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Interview with Sharon Lia, Founder of the Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause Organizati

By
Nadia Pulgar
-

The Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause Music Festival is an all-female fronted festival that uses the power of music to bring people together and make a difference in the world. Founded by Sharon Lia and Rick Jannotti, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization runs the festival with an organized team of volunteers who are passionate about empowering women and supporting those in need. This year the festival will feature a variety of performances from Black Rose Rebellion, Della Chase, Helen & Terry, Tiffany, Rozes, and Sharon Lia Band. There will also be food vendors, a biergarten and the PINK CARPET experience. Rocked got the opportunity to catch up with founder, Sharon Lia, for an interview to discuss all the details about Ladies That Rock 4 a Cause.

Nadia Pulgar: Can you tell me about the concept and theme of this music festival and what sets it apart from other festivals? 

Sharon Lia: This is not just another music festival. It is an enormous volunteer effort born out of perseverance, overcoming, and the unifying power of music to do good in the world. It is an all-female fronted festival that gives a platform to women (who have historically struggled to be in this space). Empowered ladies use their voices to lift up other ladies who are in need. This festival’s purpose is to be joyful, to have fun, and collectively be a part of someone’s overcoming story. No one out there is doing a female-fronted music festival that aims to provide assistance directly to women in need, but we are.

Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause “You Oughta Know” segment by PBS.

NP: What are the main goals and objectives of the festival? Is there a particular message or purpose it aims to convey to its audience?

SL: Everything is fine until it’s not. We want to provide a fun experience, galvanize the community and raise funds to aid women facing sudden life-changing critical moments directly. Our goal this year is to impact twenty women with our efforts.   

NP: How do you go about selecting the artists and performers for the lineup and what criteria do you consider during this process?  

SL: This is our secret sauce! Talent is number one, and heart is number two.  Great heart, talent, and positivity for this family-friendly event are required. 

NP: Can you describe the process of planning and preparing for a music festival and how long does it typically take to organize an event of this scale?

SL: Well, this is a loaded but great question. I have lost count of the number of hours we have clocked. It’s like a pizza pie. There are a hundred slices to this pie, and each piece has tons of ingredients. You have to identify and gather the ingredients, place them all where they need to be at the right time, and omit nothing, or it will be half-baked (smile).  Takes about 9 months… like a baby! 

NP: Have you faced any obstacles and if so, how have you overcome them? 

SL: Me personally? I am an overcomer and have faced a lot of odds. I had grit I didn’t realize and never let that dark voice of fear take over – and it was loud sometimes. I poured parts of my story into my compositions, which is how I prefer to communicate. I found my voice in music. Together with love, I gained an unshakable laser-focused purpose. Obstacles gave me purpose too. I acknowledged that many suffer, and if we can overcome our trials, we must help those who need help overcoming theirs. We are called to do this. Key ingredients to my overcoming: Daily Gratitude, faith, and God. I don’t usually share but let’s just say, **** cancer, abuse, brain injury, Sjogren/Autoimmune diseases, tragic loss, possible homelessness, and 21 surgeries. That’s the shortlist of the fire I walked through that ignited my heart to help others. When we face suffering and pain and look for help, when there is none, we must extend that hand when we recover. We must speak our words to heal and overcome, and they must be louder than the other voice of surrendering – the human spirit is one of surviving – thriving. It takes all of us to help our brothers and sisters in the darkest moments, even if it’s only one soul at a time.

Sharon Lia Band at Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause

NP: Could you elaborate on what attendees can expect from this year’s festival in terms of performances, activities, and overall experience? 

SL: We will have vendors, food, a biergarten, and a PINK CARPET experience where you can get your photos taken on our pink carpet (people LOVE this). We have a VIP Tent for VIP ticket holders (all tickets are available on the website). The music is varied and awesome, great talent!  Doors open at 12pm, music starts at 1 pm and goes to about 9:30 with Tiffany closing the show.

NP:  Are there any special collaborations or unique features at this year’s festival that you’d like to highlight?

SL: Well, all the ladies!!! We have a great lineup and we are happy to have Tiffany joining us again this year, and new to the festival is Rozes (Rozes – most known for her collaboration “Roses” with duo The Chainsmokers.) Also, I am excited that this year, a dream of mine is coming true! I have wanted to provide an opportunity for budding musicians to perform, and this year the School of Rock students from Pennsylvania will be joining us. They audition to be part of their School of Rock band, so it’s a great bunch of talented kids. I would also like to highlight that our sponsors, festival attendees, vendors, donors, and volunteers make all the difference in the world, and we thank them! 

NP: Looking back at previous dates, can you share any memorable moments or success stories from previous editions of the festival?

SL: I will never forget the first festival when we called our beneficiary (at the time, we only had one). The music stopped; We called her on Facetime and showed her all the people and all the things happening for her. Not a dry eye in the house – and she was profoundly touched. That’s what it’s all about. It was also wonderful to be presented with senatorial and city council commendations in 2022 and 2018, respectively.  

NP:  Are there any plans for expanding or evolving the festival in the future?
SL: Yes! We want to do a three-day festival! That is on the horizon!

Tiffany at Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause

NP: What do you hope attendees will take away from the experience of attending this music festival?

SL: I want people to have a great time. Everyone. Artists, volunteers, vendors, staff, and to feel that deep sense of unity when we all know we are there for a common goal.

NP: What has been your favorite aspect since embarking with Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause? 

SL: I love connecting with people and expanding my experience of others through that outreach. I am touched deeply when people share their stories with me.  It happens a lot, and there is this palpable energy in that. I love giving a platform to musicians who want to use their talents for good. It excites me so much – it’s an incredible jolt of positive, rocking energy the whole enchilada. 

NP: Any special shoutouts?

SL: Wings Up! It’s Time to Fly! Spread our Wings! Because of our logo, and mission, wings are part of our branding. SO…. I need to shout out my Right-Wing Woman! (you know, like “my right-hand man”). Her name is Kelli Lewis, a musician, singer-songwriter, best bud, and my top ambassador. She has worked tirelessly alongside me, and I am BEYOND thankful for her. Also, to my husband/bandmate/partner in ladies who rock and all things, he is my rock, and when I am pulling all-nighters working on festival details, he is keeping the fires going at home. Love them both dearly and all the folks who work hard in the trenches with me.

To learn more about this fantastic event and organization make sure to check them out at the links below.
Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause | Instagram | Facebook

SOAD VS Imagine Dragons | The Podcast That Rocked

By
Luke Spencer
-

The Podcast That Rocked for 8/18/23. Discussion on SOAD VS Imagine Dragons, The Killers VS Georgia (the nation), original choices for Evanescence collab, and more.

SOAD VS Imagine Dragons | The Podcast That Rocked
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify

Discussion Topics:  
0:00 – SOAD VS Imagine Dragons 
4:51 – The Killers VS Georgia (nation) 
7:48 – Evanescence original picks for Bring Me To Life 
9:04 – 25 Years of Follow The Leader by Korn 
9:55 – New music from Guns N’ Roses, Corey Taylor, Baroness, Babymetal, more 
11:51 – Coming up on the YouTube channel 
12:29 – Thank you YouTube members and Patrons!

___

From Google Bard: “System of a Down is an American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California in 1994. The band consists of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass, backing vocals), and John Dolmayan (drums). Since 1997, the band has released five studio albums: System of a Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Steal This Album! (2002), Mezmerize (2005), and Hypnotize (2005).

The band’s music is a fusion of heavy metal, alternative metal, nu metal, and progressive metal. Their lyrics often deal with political and social issues, such as war, religion, and environmentalism. System of a Down has sold over 40 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time.

The band formed in 1994 when Tankian and Malakian, who were childhood friends, decided to start a band. They recruited Odadjian, who was Tankian’s roommate, and Khachaturian, who was a friend of Malakian’s. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1998, which was a critical and commercial success. Their second album, Toxicity, was even more successful, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

System of a Down continued to release successful albums in the early 2000s. However, they went on hiatus in 2006 due to creative differences. The band reunited in 2010 and have toured extensively since then. However, they have not released any new music since 2005.

System of a Down is known for their unique sound and their outspoken political views. They have been praised for their social commentary and their ability to combine heavy metal with other genres of music. The band has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards. They are considered one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.

In 2020, System of a Down released two new songs, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”, in response to the Armenian genocide. The songs were a critical and commercial success, and helped to raise awareness of the genocide.

The future of System of a Down is uncertain. The band has not released any new music since 2005, and there is no indication when or if they will make a new album. However, they continue to tour and their music remains popular.”

___

SOAD VS Imagine Dragons | The Podcast That Rocked

Within Temptation Announce New Album “Bleed Out”

By
Ana Santos
-
Within Temptation Bleed Out

Within Temptation, the renowned Dutch symphonic metal band, are set to captivate fans with their eighth studio album Bleed Out on October 20, released via their own label Force Music Recordings.

Listen to the title track here.

Bleed Out signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and 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 isn’t afraid to make a stand on issues the members 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 this platform. We are storytellers, and I think as human beings, these are things we should be talking about.”

Whilst songs such as “Wireless” and “We Go To War” 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. 

den Adel explains, “I lived in Yemen when I was a kid. My parents lived in several countries in the Middle East, and I’ve visited them a lot when they were there. It’s a different world. Due to my time there, I feel connected to that part of the world. I’ve been so incredibly impressed by the bravery of the young women there who’ve been burning their scarves knowing they were going to be thrown in prison or worse — it’s heartbreaking.” 

The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman’s right to choose in recent single “Don’t Pray For Me” and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, Within Temptation have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music. 

Imbued with a vast dynamic range that plumbs the full depth of symphonic heaviosity, Bleed Out is as exuberantly heavy as it is politically profound.

BLEED OUT TRACKLISTING:
“We Go To War”
“Bleed Out”
“Wireless“
“Worth Dying For”
“Ritual”
“Cyanide Love”   
“The Purge”
“Don’t Pray For Me”
“Shed My Skin” (feat. Annisokay)
“Unbroken”
“Entertain You”

 For further details and to pre-order the album here. 

Bleed Out will be released in multiple physical formats and across all streaming via Within Temptation’s own label Force Music Recordings in a joint venture with Bertus Distribution for worldwide distribution and Amped Distribution for the U.S. and Canada. 

Follow Within Temptation:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

TesseracT Share “The Grey” Visualizer

By
Ana Santos
-
TesseracT
Photo credit: Andy Ford

Following their earth-shattering return with an announcement of a world tour, new single, and epic, 11-minute cinematic video for title track “War Of Being,” TesseracT continue their journey into The Strangeland in the form of new single “The Grey.” 

Watch the visualizer for the track here.

“The Grey” builds on signature grooves that undulate in TesseracT’s sound, flanked by polyrhythmic rhythms tied together by the band’s iconic melodies. It’s yet another example of the multi-faceted appeal of their sound and proves that they can craft immediate and affecting tracks just as masterfully as their epic 11-minute opuses. 

Regarding the track, Amos Williams says, “‘The Grey’ explores the story and character within The Strangeland of the same name — a character who has suppressed their own voice to the point that they have blended into the shadows, their story lost amongst the white noise of the world. Through the song, we experience their journey as they wrestle with their frustration and sorrow at how they have ended up this way. 

“It’s a powerful, energetic piece that pushes each member of TesseracT to a next level of musicianship and expression. And continues to shine a light upon the diversity that can be expected from War Of Being.”

Alongside the release of the single is a fully functional, immersive video game titled “War Of Being.” Launched on August 11, the user can enter the world of the album bridging the gap between listening and experience to create a living, breathing concept that brings you closer to the world of TesseracT than ever before.

In celebration of the early access game, the band have made a visualiser for the single which incorporates areas seen in the game alongside the track itself. The visualiser was made by Amos Williams.

In the game’s ‘Early Access’,’fans can expect to explore several surreal landscapes, meet characters from the concept of “War Of Being” and solve puzzles in order to unlock parts of TesseracT’s second single “The Grey.” The end of the game will unlock the full song where the play can listen from within the same breathtaking landscapes used in the “War Of Being” music video. 

Download + play here.

After finishing the album recording in August 2022, singer and frontman Daniel Tompkins immediately began his focus on developing “War Of Being” VR and desktop computer game based entirely on the album’s original concept, created by Williams and himself. Tompkins is the lead designer and developer of the game alongside Adam Boyt (Programmer/Developer) and Kirsty Harvey (3D Designer).

Regarding the game, Tompkins says, “As a keen gamer and livestreamer, I have always understood the potential waiting for a musical project to bridge the gap between the gaming and music worlds and with such a visually stunning concept, I could see that this was the perfect opportunity to bring it to life in virtual reality and as a desktop game. This has been without a doubt the biggest project I have personally ever undertaken and is a huge achievement for our developers. It has pushed us to our absolute limits and I’m so proud to have accomplished the beginnings of a fully developed game on Steam.”

The game will be available exclusively on Steam and playable in VR on Viva/Rift S and Oculus accompanied by a SteamDeck playable version.

War Of Being was recorded at Middle Farm Studios in the United Kingdom with Peter Miles (Architects/Sylosis/Dodie) co-producing with the band alongside Katherine Marsh of Choir Noir (Bring Me The Horizon/Architects/Marillion). Assisting with additional programming and production, the band was joined by Randy Slaugh (Periphery, Architects, Devin Townsend), with additional engineering by Forrester Savell (Karnivool). The artwork, which features characters “ex” and “el,” was created in collaboration between AI and human as a means to extend the concept into its presentation. 

WAR OF BEING TRACKLISTING:
“Natural Disaster”
“Echoes”
“The Grey” 
“Legion”
“Tender”
“War Of Being“
“Sirens”
“Burden”
“Sacrifice”

The album will be available in a variety of formats that include the following:

— Deluxe version — “The Strangeland” – a limited edition collector’s 3 Disc, 68 page Hardback Book Edition containing the War Of Being audio CD/a DVD/a Blu-Ray  that features “The Journey of Being” 40-minute documentary on the making of War Of Being, “The Strangeland,” an in-depth view of the characters of War Of Being, the 1- minute feature length video and album in 5.1 Surround — strictly limited to 1,500 copies worldwide.

— CD Digipack with 24-page booklet
— Digital (+ in Dolby Atmos)
— Gatefold 2LP ‘The Scribe” – Black and Gold Corona (TesseracT EU Store exclusive limited to 1000)

— Gatefold 2LP “Fear” – Red and Black Marble (TesseracT US/AUS Store exclusive limited to 1000)

— Gatefold 2LP – Red Vinyl (Revolver.com exclusive limited to 500)

— Gatefold 2LP – Clear Vinyl (Amazon.co.uk + Euro indie stores exclusive limited to 1000)

— Gatefold 2LP – Yellow Vinyl (Kscope Store + EMP Germany Exclusive limited to 500)

— Gatefold 2LP – Black Vinyl

— Blu-Ray (5.1 Surround/”War Of Being” 11-minute feature length video / “The Strangeland” and “The Journey of Being”)

Pre-save + pre-order here.

Alongside the brand new album, the band will be embarking on a worldwide tour that will begin in 2023 running through to 2024 performing shows in throughout the U.S., Europe, the UK, Asia and Australia, with support from Intervals, Unprocessed, Alluvial, and The Callous Daoboys.

Tickets are on sale HERE. 

TESSERACT US TOUR DATES:
10/5 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
10/6 — Charleston, SC — Music Farm
10/7 — Norfolk, VA — Norva
10/8 — Baltimore, MD — Rams Head Live!
10/10 — Chicago, IL — House of Blues
10/11 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian Theatre
10/13 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
10/14 — Boston, MA — Paradise
10/15 — Philadelphia, PA — TLA
10/17 — Montreal, QC — Corona Theatre
10/19 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall
10/20 — Grand Rapids, MI — Elevation
10/21 — St. Louis, MO — Red Flag
10/23 — Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall
10/24 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
10/26 — Seattle, WA — The Showbox
10/27 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore
10/28 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
10/29 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theatre
10/31 — San Francisco, CA — Regency Ballroom
11/1 — Los Angeles, CA — The Regent Theatre
11/3 — San Diego, CA — Observatory North Park
11/4 — Phoenix, AZ — Nile Theater
11/5 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel
11/7 — Dallas, TX — The Granada Theater
11/8 — Austin, TX — Emo’s
11/9 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
11/11 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum
11/12 — Atlanta, GA — Buckhead Theatre
11/13 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl

Ministry Announces 16th Album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

By
Luke Spencer
-

Ministry Announces HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES
16th Studio Album
Coming March 1, 2024 Via Nuclear Blast

Featuring Guest Appearances From
Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, Jello Biafra & Pepper Keenan
Pre-Orders Available Now HERE

Industrial Juggernauts Release First Taste Of Album
With Brazen New Single “Goddamn White Trash”
See The Video HERE

Ministry Heads Out On Freaks On Parade Tour With
Alice Cooper & Rob Zombie
Beginning August 24

Find More Details At MinistryBand.com

As the world continues hanging on by a thread through pandemics, wildfires, climate change, social-political chaos and social media-fueled conspiracy theories, at least there’s Ministry to get us through. Industrial provocateur Al Jourgensen is ready to unleash his latest missives with the groundbreaking 16th Ministry album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, slated for release March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Today, the six-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum act gives the first taste of the new material with the official release of “Goddamn White Trash,” featuring Pepper Keenan, a song that made its debut on Ministry’s headline tour earlier this year.

Ministry HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

Over the course of 9 tracks, Jourgensen is righteously cantankerous as ever about a f***ed up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he’s merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he’s got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world.

“Just like you or anybody else, I’m simply a passenger in this lifetime,” says Jourgensen. “I’m watching social changes, political changes, and economic changes, and I comment on them because I do have a First Amendment right. A lot of people say artists and athletes should shut up and play ball. No, I’m on this trip too. If I see something, I say something. That reflects on where each album goes. Instead of staying sedentary and singing about broken relationships, inner turmoil, or whatever is hurting this week, I comment on what’s going on from the perspective of a fellow passenger.”

Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan.

Ministry HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES will be available in three vinyl variants, a CD jewelcase and digital/streaming platforms. The vinyl variants include: green with yellow splatter (in stores everywhere); blue with pink splatter (nuclear blast exclusive); red with white splatter (band/tour exclusive).

Pre-order HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES HERE

The release of HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES follows Ministry’s acclaimed 2021 album Moral Hygiene that kickstarted another era for the band. The critically acclaimed LP wound up on year-end lists from the likes of Consequence of Sound and Loudwire, as the band continued to sell out venues coast-to-coast on the Industrial Strength tour.

Tracklist for HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES:

  1. B.D.E.
  2. Goddamn White Trash***
  3. Just Stop Oil
  4. Aryan Embarrassment**
  5. TV Song 1/6 Edition
  6. New Religion
  7. It’s Not Pretty
  8. Cult of Suffering*
  9. Ricky’s Hand

*Featuring Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello) 
**Featuring Jello Biafra
***Featuring Pepper Keenan

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 BEST 90s Guitarists!

Beginning August 24, Ministry will embark on the Freaks On Parade Tour, supporting Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper.

FREAKS ON PARADE TOUR

With Ministry Opening For Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper

August 2023

24  Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion

26  Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

27  West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

29  Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

30  Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

September 2023

1    Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

2    Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena

5    Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre

6    Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage

8    Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

9    Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

10  Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre

12  Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

13  Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

15  Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater

16  Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

19  Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

20  Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre

22  Concord, CA @ Concord Pavillion

23  Anaheim, CA @ HONDA Center

24  Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion

For tickets and more information, visit www.ministryband.com/tour

___

Ministry HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

Hot Milk Release New Song “Breathing Underwater”

By
Luke Spencer
-

HOT MILK
Drop Video For New Single
‘BREATHING UNDERWATER
Watch HERE | Listen HERE

Taken From Upcoming Debut Album
‘A CALL TO THE VOID’

Released August 25th On Music For Nations
Pre-Order HERE

Band To Support The Foo Fighters On Select Dates Of Their
Everything Or Nothing At All 2024 UK Stadium Tour

 HOT MILK have released their fourth single “BREATHING UNDERWATER” which precedes their debut album “A CALL THE VOID” out 25th August 2023.

BREATHING UNDERWATER, finds HOT MILK at their most vulnerable, swapping typical cocksure swagger for open-hearted honesty. A track co-vocalist, Han Mee describes as sounding “like when you break your own heart. To feel like you’re drowning, gasping for air, frustrated and alone. This song embodies the emotion and spirit of our current headspace, and we feel it may be the most important song we’ve ever pulled from the universe. This is Hot Milk’s true heart. Hot Milk is an emotion.”

Stirring vocal harmonies, heartening string sections and effortless key changes find comfort in melodic and emotive balladeering and songcraft to create an impassioned sonic call to arms with Mee stating that “we needed to write this song as a cry to the outside world. Breathing Underwater is the beating heart and defining song off our debut album, it was written first and set off a chain reaction that moulded the feeling of A CALL TO THE VOID.”

For some, it might feel like a long time coming but Hot Milk always knew that when the time came to make their debut album, they had to be ready for it. It will be their loudest statement yet of who they are and what they stand for, an opportunity to show the world what they are made of.

Tracks on the debut album walk on a tightrope between the humorous and the serious, brimming with what might be called positive nihilism. They’re not so much finding the light in the dark as they are laughing because if they don’t, they’ll cry.

The first single ‘HORROR SHOW’, boisterously ushered in a new era of Hot Milk, one that is bolder, brasher, and more impactful than ever before. Premiering on Radio 1’s FUTURE ARTIST show Jack Saunders commented that “The odds are pitted against this band, it’s not often a traditional emo breaks through, but Hot Milk have fought the whole entire way to make their mark, find their way into your top tens, become a favourite for you, and Horror Show’s the best yet.”

Hot Milk “Breathing Under Water”

The band have blossomed over the course of three self-produced EPs, this constant stream of releases has meant that Hot Milk were never away from the spotlight – or the stages they call home. Their rise kept accelerating, taking them to stadium support slots with Foo Fighters, the main stages of some of the best festivals Globally, an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel in the US to tours with bands like Pale Waves and their own headline sold-out shows to over 50 million streams of the EPs alone. Crucially, however, they were giving themselves space to find themselves as artists.

The band recorded the album between Manchester, Los Angeles and Stockholm with the bands very own Jim Shaw at the Producing helm for the majority of the record, much like all previous releases. An element that has become so important to the band and allowing them to control just exactly what they want to be as artists.

A CALL TO THE VOID is the English translation of the French phrase l’appel du vide, referring to the brain’s trick of spotting opportunities to die. It’s the eerie jolt that is felt when you stand waiting for a train and the thought that you could jump, and end your life in a heartbeat, intrudes in your head. It’s that brief moment of being reminded of the fragility of existence. 

The most important thing for the band, however, is that these songs are written to scream from the speakers of the stage, and for their refrains to be screamed back at them by the adoring, tight-knit community they’ve built. “Live is where I’m happiest, live is where it’s home,” says Han. “We wrote songs with the intention of people going off, making you feel good, opening the pit up, letting go, crying, getting on your mate’s shoulders.  It’s church for us.” 

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 BEST 90s Guitarists!

Remaining Summer shows + Acoustic performances/signings:

25 August 2023 – Leeds Festival, Leeds UK

26th August 2023 – Yes, Manchester*

27 August 2023 – Reading Festival, Reading UK

28th August 2023 – Fighting Cocks, Kingston*

29th August 2023 – Jacaranda, Liverpool*

30th August 2023 – Rough Trade, Nottingham*

31st August 2023 – The Key Club, Leeds*

5th September 2023 – Signature Brew, London^

6th September 2023- HMV, Birmingham*

7th September 2023-HMV, Cardiff* 8th September 2023- HMV, Newcastle*

*Acoustic Performance and Signing ^Acoustic and Album Release Party

Hot Milk UK Headline Tour – Tickets on sale now HERE

18 November 2023 – SWG3 Warehouse, Glasgow

19 November 2023 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (SOLD OUT)

21 November 2023 – The Trinity Centre, Bristol

22 November 2023 – O2 Kentish Town Forum, London

24 November 2023 – O2 Institute 2, Birmingham

25 November 2023 – Manchester Academy, Manchester

W/ Foo Fighters 2023

 4th December 2023 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia

 9th December 2023 Accor Stadium, Sydney Australia 

12th December 2023 Suncorp Stadium,  Brisbane Australia 

W/ Foo Fighters 2024

22nd June 2024 – London Stadium, London

27th June 2024 – Villa Park Birmingham

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Hot Milk Breathing Underwater

The Lion’s Daughter Share “Maximize Terror”

By
Luke Spencer
-

THE LION’S DAUGHTER
Premieres Pummeling New Single,
“Maximize Terror,” via Knotfest

The horror metal outfit will release ‘Bath House’ on Friday the 13th (October 2023)

St. Louis horror metal outfit The Lion’s Daughter will be releasing its brand new full-length, ‘Bath House,’ on October 13, 2023 as an independent entity! The band has teamed up with Knotfest to premiere their viscous new single, “Maximize Terror,” which can be found at THIS LOCATION.

The Lion’s Daughter “Maximize Terror”

“The intention of ‘Maximize Terror’ is just what the title suggests… it’s a violent panic attack nightmare. It’s the past two years of my dealing with a terrible anxiety disorder condensed into 3 and half minutes.”

In addition, The Lion’s Daughter will be performing live later this year! On October 13, the band will have a special Friday the 13th album release party in its hometown of St. Louis, MO. Then, the band will hit Black Circle Brewing in Indianapolis, IN on 11/11 for another rager! The full itinerary can be found below with more dates TBA!

‘Bath House’ is now available for pre-sales HERE.

Some creations are designed to elicit nightmares, evoking unspeakable terrors that are meant to shock, terrify, and mesmerize the masses. Since the release of its first full-length in 2012, The Lion’s Daughter has consistently put forth music that is just as disturbing as it is enticing, making a name for itself as a dark force among its musical contemporaries. And much like an eldritch horror, the band is constantly shape shifting like a Shoggoth, capable of fitting into many different musical spaces, while at the same time, fitting into no earthly dimensions just as an ancient alien rising up from centuries of arctic slumber with a mission to destroy and conquer.

And much like the Shoggoth, The Lion’s Daughter have defied all gods and masters, releasing its latest opus as an independent entity, breaking away from the corporate confines of a label. ‘Bath House’ is another generically unclassified masterpiece from the St. Louis horror quartet, pulling elements from everything from Faith No More to Godflesh to Samhain, creating a sound that’s way ahead of its time and yet certain to grab the listener by the throat. The Lion’s Daughter Maximize Terror.

“Saying that this album was influenced by everything-that-I’ve-ever-liked-ever isn’t a very good answer, but it’s an accurate one,” explains frontman Rick Giordano on the band’s unique sound. “I turned the left side of my brain off completely and let a lifetime of soaking up great art just come to the surface naturally. There are bits of all the things I love in there… from old Metallica to film scores to industrial and whatever else, but I think these things have melded together in a way that is cohesive and not just nonsensical genre-hopping. There are clean vocals and guitar solos, a lot of things that we’ve never tried before. It really feels like you uploaded my entire record collection to a hard drive and had an AI create an album based on that.”

As the music itself on ‘Bath House’ is a representation of Giordano’s musical palette, the lyrics are perhaps the darkest and most vulnerable of his career. The band strays away from fantasy on this record and instead, gets raw and relatable. “It’s all really ugly shit,” he says of the new album’s themes. “Which, for our band, is not shocking at all. But this time around, it’s all much more personal to me, which makes it a bit difficult and uncomfortable to talk about. I wasn’t in a great place while writing this record. Grief, fear, jealousy, and general devastation can be found all over this thing. That wasn’t my intention exactly, but like the music, I let the lyrics kind of write themselves without letting logic or reason interfere.”

To further illustrate the darkness that dwells within ‘Bath House,’ The Lion’s Daughter commissioned a perverse and unnerving image from UK artist Daniel Peacock for the album cover. The image not only works well in cohesion with the record, but also symbolizes that while ‘Bath House’ still very much carries the band’s signature sound, it still isn’t exactly what fans might expect. Giordano explains, “Our previous two album covers featured masked characters. I wanted to see what happens when you take the mask off. This record isn’t shrouded in mystery the same way the previous couple have been. It’s much more of an in your face kind of attack, and I felt the artwork should represent that. This horrible creature looks dangerous and frightening, but is also clearly in pain and also afraid. It’s the perfect image to represent whatever the fuck ugly thing lives in my head. On this record it is no longer hiding behind a mask… it is loose and it’s right outside your fucking house.”

As the St. Louis horror masters set forth on a new trajectory, the former trio has also added Black Fast guitarist Aaron Akin to the lineup, creating a sound that’s more intense and grand. “Aaron was the guitarist and vocalist of a band called Black Fast. They were hands down the best metal band to come out of St. Louis in decades. Once they disbanded, it was a no-brainer to try and get the guy who fronted my favorite local band to be in my band. Why wouldn’t I? Plus, as anyone who knows Aaron will tell you, he’s an all around great guy,” explains Giordano on how this new union came about.

And as a new union has been formed, former binds have been severed as The Lion’s Daughter is no longer tied to a label, doing this record fully independently for the first time in its career and taking full and total control. “It’s just nice to have 100% control over everything again,” Giordano says of the band’s new freedom. “That was the whole intention when we started this band years ago. We lost sight of that for a while. No disrespect intended towards anyone, but this band has always been pretty anti-music industry and anti-bullshit.”

Despite so many changes, The Lion’s Daughter is still the same band that cult followers have come to worship, but with everything cranked up to 11. With heavier music, a fuller sound, and darker themes, the band is maximizing terror with its monstrous brand of debauchery and unspeakable perversions. Unpleasant dreams…

Recording Lineup:
Rick Giordano – vocals, guitars, bass, synths
Erik Ramsier – drums
Scott Fogelbach – additional vocals on tracks 2, 7, 8

Live Lineup:
Rick Giordano – guitar and vocals
Scott Fogelbach – bass and vocals
Aaron Akin – guitar
Erik Ramsier – drums

Guest Musicians:
Sarah Vie – violin and vocals on tracks 2, 4, 7, 9

Recording Studio:
Encapsulated Studios

Producer // Sound Engineer // Mixing // Mastering:
Gabe Usery

Cover Artist:
Dan Peacock

Photographer:
Chris Bauer

Links:
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music

___

The Lion’s Daughter Maximize Terror

SVALBARD Release Melancholic Composition of ‘How To Swim Down’

By
Ana Santos
-
SVALBARD

Svalbard have released the third single from their forthcoming new studio album, The Weight Of The Mask, due out on October 6th. The track titled ‘How To Swim Down‘ is Svalbard‘s most unique and moving work to date, featuring heart-rending, ethereal violin parts from Liam Phelan, and a profound vocal performance from Serena Cherry.

The track is accompanied by a beautiful animated video, created by Boy Tillkens. The heart-breaking animation is a delicate portrayal of humanity, detailing the tenderness and strength found in existence.  

Svalbard‘s Serena Cherry commented,

“This song is about the exquisite pain and sorrowful beauty of unrequited love. I think it’s the saddest, most heart-breaking song we’ve ever written. Lyrically, the starting point of the verse is about the concealment of adoration, before the chorus gives way to realizing and accepting the fate of loving someone quietly from afar. 
 
I cannot watch the music video for How To Swim Down without crying. Boy has captured the bittersweet emotion of the song so delicately, it’s an incredibly moving piece of animation to watch. 
 
Musically, How To Swim Down saw us dive into unchartered waters with Liam adding many layers of mournful violin parts onto the track. Finally, violins – for the first time in Svalbard history! It feels so exciting to have new instruments on a song. Another first is that How To Swim Down features only clean vocals, no screams. I wanted the vocal delivery of these lyrics to feel as though I’m whispering a secret to someone whilst they’re sleeping. My vocals here represent that lonely type of communication, singing to yourself in an empty house. It’s a private, selfless love song, where only the listener knows of my heartache.”

Pre-order The Weight Of The Mask + stream ‘How To Swim Down‘ HERE
Watch the ‘How To Swim Down‘ video HERE

Stream previous singles ‘Faking It‘ HERE and ‘Eternal Spirits‘ HERE
Watch the ‘Faking It‘ video HERE
Watch the ‘Eternal Spirits‘ video HERE

The Weight Of The Mask was recorded at The Ranch Production House, UK. The record was produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, with mastering by Grant Berry. Engineering was handled by Lewis Johns, assisted by Matt Janke, with additional editing by Kel Pinchin and Sebastien Sendon.

Svalbard‘s intention with their music is to make people feel less alone and to be there for people in their darkest times. The Weight Of The Mask bravely lays out experiences of mental illness and depression, hoping to help destigmatize these topics. 

The Weight Of The Mask – tracklist:
01. Faking It
02. Eternal Spirits
03. Defiance
04. November
05. Lights Out
06. How To Swim Down
07. Be My Tomb
08. Pillar In The Sand
09. To Wilt Beneath The Weight

Svalbard finished an extensive tour across the continent supporting post-metal monoliths Cult Of Luna and Russian Circles earlier this year, and the band are currently in the midst of a string of European summer festival performances. They’ve recently played the likes of Inferno (Norway), Hellfest (France), and With Full Force (Germany), plus 2000Trees and Portals in the UK. Their remaining festival dates are listed below.

SVALBARD will be returning to the EU mainland for six headline show dates in October, which will be followed by a performance at the Cult Of Luna curated Beyond The Redshift event in London and a headline date at The Key Club in Leeds.

Summer Festivals
11-13 Aug – BE, Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival
16-19 Aug – UK, Compton Martin, ArcTanGent
October Dates
14 Oct – NL Nijmegen, Soulcrusher
15 Oct – DE Cologne, Helios 37
16 Oct – DE Berlin, Urban Spree
17 Oct – DE Dresden, Chemiefabrik
18 Oct – DE Neunkirchen, Stummsche Reithalle
19 Oct – FR Paris, Backstage By The Mill
20 Oct – UK London, Beyond The Redshift – curated by Cult Of Luna
21 Oct – UK Leeds, The Key Club

Lacey Sturm and Lindsey Stirling release “Breathe With Me”

By
Ana Santos
-

Lacey Sturm has released a collaboration with violin virtuoso Lindsey Stirling, titled “Breathe With Me.” The song is available for streaming on all major platforms.

In this mesmerizing track, Sturm’s powerful, emotive vocals intertwine seamlessly with Stirling’s ethereal violin. The result is a stirring, cinematic collaboration that invites listeners into fully present life.

As she describes, “One of the ways we ground ourselves is through our breath. By taking a moment to breathe, we acknowledge that we are more than just physical beings.”

It’s an idea that resonated with Lindsey Stirling as well, who wrote in her memoir The Only Pirate At the Party about her childhood love for whales — these enigmatic creatures that breathe air but live in the water. In the same way, Lacey says, human beings are spiritual creatures who live in the physical.

“The word ‘breath,’ translated into various languages, often signifies ‘spirit.’ We became human beings when God breathed His Spirit into us. Many times, we lose our humanity in this material world, leaving us feeling empty and purposeless. We need to recognize our spiritual essence as well,” elaborates Sturm.

Stirling’s otherworldly violin flawlessly complements this song’s exploration of the supernatural union between spirit and skin. As a musician who effortlessly fuses classical expertise with explosive pop and rock energy, Lindsey played a pivotal role in bringing “Breathe With Me” to life.

“It is so exciting to be on a song with Lacey Sturm,” Lindsey Stirling offers of the experience. “She is so iconic and unique. As we worked on this song, it was so inspiring to see the amount of heart and emotion she puts into her music.”

“I’ve never seen anything like what Lindsey does,” Lacey exclaims, expressing appreciation for her collaborator. “It’s awe-inspiring how she embraces her uniqueness and touches the lives of countless people with her distinctiveness. She has significantly impacted the perception of the violin as a unique voice in music. She was absolutely phenomenal in the studio, contributing various melodies and ideas.”

The song’s creative journey began with co-writing and initial recording at the renowned rock producer Howard Benson’s studio in Los Angeles. Lacey Sturm’s husband and guitarist, Josh Sturm, skillfully polished the track to its completion. The Sturm family found the song particularly poignant, as it unexpectedly mirrored a personal experience — becoming a powerful memento of God’s guiding presence in their lives.

“Breathe With Me” closely follows the release of “Reconcile” this summer, and it coincides with the final few days of Lacey Sturm’s reunion appearances with Flyleaf, the band she co-founded and led. 

For more from Lacey Sturm, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, or visit laceysturm.com. You can see Flyleaf dates featuring Lacey Sturm at flyleafmusic.com.

Which Slipknot Album? Self-Titled VS Iowa 

By
Luke Spencer
-

Slipknot has an amazing discography and people often talk about which album they prefer. This video asks Which Slipknot Album? Self Titled VS Iowa

Which Slipknot Album Self-Titled VS Iowa

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 BEST 90s Guitarists!

Slipknot is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. It was released on June 29, 1999, by Roadrunner Records, following a demo containing a few of the songs which had previously been released in 1998. 

Iowa is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. Released by Roadrunner Records on August 28, 2001, it was produced by Ross Robinson and Slipknot. The title derives from the band’s home state, Iowa, which members have stated is one of their greatest sources of inspiration.

Check out more of our videos below: 
Top 10 BEST 90s Guitartists = https://youtu.be/6lc9nV5SGLQ 
10 MORE Extremely Misunderstood Songs = https://youtu.be/rKBQrqT-lQ8 
Top 10 WORST Metal Fanbases (from Google Bard) = https://youtu.be/LCynW-2temU 
10 AWFUL Rock Star Interviews = https://youtu.be/Oht9LLa1kM8

___

From Google Bard: “Slipknot is an American heavy metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995. The band’s current lineup consists of Shawn Crahan (percussion/backing vocals), Corey Taylor (lead vocals), Jim Root (guitar), Mick Thomson (guitar), Craig Jones (sampler/keyboards/guitar), Sid Wilson (turntablism), Alessandro Venturella (bass), and Jay Weinberg (drums).

Slipknot was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and drummer Joey Jordison in 1995. The band’s original lineup also included Anders Colsefni (vocals), Donnie Steele (guitar), Josh Brainard (guitar), Paul Gray (bass), and Craig Jones (sampler/keyboards). The band quickly gained a following in the Des Moines heavy metal scene, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1999. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch Slipknot into the mainstream.

Slipknot’s second album, Iowa, was released in 2001. The album was even more aggressive and experimental than their debut, and it further cemented Slipknot’s reputation as one of the most extreme bands in the world. Slipknot released their third album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), in 2004. The album was a more accessible and melodic than their previous two albums, but it still retained the band’s signature heaviness.”

Which Slipknot Album Self-Titled VS Iowa

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