Are you ready for some next-level shit? Good. Because here it comes. You have been warned:
Mutant Blast | Final Day
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Featuring a mix of slightly older, re-arranged tracks alongside new compositions, Finnish thrashers Mutant Blast are set to unleash their new album Soulsteeler in September. The band’s sound is characterized as ‘Metal-thrashing death’n’roll — and heavy!’ “The album is full of groovy thrash-metal songs blasting away in high gear,” they confirm. “It contains both slightly older, re-arranged songs and more recent compositions. We hope that as many fans of heavier music as possible will find the band and get to hear the end result!” Today, Mutant Blast unveil their latest single and video Final Day. This track stands out as the slowest and most atmospheric on the album, yet remains intensely heavy. “We wanted to do something different this time. This song begins with a spooky horror movieish intro which leads to stomping verses and a melodic chorus. The lyrics are also set in a horror movie environment; lost alone and the dread of the unknown.”
Siege Perilous | Across The Rubicon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Join Denver’s Siege Perilous as they embark on a journey through the annals of history and myth with their latest single Across the Rubicon, from the upcoming EP Creation’s Call, which is due Aug. 23. The single is inspired by the legendary crossing of Julius Caesar, and this epic anthem transports listeners to the brink of destiny, where the fate of empires hangs in the balance. Vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel comments: “This was one of the first songs we wrote for the EP. This was a fun opportunity for me to get to write in Latin, which I hadn’t done in a while, and to reconnect with some of my friends from the academic world. I’ve always thought that the story of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic was fascinating, so getting to tell that epic story in a new format was a genuine delight and I think fans will really enjoy the combination of metal and historical storytelling in this one, channeling bands like Sabaton while forging our own pathway.”
Shumaun | Anxiety & Daydreams
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Shumaun, a progressive rock band from Virginia, have garnened recognition for the intricate compositions and emotive soundscapes of their albums. They recently released their fourth LP Opposing Mirrors. Today, the band release their latest video for the instrumental single Anxiety and Daydreams. This six-minute track highlights their progressive songwriting, blending post-rock and heavy-metal influences to create a distinctive and compelling sound. “This track is easily my favorite instrumental I’ve written,” says singer-guitarist Farhad Hossain. “It really takes the listener on a journey through several moods. It’s also our first attempt at a proper music video. The basic plot involves the band wandering through the woods playing their instruments while comically running away from scary figures they encounter — characters clearly inspired by the twin girls in The Shining and Pennywise from It. We’re a bunch of goofy dudes, so we decided to inject some humor into this video and not take ourselves too seriously.”
Fostermother | Echo Manor
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Houston post-heavy rockers Fostermother share a captivating new excerpt off their forthcoming third album Echo Manor, due Aug. 23. Known for their catchy take on doom metal, Fostermother take a substantial turn in their career by revealing a more multi-faceted, atmosphere-driven facet of their music on Echo Manor. Pushing their elaborate songwriting to new heights by fusing heavy psych with hints of progressive and post-metal, this finely chiseled 10-track is a rich and melody-obsessive journey driven by goldsmith riffing, alluring grooves, and frontman Travis Weatherred’s haunting alt-rock/shoegaze-infused vocals. Fostermother were founded in 2019 by multi-instrumentalist Weatherred, who was quickly joined by bassist Stephen Griffin. The band made an impression within the stoner and doom scene with their massive-sounding 2020 self-titled debut. In 2021, they released their sophomore album The Ocean, which reached No. 20 on the charts.”
Derelict | Infinite Dread
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After returning from a 12-year hiatus with their album Versus Entropy in June, Montreal’s Derelict are sharing their latest vocal playthrough from frontman Eric Burnet for Infinite Dread: ”Infinite Dread is about how social media, the news cycle, and algorithms have taken over and monetized our attention spans, creating massive profit for tech and media companies, and infinite dread for everyone else,” explains Burnet. “I included a little nod to Glen Benton of Deicide at the beginning of the playthrough because while I was preparing to record it, there was a clip in the metal media of Glen essentially saying in an interview that musicians didn’t look very metal anymore and wore black-rimmed glasses and hats. I thought that was funny because that’s what I wear in my everyday life, but I thought it would be additionally funny to promote a song about social media bullshit and chaos by commenting on a casual comment someone made in a video as if it mattered at all. I love Glen, he’s a huge vocal influence of mine, and I figure he’d probably get the joke. I really hope he likes my hat.’”
Spirit Mother | Veins
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dark rock wizards Spirit Mother premiere their compelling new single Veins, taken from their upcoming sophomore album Trails, due Sept. Bassist and vocalist Armand Lance says: “Veins is a three-legged chair. A minimalist nightmare scenario of atonality balanced with an undercurrent of melodic lines through the violin and vocals. One chord progression with a few variations. Nothing is in it that doesn’t need to be there.” The undeniable next chapter in the band’s creative process, Trails brings the energy of Spirit Mother’s visceral, all-in live performances while expanding on the sensibilities of their debut album Cadets. The darker tonality, heavier, fuzz-fueled riffs, and relentless rhythm section accompany prolific structures and arrangement. The violin summons a brooding, atmospheric pedestal for the remaining power trio to wield with fervor. Lance’s haunting vocals and stark lyricism intersperse the instrumentals with a melody as dynamic as it is accessible. It is the culmination of road-worn years in pursuit of the art, and the moment-to-moment adrenaline of studio exploration.”
Alunah | Trickster Of Time
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Birmingham psych-rock pillars Alunah premiere their shimmering new single Trickster of Time. Their new album Fever Dream is due Sept. 20. About the song, the band say: “Swirling, echo-laden guitar riffs, draw listeners deeper into the song’s kaleidoscopic soundscape and weave a tale of temporal trickery. Trickster of Time captures the essence of the psychedelic era, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its captivating, otherworldly atmosphere.” Alunah have wasted no time since their last release, balancing the European festival circuit alongside touring the U.K. However, in a Birmingham rehearsal room away from the outside world, everyday life and online noise, their latest full-length Fever Dream has been quietly brewing, waiting to see the light of day.”
Tzimani | We Stand And Fight
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After a five-year hiatus from releasing new material, San Diego’s Tzimani unleash the single We Stand And Fight. This track marks the dynamic duo of brothers Eddie and Seb Vazquez’s bold return to the metal scene, blending old-school heavy metal elements with their unique sound. “We Stand And Fight is the rippin’ high-octane opening track to our debut album,” they say. “We knew from the get-go that this song would be the opening track to the record, with its triumphant and powerful riffs, leads, and battle-themed lyrics about rising to the occasion and fighting for what you believe in, against all odds. Since we wrote the song, it has become our show opener and a live staple when we need to kickstart the crowd and get heads banging.”
Prisoner | On A Sunday
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “High-energy Canadian rock band Prisoner release their new single On A Sunday, the second from their upcoming EP House of Cards. On A Sunday directs the listener to the calmer angelic side of hard rock. With glassy acoustic guitar and a direct larger-than-life chorus, it appeals to those who dabble in the world of hard rock and heavy metal. Singer-guitarist Murray Emery says: “On A Sunday was the most unexpected song to come from the Prisoner camp. I had the intro riff on a voice note, and during our travels from Ontario to Alberta we as a band were going through potential ideas. I hated the idea at first, but with a bit of encouragement the boys and I wrote the rest of the song in one afternoon… on a Sunday.” Influenced by ”90s-2010s modern rock, this song speaks about human interaction in interpersonal relationships. The idea that someone believes they know you but in reality has no concept of your personal perception. Lyrically, Emery says that he feels like everyone has been in a situation where no matter how hard they try, someone just can’t wrap their head around who they are.”
