AVGMNT Debuts New Album’s Third Single

Posted on March 15, 2023 by philspicks

Independent industrial metal act AVGMNT (pronounced Augment) debuted the latest single from its forthcoming debut album, Sequences this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Somatose‘ Wednesday. The song is the album’s third single behind ‘Human Skin‘ and ‘Null.’ The song’s musical arrangement boasts a full-on industrial approach just as its predecessors but is much darker and more brooding than those songs.

As with other songs, this composition lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Orgy thanks to the use of the electronics and guitars. However, that darker approach, which includes more defined keyboards and production effects also lends the arrangement even more to comparison to works from the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Blue Eyed Christ all in one setting. That blending of influences makes for quite the intriguing presentation.

The duo — Zach Wagner and Fernando Ruiz — discussed the song’s somewhat existential lyrical theme and musical arrangement in a prepared statement.

“What do we experience in our time of dying?,” the statement reads. I”s it a void, do we drift through space, do we travel between dimensions? In this our protagonist exists in a drug induced coma as his body slowly shuts down. His brain dumping chemicals inducing strong hallucinations of floating aimlessly through the vastness of space. We really wanted to bounce between dense low tonal trap beats during the verses and open wide guitar/synths during choruses/breaks to give that feeling of confusion and disorientation.”

Sequences is scheduled for release April 21. Pre-orders are open.

The duo discussed the album’s overarching concept in a separate comment.

“Our debut album, Seqvences, introduces and explores the fictional city of Hexatroplis 2.0 through a loose narrative,” the statement reads. “It was important for us to really establish a voice without limiting ourselves stylistically but maintain cohesion. We felt by having this strong foundation, it gave us the freedom to still be thematic. The state of our current dysfunctionally dystopian world was the biggest point of inspiration – just injected with a little (but not much) sci-fi flair. A global pandemic and the resulting response can really force some hard re-evaluations about society as a whole. We wanted to balance the idea of dense audio claustrophobia to bouts of aggression mixed with rich spatial layering. We hope people enjoy the ride through the layers of neon haze into sordid city streets. Welcome to the world of AVGMNT.”

Sequences‘ track listing is noted below:

Seqvences Tracklist:

HORIZON SEQVENCE
COPY <WASTE>
HVMAN SKIN
SOMATOSE
NVLL
SLVMTROPOLIS (feat. Jax Ayers, Buzz)
BVRIAL
PVRE BLACK

More information on AVGMNT’s new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.avgmnt.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avgmnt

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

The Original Misfits, Rocket From The Crypt, Others To Perform Full Album Sets At Annual Riotfest Festival

Posted on May 21, 2022 by philspicks

Riotfest festival organizers announced this week, full album sets from a number of the bands on the event’s bill.

The original lineup of The Misfits will have a full album set of its debut album, Walk Among Us at the festival in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the album’s release. Yellowcard will take on its album, Ocean Avenue, while The Menzingers will perform its album, On The Impossible Past, celebrating the 10th anniversary of its release.

Rocket From The Crypt will perform its album, Group Sounds in whole while The Get Up Kids will perform its album, 4 Minute Mile in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Fear will perform its album The Record in celebration of that record’s 40th anniversary.

Riotfest is scheduled to take place Sept. 16-18 at Douglass Park in Chicago, IL. Tickets are available here.

My Chemical Romance is the festival’s scheduled headliner. Nine Inch Nails, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sunny Day Real Estate and others are scheduled to perform at the festival. Among the others on this year’s festival bill are the likes of Ice Cube, Descendants, and Jimmy Eat World.

More information on the 2022 Riotfest festival is available at:

Website: https://riotfest.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riotfest1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/riotfest

Pharamcose Debuts New Single, ‘Obey,’ Visualizer

Posted on May 14, 2022 by philspicks

Independent rock band Pharmacose premiered the latest single from its new project, Ascencion’s Constraint this month, along with its companion visualizer.

The band premiered the record’s new single, ‘Obey‘ and its visualizer May 6. The song is the record’s second single, behind the recently premiered single, ‘Cleanse,’ which the band premiered in March through Ghost Cult Magazine.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Obey’ is a dark, brooding composition. The use of the keyboards, electronics, drums, and vocals together to make it easily comparable to works from the likes of Tool, Gary Numan and Nine Inch Nails.

The lyrical theme featured in the song centers on “corporate corruption in the modern age” according to information presented about the premiere of the song and video.

The visualizer that accompanies Pharmacose’s new single is a simple presentation. It features a man in front of what is either a set of large windows or TV monitors. The words “You are being watched” are presented in large font in front of him on the windows/screens. The visual plays directly into the song’s lyrical theme.

Pharmacose’s new album and its singles are being accompanied by a novel that helps tell the story in the new, forthcoming concept record. One chapter is being released with the debut of each single. Audiences can download the story’s first episode now through Amazon.

Front man Wes Jones recently talked about the concept in the album’s story.

“I have always loved concept albums, and one of my major goals has always been to do one,” Jones said. “I didn’t think it was going to happen this soon, but the lockdowns happened, and all of a sudden I had nothing to do. We had been gearing up for some shows to promote the intended release of Prescription Fiction, but obviously none of that happened. I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing, so I decided it was as good a time as any to start work on that record.

Jones continued, “I had been kicking around some possible concepts for years, but it wasn’t until the lockdowns happened that I was able to commit to one. Even before the pandemic, I found myself ordering more and more things online, and it made me wonder just how dependent I’d become on corporations as well as how big and powerful many have become or are becoming. I’ve also been concerned about how wage stagnation and inflation are going to affect your average person in the future, and so I just combined the two ideas and that became the setting of the novel.”

More information on Pharmacose’s new single and album is available online now along with all of Pharmacose’s latest news at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pharmacoseband

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Pharmacose_Band

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Louder Than Life Festival Lineup Announced

Posted on March 12, 2022 by philspicks

The Louder Than Life Festival will return to Louisville, KY this year with an expansive lineup of acts.

The festival, scheduled to take place Sept. 22-25 at the Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, KY, will be headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, and KISS. The four-day festival will also feature performances from bands, such as Bloodywood, Anti-Flag, and Superbloom. The KY Expo Center is located at 937 Phillips Ln. in Louisville, KY.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below. Tickets are available here. Weekend general admission passes start at $249.50 plus fees. Weekend VIP passes start at $629.50 plus fees. A limited number of Weekend Top Shelf VIP passes is still available for $1,329.50 plus fees.

General admission single day passes start at $99.50 plus fees. Single day VIP passes start at $295.50 plus fees. Layaway options are available through March 31 for $10, with payments made through July.

A trailer for the forthcoming annual festival is streaming.

The current Louder Than Life lineup is as follows (subject to change):

Thursday, September 22: Nine Inch Nails, Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, Halestorm, Tenacious D, Yungblud, Highly Suspect, Ministry, Nothing More, Baroness, Spiritbox, Apocalyptica, Dorothy, Don Broco, New Years Day, Plush, Lilith Czar, Maggie Lindemann, Taipei Houston, The Dead Deads, Mothica, Superbloom, Eva Under Fire, Oxymorrons

Friday, September 23: Slipknot, Shinedown, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, In This Moment, Meshuggah, Clutch, Jinjer, GWAR, In Flames, Helmet, POORSTACY, Crown The Empire, DED, All Good Things, Amigo The Devil, Vended, Mike’s Dead, If I Die First, Orbit Culture, The Luka State, Ego Kill Talent, The Native Howl, Archetypes Collide

Saturday, September 24: KISS, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Chevelle, Ghostemane, Jerry Cantrell, Dance Gavin Dance, Theory of a Deadman, Body Count, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, We Came As Romans, Airbourne, Cherry Bombs, Ill Niño, Tetrarch, Nita Strauss, Against The Current, Wargasm, Trash Boat, Shaman’s Harvest, Solence, Dropout Kings, Bloodywood

Sunday, September 25: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice In Chains, Incubus, Papa Roach, The Pretty Reckless, Architects, Bad Religion, Action Bronson, The Struts, Jelly Roll, Dirty Honey, Anti-Flag, The Joy Formidable, Bayside, The Warning, Royal & The Serpent, caroles daughter, Radkey, The Mysterines, Crown Lands, AEIR, The Alive, As You Were

The Louder Than Life Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. The festival debuted in 2014 and expanded to four days in 2021.

More information on the 2022 Louder Than Life Festival is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louderthanlifefestival

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltlfest

Dawn Of Ashes Debuts New LP’s Third Single

Posted on February 26, 2022 by philspicks

Independent industrial metal act Dawn Of Ashes premiered the latest single from its new album this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Scars of the Broken‘ Friday. The song is the title track and third single from the band’s new album, which is scheduled for release March 18 through ArtOfFact Records. Its premiere follows that of the album’s current singles, ‘EMDR‘ and ‘The Despondent Hole.’

As with the other songs featured in Scars of the Broken, the record’s title track features a musical arrangement that immediately lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Nitzer Ebb, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and Godflesh.

Front man Kristof Bathory talked about the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“This self titled song is dedicated to those who feel damaged or have dealt with sensitive issues that make it hard for them to move forward in life,” he said. “Sometimes it feels like you are alone or that others don’t understand. It’s a struggle to let go of the issues. These are the scars of the broken. You wear it as a reminder of what you been through. In all reality the scars are war wounds and it just proves that we are all survivors and can handle anything in life.”

In other news, Bathory is scheduled to hold a live stream of Scars of the Broken and interview with Mister Malice at 5 p.m. today.

More information on Dawn of Ashes’ new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://dawnofashesband.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dawnofashes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawnofashes666

Dawn Of Ashes Debuts New Single, ‘EMDR’

Posted on January 29, 2022 by philspicks

Industrial metal band Dawn of Ashes premiered its latest single this month.

The band debuted its new single, ‘EMDR’ Jan. 14. The song is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Scars of the Broken, which is scheduled for release March 18 through Artoffact Records. The single is available to stream and download through YouTube, Spotify and Bandcamp.

Front man Kristof Bathjory said the band’s new album is a personal presentation.

“Scars Of the Broken has been one of the most emotionally difficult albums that I have ever created,” he said. “All of the musical and lyrical content was straight from a place that I have been dealing with for a long time of my life. I poured out every darkest and deepest emotion into every song. Mental health is something that a lot of people struggle with and sometimes it just needs to be heard through music. I hope this album helps those that are struggling.”

The musical arrangement featured in ‘EMDR’ is everything that fans of the industrial metal genre expect. The use of the keyboards, modulated vocals, heavy, intense drums and guitars, and even electronics are all there. The combination of the elements shows influence from the likes of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Dope, and other similar acts of their ilk.

Said Bathory of the song’s lyrical theme, “This song was inspired from my own personal experience dealing with a type of therapy called EMDR which stands for ‘ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing’. This specific type of hypnotic therapy is for helping people who have dealt with past traumatic experiences.”

The track listing for Scars of the Broken is noted below.

Track List:
1. (Descending) Torn Inside
2. Love is Asphyxiation
3. The Despondent Hole
4. EMDR
5. Bane of Your Existence
6. (Limbo) Numb
7. It Comes in Waves
8. Heart Beats Cold
9. Turn It Shallow
10. Scars of the Broken
11. The Antidote
12. (Ascending) Catharsis

More information on Dawn of Ashes’ new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://dawnofashesband.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dawnofashes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawnofashes666

Disconnected Sounds Ecological Alarm With New Single, Video

Posted on November 19, 2021 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Disconnected is doing its part to bring awareness to the planet’s ecological plight.

The band did so last month through its latest single, ‘Life Will Always Find Its Way‘ and its companion video. The song is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, We Are Disconnected. The album is expected for release in 2022, with an exact release date under consideration.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Life Will Always Find Its Way’ is an intense composition that blends elements of metalcore and progressive metal for a whole that is wholly unique. The addition of the symphonic metal elements to the mix makes for its own interest, too.

A brief statement from the band notes that the song’s lyrical theme delivers an ecological message. It reads, “‘Life will always find its way’ is a statement to raise ecological awareness, and the urgency to act. It is a clear shout out for ecology!”

The song’s video helps deliver that message by using visuals, such as the atom bomb exploding, massive tornados and hurricanes decimating cities, flooding, and plastic waste washed up on beaches.

In other news, the band announced Friday, it has been added to the lineup for the 2022 edition of the annual Hellfest festival in Clisson, France. The festival is scheduled to take place June 15-26, and also features performances from bands, such as Guns ‘N Roses, Nine Inch Nails, Megadeth, and Alice Cooper.

More information on Disconnected’s new single, video, album and live schedule is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/wearedisconnected.band.

‘World On Fire Remixes’ Is A Successful Companion Piece To ‘World On Fire’

Posted on September 21, 2021 by philspicks

Electronic/industrial music act Blue Eyed Christ will revisit its 2020 album, World on Fire this week so to speak. The act, founded by producer/engineer John D. Norten, is scheduled to independently release its new EP, World on Fire Remixes Friday. The 11-song record is technically a Maxi-single, as its body is composed primarily of re-mixes of two of the original album’s songs, ‘World on Fire’ and ‘America H.’ It is an approach that is similar to that taken by Gravity Kills in 1997 in its remix record, Manipulated. Ironically, the vocals here are quite similar in sound to those of Gravity Kills’ then front man Jeff Scheel. Getting back on topic, the 47-minute record is an interesting companion to World on Fire, as its re-mixes show. Among the most notable of the ‘World on Fire’ remixes is the Taylan Psytrance Remix. It will be discussed shortly. The Dogtablet Remix of ‘America H,’ which opens the EP, is another of the record’s most notable tracks. It will be examined a little later. Also of note here is the Steve OLaf remix of ‘World on Fire.’ It will also be discussed later. Each remix noted is important in its own way to the whole of this EP. When they are considered along with the rest of the record’s featured remixes, the whole makes this EP a presentation that audiences will agree is a mostly welcome companion piece to World on Fire.

Blue Eyed Christ’s forthcoming EP, World on Fire Re-Mixes is an interesting new offering from the electronic/industrial music act. It is a presentation that audiences will agree is a mostly welcome companion piece to its predecessor, World on Fire. That is due to the varied remixes of two of the album’s three singles, ‘World on Fire’ and ‘America H.’ The other single not featured here is the song, ‘Massive React.’ Among the most notable of the remixes is the Taylan Psytrance remix of ‘World on Fire.’ While the original composition lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Juno Reactor, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, and Lords of Acid, the Taylan Psytrance Remix takes the song in more of an EDM direction with its steady beat, drums, and keyboards. Audiences can almost see the flashing lights, people dancing, and DJ at the lead as this unique take on the song. The infectious nature of this arrangement will hopefully get audiences to look past that surface and hear the even more importance lyrical content, which focuses on materialism and consumerism in America. It really stands out so starkly from the rest of the EP’s remixes of the song.

On another note, the Dogtablet remix of ‘America H’ is the more notable of the only three remixes of that song featured here. This rendition of the song stands out in part because it maintains the subdued approach taken in the original song while also giving it a new identity. The use of the electronics and drums here give the remix a somewhat richer take, actually improving on the original to a point. Even the backing choral effect is used so tastefully here. The whole gives the song in this case an even more brooding sense that will resonate with listeners even more than the original. Now none of this is meant to be interpreted that the original is bad by any means. This remix simply takes what was already good and makes it that much better. It is just as certain as the original, too, to connect enough with listeners that they will pay attention to the sociopolitical commentary featured in the song’s lyrical theme, too.

Getting back to the even more wide range of ‘World on Fire’ remixes, another that stands out is the Steve OLaf (yes, that is actually how it is listed) remix. It stands out because it is another EDM style composition, but is completely unlike that of the Taylan Psytrance remix. Rather, in this case, there is far more Juno Reactor/My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult influence than in that previously examined remix. It is just as infectious as any of the EP’s other featured remixes, too. The steady, driving beat, guitars, choral element and gritty but subtle primary vocals makes this rendition of ‘World on Fire’ unique in its own way. Much as with those other takes, this version takes the song in a surprising direction that will appeal to audiences just as much as its counterparts. Taking that into consideration along with the other remixes examined here and the rest of the EP’s remixes, the whole makes this record a mostly appealing work that audiences will find is a good companion piece to World on Fire.

Blue Eyed Christ’s forthcoming remix EP, World on Fire Remixes, is a unique presentation that as with its companion record, continues to cement the act’s place even more in the electronic and industrial community. That is proven from the record’s beginning to its end in each featured remix. Each of the remixes examined here are just a portion of that which proves the remixes’ value. When they are considered along with the rest of the EP’s offerings, the whole makes this record a positive companion piece to World on Fire.

More information on World on Fire Remixes is available along with all of the act’s latest news at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/blueeyedchrist

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BlueEyedChrist

Pixies Cancels September Tour Dates Due To Concerns Over COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on August 23, 2021 by philspicks

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has claimed yet another band’s tour.

Pixies announced Monday through a press release, it has canceled its upcoming tour. The tour was scheduled to run from Sept. 10 in Chester, NY through Sept. 26 in Tulsa, OK. The news release cites the ongoing pandemic as the reason for the cancellation.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Those who bought tickets will be able to get full refunds.

SEPTEMBER

10 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

11 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

13 Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville, KY

14 Foellinger Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN

16 Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI

17 The Factory at The District, Chesterfield, MO

18 The Waiting Room/Outdoors – Omaha, NE

19 Riot Fest, Chicago, IL

21 Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH (with NIN)

23 Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH (with NIN)

26 Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK

Pixies is just the latest band to see its tour plans canceled due to the pandemic. Acts, such as Stevie Nicks, Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, and even Garth Brooks have all canceled their tours as a result of the pandemic’s impact. Many others have postponed their tour plans until 2022 both for North America and Europe, including Pixies. Pop Evil most recently had to reschedule a series of dates due to front man Leigh Kakaty getting a positive COVID reading following a recent performance in Denver, CO.

More information on the cancellation of Pixes’ September tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.pixiesmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixiesofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIXIES

Trent Reznor Joins Danny Elfman For Update Of Elfman’s Song, ‘True’

Posted on August 11, 2021 by philspicks

Trent Reznor is returning to his industrial roots…sort of.

Reznor, the mind behind Nine Inch Nails, has partnered with famed composer Danny Elfman for a new take on Elfman’s song, ‘True.’ The song is featured in Elfman’s latest album, Big Mess, his sophomore album. The record was released June 11 through Epitaph Records. The record is Elfman’s first solo album in 37 years.

Elfman spoke highly of Reznor as he talked about the updated take on the song.

“This is the first duet/collaboration I’ve ever done in my life, so to do it with Trent was a real surprise and a treat,” said Elfman. “He’s always been a big inspiration to me, not to mention he has one of my all-time favorite singing voices.”

Reznor’s vocals are just as rich here in ‘True’ as they are in Reznor’s expansive catalog of Nine Inch Nails albums. Elfman’s vocals meanwhile conjure thoughts of David Bowie from the years that he went industrial. The industrial elements and strings pair with that vocal combination to throw back to works from Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails records from the mid-late 90s.

Along with the premiere of the song’s updated take, Elfman also premiered a companion video for the song Wednesday. Aaron Johnson directed the video and created the unsettling visual effects and imagery for the video. That imagery in question are items, such as what looks like barbed wire, a brain, and some disfigured people. This in itself throws back to the days of Reznor’s videos from The Downward Spiral.

While Reznor provides guest vocals to this updated take of ‘True,’ fellow Nine Inch Nails musician, guitarist Robin Finck (also of Guns N’ Roses) provides his talents to the 18-song record along with drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, Weezer), bassist Stu Brooks (Dub Trio, Lady Gaga, Lauryn Hill) and second guitarist Nili Brosh (Tony McAlpine, Paul Gilbert).

Along with ‘True,’ Big Mess has also produced the singles, ‘Happy,’ ‘Sorry,’ ‘Love in the Time of COVID,’ ‘Kick Me‘,’ ‘Insects‘ and the original take of ‘True.’

More information on Danny Elfman’s updated take of his song, ‘True’ and his new album is available alng wih all of his latest news at:

Website: https://www.dannyelfman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannyelfman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannyelfman

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