Hard rock band Huxley debuted its latest single and video this month.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Flesh and Bone‘ and its companion video May 6. The song’s debut came less than a month after the debut of the band’s then latest single, ‘Second Chances‘ and its lyric video.
The musical arrangement featured in Huxley’s new single is another melodic hard rock composition. The vocals and instrumentation immediately lend themselves to comparison to works from the likes of Three Days Grace and The Veer Union.
The lyrical theme featured in the band’s new single delivers a message of self-acceptance, according to a prepared statement from the band.
“This is a very personal song for us,” the statement reads. We are dealing with the struggles of life and coming to terms with only being human. That’s OK! You don’t need to be anything else but just simply you, and you should always continue to fight for it no matter what’s against you!”
The message of facing great odds to fight for being one’s self is illustrated in the song’s video, which finds front man Doug Goldspiel in a post apocalyptic style setting, facing off against three masked men who are out to stop him in his mission.
More information on Huxley’s new video and single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Rock band Awake At Last premiered its latest single and video this week.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Bloodline‘ and its companion video Thursday. The music is the band’s first new content since the release of its then latest single, ‘Armageddon‘ and its companion lyric video last May.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Bloodinline’ is a heavy melodic hard rock style composition. The sharp guitar lines in the verses and the more contemplative choruses lend the overall composition to comparison to work from the likes of Three Days Grace and others of their ilk.
The lyrical theme featured in the song is a rumination on the state of the world and how mankind is handling it all, said front man Vincent Torres.
“’Bloodline’ is written from a perspective of frustration, and a reluctance to accept the current state we all live in,’ Torres said. “The song questions the media, and how during such a dark time people seemed to be more divided than ever, rather than come together. It asks the question of whether or not we can learn from history, or if we are doomed to repeat it. I wanted it to connect to the listeners who couldn’t help but worry about what is going to happen next and whether or not we can rely on the current state of media and information to be prepared for it.”
Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group
In other news, Awake At Last has announced a new string of live dates, scheduled to launch June 16 in Greensboro, NC. The tour is scheduled to run through July 22 in Dallas, TX. It features stops in cities, such as St. Paul, MN; Roseville, CA and Seattle, WA.
The tour’s schedule is noted below.
AWAKE AT LAST Tour Dates:
6/16 Greensboro, NC – Blind Tiger 6/17 Baltimore, MD – Zen West 6/18 Lancaster, PA – Mickeys Black Box 6/19 Williamsburg, NY – Sovereign 6/21 Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall 6/22 Pittsburgh,PA – The Craft House 6/24 Pontiac, MI – Pike Room 6/25 Columbus, OH – Rumba 6/26 Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache 6/28 Joliet, IL – The Forge 6/30 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club 7/1 Bloomington, IL – Castle Theater 7/2 Iowa City, IA – Wildwoods 7/3 Des Moines, IA – Leftys Live Music 7/5 Kansas City, MO – BLVD 7/7 Denver, CO – HQ 7/8 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex 7/11 Seattle, WA – El Corazon 7/13 Roseville, CA (Sacramento) – Goldfield Trading Post 7/15 Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge 7/17 Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad 7/19 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger 7/21 Houston, TX – Scout Bar 7/22 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
More information on Awake at Last’s new single and video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
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Awaken The Giant debuted its latest single this week.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Feel Alive‘ Thursday. The song’s debut comes more than two months after the band unveiled its then latest single, ‘Hypnotize.’
The overall musical arrangement featured in ‘Feel Alive’ presents a familiar melodic hard rock sound and style that fits well into any active rock radio programmer’s playlist. The overall sound is easily comparable to works from the likes of Finger Eleven, Three Days Grace, and others of that ilk. However, the screams that are incorporated into the song’s final bars present an equally interesting metalcore vibe.
The band discussed the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.
“‘Feel Alive’ is a song about being caught up in depression and addiction, being in a crowded situation and not feeling part of it, and feeling eager to fast forward to the future in hopes of a better life and to feel alive again,” the statement reads.
In other news, Awaken The Giant has announced a series of live dates set to launch Feb. 25 in Houston, TX in support of its new EP, Black and Blue. Its release date is under consideration.
The band’s upcoming live run also features a performance alongside the likes of Seether, Nonpoint, and 3 Doors Down April 2 at the CPR Fest in Biloxi, Miss. The band’s tour dates are noted below.
Awaken The Giant Show Dates:
Friday 2/25 Houston, TX @Acadia Bar
Sunday 2/27 Tulsa, Oklahoma w/Kingdom Collapse @ The Vanguard
Black & Blue has produced not only its title track as a single, but also ‘I Fooled You‘ and ‘Hypnotize.’ The track listing for Feel Alive is noted below.
Independent hard rock band Artifas has quite a bit going on right now. The band is serving as support for Nonpoint’s current headlining run. It is also running a contest giving audiences the chance to win a guitar. Both are in support of Artifas’ new album, Reflections, which released Friday through Imagen Records/Warner Media Group. The 11-song album is a strong new offering from the band that is sure to engage and entertain a wide range of rock and hard rock fans. That is due in large part to the album’s featured musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The record’s lyrical themes are just as important to its success as its musical arrangements and will be discussed a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important to the album’s presentation in its own way. All things considered, they make Reflections a work that most rock and hard rock fans are sure to enjoy.
Artifas’ brand new album, Reflections, is a positive new offering from the up-and-coming independent hard rock band. The album’s success is due in large part to its featured musical arrangements. From beginning to end of the 34 minute record, the arrangements take listeners who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s back to those eras with sounds and stylistic approaches that are comparable to works from so many of the band’s more well-known counterparts from said ages. Case in point is the arrangement featured in the album’s first full (vocals and instrumentation) song, ‘Leave Me For Dead.’ The heavy, crunching guitar riffs and rich bass and drums immediately lend themselves to comparison to works from the likes of Korn. The addition of the vocals to the mix gives the song a more unique touch and counterpoint to the heavier instrumentation. ‘Safe,’ another early entry, features a musical arrangement that takes audiences in a completely different direction. In the case of that song, its arrangement is more comparable to works from Three Days Grace what with its melodic hard rock approach and sound. ‘Inside The Machine’ which comes late in the album’s run, is another work whose arrangement takes audiences back to the late 90s and early 2000s. In the case of this song, the subtlety of the heaviness in the verses and the more powerful choruses makes the song comparable to works from the likes of Sevendust and The Veer Union. Even with a song, such as ‘The Dark,’ Artifas offers audiences a touch of nu-metal, taking listeners back, again, to the late 90s and early 2000s. For all of the nu-metal and aggro rock that is presented throughout Reflections, there are some changes of pace, such as in the album’s closer, ‘Wannabe.’ This song, with its synthesized orchestra arrangement and metalcore style vocals brings the band more into the current age of hard rock and metal, changing things up somewhat. Much the same can be said of ‘Angels (Lead The Way).’ There is something about the approach and sound of the instrumentation here that lends it to comparison to works from Discrepancies, which has not been around the much longer than Artifas. Simply put, when audiences look solely at the musical arrangements featured throughout Reflections, what they will notice is plenty of familiarity in terms of style and sound and originality within the songs at the same time. That in itself is reason enough for audiences to take in this record. It is not the only item that makes the album worth hearing. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements are also of note.
The lyrical themes that are featured throughout Reflections are important to the album’s success because they are just as accessible as the record’s musical arrangements. Case in point is the lyrical theme featured in ‘Legacy.’ The band said of the song’s theme, “’Legacy’ is a question, both to ourselves and our listeners. The question is what will you leave behind when your time is up? This is something we ask ourselves constantly. You only get one life. Are you doing everything you can to live the best life you can? In the end, will you be satisfied with the legacy you leave behind?” This philosophical rumination is one that every person asks himself/herself throughout life. To that end, the theme here will connect with any listener. The sense of thought that the song’s musical arrangement adds to the mix serves to make the song’s theme all the more accessible and engaging.
The lyrical theme featured in ‘Cut Me Out,’ one of the album’s early entries, is another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. In the case of this song, the theme centers on the topic of toxic relationships. That does not just apply to toxic romantic relationships, either. Rather, it applies to relationships in general. As a statement from the band stated of the song, “‘Cut Me Out’ is about cutting toxic people out of your life. Sometimes the most toxic people around you are the ones that are not so easily removed. At some point, you have to stand up and say enough is enough, cut me out.” This is a topic that will resonate with anyone. Everyone has those toxic people in their lives. They are family. They are so-called friends. They are even people who claimed to be loved ones, but clearly are anything but. Everyone reaches that point in which they have to say, ‘Cut Me Out.’ The fire in the song’s musical arrangement does well to help illustrate the feeling that every person feels when they reach that point of wanting to tell those toxic people that it is over. The two items together make the song’s lyrical theme that much more engaging and entertaining and another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical theme.
Inside The Machine’ is another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical theme. While not one of the album’s singles, the lyrical content that can be deciphered points to a seeming theme of someone fighting that all too familiar internal emotional battle with himself/herself. That is inferred through the line in the chorus that asks, “What am I fighting for?/Why was I made this way?/…Fighting for something more/Dividing this part of me/Stuck inside the machine.” That in itself is that seeming internal battle. If in fact that is the case, then it will engage audiences just as much as the other themes examined here and those in the rest of the album’s songs. That is because whether a person wants to admit it, many people go through that battle on a near daily basis if not daily. The mood that the song’s musical arrangement sets adds to the impact of the song’s seeming lyrical theme. It makes even clearer, the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. When it and the other examined themes are considered along with rest of the album’s themes, the whole pairs with the album’s musical arrangements to show even more why Reflections is so worth hearing if only once. The record’s production works with the album’s overall content to round out its most important elements.
The production that went into Reflections is important to note because of the impact that it has on the record’s aesthetics. So much of the album’s musical content is heavy and rich, with so much energy and fire. At the same time, there is also some more subdued content, such as in ‘Angels (Lead The Way)’ and ‘Hollow’ that is just as powerful in its simplicity. The power in each song is due to the attention that was paid to the details of each song. That attention ensures that every instrument is expertly balanced throughout the album so that even the most nuanced element shines through in just the right level. The end result is that the production does just as much to engage and entertain audiences as the album’s ceontent. All things considered, Reflections proves itself a strong start to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums, and new independent albums.
Artifas’ new album, Reflections, is a positive new offering from the band. That is proven in part through the record’s musical arrangements. The arrangements largely take audiences back to the aggro rock and nu-metal sounds of the late 90s and early 2000s. Though at the same time, there is some content here that is more recent in its sound and stylistic approach. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements are of their own importance to the record’s presentation. That is because they are just as accessible as the album’s musical arrangements. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to its presentation. It ensures that that best of each arrangement is brought out and that no one performer overpowers his band mates at any point in each song. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the record’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album a strong start to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums, and new independent albums.
Reflections is available now.
More information on Artifas’ new album, contest and current live schedule is available along with all of the band’s latest information at:
Independent hard rock band Antisaint premiered not one but two songs from its forthcoming album this week.
The band premiered the songs ‘Incomplete‘ and ‘Feed The Crows‘ Tuesday. The songs are featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Vaticinate, which is scheduled for release Aug. 20. Pre-orders are open now.
The songs are two completely different works in regards to their musical arrangements. ‘Incomplete’ boasts a heavy song that is similar to works from the likes of Seether, Three Days Grace, and others of that ilk in regards to its stylistic approach and sound. On the other hand, ‘Feed The Crows’ presents a sound and stylistic approach that is more akin to works from the likes of Deftones and Korn.
The songs are unique not only in regard to their musical arrangements, but also their lyrical content. As front man Matt Whiteman points out, the lyrical theme featured in ‘Incomplete’ delivers a message of proud defiance.
“’Incomplete’ is about being looked down upon and judged by others for pursuing a purpose in life that they do not understand themselves,” said Whiteman. “It is a common occurrence to have when pursuing a creative lifestyle. People constantly criticize and belittle artists’ creations without even thinking about what it takes to have the courage to make something original and put it out into the world. The end of the song is a rally to other people in our position to not give into the doubt and pressure, take the half that they can’t see and make it whole.
As to the lyrical theme featured in ‘Feed The Crows,’ Whiteman stressed this song is more of a statement of anger and frustration.
“‘Feed The Crows’ was written during a low point of making the album,” he said. “The song is pure frustration and the message behind it is to say f*** it, and compromise morals to match those who have none. It’s less meaningful compared to the other songs on the album. Having said that it serves a major purpose in the TO DIGEST part of the album in which it represents the pure chaos and emotion of not being able to achieve what you wanted.”
More information on Antisaint’s new singles and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
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.
Hard rock act Bulletproof Messenger released its first new music in more than a decade this week.
The band debuted its new single, ‘The Divide‘ Thursday. The song features a heavy, guitar-driven arrangement that will appeal to fans of bands, such as Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, and Finger Eleven. In relation, the song is a solid fit for any active rock radio programmer’s playlist.
The lyrical theme that accompanies the song is a commentary on the state of the world, according to a statement from the band.
“It’s about overcoming our differences, the challenges we face, and getting back to living life the way we were meant to live it, not through an artificial means of communication, but face to face and in person” the statement reads.
More information on Bulletproof Messenger’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent rock band Mason Hill has a new single coming later this month.
The band is scheduled to release its cover of Foo Fighters’ hit single, ‘The Best of You’ April 23. While audiences wait for the band to premiere that cover, they can enjoy the band’s latest single, ‘D.N.A.’ and its companion video. The band premiered the pair in January.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘D.N.A.’ is a high-energy hard rock composition that will appeal to fans of bands, such as Theory of a Deadman, Hinder, and Three Days Grace. The lyrical content that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement comes across as taking on the familiar topic of dealing with one’s inner struggles.
The ‘D.N.A.’ video features the band in a specially lit studio setting as it performs its new single.
‘D.N.A.’ is the third single from the band’s debut album, Against The Wall. Its premiere follows that of ‘Against The Wall‘ and ‘Hold On.’
Against The Wall was released March 5 through 7Hz Productions and peaked at #19 on the UK National Album Chart. It reached the top spot on the UK Rock Album Chart.
The album’s release and charting shows the band is making waves with its record. It marks the first time since Greta Van Fleet released its 2018 debut album, that a rock band has premiered in the Top 20 in the UK National Album Chart.
Additionally, it is the first time that a British rock act debuted in the UK Top 20. What’s more, it marks the first time since 2014 — when Royal Blood released its debut album — that a British rock band debuted in the top spot in the UK Rock Album Chart.
In other news, Mason Hill is planning a series of live dates this fall in support of its new album. The tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 2 at Aberdeen Tunnels and to run through Sept. 26 at Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill. The tour’s schedule is noted below. Ticket information is available here.
Tour Dates: 09/02 @ Tunnels – Aberdeen, Scotland 09/03 @ Garage – Glasgow, Scotland 09/04 @ Macarts – Galashiels, Scotland 09/09 @ Grand Social – Dublin, Ireland 09/10 @ Voodoo – Belfast, Ireland 09/14 @ Junction 2 – Cambridge, England 09/15 @ Corporation – Sheffield, England 09/16 @ Fleece – Bristol, England 09/17 @ Patterns – Brighton, England 09/18 @ Leos – Gravesend, England (Sold Out) 09/20 @ Globe – Cardiff, Wales 09/21 @ Joiners – Southampton, England 09/22 @ Nightrain – Bradford, England 09/23 @ Waterloo Music Bar – Blackpool 09/24 @ Underworld – London, England 09/25 @ Rebellion – Manchester, England 09/26 @ KK’s Steel Mill – Wolverhampton, England
More information on Mason Hill’s new single, video, tour and all of its latest news is available online at:
Independent rock band Hindsight unveiled its latest single last week, along with its companion video.
The band debuted its new single, ‘Rhythm of Fate’ March 26, along with its companion lyric video. The single is available to stream and download through Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Amazon. The debut of the song and its video follows that of the band’s then latest single, ‘Where We Found Hope’ and its video last year. Both songs are featured in the band’s forthcoming EP, Catalyst.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Rhythm of Fate’ is a melodic hard rock style composition that fits well into any active rock radio programmer’s play list. Immediate comparisons can be made here, to works from the likes of Three Days Grace, The Veer Union, and Sevendust.
The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement deals with a concept which will resonate with many listeners, according to information provided about the single.
According to that information, “The song involves dealing with the bitterness of those who are unable to deal with the success of others around them who they claim to care about while at the same time not coming to terms with their own fears that have prevented them from succeeding themselves. In general, the band feels that this is a common occurrence in many areas of society but in particular, it is one that plagues music and the arts in general.”
The lyric video for Hindsight’s new single features the song’s lyrics presented next to the artwork for Catalyst while the song plays over the whole.
More information on Hindsight’s new single and forthcoming EP is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent hard rock band Abandoned Souls debuted its new single this week.
The band debuted the single ‘Blinding Darkness’ Thursday through v13.net, one day before making the song available worldwide. The song is the band’s first new single since 2017. Its musical arrangement is a heavy, melodic hard rock composition that will appeal to fans of bands, such as Godmsack, Three Days Grace, and Alter Bridge.
The lyrical content featured in the band’s brand new single was written following the death of front man James Todd’s mother. He explained the connection in a recent interview.
“The song is about facing the reality of death or dark times and dealing with it,” he said. “It’s also learning to maneuver through the darkness and finding a way to be more comfortable within that space. To realize that you need to face it head-on sometimes and learn how to live and prosper from the experience of getting through these times.”
Abandoned Souls has released four albums and one EP since its formation in 2006. more information on those records is available along with more information on the band’s new single and all of its latest news at:
Independent hard rock band Eternal Frequency debuted the video for its latest single this week.
The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Parasite‘ Friday. The video, directed by Eric DiCarlo, features the band performing its new single in what is meant to reflect a semi-live setting. That footage is crossed with various other images, such as a man spray painting a door (or wall). The video culminates in the band facing a group of masked, hooded figures, which are the band members dressed in the garb.
The visuals are meant to help illustrate and translate the theme in the song’s lyrical content. The band talked about that theme in a prepared statement.
“The meaning of ‘Parasite’ is to stand up for yourself and to relieve yourself of the poison infecting your life from outside sources,” the statement reads. “You control you, and you alone. No one has the power to manipulate or bring you down. We all fall victim to letting toxicity eat us alive. This song is about finding that antidote within yourself to survive.”
The musical arrangement at the center of ‘Parasite’ presents a familiar, catchy melodic hard rock sound that will find itself in good company on any mainstream active rock radio station’s programming list. The song’s aggro-rock styling is easily comparable to works from the likes of The Veer Union, Three Days Grace and to a lesser extent, Nothing More.
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