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Hope For The Dying Post New Song
Hope for the Dying have posted the first new song from their upcoming album Dissimulation. The album will be out April 26th on Facedown Records and you can hear the first single “Transcend” here.
Memphis May Fire Release Teaser
Memphis May Fire has released a teaser of their forthcoming album entitled, “The Hollow”. Their debut for new label Rise Records hits stores April 26th. Listen to the song clips here. The label also launched limited edition pre-order bundles which can be bought here. Be sure to catch MMF headlining the upcoming Rise Records Tour in May/June. Dates and others acts will be announced soon.
Becoming The Archetype Update
Seth Hecox, guitarist/keyboardist, updates us on some new happenings for the BTA guys: “Well, we shot a music video, which is seriously gonna be the best thing anyone’s ever seen. The video has 2 parts. One part of the video is 8bit graphics (like original Nintendo) of us as Final Fantasy type characters. The directors basically created a Nintendo game about us! The other part is seamlessly intertwined with the first part and is real life shots of us and it looks like Lord of the Rings, no joke. We’re only in the video as actors. No shots of us jamming in an empty warehouse. We wielded swords, axes, maces and spears for two days straight, from dawn till midnight, at 4 different locations including an epic cave, a bog/marsh, and a gigantic stone mountain. We had to wade waste-deep in muck through the bog with our weapons above our heads so they wouldn’t get ruined. It’s seriously gonna own everything. It should be out in less than 3 weeks.”
Skillet Releasing Remix
Atlantic records and their GRAMMY®-Nominated rockers Skillet have announced the release of a new digital EP. The “AWAKE AND REMIXED” EP will arrive at all DSPs on March 22nd. The EP – which features alternative versions of songs found on the RIAA gold certified album, “AWAKE,” including the current top 5 Active Rock hit, #1 Christian Rock hit “Awake and Alive” – heralds the band’s upcoming US tour. Skillet will be among the bands participating in the “Avalanche Tour 2011,” joining such hard rock luminaries as Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Art of Dying, and fellow Atlantic recording group Halestorm. The trek begins Thursday, March 24th at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and then traverses the country through early May. “AWAKE” – which includes a trio of Active Rock and Christian Rock/CHR radio blockbusters including the current hit “Awake and Alive,” the RIAA gold certified “Hero,” and the RIAA gold certified, top 5 mainstream Active Rock smash, “Monster” – has proven a true sensation, with digital single sales from the album now exceeding 1.5 million. Produced by Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf), the collection was among the top 10 on Billboard’s 2010 “Top Alternative Albums” chart, with Skillet coming in at the year’s #7 “Top Alternative Album Artist” and # 2 “Top Christian Album Artist.” Furthermore, at the close of 2010 Skillet was one of 15 artists including the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and the Zac Brown Band to have remained on the Billboard Top 200 chart for 64 weeks or more, making “AWAKE” #74 on Billboard’s 2010 “Top 200 Albums.” “AWAKE” reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Albums” chart within 24 hours of its August 2009 release, while simultaneously exploding into the #2 spot on the SoundScan/Billboard 200. One of America’s hardest working live acts, Skillet spent much of 2010 on the road, touring alongside Atlantic labelmates Shinedown as well as headlining their own “Alive & Awake Tour” and twice co-headlining the “Awake Tonight Tour” with TobyMac as well as a summer tour with Creed. Following Avalanche Skillet will headline a vast array of summer music festivals including Creation, Alive, Sonshine, Lifefest, Kingdom Bound, Soulfest, Rock the Desert, Night of Joy at Disney World and more. Founded in 1996, Skillet has earned rapturous praise for their inspirational and intense approach to hard-edged alternative rock. Hit Parader celebrated Skillet for “(bringing) to mind the kind of slick, studio-savvy work that made vintage Aerosmith and Bon Jovi so much fun to listen to.” “Skillet…continually push their musical muscle with soaring guitar work interspersed with their take on 80’s hair-metal ballads,” declared Mix.
Tour Dates:
3/24 – Chicago, IL
3/25 – Milwaukee, WI
3/26 – St. Paul, MN
3/28 – Bloomington, IL
3/29 – Fort Wayne, IN
3/30 – Nashville, TN
4/1 – Atlanta, GA
4/2 – Tampa, FL
4/3 – Ladson, SC
4/5 – Huntsville, AL
4/6 – Tupelo, MS
4/8 – San Antonio, TX
4/9 – Corpus Christi, TX
4/10 – Grand Prairie, TX
4/12 – Houston, TX
4/13 – Wichita Falls, TX
4/15 – Belton, TX
4/16 – Lubbock, TX
4/17 – El Paso, TX
4/19 – Tulsa, OK
4/21 – Wichita, KS
4/22 – Springfield, MO
4/23 – Little Rock, AR
4/26 – Waterloo, IA
4/27 – Grand Rapids, MI
4/29 – New York, NY
4/30 – Bangor, ME
5/1 – Uncasville, CT
5/3 – Richmond, VA
5/6 – Burgettstown, PA
5/7 – Charlotte, NC
5/8 – Jacksonville, FL
Aaron Gillespie Traveled To Haiti
Recently musician Aaron Gillespie traveled to Haiti with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to see the work of the organizations and the progress in rebuilding from last year’s earthquake. This trip preludes Gillespie’s release of his solo album, Anthem Song (Produced by Aaron Sprinkle), on March 8th on Tooth & Nail Records/BEC Recordings. This album is now available for iTunes pre-sale that includes a bonus track only available with the pre-order. During his three-day trip, Gillespie visited schools and orphanages in the small villages of Titanyen and Simonette as well as the Cite Soleil Cholera Treatment Center. Aaron traveled with his wife Jamie, who has a desire for missions. “Haiti is beautiful and full of life,” shares Aaron Gillespie upon his return. “It is also mismanaged and they need of a lot of help. Jesus said that we should go everywhere and help people. Let’s go to Haiti as lovers of Christ and pour Him out on that great country in a tangible way. For so long I expected Haiti to be something terrible like the media displays, but in the face of it all there is hope and life there, and it is waiting to be rediscovered and taken back in Jesus’ name.”
Follow Gillespie’s trip and journey in Haiti through the photos captured here. Inspired by the location and people of Haiti, Gillespie also taped footage for a music video for his current single “We Were Made For You.” Footage was gathered from various locations across Haiti – from an old abandoned factory in Titanyen to the landmark National Cathedral in Port-au-Prince where Gillespie had the opportunity to play guitar alongside a 63-year-old Haitian who was blind. Watch this video as Gillespie gives the talented musician his own Fender guitar.
Fallstar To Release Debut On March 29
ComeandLive! will be releasing the highly anticipated full length record, Reconciler. Refiner. Igniter. from Portland based melodic hardcore act FALLSTAR on March 29th, 2011. The band has been through its share of ups and downs and can attest to the fact that their patience has paid off in a big way. “It was one of the most taxing and emotional processes we’ve ever been through,” says vocalist Chris Ratzlaff. “Knowing that people will hear it now just seems surreal. It was a real fight.” The future of FALLSTAR is bright and with the impending release of the record and subsequent extensive touring, there is no doubt that the long wait was well worth it. Choosing to partner with the powerhouse community of musicians, ComeandLive!, FALLSTAR has opted to release the record as a free gift to their fans via comeandlive.com. The record is an eclectic blend of various influences and inspiration, marrying the heavier aspects of the genre with a catchy soaring clean vocal which is filled with a passionate desperation that instinctively puts a smile on the listener’s face. This is not your typical hardcore album.
For more information, visit:
comeandlive.com
Dying Blaze Signs Album Deal
Churning in the epicenter of the cold-world lands of black metal’s unofficial third wave of perpetual development, Ukraine brings forth another prodigy of dark metal – Dying Blaze. To be released by Nokternal Hemizphear in the USA, the sole member, Lord Castus, offers to all metal-hearts a fast, eruptive black metal style vengeance precisely interwoven with melodic elements that create impactful atmospheres amidst each track. Under the guidance and production efforts of Fedor Buzilevich (Holy Blood/Requital), Lord Castus steps forth with his debut album “Attera Obscurum”. Album will be released as a standard jewel case version as well as a limited “finite edition” DVD packaged version containing 2 bonus tracks. A variety of bundle options exclusively available at the Nokternal Hemizphear webshop will be offered. Expected release timeframe will be this spring. Pre-orders for bundles and more information will become available soon! A new might is rising! Lord Castus and those who walk the eternal paths of glory in the brilliance of the Son shall set ablaze the church of the undead. Revived, rekindled, regenerated – torches will be lit on a bleak night, this Spring!!!!!
Abandon Kansas Premieres New Video
Abandon Kansas to release their full-length album for Gotee Records, Ad Astra Per Aspera (latin for “to the stars through difficulties”) on March 8 at all digital outlets and tour stops, produced Mark Lee Townsend (Deas Vail, House of Heroes, Relient K). See the video premiere for “Heaven Come My Way” today here. “This is the first music video we’ve been able to shoot at home in Wichita. We’ve always been a fan of Kevin’s work but never had the chance to collaborate with him on a project. I think the funnest part of the whole shoot was blowing up all those fireworks in a barrel in the middle of January trying not to get injured or caught!” says singers Jeremy Spring.
Tour Dates:
3/8 – Wichita, KS
3/9 – Hays, KS
3/10 – Boulder, CO
3/11 – Sandy, UT
3/12 – Las Vegas, NV
3/13 – Glendale, AZ
3/14 – Yucca Valley, CA
3/16 – San Bernardino, CA
3/17 – Yorba Linda, CA
3/18 – Fresno, CA
3/19 – Roseville, CA
3/20 – Yuba City, CA
3/22 – Ashland, OR
3/23 – Portland, OR
3/24 – Seattle, WA
3/25 – Camas, WA
3/26 – Boise, ID
3/28 – Belle Fourche, SD
3/29 – Sioux Falls, SD
3/31 – Minneapolis, MN
4/1 – Ames, IA
4/2 – Cedar Falls, IA
4/3 – Wausau, WI
4/4 – Elgin, IL
4/5 – Charleston, IL
4/6 – Indianapolis, IN
4/7 – Bay City, MI
4/8 – Owsosso, MI
4/9 – Wilmington, OH
4/13 – Chattanooga, TN
4/14 – Douglassville, GA
4/15 – Tallahassee, FL
4/16 – Jacksonville, FL
4/17 – Orlando, FL
4/18 – Tampa, FL
4/20 – Columbia, SC
4/21 – Greenville, SC
4/22 – Nashville, TN
4/23 – Birmingham, AL
4/24 – Hattiesburg, MS
4/26 – Pensacola, FL
4/27 – Mobile, AL
4/28 – Baton Rouge, LA
4/29 – Houston, TX
5/30 – Dallas, TX
5/1 – Texarkana, AR
5/2 – Little Rock, AR
5/3 – Oklahoma City, OK
5/4 – Tulsa, OK
5/5 – Springfield, MO
5/6 – Kansas City, MO
5/7 – McPherson, KS
5/8 – Wichita, KS
Tenth Avenue North Released CD/DVD
Tenth Avenue North, Christian music’s most impactful new artist of the past several years, gives fans a unique look at the moments and motivations that make up a life lived through music through the new CD/DVD project: Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside and In Between released on March 1. Long known for an uncanny ability to capture listeners’ attention and compel them to think, even within the framework of a seemingly simple pop song, the music of Tenth Avenue North has always been informed with a maturity of purpose that goes far beyond the members’ young ages. It’s that desire to give fans more than face value that has always gone into both the band’s songs and live shows. These songs are hopefully a vehicle for us to help people learn,” says vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Mike Donehey. “Our hope is that people would see what we do in concert and that we have a desire for people to learn, not just be entertained.” “At the same time, we hope to find a platform that looks a little more like a community when you come to one of our shows,” he continues. “We just wanted something deeper.” Included in the DVD, Donehey explores the deeper message behind the songs in seven powerful video journals including “By Your Side,” “Healing Begins” and “You Are More.” That’s not to say everything is so deep within Donehey and his bandmates’ (drummer Jason Jamison, guitarist/background vocalist Jeff Owen and bassist Ruben Juarez III) world, as shown on Inside and In Between’s lighter moments, including the unparalleled “athletic” competition known fondly as “Bunk Olympics.”
Framed by live performances (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound audio mixes) and revealing off-stage interviews, Inside and In Between gives an all-encompassing look at some of the freshest new music to emerge over the past several years, including songs like “Love Is Here,” “Strong Enough To Save,” “Hold My Heart,” “You Are More,” “Healing Begins” and the 2010 Dove Award-winning Song of the Year “By Your Side.” Tenth Avenue North will continue its packed early 2011 live show schedule as part of Third Day’s “Make Your Move” Tour, which kicked off in Mercedes, Texas on Feb. 18, and runs through a May 21 date in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tour Dates:
3/9 – Indianapolis, IN
3/10 – Indianapolis, IN
3/11 – Brookfield, WI
3/12 – Davenport, IA
3/13 – Grand Rapids, MI
3/18 – Monroe, LA
3/19 – Grand Prairie, TX
3/20 – Joplin, MO
3/24 – Beaver Falls, PA
3/25 – Grove City, OH
3/26 – Johnstown, PA
3/27 – Charleston, WV
3/31 – Johnson City, TN
4/1 – Fairfax, VA
4/14 – Memphis, TN
4/15 – Knoxville, TN
4/16 – Greenville, SC
4/17 – Macon, GA
4/28 – Valparaiso, IN
4/29 – Chicago, IL
4/30 – Greenville, IL
5/1 – Kansas City, MO
5/4 – Salem, VA
5/5 – Louisville, KY
5/6 – Cincinnati, OH
5/7 – Saginaw, MI
5/12 – Chattanooga, TN
5/13 – Greensboro, NC
5/14 – Nashville, TN
5/19 – Jacksonville, FL
5/20 – Ft. Myers, FL
5/21 – West Palm Beach, FL
Ryan Stevenson To Release Debut EP
BEC Recordings’ newest signing Ryan Stevenson is gearing up for his label debut EP, Yesterday, Today, Forever, on March 22nd. The EP has already produced a Top 15 CHR single with the title track. Fans can go to his Facebook Page and click “like” and hear the title track and other songs from the upcoming project. The single “Yesterday, Today, Forever” is also available now at iTunes. This musical career path comes for Stevenson after years of putting it secondary…until now. “When I was graduating high school, my youth pastor gave me a guitar because he felt like God was telling him to, which up until that point, I’d never played, sang or written songs,” notes the Oregon-born/Idaho-based performer. Attending Northwest Christian College along with other industry familiar faces, Sparrow signee Shawn McDonlad, Gotee artist Paul Wright and BEC’s own executive Tyson Paoletti, Stevenson found himself in the dorm hallway playing with Shawn and Paul. “God lit a fire in my heart, and I literally learned to play overnight. It just fit and made sense to me, so I started writing songs and leading worship during chapel services.” However, it wasn’t the time for Stevenson to pursue this career full-time as he graduated and soon got married. He then devoted himself fully to his career as a paramedic, working 50 hours a week. It wasn’t until he won a Christian battle of the bands at the Idaho State Fair that Stevenson had a peace to pursue music one last time. His music attracted the attention of mixer Chris Stevens (TobyMac) and his collage-mate Paoletti, who eventually signed him. The result is the forthcoming release. Yesterday, Today, Forever EP is an unconventional blend of funky pop, innovative electronica and worship. The EP release will be supported by Stevenson on tours with Group 1 Crew, Press Play, Rachael Lampa and Charmaine. It has been a long road to get to this point for Stevenson, and he is embracing what God has in store. “I believe God takes us through things to strengthen and stretch us and my ministry is about resonating with people, connecting heart to heart, being a source of hope and a voice of compassion. I hope these songs draw us to a new realm of worshipping the creator, breaking down walls and embracing those the world would deem un-embraceable. I want to sharpen the body and speak life and love into my generation.”
Tooth & Nail Hires New Promotions Director
Tooth & Nail Records/BEC Recordings announces Charles Van Dyke to the role of Director of National Promotions. This role includes managing the radio team developing new artists in addition to continuing to support the established roster. “We are thrilled to have Charles come on board and lead our radio team,” states Brandon Ebel, President Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings. “We feel like with his familiarity with our roster, passion for our music and experience with the radio stations, he is the right person for the job.” Van Dyke brings vast experience from previously working at Curb Records and Provident Music Group promoting such artists as Natalie Grant, MIKESCHAIR, Casting Crowns, Red and Matt Maher. “Having the chance to work with Brandon Ebel and the Tooth & Nail / BEC family is a dream come true,” shares Van Dyke of his new role. “Some of my favorite bands have been on Tooth & Nail. To continue their tradition of such a storied brand will be an honor.” Van Dyke leads the radio team with Lauren Heerlein and Jordan Smith, National Promotions Managers. Together they will be promoting the new single from Jeremy Camp “The Way” and also be working on the radio singles from Kutless, Aaron Gillespie, Hawk Nelson, FM Static, The Museum and newcomers Hyland, Jessa Anderson and Ryan Stevenson.
©2011 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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