Copeland Disbands
Copeland has announced that they are disbanding. From the band’s facebook post:
Dear friends,
We have come to an extremely difficult decision. It has come time for us to move on from Copeland and follow other paths in our lives. We are absolutely grateful to have been able to make music for as long as we have. In the last 9 years we’ve been able to see parts of the world that we never dreamt we would see. We have shared the stage and built friendships with immensely talented artists. We’ve been afforded the opportunity to make 4 records that we’re extremely proud of. Most of all, we feel honored that people have cared so much for our band and for our art. We appreciate every listener who has allowed our music to be a part of their lives. We want to offer our deepest thanks to every individual who has supported us on this ride. It has profoundly impacted our lives. To put your minds at ease, we assure you this is not a bitter break up. We all individually feel Copeland has run its course in our lives and it’s time for us to pursue what is next. We couldn’t end things without a proper goodbye, so we are planning a final farewell tour in the US this coming Spring, as well as one final jaunt around the world to some of our favorite countries. We are really excited about seeing you all one more time, and we hope it turns out to be the best Copeland tour ever. It has been discussed and we are not ruling out the possibility of recording one more album sometime in the future. However, this spring tour will be our last.
From the bottom of hearts, thank you for all of your love and support.
Aaron, Bryan, Jon & Stephen
The Almost Go Crazy
The Monster Monster is loose! Fans who order the new album Monster Monster (Out Nov. 3) from the band’s online store will be entered to win an autographed guitar that was used in the recording of the album…Don’t miss out! Nothing says rock and roll like a good meal, especially when it’s with the frontman of your favorite band. Fans of The Almost will have the chance to cook with singer Aaron in The Almost Culinary Contest. Entrants must submit a video of themselves cooking their favorite dish to the Culinary Contest YouTube Group, and Aaron will choose the recipe that he likes best. The winner will be flown out to the Capitol Tower in Los Angeles on November 10th to cook on camera with Aaron, and attend The Almost show at the Wiltern Theater later that night. The contest starts now and will run through October 30th, with the winner announced on November 2nd. The following day, on November 3rd, The Almost will release their sophomore album, Monster Monster. It can be pre-ordered on their website, at Hot Topic stores, or at the band’s live shows. All pre-orders will come with an exclusive Monster EP, available only until the album’s release.
For more information on this tour, visit:
myspace.com/thealmost
Tour Dates:
11/3 – New Orleans, LA
11/5 – Dallas, TX
11/6 – Houston, TX
11/7 – Austin, TX
11/9 – Phoenix, AZ
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA
11/11 – San Francisco, CA
11/12 – Portland, OR
11/13 – Seattle, WA
Sanctus Real To Drop New Album In March
Award-winning band Sanctus Real gives fans an early preview of its upcoming, fifth studio album with its brand new song, “Forgiven,” which is already a Top 20 hit at radio. While the full album is releasing on Sparrow Records March 9, 2010, “Forgiven” is available now as a digital download wherever you buy digital music, including Amazon MP3 and iTunes, where the song became a No. 6 best-seller yesterday on the Christian and Gospel chart. “The working-out of forgiveness is so key to our growth and maturity as followers of Jesus,” says Sanctus Real’s Matt Hammitt. “The very idea that we have been forgiven for so much wrong moves, reforms, transforms and heals us. As we were framing ‘Forgiven’ around this concept, we realized that this was such a fundamental aim for all of us – to forgive and be forgiven.” “Sometimes, we need to be reminded of how awesome God’s forgiveness truly is and who we are in Him,” adds Joe Buchanan, New Life Media Network music director. “Sanctus Real has done a phenomenal job doing just that with their great new song, ‘Forgiven.’ It’s already impacting our listeners in a huge way!” That impact is also being felt on the band’s website. Sanctus Real is streaming the song on its site and asking listeners to share their own stories of forgiveness. Numerous responses from all around the world have already poured in as people share stories of forgiveness, hope and redemption: “I mustered the courage to go talk to my wonderful husband of 14 years and have a very difficult conversation after which I was sure he would tell me he was leaving me,” responded a wife on Oct. 7. “I got in the car and the first word out of the radio was ‘Forgiven!’ from your song. It was the first time I had heard it and the thought flooded me that God had forgiven me as soon as I had asked. My husband ended up forgiving me as well and we’re going to make it. Thank you for this song, it’s been a blessing to me over the past several days.” “After eight years, four married, I found out my husband was a meth addict,” writes another wife on the site Oct. 9. “It was extremely hard to forgive him and accept him back into my life. But God has helped me to forgive and now my marriage is better than ever. My husband, through his addiction and rehab, has found God and the forgiveness He has for him.” “I have come to a point in my life where I have had to forgive and let go,” writes Sunshine, who dealt with a father that abused her. “It wasn’t an easy life at all… I just couldn’t forgive him. God dealt with me, telling me that He had brought me from that difficult situation… I had to forgive him for everything and let him go…Hopefully one day my dad will see this and know that I forgive him!” “I’ve been in Christian ministry (radio) for about 6 years now and can assure you I’ve talked about forgiveness or ‘preached’ it a lot,” says Ken, who shares about the healing power of forgiveness in his marriage. “My wife of 17 years now [and I] are slowly getting back together as we about blew up our marriage because we have both failed to forgive each other properly. We said the words but we really never acted it out…don’t just say the words – live it.” Much like Ken implores, Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as “real” Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers. The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of “Sanctus”). Taking that life attitude on the road, Sanctus Real recently played the song “Forgiven” and fan favorites spanning four acclaimed national recordings on the “Something Heavenly Tour.” The 21-city tour launched Sept. 10 in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and saw packed venues as it worked its way through five Ontario cities and 12 States in the U.S. before wrapping up last week. Joining Sanctus Real on its tour in select cities were Addison Road, Jason Gray and Phil Wickham. Sponsored by World Vision, the “Something Heavenly Tour” became the vehicle through which fans offered 402 children life-giving hope. “For every child that is sponsored, five others in the community are directly affected, so that’s essentially 2,010 people whose lives will be changed for the better!” said Taya Gray, World Vision representative. “We are so grateful for Sanctus Real and their heart for those around the world that need our help.” Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, Ohio-based Sanctus Real’s breakthrough album, The Face of Love, released in April 2006, landing at No 2 on the Billboard Top Heetseekers chart and amassing a string of radio hits including the No. 1 songs “I’m Not Alright” and “Don’t Give Up.” While The Face of Love was inspired by real-life heartache and rediscovered joy, the band’s fourth studio release, We Need Each Other, marks a completion of that healing process and is a call for unity. The album’s title track became the band’s sixth No. 1 radio single.
Austrian Death Machine Release New Single
AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, the California group consisting of As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis and famed action hero Ahhnold, has just released the band’s second single off of Double Brutal. The track ‘Who Told You, You Could Eat My Cookies’ was inspired by the Arnie movie Jingle All the Way and will go live on the AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE MySpace page this Halloween. “I was so excited people thought my vocals sounded like cookie monster that I jumped at the chance to write a song about COOKIES!” comments Tim. You can check out the single here. For those who haven’t already picked it up, fans can purchase Double Brutal HERE available as both a two disc Digipak and a digital download. This two-disc goliath features one disc of all new heavy tracks in the tradition of all of Ahhnold’s greatest cinematic moments and a second disc of cover songs including songs originally performed by METALLICA, MEGADETH, MISFITS, JUDAS PRIEST and more, with cover art once again being tackled by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, NOFX, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, etc).
Roxx Productions Sign Pastor Brad
Roxx Productions is proud to announce the signing of Pastor Brad to their roster! After 5 consecutive instrumental shred albums, Pastor Brad is back with a full-length vocal album! And while the old-school guitar shred influences are still here, this album will hit you square in the face with some of the heaviest sounding riffs ever recorded on any Pastor Brad album! This album will also feature three very special guest vocalists: Rachael (of Ravenshead), Richie Z (of Blind Seven), and “Ski” (of Faith Factor)! And a very special guest appearance from original Stryper keyboardist, Kenny Metcalf! If that’s not enough for you, you will also get plenty of shredding from Pastor Brad himself as he will be handling the bulk of the guitar work for this his Roxx Records debut release ‘Break Out’ coming in Spring 2010. As an introduction to the Roxx Productions family, Pastor Brad is teaming up with Roxx Productions and JBM Design to provide you a very special Limited Edition Christmas CD entitled Pastor Brad’s ‘Christmas Shred’! This very special limited edition CD is being offered at $7.77 with free shipping world wide!! This special CD is being offered exclusively through Roxx Productions and Pastor Brad as both a Christmas Present and an Introduction of what’s to come from Pastor Brad and Roxx Productions! This limited edition promotional release is limited to only 100 copies and will only be made available for a very limited time in November and December. Shipping in late November ‘Christmas Shred’ will be in your hands in plenty of time to play around the Christmas tree!
For full details and order information, visit:
roxxproductions.com
Living Sacrifice’s New Release Looms On Horizon
After an eight-year absence, LIVING SACRIFICE – the legendary group who have been helping to define metal music in both the Christian and secular worlds since their inception 20 years ago – are back, as loud and vital as ever, with The Infinite Order, released on longtime label SolidState Records on January 26, 2010. The band’s seventh full-length overall, and first since 2002’s acclaimed Conceived In Fire, The Infinite Order finds the band returning to its thrash roots for an unapologetic reminder as to exactly why so many of today’s heavy music leaders hold LIVING SACRIFICE and their legacy in such high esteem. “The music is fast, heavy and thrashy,” singer and guitarist Bruce Fitzhugh said of the new album in an October interview with AOL Noisecreep. “We love metal and playing heavy music. We didn’t wimp out at all.” Produced by Jeremiah Scott (DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY) and mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, AS I LAY DYING), The Infinite Order finds LIVING SACRIFICE once again pushing the envelope of the metal genre, incorporating new dynamics and thrashier / more aggressive elements into a formula sure to appeal to fans of Conceived in Fire and The Hammering Process in particular, as well as the legions of younger fans who have grown up without LIVING SACRIFICE’s direct influence, but rather the influence of the bands who have looked up to them – a long list that includes most of the biggest names in underground metal. Starting today, Fitzhugh, fellow original member Lance Garvin and longtime bandmates Arthur Green and Rocky Gray (also of EVANESCENCE/WE ARE THE FALLEN) will let fans in on the excitement with an in-studio video blog, the first in a series of four, with a new video blog posted each week in November. LIVING SACRIFICE have also revealed plans for a video for lead single “Rules of Engagement,” and have announced the production of a live DVD, release date to come.
Facedown Records Signs A Hope For Home
A Hope For Home began as an emotional outlet for a group of friends during a season of loss and has blossomed into a vivacious and dedicated project. The band, known for their richly woven musical textures, deftly combine electronic beats with live drums and metal-influenced guitars with the warmth of synthesizers. A Hope For Home signed with Facedown Records in November 2009 after releasing The Everlasting Man on Strike First Records.
The concept behind their new album consists of two parts: “The first half [of the album] is dark and hopeless and bleak. It’s from the perspective of a man living in a world with no meaning, based around the Nietzsche quote ‘God is dead.’ The second half of the record shows the man building his beliefs from the ground up. Our goal is to address all the doubts/questions/realizations that everyone has because it’s unrealistic to paint the picture that everything is good all the time.” A Hope For Home will release their upcoming album on Facedown Records in April 2010.
To hear their new single Post Tenebras Lux, go here:
myspace.com/ahopeforhome
Owl City Hits #1 On Billboard Hot 100
Universal Republic Records’ basement launched phenomenon Owl City scored the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart last week, following up his #1 single score on iTunes last week with the smash hit “Fireflies.” The song is breaking boundaries at radio as it forges toward the upper tier at Top 40 and Hot AC formats along with impressive showings at Alternative, Triple A, and Rhythm Crossover. Combining this impressive radio story, a #1 song in North America, a sold out tour and huge sales are all parts in making Owl City the artist development story of 2009. The near-platinum “Fireflies” also sold an amazing 200,000 digital singles this week, serving as a multi-genre calling card for Owl City/alias Adam Young giving him a 12 point leap into the Top Ten of the Nielsen Soundscan Top 200 Albums Tally via his Universal Republic debut album Ocean Eyes (jumping from #20 to #8). A self-described ‘shy-kid’ who first arrived on the music scene in 2007, Universal Republic Records has successfully translated Young’s hypnotizing songscapes into mainstream captures of everyday life, connecting with radio, digital and video audiences across the U.S. Owl City’s magical mix of lively-digital rhythms and lush melodies first hatched in the basement of his parent’s house is perfectly portrayed in his debut video for “Fireflies,” which depicts the affable singer performing the song in dreamy basement environment. The video is closing in on an incredible 8.5 million views on youtube, and surging in X-LARGE rotation on VH-1, and other video and digital platforms. With Ocean Eyes on its way to gold status (rolling past its 9th consecutive week of sales momentum in a listless album sales climate), Owl City is also winding down a highly-praised sold-out tour – ‘Imagine if Nine Inch Nails traded dark for light…’ raved Livedaily.com about Young’s recent Hollywood show. ‘If such a remarkable transformation took place, it would sound, look, and feel a lot like Owl City.’ The tour is hitting Austin, TX on October 30th and skidding into Houston, TX, on Halloween night. Hailing from the small Minnesota town of Owatonna, Minnesota, (population 22,000), Young’s songs convey a singular simplicity that has rocked the 24/7 non-stop-chatter of an ultra-competitive music world. Calling his homemade-basement studio ‘the cave,’ other songs on the new album include “Vanilla Twilight,” which is also climbing up the iTunes singles chart and “Cave in,” “Umbrella Beach,” “Dental Care,” among others.
Caroline Herring releases New Album
Released on October 27, 2009 through Signature Sounds, Caroline Herring’s fourth album Golden Apples of the Sun is her most intimate and mature to date. Combining haunting originals with some surprising new takes on old standards, Herring has created an album that at once recalls the folk heyday of the 1960s and 70s while also sounding entirely fresh and new. Herring has built a name for herself by crafting in-depth story songs, with critics continually describing her work as “timeless,” “pure,” “graceful” and “powerful.” Her last release, Lantana, was named by National Public Radio as one of the “Top Ten Best Folk Albums for 2008.” While critics and fans have long praised the purity and complexity of her voice, drawing comparisons to Joan Baez and Kate Wolf, the vocal performances on Golden Apples of the Sun are as comfortable and intimate as any Herring has produced. It is the most true to stage release of her career, and Herring gives credit to producer David “Goody” Goodrich, who crafted the stripped-down sound in the Signature Sounds studio in Connecticut. Armed primarily with just her guitar and live vocals, the finished product has all the marks of a fully developed artist and performer. Emboldened by the critical acclaim of her recent work, Herring continues to create what Vintage Guitar has called “musical tapestries full of dark landscapes, bittersweet images, and otherworldly moments.” As usual, Herring draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. The album’s lead song “Tales of the Islander” is vintage Herring, an inspired and inspirational paean to the Gulf Coast folk artist Walter Anderson, and the closing track “The Great Unknown” takes off from a passage from Dante’s Inferno. Yet Herring also includes beautifully crafted, intimate songs such as “The Dozens” and “Abuelita” drawn from her personal experience. Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the new album, however, is the tribute Herring pays to the iconic female songwriters and singers who influenced her. Herring’s work has always been identified with the traditions of her native South, yet on Golden Apples of the Sun Herring filters the sounds and inspiration of Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins through her own distinctive musical sensibilities. Long-time Herring fans are sure to appreciate her evocative interpretations of Mitchell’s “Cactus Tree” as well as the traditional bluegrass tune “Long Black Veil” and the blues classic “See See Rider.” Herring also tackles “True Colors,” a song made famous by Cyndi Lauper, giving a newfound strength and directness to the pop song. These choices may seem like strange bedfellows on paper, but filtered through Herring’s sensibility – stark, elegant and bittersweet – they settle in exquisitely alongside her original compositions. Sonically unguarded and daringly intimate, Golden Apples of the Sun continues a creative evolution that has solidified Herring as musician of consistent depth and resonance.
Tour Dates:
11/05 – Atlanta, GA
11/06 – Arlington, MA
11/07 – Northampton, MA
11/19 – Austin, TX
11/20 – San Antonio, TX
11/21 – Houston, TX
12/15 – Decatur, GA
Liberty N’ Justice Ready To Drop New Album
Retroactive Records & Liberty N’ Justice finally can reveal the final track listing for LNJ’s new album “Light It Up”! After months & months of revealing guest artists, the last song to be announced “Wrestling With God” will feature Trixter members Pete Loran & Steve Brown with a guest guitar solo by Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal of Guns N’ Roses! The song once again was co-written by LNJ founder Justin Murr and Steve Brown (who also produced the track). The disk was all so produced by Vic Rivera, Mike Layne, CJ Snare (who also pre-mastered the disk), and Stephen Chesney. The album will be mastered by J. Powell at Steinhaus Mastering (who also mastered the latest Bride CD,
Mainline Riders, Saint & who remastered Guardian’s “First Watch”) Matt Hunt of Retroactive Records stated,” I’ve been a life long fan of Hard Rock and this is one of the best albums I have ever heard!” The album has a January 19,2010 planned release date.
Track Listing:
1) Light It Up
2) The Other Thief
3) Blink
4) Do What You Believe
5) Man vs. Mother Nature
6) Treading On Serpents
7) Uncle Sam
8) Every Reason To Believe
9) Wrestling With God
10) Best Time You Never Had
11) Beautiful Decision
12) Drunk Dead Gorgeous
13) Greed
14) For Better Or Worse
Downhere Wins Big In Canada
The critically-acclaimed pop/rock band, Downhere, took home an impressive NINE 2009 Covenant Awards during the 31st Gospel Music Association Canada show Friday night in Calgary, Alberta. Downhere ranked as the highest award winner this year after receiving eleven nominations and took home awards in the following categories:
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year (Ending is Beginning)
Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Recorded Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year (Ending Is Beginning)
Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year (Here I Am)
Rock Song of the Year (My Last Amen)
Seasonal Song of the Year (How Many Kings)
Inspirational Song of the Year (The Beggar Who Gave Alms)
“Wow! We never would have thought that we would get eleven nominations, much less win nine awards,” says Marc Martel of Downhere. “It is overwhelming to feel the support we are getting from our fans and friends in Canada and our hearts are overflowing from the kindness shown to us. We love going back to Canada to perform for the home crowds and this awards show us that the feeling is mutual. So, in the immortal words of Sally Field, ‘They like us, they really like us!’” Downhere is once again receiving critical acclaim with their first holiday project, How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas that released October 6, 2009. Early reviews include; JesusFreakHideout.com – “….this is still one of the more solid Christmas releases we’ve seen from a Christian artist,” NewReleaseTuesday.com – “Downhere’s first ever holiday collection which retains much of the bands classic elements, but also stretches to previously uncharted realms,” Soul-Audio.com – “It easily ranks among great Christmas albums, like Jars Of Clay’s Christmas Songs. The group will also be featured on GospelMusicChannel.com’s “Christmas of Compassion campaign, CCM Magazine, TitleTrakk.com, CBA Retailers + Resources, Christian Retailing, Dallas Morning News, to name a few. And again this year, Downhere will be part of Centricity Music’s Bethlehem Skyline Tour that will also feature labelmates, Jason Gray and Lanae’ Hale. Downhere has had a successful year at radio, retail and media with their GMAC winning album, Ending Is Beginning, which debuted on the Christian Contemporary Album Chart at #17 and was heralded as one of the Best Christian Albums of 2008 by ChristianMusicToday.com. The GMAC winning song, “Here I Am” and “Hope Is Rising” peaked at #5 and #17 on the AC charts. GMAC winners, “My Last Amen” peaked at #5 on the CHR charts and “How Many Kings” hit the top 5 on the AC charts in late 2008. Downhere has also been a previous winner with the GMA Canada Covenant Awards in 2002 for Rock Album of the Year and Rock Song of the Year. In April 2009, Downhere won their third JUNO Award for Ending Is Beginning, in the Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year category and won a GMA Dove Award for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year in 2003.
For more information on Downhere and their tour dates, please visit:
downhere.com
Mantric sign to Prosthetic Records
Prosthetic Records is proud to announce the signing of MANTRIC to the label for
a worldwide, multi-album deal. Formed in 2007 in Oslo, Norway from the ashes of metal pioneers, Extol, MANTRIC takes the visionary songwriting approach of its founding members to new, epic heights. Fusing a unique, distinctly Scandinavian take on rich, challenging metal and punk with a powerful progressive edge, MANTRIC recorded their upcoming debut in Norway, with studio guru Tue Madsen (Dark Tranquility, The Haunted) handling mixing and mastering duties. Prosthetic Records quickly recognized that something rather special was developing and are now very happy to have MANTRIC as part of their diverse roster. The as yet untitled MANTRIC debut album is scheduled for worldwide release in late February 2010. Commenting on the signing, MANTRIC added : “We are truly satisfied with ending up signing with Prosthetic records! Our first album using the Mantric-name does to our ears deserve to get out to lovers of hard music all over the world, and Prosthetic makes this possible. We also feel honored to be amongst the quality and variety represented by the bands signed to Prosthetic. Our music embraces creativity and originality outside the limits of narrow genres, so it suits us fine to deal with a label that also values this. This is a release that is both accessible and original, catchy and complex at the same time, and we can’t wait to get it out!” The partnership with MANTRIC is a significant move for Prosthetic, being the label’s first worldwide signing of a European band. Prosthetic’s European label manager, Duncan Dinsdale, also commented: “I’m very excited to be working with a band of such pedigree. I’ve been a huge fan of Extol for a long time and now MANTRIC are making truly urgent music that reaffirms my faith in what challenging heavy music should be.”
To hear a special preview track, visit:
myspace.com/mantricofficial
©2009 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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