Independent techno-rock band d3adc0de unveiled its debut single and video this week.
The band premiered its debut single, ‘Fight or Flight‘ Wednesday, along with the song’s companion video. The musical arrangement featured in the duo’s new single immediately lends itself to comparison to works from Orgy. At the same time, the choruses conjure thoughts of works from the likes of Linkin Park and Evanescence. Having influence from such diverse acts would seemingly not work but in the case of this song, they work very well together.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the premiere of the new single and video. The lyrics provided with the song’s video leave themselves wide open to interpretation, too, without some background on that content.
The video tells the story of a cybernetic cyborg woman who is seemingly tasked with saving a spaceship and its crew from being destroyed by a black hole.
More information on d3adc0de’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Thanksgiving weekend is officially at its end and with it so is the North American leg of I Prevail’s tour in support of its latest album, True Power, which was released Aug. 19 through Fearless Records. The band is scheduled to take the rest of the year off before heading overseas to Europe in March for the tour’s next leg, beginning March 7 in Zurich, Sweden. Tickets for that tour are most assuredly Christmas presents for plenty of fans, while for lots of others, the band’s new album might actually be its own present. The 44-minute presentation is sure to appeal to the band’s established audiences, as well as more casual audiences. That is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike, as is proven in part through the early entry, ‘Body Bag,’ which will be discussed shortly. ‘Judgement Day,’ which comes a little later in the album’s run, is another way in which the record’s musical and lyrical content comes together to make it worth hearing. It will be addressed a little later. ‘The Negative,’ which comes even later in the album’s run, is yet another example of how the album’s overall content comes together to make the record interesting. When it and the other songs noted here are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the record worth hearing at least once.
True Power, the latest album from up and coming post hardcore band I Prevail, is an intriguing offering from the band. That is due to its combined musical and lyrical arrangements. The record’s musical arrangements bring together influences of Set It Off, Linkin Park, and Ice Nine Kills for a sound that is quite unique to say the least. It is a sound that oddly enough works as much as it would seem that it wouldn’t work. The lyrical themes that accompany that content makes for its own share of interest. ‘Body Bag,’ the record’s lead single, is just one example of how that combination makes an intriguing offering for audiences. The song’s musical arrangement opens with a distinct, heavy approach much in the vein of Slipknot what with its use of electronics alongside the guitar and drums and the screaming vocals. The use of the clean vocals alongside the screams makes for an interesting juxtaposition in itself that oddly enough, actually adds to the arrangement’s impact. The White Chapel-esque down-tuned crunching from the guitar in the break down adds even more to the whole.
The lyrical theme that accompanies that intense musical arrangement makes for its own interest here. That is because it comes across as that familiar message of being fed up with fake people, those ones who would rather live their lives in misery. This is inferred in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state ,”There’s a million ******* reasons that you got it bad/But everybody’s leaving in a body bag/Go/Save your problems for somebody else who gives a damn/’Cause you won’t find me waiting at your promised land/No/Oh you think you got it bad?/I’m telling you to bite down and face it/You’re never gonna do much or change ****/When all you say is **** that and **** that/Don’t let them save you from yourself/Lights out/Embrace it/Your heart is beating faster/It’s racing/As we go on and on and on and on/Oh my God/Just shut your ******* mouth.” That content right there points to someone just being fed up with that other person being so miserable all the time and expecting others to cow tow to them. The second verse adds to that inference as it states, “Bring it down/Only one of us gets through/Two in/One out/And it’s not you/Run for your life/There’s nothing you can do/Necks snap when I show up/I say one word and it blows up/Run for your life/I’m taking what’s mine/and your time has come.” Now this imagery is somewhat violent, but that is all it is, imagery. This is not a threat of violence against anyone. Rather it is just some bravado meant to say that the subject is all business. It is kind of an over the top way to send such a message, but it is clear enough and is sure to appeal to certain audiences.
‘Judgement Day,’ which comes a little later in the album’s run, is another of those strong, overly direct songs presenting a message of proud defiance. In the case of this song, the arrangement is a stark change of pace. Instead of the odd hybrid collection of influences, this song’s arrangement is a full on metalcore presentation. The screams and the intense energy from the instruments immediately envelopes audiences, not letting up until the song’s end as the song’s familiar theme of defiance is delivered.
This time, that defiance is against not one of those self defeatist types, as discussed in ‘Body Bag,’ but against society in general. This is inferred in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “I walked into the darkness/I set myself on fire/I stared into heartless/And I found out death is a liar/So burn it all to ashes/Drown them all in acid/Say *** pleasing the masses/Don’t blink/I’m going beyond your understanding/Beyond the unimagined/Be honest/Are you ready or not/Let’s find out right now/Oh, destroy yourself/Welcome to the end/I don’t care about what they say/Everybody’s sorry on judgement day/Nothing’s gonna break me/I’ve got ice inside my veins/There’s gotta be a better way/There’s greatness in my DNA/You’ll get yours on judgement day.” There is that pride and confident defiance of society and its standards, clear and present. It continues in the song’s second verse, which states, “I was born on the path to nowhere/Cast out/Not a *** **** thing to prove/No home/No thoughts and no prayers/I’ve got nothing to lose/So **** it/Burn it all to ashes/Drown them all in acid/I’m done pleasing the masses/You’ll see/I’m going beyond your understanding/Beyond the unimagined/Be honest/Are you ready or not?” Again, here is that sense of self determination and simply not caring about what society thinks of the subject. It is a familiar theme that is certain to resonate with audiences both in that familiarity and in the way in which it was delivered.
‘The Negative’ is yet another song that tends to show what makes I Prevail’s new album worth hearing at least once. The song only clocks in at two minutes, 21 seconds, but the energy in the song’s arrangement makes it so interesting here. The more melodic moments that lend themselves to works from Set It Off make for such an interesting juxtaposition to the heavier Motionless in White-esque moments in the verses. Somehow that pairing of influences work as they help to illustrate the emotion in the song’s lyrical theme, which finds the subject battling with himself internally.
The battle is a mental health combat caused by himself and by external forces. This is inferred in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “I’m so sick and tired of the negative/I’m on the edge tonight/Closer to the ledge/You were right/Lost in my head tonight/I’m spinning in circles/And I can’t get out/Running from these thoughts that I can’t say out loud/I’m so sick and tired of the negative/Black and white/You’re right/I’m ******* over it/Patience is paper thin/And something’s gotta give/I’m so sick and tired of the negative.” The inner turmoil is further illustrated in the song’s second verse, which states, “Well, damn/I guess you’re the perfect person/Same day but a different version/Paint the picture/But you don’t deserve it/Color’s fading underneath the surface/So wear black everywhere you go/No take backs at the end of the road/No last chance when the casket’s closed/Your silence is worth more than gold.” This is an illustration of that external force causing that inner battle. There are so many people out there like the one described here. To that end, it makes this part of the theme all the more resonant for listeners. When the whole is considered collectively, that inner battle that the subject fights as a result of it all makes it another fully accessible theme for the band’s target audiences. When it and the other themes examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s lyrical themes, the whole shows that much more, what makes the record’s lyrical (and musical) content so important. All in all, the overall content examined here makes True Power an intriguing addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
True Power, the latest album from I Prevail, is an interesting new offering from the up-and-coming post hardcore band. That is proven through its collective musical and lyrical themes, as is evidenced through the songs examined here. When they are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes this record a presentation that is worth hearing at least once.
True Power is available now through Fearless Records. More information on the album is available along with all of I Prevail’s latest news at:
Independent music act BlackLip debuted the lyric video for its latest single this week.
The brainchild of Alex Shimp, the act debuted the lyric video for its new single, ‘What Have I Become‘ Tuesday through INgrooves. The song is the lead single from BlackLip’s new EP, Hear My Pain. The record’s release date is under consideration.
The musical arrangement featured in BlackLip’s new single is a brooding composition. The song starts out with an almost hip-hop style approach and sound. As it progresses however, the song takes a decidedly melodic hard rock approach a la Linkin Park and The Veer Union.
The lyrical theme featured in the new single take on the familiar topic of abusive individuals, Shimp said.
“This song is about people who intentionally abuse you repeatedly whether mentally or physically, resulting in a personality change that is completely against your will,” he said. “The emotion behind the song comes from a dark place.”
The lyric video for the new single is a simple presentation. It places the song’s lyrics over a blue background as the song plays over the visualization.
More information on BlackLip’s new single, lyric video, and EP is available along with all of its latest news at:
Courtesy: Cowgirlzen Entertainment/The Label Group
Independent hard rock band In The A.M. wants audiences to take more pride and confidence in themselves.
That is the message delivered in the band’s new single, ‘Save Yourself.’ The band premiered the song and its companion lyric video Friday through v13.net. The song’s musical arrangement is a melodic hard rock composition whose heavy guitars, electronics and occasional rapping easily likens it to works from Linkin Park.
According to vocalist Alex Shimp, the song’s lyrical theme is meant to encourage audiences to not give in to what others think of them.
“This song is about people in your life trying to force you to be whom they think you should be because they think they know better for you than you do for yourself,” said Shimp. “Throughout my life, I’ve had to deal with a lot of b******* people telling me who and what to be. People who lied to me mistreated me, never respected me, and constantly took away from the amazing heart that I had as a kid. People who tried their best to manipulate me into something I didn’t want to be. And this song is me writing some of that pain out on paper and putting it into art through riffs and melodies.”
Added Shimp, “For the kids who may be going through the same experience. For the adults who may be going through a hard time in life. For everyone who gets their therapy through music.”
The song’s lyric video is a simple presentation. It features the song’s lyrics over various background settings, all of which are associated with the design of the single’s artwork.
More information on In The A.M.’s new single is available along with the band’s latest news at:
Memphis May Fire premiered its latest single and video this week.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Bleed Me Dry‘ and its companion video Thursday. The song is the band’s third in a little more than two months.
The band roared back in June with the video for its single, ‘Blood & Water.’ The song was the band’s first new music since the release of its 2019 album, Broken. That album produced the singles ‘The Old Me,’ ‘Heavy is the Weight (ft. Andy Mineo)‘ and ‘You and Me.’
Memphis May Fire followed up the debut of the video for ‘Blood & Water’ with the premiere of its new single, ‘Death Inside‘ and its video last month.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Bleed Me Dry’ is a driving hard rock composition. Its choruses lend themselves to comparison to works from Linkin Park, what with the pairing of front man Matty Mullins’ vocal delivery style and sound, and the song’s instrumentation style and sound. The verses meanwhile exhibit an almost industrial influence with the use of the guitars and keyboards. At the same time, Mullins’ vocals are just as comparable here to those of the late, great Chester Bennington. The whole makes this song just as unlike ‘Death Inside’ and ‘Blood & Water’ as they are from one another.
The lyrical theme featured in ‘Bleed Me Dry’ delivers a message of determination according to Mullins.
“Our third single of the year, ‘Bleed Me Dry,’ is my favorite yet,” he said. “It’s an anthem for anyone feeling beaten down by the negative voices around them.”
The video for ‘Bleed Me Dry’ is a simple presentation. It features the band performing its new single on a darkened sound stage as the song plays over. A wall of monitors stands behind the band as it performs.
In other news, Memphis May Fire has announced a new, brief live run. The tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 11 in Gilford, NH and to run through Sept. 22 in Huntington, WV. The tour’s schedule is noted below. Breaking Benjamin and Papa Roach are scheduled to join the band for the tour.
MEMPHIS MAY FIRE TOUR DATES: WITH BREAKING BENJAMIN + PAPA ROACH 9/11 — Gilford, NH — Bank of New Hampshire Pavillion 9/12 — Montclair, NJ — The Wellmont Theater 9/14 — Columbus, OH — Express Live! 9/15 — Toledo, OH — Huntington Center 9/17 — Uncasville, CT — Mohegan Sun Arena 9/18 — Scranton, PA — The Pavillion at Montage Mountain 9/21 — Youngstown, OH — Covelli Centre 9/22 — Hutnington, WV — Mountain Health Arena
On yet another note, Mullins recently commented on one of many charity works that it is conducting. The work in question is raising money for the nonprofit organization Heart Support, which helps people who battle a variety of mental health concerns.
“We’re so excited to announce that we will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the ‘In Your Eyes’ tee in our online merch store to one of our favorite non-profits — Heart Support!,” he said. “Every year, Heart Support helps men and women brave their wounds, find purpose, and discover healing. I am so stoked for everyone to hear this song and get involved with a great cause!”
MMF’s charity work with Heart Support is, as noted, just some of the charity work that it is doing. The band is also working with the nonprofit, Living The Dream, raising money for that agency also through sales of its apparel.
The band has also partnered with the domestic violence firm, Bridges DVC Nashville to launch two new merchandise designs. One hundred percent of the sales from the designs will go to benefit the center, which serves men, women, and children affected by domestic violence in the greater Nashville, TN region.
More information on Memphis May Fire’s new single, tour dates, and charity work is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:
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Karma Kids debuted the video for its latest single this week.
The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Burn Rinse Repeat’ Friday. The song is the third single from the band’s new album Vibes, which is available now through Legends Recordings. The premiere of the new video/song follows that of the album’s other singles, ‘Nightmare‘ and ‘Nothing Left To Lose.’
The musical arrangement featured in ”Burn Rinse Repeat’ is an emo-punk style composition. The production and the song’s general sound makes the song infectious in the contemplative mood that they set. There is almost a sort of Linkin Park type of sound and style to make a comparison.
The lyrical theme featured in ‘Burn Rinse Repeat’ is a social commentary, according to comments from front man Jon Benjamin.
“‘Burn Rinse Repeat’ was written with the BLM protests fresh in mind last summer,” he said. “We demand a reformation of law enforcement and our social systems. Eyes are being opened and voices are being heard. This is only the beginning of a massive social change in the right direction!”
The video that accompanies the song illustrates Benjamin’s statements. It presents the band performing its new single against the backdrop of footage of the protests that made headlines nationwide last yer.
More information on Karma Kids’ new single, video and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
Independent rock band Pardon The Scars debuted its latest single last week.
The band debuted the lyric video for its single ‘Caged Inside‘ Feb. 26. The video’s premiere came only a day after the band debuted the single through Sofa King Cool. The video places the song’s lyrics over footage of silhouettes of what is thought to be the band members. Meanwhile, what looks like embers from a fire float in front of those silhouettes as the song plays over the whole.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Caged Inside’ presents a stylistic approach that will appeal to fans of nu-metal/rap-rock acts, such as Linkin Park and Skindred, just to name a couple similar acts.
According to front man James Tangman, the song’s lyrical theme addresses the familiar battle with self that everyone faces every day.
“‘Caged Inside’ is a look at the struggle we sometimes face within ourselves,” he said. “Those times when we’re trying to appear happy or “put together”, but there’s this voice of doubt, anger, and hostility that is constantly trying to push its way to the front. It wants to come out and play but… Surely, we know better.”
More information on Pardon The Scars’ new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent hard rock band Fire Follows debuted the video for its latest single over the weekend along with the song’s companion video.
The band debuted its new single ‘Glass Grenade‘ Friday through Ghost Cult Magazine along with its companion video. Its debut comes less than four months after the band debuted its then latest single, ‘Black and White’ and itsvideo. Both songs are featured in the band’s EP Glass Grenade.
‘Glass Grenade’ presents a musical arrangement that immediately lends itself to comparisons to works from the likes of Linkin Park and Papa Roach. That is evidenced through the back and forth of the clean vocals and screams and the very specific approach to the song’s guitar line.
The lyrical content that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement focuses on the impact that actions and words can have on a relationship. The band addressed that message in a prepared statement.
“The metaphor portrays an individual who has created tremendous suffering and strife inside of an intimate relationship, and the vulnerability the other party is often forced to endure,” the statement reads. “The “Glass Grenade” represents a fragile heart that is on the verge of breaking, and the catastrophic damage that can be done if it does…. an insightful message wrapped in a powerful instrumental makes this one of the strongest tracks Fire Follows has ever released.”‘
The video for ‘Glass Grenade’ features the band performing its new single in an empty warehouse. The visual is meant to reflect the band on stage. The emptiness (intentionally or not) reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on live music.
More information on Fire Follows’ new video and single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent rock act Actual Villains debuted the video for its cover of a classic R.E.M. song this week.
The band debuted the video for its cover of R.E.M.’s ‘Losing My Religion‘ Oct. 7. The premiere of the cover and video comes as the world marks the 30th anniversary of the original song’s debut.
The video for Actual Villains’ cover of ‘Losing My Religion’ — directed by Lance Gergar –crosses footage of front man Andrew DeNeef performing the song and video of an astronaut falling in reverse through sky, eventually into space as the song reaches its finale. The group’s musical arrangement stays largely true to its source material in terms of its sound. However, the stylistic approach to the cover gives the song a sound that will appeal to fans of Linkin Park, with its melodic heavy rock approach.
DeNeef talked about the decision to take on R.E.M.’s timeless song during a recent interview.
“To me, R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” has always been a quintessential Alternative Rock song,” he said. “Since it’s release thirty years ago, It’s been one of the only songs from my childhood that I never grew tired of as my musical tastes went through multiple stages of evolution. I’ve always felt the lyrics are about the frustrations of feeling like you’re losing control, at the end of a rope, trying to find yourself through the noise and confusion of the world. A feeling I know all too well lately.”
This year has been particularly tough, with all of its challenges and stress, it’s led to a lot of moments of introspection and soul searching,” added DeNeef. “Throughout this time this song kept finding its way into my life, like a sign begging for my attention. I’ve been apprehensive in the past about doing cover songs but the more I sang along to this song, the more relevant the lyrics seemed. I could hear my own version of the song in my head taking shape, begging to come to life.”
“I wanted to homage the original song but bring in new energy and a more dynamic sound overall, taking into account my very diverse pool of influences,” concluded DeNeef. “It starts with a sense of sadness that boils into rage by the end, taking the listener on a journey that matches the feelings this song evokes still today after three decades. I hope you enjoy my vision for this timeless classic. “Losing My Religion”, reimagined by Actual Villains.”
Actual Villains’ cover of ‘Losing My Religion’ is available to stream and download through Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.
More information on Actual Villains’ cover of ‘Losing My Religion’ is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent rapper Retro Champ debuted the video for his latest single this week.
Retro Champ debuted the video for his cover of the Linkin Park song ‘A Place For My Head‘ Thursday. The video’s premiere comes less than a month after he debuted the video for his then latest single ‘Confidence.’
‘Confidence’ is streaming now through Spotify. The album is available now through Midwest Originals, LLC.
The video for Retro Champ’s cover of ‘A Place For My Head’ features the rapper in a small setup along with his fellow musicians. Enlisted to help with the song is Isaac Etter of This is Falling to cover the part of Linkin Park’s late vocalist Chester Bennington.
In talking about the decision to take on ‘A Place For My Head,’ Retro Champ had the following to say.
“With the 20 year anniversary for Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid Theory’ coming soon I wanted to do something special for it. I grew up listening to Linkin Park. They really inspired me when I was coming up. Making the track was a team effort. The track was produced by J.T. Ibanez and Isaac Etter. Isaac Etter not only sings on the track, he programmed and recorded all the instruments for it. The final touches came from veteran producer, James Paul Wisner (Underoath, Paramore, Hands Like Houses). James really brought the track to life with an amazing mix. The video was filmed with director, J.T. Ibanez (P.O.D., Slaves, Picturesque.)”
Retro Champ’s cover of ‘A Place For My Head’ is available to stream and download here.
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