Hoping to wrap up your Friday the 13th with some heavy new music from international lineup of loudmouthed louts — and maybe a few sonic and stylistic surprises to boot? You’re in luck:
Narcotic Wasteland | Barbarian
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Gearing up to unleash their new album Digital Cordyceps later this year, Narcotic Wasteland — ex-Nile singer-guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade, drummer Joseph Howard (Fields of Elysium) and bassist Kenji Tsunami (Tegmentum) — unveil the video for Barbarian. Directed by Tsunami, it showcases the sheer death thrash force of the band in the studio and live. Toler-Wade adds: “For me, Barbarian is a prime example of me doing the thing I love and that defines me the most. Continuously striving to improve my craft as a musician and a songwriter. But also the overall message of this song. Live! Be free! Find your own path! Question everything! We don’t need politicians or religion to shape our moral centers. In fact, It seems they distort the truth every chance they get.”
Lowrider | And The Horse You Rode In On
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Swedish stoner-rock heroes Lowrider share their new single And The Horse You Rode In On, from The Long Forever, their upcoming split album with London psych-doom royalty Elephant Tree, due Oct. 25. “We just wanted to do something different,” says frontman Peder Bergstrand. “How do you follow up the 11-minute closing track everyone loved on our last album? I have no idea, but a two-and-a-half minute punk banger on the current state of the world seemed like the only way. Weirdly enough, it’s also our first music video ever. I’ve done more music videos for others than I can remember (Greenleaf and Dozer, among others), but somehow this is our first. Feels nice to have ripped that Band-Aid 25 years into the career haha!”
Maitreya | The Traveler + Still Motion
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canada’s progressive metal outfit Maitreya are set to release unique instrumental trumpet renditions of their tracks Traveler and Still Motion. These innovative releases showcase the band’s commitment to complex compositions and genre-bending tendencies. The releases give a nod to the band’s influences in the jazz-fusion realm, offering fans a fresh perspective on their intricate songwriting. They say: “We’ve always been interested in exploring the intersections between different musical styles. These trumpet versions allow us to showcase the melodic intricacies of our compositions in a completely new light. Sometimes as a band, we ask ourselves if we are a metal band that plays jazz, or a jazz band that plays metal. These reiterated versions, featuring trumpeter Paul Callander, are representative of the bridging of these two worlds.” These two singles are the final teases before the new EP Auxesis drops on Oct. 11.”
A Circus | Two Ghosts
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A Circus, led by guitarist Luca Federici, draw inspiration from iconic artists like Rainbow, Queen, Deep Purple and Ozzy Osbourne. Two Ghosts is the second single from their upcoming self-titled album, due Oct. 11. Featuring drummer Shane Gaalaas (Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker) and vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords of Black), this international ensemble are set to make waves. Literally inspired by the idea of two ghosts endlessly searching for each other, this haunting track is a clear homage to the magical atmospheres of Blackmore’s Night. Featuring a simple yet deeply effective melody, the song captures a sense of mystery and longing.”
Fen | Ritual Life
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After a 12-year hiatus, progressive rock band Fen just released their sixth album Dear Mouse. Hailing from Nelson, B.C., Fen have impressed critics and fans with their unique blend of technical proficiency and purposeful songwriting. The band comment: “Dear Mouse is less a comeback album than a tying up of loose ends. The 10 songs were all started in 2014 or earlier. They sat as fragments for a long time, but as life pulled the band apart, we couldn’t ignore these unfinished gems… We chipped away at them on and off. They dragged us along almost painfully at times. For the final three years, we pushed as hard as our lives would allow. Ultimately, Dear Mouse was a test of our perseverance and of getting out what needed to be said. We can rest now. And we will. We hope you find something in the music to appreciate.”
Chain Code | In Line
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hailing from Milwaukee but spiritually rooted in another galaxy, Chain Code merge progressive rock with SF themes to bring listeners complex and challenging music alongside intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. In Line is the second single from their upcoming debut album Synthetic Outcomes, set to drop on Oct. 1. The man behind the music, MuRphry explains: “In Line was heavily influenced by the Marvel character Ultron, an AI machine that both wants humanity and to destroy humanity. This song sees the character ruminating on the flaws of humanity and how he is essentially in line to surpass humans. He is waiting patiently, collecting data, observing, and finally striking out. It begins and ends with a Black Hole Sun-style oddball heavy and slow, yet beautiful and melodic, riff.”
