in the text. The members of the varjo-orkesteri are quite familiar at least to the music people of the home area (South Kymenlaakso). The members have a background from bands such as Omnium Gatherum, Total Devastation, Manitou, Kaihoro, Return To Void, Demonic Death Judge etc. |
Track list:
1. Vihtahousun illallinen
2. Hiljaisuuteen sisältyy kaikki
3. Mielenkarkotin
4. Luoto
5. Sydänmusta
6. Kivinen
7. Lootus
8. Kuvajainen
9. Jumalallinen kuolema
10. Kalmanviiva
Line-up:
Vocals, Markku Pihlaja
Guitar, Saku Hakuli
Bass, Pasi Hakuli
Drums, Jarmo Pikka
Backing vocals: Teemu Seppälä, Janne Ensola, Jussi Serengil
Recording: Saku Hakuli, Pasi Hakuli, Jarmo Pikka, Markku Pihlaja Mixing: Markku Pihlaja, Peaceville Porridge Ear Studios (FIN)
Mastering: Steve Kitch, SK-Mastering (UK)
Links:
https://varjo-orkesteri.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/VarjoOrkesteri
https://www.instagram.com/varjo_orkesteri
Silent Running will release ‘Follow The Light’ their fourth studio album – but the first for thirty years! – on 22 July 2022 via Door Records. The Northern Irish rockers are marking their 40th anniversary this year, having been largely inactive since 1989. At the […]
NewsSilent Running will release ‘Follow The Light’ their fourth studio album – but the first for thirty years! – on 22 July 2022 via Door Records. The Northern Irish rockers are marking their 40th anniversary this year, having been largely inactive since 1989. At the height of their career, the band toured with the likes of Talk Talk, Simple Minds, John Foxx and Robert Palmer and appeared on iconic music TV show The Tube. Now original members of the band Richard Collett (bass), Peter Gamble (vocals) and Tony Scott (guitars) have reunited, with Gary Kirby on drums and Paul Rocks on keyboards. An album track appropriately named ‘Darkest Hour’ will raise money for the Red Cross effort in Ukraine, with the band donating all proceeds.
The band were originally signed to EMI and released their debut album ‘Shades of Liberty’ in 1984. For the follow up to that record, Silent Running then signed with Atlantic Records (the first Irish band to do so) and released ‘Walk on Fire’ in 1987 and ‘Deep’ in 1989. After that third album, the band folded for a full 30 years. In 2019, having got together again to play a few songs at a band member’s wife’s birthday, Silent Running booked a gig at Belfast’s Voodoo. Expectations of anything other than having some fun playing a full live set again, in truth, were low. However, a Facebook group of fans couldn’t believe that the band were back in business again and ensured that the show was a total sell out, with many traveling in for what was a magical night. A live concert CD of the show was released in 2020.
Late in 2019, Silent Running released the single ‘Lost Boy’, which had been debuted at the Voodoo show, but now it’s time to reveal the full album. ‘Follow The Light’ was recorded at Novatech in Belfast; the same studio in which they recorded the demos for the 80s albums. Lead singer and songwriter Peter Gamble says, “I feel that ‘Follow the Light’ is Silent Running‘s best album to date with the best and most consistent songs, and the band’s arrangements of the songs are really strong. My favourites of the songs I wrote in the 80s were the more collaborative efforts we wrote together as a band; songs like ‘Emotional Warfare’, so it has felt really good to produce together what we believe is a special album”.
‘Follow The Light’ is packed with songs that spark with an undeniable energy, and there is a real sense of joy and celebration to the whole set. Silent Running have indeed been silent for three decades but in this, their fourth, they are ready to bring the noise.
Warsaw-based rock band Chemia will release ‘Something To Believe In’ on 29 April 2022 through Absolute Label Services; the first single from the album ‘New Romance’ will be released 18 March. The album was produced by Andy Taylor [Duran Duran, The Power Station] and he […]
NewsWarsaw-based rock band Chemia will release ‘Something To Believe In’ on 29 April 2022 through Absolute Label Services; the first single from the album ‘New Romance’ will be released 18 March. The album was produced by Andy Taylor [Duran Duran, The Power Station] and he also worked with the band on lyrics. ‘Music has the power to break down barriers globally and is all about breaking rules,’ says Frontman and singer Lukasz (Luke) Drapala. Given that the band have now turned their efforts from music to helping coordinate the efforts to support the refugees heading for sanctuary in Poland, the title perhaps has taken on a new significance. This being said, the band announces to waive 25% of the income from the album and single sales and donate to the Polish-Ukrainian Institute of Assistance and Development.
“The word Chemia means Chemistry,” explains guitarist and founder of the band Wojtek “W” Balczun. “It is all about exploring, nurturing and discovering our musical chemistry as a band and how we interact with each other as musicians and how this also resonates with audiences too. I guess our goal is like that of the best alchemists to try to create something extremely unique special from our music. Often with music it needs creative triggers and some ‘Je ne sais quoi’ to help inspire the writing process.”
Having Andy Taylor in the chair on ‘Something To Believe In’ is perhaps no surprise, Chemia have a history of working with great people to get the very best out of their sound. On the last album, ‘Let Me’, they collaborated with drummer and producer Marc LaFrance [Bachman Turner Overdrive] who brought in his good friend Mike Fraser [ACDC, Enter Shikari and Aerosmith] who worked on recording and mixing, but also on the process us turning creative ideas and riffs into a finished album.
Previous success has led to the band being offered slots to acts like Guns ‘n Roses, Skindred, Billy Talent, Deep Purple, Bring Me The Horizon, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Chemia even had the honour of being the only Polish act to play at Sonisphere Festival in Warsaw; headlined by Metallica.
The band has a great audience in Poland but also has very strong links to Ukraine, having performed at Woodstock Ukraine Festival and subsequently recording a new version of ‘Hero’ in Ukrainian which resulted in over 100 Radio stations playing our song in one day alone in the country. This led to Chemia being invited as special guests on a Stadium tour alongside one of the biggest Ukrainian rock artists BoomBox later this year; though obviously that seems unlikely to happen.
Chemia have undergone a few line-up changes now features: Luke, W, Maciek ‘Papay’ Papalski on guitar, virtuoso bass player Błażej Chochorowski and Adam Kram on drums. ‘Something To Believe In’ sees the band delivering an incredible, potent album full of amazing rock classics that will stay in the mind in these turbulent times; even if the band’s focus is currently elsewhere.
Live Nation / Kennedy Street are delighted to announce that legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward will undertake a UK tour entitled ‘The Voice of Moody Blues Justin Hayward’ in September 2022. The shows will go on general sale at 9am on Friday March 25th. Tickets available […]
NewsLive Nation / Kennedy Street are delighted to announce that legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward will undertake a UK tour entitled ‘The Voice of Moody Blues Justin Hayward’ in September 2022. The shows will go on general sale at 9am on Friday March 25th. Tickets available from ticketline.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and the venues direct. Special guest Mike Dawes will perform an opening set, as well as play guitar in Hayward’s band. Dawes is hailed as one of the world’s finest and most creative modern fingerstyle guitarists.
Justin Hayward said, “I’m so very pleased to be back on the road in the UK this September, with a set full of old songs and new, as well as the stories around them. With me will be the amazing, award winning guitarist Mike Dawes along with multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Julie Ragins -, a renowned recording artist in her own right – and Karmen Gould, the finest young flute player of her generation. We can’t wait to bring our show home.
Justin Hayward’s career is now in its fifth decade. He is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the iconic Moody Blues, whose hits include the masterful ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘Question’, ‘The Voice’ plus other classic, era and genre-defining hits. These laid the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues – as well as Hayward’s solo work –which continues to this day.
Already established as a songwriter, he joined the Moody Blues in 1966. Hitting his stride immediately with “Fly Me High,” he followed it with ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’ from the seminal album Days of Future Past. The Moody Blues sold 70 million albums worldwide, which includes 18 platinum and gold LPs. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Hayward created several solo albums such as Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains and The View From the Hill. He hit the Top Ten globally in 1978 with ‘Forever Autumn’ – created for Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds album. Hayward took to the stage from 2005 – 2010, and starred in its spectacular live production – he returns for its arena tour of March / April 2022.
His Spirits Of The Western Sky (2013) was followed by DVD ‘Spirits…Live’, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Video chart. 2016’s All The Way followed – a compilation of solo work and live performances of Moody Blues classics — and 2020’s digital EP One Summer Day/My Juliette.
These dates represent a rare chance for Justin’s fans to connect with one of music’s keenest talents and to hear the music that he loves presented with a truly personal touch. See also www.justinhayward.com.
Tickets are all priced at £40 except for London Union Chapel at £42