New Emery Album Out Now
Post-hardcore veterans EMERY have just released We Do What We Want, their fifth studio album, via Tooth & Nail Records/Solid State. Their first new material since 2009’s …In Shallow Seas We Sail, Emery is back in fine form with what many are calling the band’s heaviest album to date. Produced by guitarist Matt Carter and mixed by Jason Suecof (Whitechapel, August Burns Red, All That Remains) We Do What We Want further cements Emery as a mainstay in the heavy music genre, proof that quality and longevity go hand-in-hand. In its review of We Do What We Want, Alternative Press notes, “The first thing you really notice on We Do What We Want, is how heavy it is. Like, ridiculously heavy. Between the ubiquitous A Day To Remember-styled chugga-chugga breakdowns and frantically shrill screams, it’s the hardest performance the band have served up in a long time, if not ever. There’s also an appealing balance to the record, since not every track continues the aural beatdown; there are quieter moments, and they’re generally pretty fabulous…essential listening for fans.” DailyDischord raves, “Catchy hooks. Big choruses. Great harmonic vocals…It’s great to see a band grow without compromising the sound we all know and love.” UnderTheGunReview calls the new album, “a beautiful, emotional and aggressive piece of art. (9 out of 10).” Sputnikmusic describes it as, “one of the most hard-hitting, honest and all around solid releases to date for Emery,” while MindEqualsBlown says, “(the) songs smash through your speakers in an inspired way…Emery do what they want, and they refuse to fade.”
Day Of Vengeance On Tour With Becoming The Archetype
Day of Vengeance will be touring in support of Becoming the Archetype on the MYTHBUSTOUR this April and May. . Be sure to pick up Day of Vengeance’s Red Cord Records’ debut album He Who Has Ears (Available on iTunes and at the Red Cord Records’ store.
Tour Dates:
4/22 – Jacksonville, FL
4/23 – Clermont, FL
4/24 – Kissimmee, FL
4/26 – Hammond, LA
4/27 – Houston, TX
4/28 – Waco, TX
4/29 – Joplin, MO
4/30 – Agape Fest
5/1 – Decatur, IL
5/2 – Newark, OH
5/3 – Hagerstown, MD
5/4 – Crofton, MD
5/5 – Charlotte, NC
5/6 – Marietta, GA
5/7 – Madison, AL
Download Free Facedown Fest Sampler
Facedown Fest 2011 free sampler download, including tracks from bands playing this year’s Fest. You can download your free sampler at Amazon. Songs from For Today, War of Ages, Hope for the Dying, A Plea for Purging, In the Midst of Lions, and many more! Facedown Fest is coming to The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA April 8-9.
Family Force 5 Announce Spring Tourantula
After nearly a year long break from playing the clubs, a successful trek through Europe and hitting the studio to start production on their summer 2011 CD release Family Force 5 is excited to give their fans a sneak listen of what’s to come as they embark on TOURtantula with special guests Stereo Skyline, Swimming with Dolphins and Since Forever, dates kick off on April 15. As an added bonus a limited amount of attendees in each market will be lucky enough to purchase the golden ticket to the ARACHNOCOUSTICA pre-show event that includes an acoustic set by Family Force 5, a meet-n-greet with the band and an autographed VIP laminate. Later on in the evening the band will plug-in and give the crowd a taste of what they can expect from FF5’s upcoming summer CD release, this tour will be the first time the new tracks will be premiered in front of an audience. Also available at these shows will be a limited edition 3 track EP featuring all new songs.
Tour Dates:
4/15 – Atlanta, GA
4/16 – Tallahassee, FL
4/17 – Jacksonville, FL
4/19 – Birmingham, AL
4/20 – New Orleans, LA
4/22 – Houston, TX
4/23 – Arlington, TX
4/25 – Austin, TX
4/26 – Tulsa, OK
4/28 – Memphis, TN
4/29 – Nashville. TN
4/30 – Knoxville, TN
5/1 – Raleigh, NC
5/3 – Baltimore, MD
5/4 – New York, NY
5/5 – Philadelphia, PA
5/6 – Boston, MA
5/7 – Lancaster, PA
5/9 – Pittsburgh, PA
5/11 – Detroit, MI
5/12 – Chicago, IL
5/13 – Milwaukee, WI
5/14 – Minneapolis, MN
5/15 – Kansas City, MO
For Today Releases New Video
For Today have released their much anticipated video for “Seraphim” from the album Breaker. Directed by Drew Russ and shot in the woods south of Orlando, FL, the actual filming of the video turned into an 18 hour work day. Russ says, “I wanted to do something unique for For Today without losing the intensity of the song. Along with being a high-energy song, “Seraphim” also has a very epic feel. I wanted to push for production that conveyed the grand nature of the lyrics.” And that’s just what Russ did. The costumes and props were all created by hand with some pieces taking a full month to fabricate. The masks on the four beasts were all hand crafted from molded leather and Russ himself built the altar and rigged the pyro effects. Check out the video here.
Fallstar Debut Album Hits
Visit comeandlive.com right now to download the album that’s been garnering rave reviews from all over the globe. Emerging from Portland, Oregon, Fallstar’s Reconciler. Refiner. Igniter. has been called raw, progressive and one of the best releases of 2011 so far. The band has opted to give away the album as a free gift through Come and Live! so enjoy this gift and if you feel so inclined, donate a buck or two! It’s your choice! Fallstar is:
Chris Ratzlaff/Vocals
Justin Haag/Guitar
Bryan Ratzlaff/Bass
Jason Brown/Guitar
Cody Carrier/Drums
Affiance Sucks At Video Games
Cleveland’s newest metal phenomenon, Affiance, have taken to the plastic guitars and drums and FAILED their OWN song “Call To The Warrior” on RockBand! Watch the video on YouTube and if you think you have the chops, download the song and try it yourself. Singer Dennis Tvrdik commented saying, ”How did I get a 98% singing to my own voice?!? That’s kind of… inaccurate. Ha Ha” while guitarist Brett Wondrak said, “We had an absolute blast playing the song, but I think I will stick to playing my real instrument.” The band promises to try harder next time and score at least a 90%! They are now hard at work perfecting their own song and keeping it safe. Guitarist Dominic Dickinson checked in to say, “We forgot we were only playing a game! Ha Ha. It felt so real and we kinda made a mess…” Affiance will take part in the “Never Back Down Tour” with It Prevails, Life On Repeat, and We Are Defiance. Dates are below and will have the band playing throughout the Midwest, East Coast, and down South. The band is excited to get back out on the road and hit some of the cities they played with Memphis May Fire in December.
Tour Dates:
5/8 – Denver, CO
5/9 – Jefferson, SD
5/11 – Minneapolis, MN
5/12 – Steger, IL
5/13 – Springfield, IL
5/14 – Riverview, MI
5/15 – Dayton, OH
5/16 – Huntington, WV
5/17 – Buffalo, NY
5/18 – Albany, NY
5/19 – Manchester, NH
5/20 – Ronkonkoma, NY
5/22 – Allentown, PA
5/23 – Vineland, NJ
5/24 – Fredericksburg, VA
5/26 – Charleston, SC
5/27 – Pompano Beach, FL
5/29 – Pensacola, FL
5/31 – Pasadena, TX
6/1 – Austin, TX
6/2 – San Antonio, TX
6/3 – Dallas, TX
6/5 – Mesa, AZ
Rend Collective Experiment A Smashing Success On Tour
Hailing from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Rend Collective Experiment released its international debut Organic Family Hymnal to widespread critical acclaim. A movement of 20-somethings that began in Ireland and spread across Europe before hitting the Americas has now officially added the U.S. to its groundswell as tens of thousands of worship music fans experience the infectious Rend Collective Experiment on its first U.S. national tour with Chris Tomlin that began Feb. 15 and has already logged 23 sold out events. Wrapping up April 16 in Seattle, WA, the 30-city major market “And If Our God Is For Us…” tour also features Louie Giglio with special guest Christy Nockels. Charting a unique course, Rend Collective Experiment is a group of friends collectively wondering how to make sense of the conundrum of life, God and community. What Rend Collective Experiment’s members add to the conversation are melodies, harmonic progression and lyrics that are scriptural and contemporary, fresh and ancient. The resulting mix has sparked Rhapsody to name the band among the Top 5 Christian/Gospel artists to watch in 2011 as Gospel Music Channel named Organic Family Hymnal among the “Best Albums of 2010.” Here is what some of those attending the tour have said about the band on its Facebook page.
Intense Millennium Update
Intense Millennium have a lot in store for 2011 through Roxx and their own label. Strictly Stryper the April edition is set to debut this weekend! Be sure to check out our affiliates and tune in for Stryper news, reviews and tons of Stryper music and related items! Even a new HM Rock Report from Keven Crothers! Then stay tuned for the May Edition where we will have not 1 but 2 very special guests visiting with us! We added some more really cool bonus tracks to the ‘Chasing A Cure LP’ and even some guest drumming from none other then the one and only Carmine Appice! And a couple of cool new demo tracks as LNJ gear up towards their 2012 release! These demo tracks should keep you wanting more! We have also set May 17th as the official release date for the Limited Edition EP! All pre-orders will have in their hands before the official release date and we still have a few of the Limited Edition guitar picks left if you act quickly! Also if you are just learning about Liberty N Justice and want to pick up a copy of their latest Retroactive Records release ‘Light it Up’ the first ten people that go to the Roxx site can pick up a copy of their latest release for just $5. We announced to you earlier that we were very proud to welcome our latest act to the Roxx Records family by way of Jump ship Quick! Well now we are very excited to announce that Leanor Ortega Till from Five Iron Frenzy is now on board to produce the bands debut full length CD! Jump ship Quick plays an excellent form of Punk rock music that is sure to excite fans of the early day Punk scene and features former members of Focused and Ultimatum! Vengeance Rising ‘Destruction Comes’ and Deliverance ‘What A Joke’ will be available the first part of April! Up next we have a remastered and expanded version of David Benson’s ‘Purpose of the Cross’ set for May 31st release. And coming later this year we have releases from The Sacrificed, Under Command, Hawthorn and Cry Holy!
A Past Unknown Signs To Red Cord Records
Red Cord Records is excited to announce the signing of Cedar Falls, Iowa metalcore band A Past Unknown. After releasing their 2010 demo a year ago, A Past Unknown is set to release their Red Cord debut, To Those Perishing. The album was recorded by Jamie King, (For Today, Alesana, Between the Buried and Me) at The Basement Studio in North Carolina, the album captures the heavy and melodic presence with emotion-filled lyrics striving to show the world what hope is truly about with the power and love of Jesus Christ. Expect To Those Perishing to be released in June of 2011. A Past Unknown has never been a band to hold back, especially when it comes to interacting with their fans. As a result, crowd participation has become a defining staple during their intense live shows. With their summer release of To Those Perishing, A Past Unknown is set to start touring non-stop. Catch them this summer at Cornerstone and Lifefest.
You can listen to “What If You’re Wrong” on their Facebook Page.
Satellites & Sirens Get Two Dove Nominations
It’s been a whirlwind start in 2011 for Satellites & Sirens and it’s only a few months into the new year! Let’s start with two impressive Dove nominations for the band, Rock/Contemporary Album Of The Year (2010 self-titled debut CD) and Rock Recorded Song Of The Year (“Anchor”) that is featured on their innovative 80’s infused self-titled project and the song shot to #13 on the CHR chart. “We are all honored and excited to be nominated for two Dove Awards,” Satellites & Sirens. “it’s encouraging for all of us, as we’ve spent the last year touring in support of our record. To be nominated alongside such well established and successful artists is an amazing blessing. Additionally, our moms are proud.”
Besides receiving their first Dove nominations in two major categories, Satellites & Sirens recently signed with one of the hardest working and artist friendly management firms in the industry, Eaglemont Entertainment (Jason Gray, High Valley). Led by industry veteran, Jeff Berry, the company offers a hands-on approach to management that is developed to support the personality of each artist. “We are so excited to be working with Satellites & Sirens,” says Berry, Vice President of Eaglemont Entertainment. “I’ve been following the group for several years, ever since I was introduced to them when they were recording their first album. I’ve always been interested in working with them from day one. They are a great live band, They have a great work ethic, and I truly feel that the best days are still to come.” “Having known Jeff Berry for years now, we are excited to be able to work with him and the whole Eaglemont Team,” adds Satellites & Sirens. “The team is highly motivated and supportive of who we are as a band and as individuals. We believe that God is bringing pieces of the puzzle together to create a rewarding year for the band and Eaglemont.”
Jesus Culture’s Jake Hamilton Releases CD/DVD
Intense rock worship artist Jake Hamilton releases his full-length CD/DVD, Freedom Calling, on Jesus Culture Music May 17 with marketing and distribution through Kingsway and EMI CMG respectively. Following his internationally acclaimed debut, Marked By Heaven, Hamilton’s Freedom Calling includes 11 new worship songs, video of three songs from the live recording at Jesus Culture Atlanta, and a 30-minute in-depth, behind-the-scenes feature of his life, music and ministry. An artist and activist whose passion is to help raise up a generation to sing songs of revival in the nations of the earth, Hamilton has been catalytic in the start of several ministries in his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, CA while recording with Jesus Culture Music out of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. Bringing his music and message to churches and conferences coast-to-coast over the last few years, Hamilton desires to see God’s Kingdom manifest in power as his people encounter Him in worship. I long to give the Body of Christ a language for reformation and revival through melodies that will be carried on for generations,” says Jake Hamilton. Taking his hard-hitting melodic messages on tour, Jake Hamilton will feature the new music at the “Freedom Calling” Worship Night with Jesus Culture Band and Banning Liebscher May 17, which is being held at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. “The sounds and lyrics of this album, as well as the message that Jake carries, will captivate your heart and awaken a deep passion to pursue intimacy with Jesus while living with courage and boldness,” says Banning Liebscher, Jesus Culture director. “Jake Hamilton’s new album, Freedom Calling, is not only a journey of passionate worship, but a prophetic declaration that will awaken a generation to the love of God and the cause of Christ in the earth.”
©2011 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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