Torul have established themselves as one of the rare unpredictable synthpop bands on the scene who are always up for something new, seemingly never satisfied with just sticking with one formula or trying to do what others do. Torulsson, the leader and producer of the band, has had influences from many music genres and other events in life and thus it's impossible for him not to be moving on to the next chapters of the project with curiosity, playfulness and also continuous exploration of the Torul sound. But that's not all there is to Torul – the singer and guitarist of the band, Jan and Borut, are also an integral part of the band as it is – they've always been joining forces when it comes to video production and all possible aspects of organization within the band. Also, they seem to be having some creative fun putting Jan's powerful voice in different contexts and also do guitar studies, which bring a broad variety of possibilities in their song construction. And here comes their fourth album, titled The Measure. Although it's only been 5 years since the release of their first full album, recorded with a different singer, fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the new album. The first single, titled 'All' has been high on charts and had shaken some people with an almost disturbing and intenselly emotional video, a concept by photographer Primoz Lukezic.
The Measure also includes astonishing artwork by Petra Prezelj, a unique and successful illustrator from Slovenia, who seemed to be the best choice for a graphic translation of Torul's new dream world, not only putting in some of her own elements, but also developing a deep, mysterious art piece, which will surely be enjoyed for a long time to come. Torul's albums are always meant to be a story, a zeitgeist of their work and relation and their current state – and The Measure is no exception. We can enjoy a journey into their intimate world, expressed with sounds, voice and lyrics and design. The album opens with 'Lonely Night', setting the mood of the album, with fast-walking pace and gloomy, but pleasant deep voice and almost a "western-movie" guitar theme. With 'The Balance', which follows with a very impressive impact and melancholic playfulness, there is no doubt Torul mean business. Probably in connection with the album title, Torul wonder "What's the level of your happiness, what's the balance, what's the measure?" and here we come to a powerful fusion of an uncompromised power of the richest sound and lots of emotional energy.
Next comes 'Higher', a great sounding melancholic tune with some magical hypnotic power, although this may not be a typical pop-chart hit single. 'Difficult to Kill' may be one of those classical housey dance tracks with attitude on vocals. Still it seems to be one of the lighter tracks and also comes at the right time, followed by the infamous 'All'. Next comes a hidden jewel, 'Hearts', a more "live-feel" track, although partially electronic, with an apocalyptic theme, deep bass, but also the very well known Torul's emotional impact. Not to try to reveal everything here, this album is certainly a special piece, probably the most mature Torul album to date, and in the times where singles prevail, really feels like an album. It's quite clear that a lot of thought was put into the concept of this album and thus the result is a very pleasant listening experience.
Almost 10 years have passed since Vasi Vallis and Felix Marc started their new band “Frozen Plasma.” Within the decade the band managed to establish themselves in the rough electropop scene, getting more and more fans and followers from release to release. Releases such as “Artificial,” “Emphasize” or “Monumentum” with club classics such as “Warmongers,” “Murderous Trap,” “Tanz die Revolution,” “Irony” or their last hit single “Crazy” are true weapons in every Dj set around the globe.
Most of the songs managed to get onto the number 1 position of the DAC, GEWC, or EAC, as did “Crazy,” their latest smash which stood up at the top for 6 massive weeks! After numerous festival appearances and live-gigs, two sold out live releases (recorded at WGT and MERA LUNA) and lots of solo releases by Vasi Vallis and Felix Marc, the band returns with a massive anniversary release under the flag of “Dekadenz.” Lots of songs have been produced by Vasi Vallis for the third Frozen Plasma album and it is without wonder that only the best of the best managed to get onto the new album. The typical Frozen Plasma sound got evolved without loosing their characteristics. As with all previous album releases, Felix Marc also produced another two songs on his own which are featured on “Dekadenz.” 2015 will be one of the most important years in Frozen Plasma history. “Dekadenz,” their most innovative album to date features lots of variety, massive clubtunes, melancholic songs and mind-blowing melodies! Frozen Plasma remain Frozen Plasma, but more fascinating then ever.
Perhaps the most notorious ‘video nasty’ of all time, ANTHROPOPHAGOUS is back to deprave and corrupt a fresh wave of horror film viewers!
Joe D’Amato cemented himself into genre film history with this slickly directed, and sinisterly suspenseful, creature feature which has some unprepared tourists arriving on a desolate Mediterranean island – only to find themselves stalked by a silent cannibalistic Neanderthal! Featuring gory special effects, that convinced some British moral guardians that ANTHROPOPHAGOUS was a legitimate ‘snuff movie’, there is little doubting that this timeless terror totem still holds up today. Also boasting a cast of genre legends, such as Tisa Farrow (ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS), Zora Kerova (CANNIBAL FEROX) and George Eastman (RABID DOGS), 88 Films is proud to present ANTHROPOPHAGOUS, fully uncut and uncensored, and re-mastered for its worldwide HD debut!
Also includes the feature length documentary 42nd STREET MEMORIES: THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICA’S MOST NOTORIOUS BLOCK!
What better accompaniment to a certified grindhouse classic like ANTHROPOPHAGUS than this long-awaited expose of New York’s notorious den of sex, sin and cinema? Many a movie made its mark in one of Manhattan’s long-demolished exploitation establishments – and 42nd STREET MEMORIES tells the story of the good old days of big city slime, sweat and sleaze. Directed by Calum Waddell and featuring an esteemed list of interviewees, including Joe Dante (GREMLINS), Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE), Larry Cohen (Q, THE WINGED SERPENT), William Lustig (MANIAC), adult performer Veronica Hart, author John Skipp and many more – this is the last word on the golden era of the world’s most celebrated sprawl of film theatres.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Available to watch in either English Language or Italian Language with English Subtitles
42nd Street Memories - Feature Length Documentary
Trailer
Reversible Sleeve with original UK Video Nasty Art
More features to be announced…...
TECHNICAL SPECS
Region Code: B
Picture Format: HD 1080p 1.78:1
Audio Format: LPCM Mono (English and Italian with English Subtitles)
Language: English
Certification: 18
Running Time: 90 Mins Approx.
Arrow Video is thrilled to announce the Blu-ray release of the iconic 1975-futuristic dystopian thriller Rollerball. Released on 23rd March 2015, Rollerball represents the very best of the “Future Sport” flicks; a pre-cursor to such genre classics as The Running Man, Battle Royale and even The Hunger Games, the film explores the popularity of violent entertainment and the power of the media, but it goes further, looking more profoundly at the society beyond the game.
This new release will include a host of exciting extra features including audio commentaries with both director Norman Jewison and writer William Harrison alongside a brand-new interview with Rollerball star James Cann.
Other brand-new extras include featurettes The Fourth City: Shooting Rollerball in Munich in which various crew members revisit the original locations used in the film, alongside The Bike Work which sees stuntman Craig R. Baxley discuss the motorcycle stunts in Rollerball and the challenges and dangers of being one of the Rollerball bikers.
The new edition will also include archive bonus material such as Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball, From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle an original EPK from the release bringing together interviews and on-set footage.
Rounding off the Blu-ray is the original Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper and a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
Synopsis
In a corporate-controlled future, the world’s nations have been disbanded and conflict is a thing of the past. But blood continues to be shed on the tracks of Rollerball – a brutal contact sport which pits players in a battle of life and death.
James Caan (The Godfather, Thief, Misery) plays Jonathan E., celebrated captain of the Houston Rollerball team whose prowess on the track has earned him renown across the globe. But this fame has also attracted the ire of the games’ corporate sponsors, who wish to suppress any displays of individual achievement – fearing this could encourage the populace to revolt. With the powers-that-be pushing for his retirement, Jonathan is faced with a choice – concede to the Corporation’s will or take a stand, by continuing to compete in the increasingly deadly games.
Shot in Munich to make use of the city’s futuristic Olympic architecture, Rollerball is a classic slice of dystopian filmmaking, mixing high-octane action sequences with gripping (and thoroughly prescient) social commentary. The future is now – the future is Rollerball!
Special Features
· High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the film from a digital transfer prepared by MGM Studios
· Optional uncompressed stereo 2.0 audio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround Sound
· Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
· Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
· Audio Commentary with director Norman Jewison
· Audio Commentary with writer William Harrison
· Blood Sports with James Caan – A brand-new interview with the Rollerball star
· The Fourth City: Shooting Rollerball in Munich – Unit manager Dieter Meyer and others revisit the Audi Dome and other original locations
· The Bike Work: Craig R. Baxley on the Motorcycle Stunts in Rollerball – Stunt artist Baxley on the challenges and dangers of being one of the Rollerball bikers
· Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball
· From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle – original EPK bringing together interviews and on-set footage
· Original Theatrical Trailer
· Theatrical Teaser
· TV Spots
· Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
· Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
Manchester all-female four-piece PINS have announced the release of their new album ‘Wild Nights’ on 8th June and will release the first single from the album ‘Too Little Too Late’ on 7” on 30th March.
With a slow motion video, which sees PINS, dressed exclusively by Saint Laurent, cut between visuals of screaming and swearing girls amidst overflowing glitter and powder, ‘Too Little Too Late’ is the perfect taster of the bands new album. Premiered this week on Marc Riley’s 6Music show, opening with a fearless drumbeat and heavy bassline, the track slows into a sparse momentary instrumental before reverting back to Faith’s alluring vocal and finally stampeding heavily into a fuzzed up sound clash of guitars and drums.
PINS say; “Writing the ‘Too Little Too Late’ lyrics was very cathartic, they spewed out like hot lava from an angry volcano. It is a middle-finger-to-the-world kind of song and the video mirrors that notion. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!”
The B-side to the 7” is a cover of The Misfits ‘Hybrid Moments’, a track the band also perform live, which was recorded for Part Time Punks and mixed by Josiah Mazzaschi.
Recorded in Joshua Tree at Rancho De La Luna with Dave Catching (QOTSA, Eagles of Death Metal) and Hayden Scott, and mixed in New York with Ben Baptie at Atomic Sound NYC (Mark Ronson), PINS second album ‘Wild Nights’ will be released through Bella Union on 8th June. The full album tracklisting is as follows:
Wild Nights:
Baby Bhangs
Young Girls
Curse These Dreams
Oh Lord
Dazed By You
Got It Bad
Too Little Too Late
House of Love
If Only
Molly
Everyone Says
Accumulating high praise and a growing fanbase for their debut album ‘Girls Like Us’, along with packed out headline shows and tour dates supporting the likes of Crocodiles, Sleigh Bells, Warpaint, The Growlers and The Fall, tight-knit girl gang PINS have had quite a two years.
Following on from their first West Coast tour and performances at New York’s CMJ festival at the end of last year, PINS previewed songs from their new album at three sold out UK shows last week and have just been announced to support Sleater-Kinney on their March tour and Drenge on their April tour. They will also play a headline London show on 27th May at The Lexington. Full live dates are as follows:
March (with Sleater-Kinney):
Weds 18th Berlin Huxleys
Sat 21st Antwerp Trix
Mon 23rd London The Roundhouse
Tues 24th Manchester Albert Hall
Weds 25th Glasgow O2 ABC
April (with Drenge):
Fri 10th Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Sat 11th Birmingham The Institute
Mon 13th Gateshead The Sage
Tue 14th Glasgow The Classic Grand
Wed 15th Liverpool The Kazimier
Tue 21st London Electric Ballroom
May:
14th-16th Brighton The Great Escape
Wed 27th: London The Lexington Headline Show
PINS are Faith Vern (vocals/guitar), Anna Donigan (bass), Lois Macdonald (guitar) and Sophie Galpin (drums).