These are crazy times and we have made a record steeped in this moment of history that we're all trying to live through. We've always considered ourselves a political band, even when that aspect seemed to be concealed by some type of narrative device i.e. dealing with issues of race by telling a story set in the time of George Wallace or class struggles by setting "Putting People of the Moon" in the age of Reagan.
This time out, there are no such diversions as these songs are mostly set front and center in the current political arena with songs dealing with our racial and cultural divisions, gun violence, mass shootings and political assholery. Once again, there is a nearly even split between the songs of Cooley and myself, with both of us bringing in songs that seem to almost imply a conversation between us about our current place in time.
"American Band" is a rock and roll call to arms as well as a musical reset button for our band and the country we live in. Most of all, we look at it as the beginnings of some conversations that we, as a people very much need to begin having if we ever hope to break through the divisions that are threatening to tear us apart.
Drive-By Truckers are celebrating our twentieth anniversary as a band in an election year where some people are trying to define what it is to be American. Definitions based on some outdated ideology of prejudice and fear. We are loudly proclaiming that those people don't speak for us. America is and always has been a land of immigrants and ideals. Ideals that we have often fallen short of achieving, but it's the striving that has given us whatever claims to greatness we have had. That's what America means to us and "We're an American Band".
American Band - the eleventh studio album by Drive-By Truckers. Coming September 30th, 2016 from ATO Records.
The undead templars of Heimataerde return with a catchy mix of Electro, medieval music and Neue Deutsche Härte on their new single “Hick Hack Hackebeil“ - a smashing harbinger for the epic new album “Aerdenbrand.“
The henchman grinds his axe, the delinquent readies himself for his final breath. Wrapped in a garb of bauble and taffeta, the beat dances to an intriguing nursery rhyme that feels like the nightmare of a sleepless night, while the melodie “Hick Hack Hackbeil” grinds into the subconscious with pompous choirs. With a fusion of anthem and horror movie, Heimataerde yet again indulge in their unconventional and non-conformist approach to port long gone musical traditions into the here and now. Next to the hit-laden title track which is on the single in three versions, the band is providing catchy club-compatible interpretations of medieval songs with the Jewish “Tsur Mishelo” and the old pilgrim-tune “Stella Splendens.” “Hick Hack Hackebeil” is released as a hand-numbered Digipak MCD, limited to 666 copies. So, shoulder that axe for the last, great dance before the “Aerdenbrand.”
Track Listing:
1. Hick Hack Hackebeil (Radio)
2. Stella Splendens
3. Hick Hack Hackebeil (Album)
4. Tsur Mishelo
5. Hick Hack Hackebeil (Club)
Dark electronic duo Technophobia announces the release of their new full-length album Flicker Out on Working Order Records. The band will hold a record release party at The Black Cat in Washington, DC on July 17, 2016, prior to their fall 2016 tour in support of Flicker Out.
Based out of Washington, DC, Technophobia is the dark electronic project of Katie Petix and Stephen Petix. Using hardware and analog synthesizers, they use a classic approach of layering, sound manipulation, and heavy sampling to create their unique sound. There is a consistent tone and mood to this album touching on themes of isolation, existential thought and loss. Technophobia has shared stages with such notable names as Skinny Puppy, Laibach, Douglas McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb), Youth Code, Cold Cave, and Void Vision.
While recording Flicker Out, Katie and Stephen began to explore an unconventional record label release approach to better align with their personal ideals. As a result, Technophobia has partnered with Working Order Records on a charity campaign designed to benefit the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Life Pieces To Masterpieces (LTMP). LTMP uses artistic expression to develop character and leadership, unlock potential, and prepare African American boys and young men to transform their lives and community. Technophobia is donating 100% of the proceeds from both their previously released single, Negative Space, and their to-be released full-length album to LTMP.
Working Order Records (WOR) is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization based in Washington, DC. WOR’s operating model promotes the belief that music is inextricably linked with the potential for positive change. Partnering with artists and bands, WOR leverages recorded music to help raise awareness and funding for community-based charities the artists and/or bands designate. Each WOR release is a uniquely personal fundraising campaign enabled through limited-run vinyl, with 100% of the proceeds from each release given directly to charity.
Today, multi-crossover industrialists SPANKRAGHT release their first single ‘Nitro’; a blend of pounding dance rhythms with heavy guitars and lots of electronics. For this release they teamed up with Norway’s Jørgen Munkeby, frontman of blackjazz masters SHINING. Dance, metal and jazz coming together in one song.
Because of the ongoing loudness wars, ‘Nitro’ was mastered to obtain a DR9. Less loud but with more dynamics. SPANKRAGHT supports loudness awareness initiatives as Dynamic Range Day. You want it louder? Use the volume knob. DR9 still too loud but we need to take small steps in the war against loudness.
‘Nitro’ is also available on different download and streaming platforms such as ITunes, Spotify, Amazon Mp3 and many more.
‘Nitro’’s guitars were recorded in Spankraght’s HQ in Antwerp, Belgium. Bass was recorded at The Rhythm Cage in Kruibeke, Belgium.
Saxophone by Jørgen Munkeby, recorded at Shining Studios. Munkeby appears courtesy of Spinefarm Records
‘Nitro’ was mixed at Spankraght’s HQ and mastered at the Rhythm Cage.
SPANKRAGHT:
Founded in 2015. SPANKRAGHT (Dutch for clamping power / tension) is the result of two longtime partners in music that wanted to step away from the traditional rock / metalband line-up and create something totally different without restraints. SPANKRAGHT became a project that draws influences from metal, drum and bass, industrial, synthwave, pop and much more. 2016 will mark the release of their first single ‘Nitro’ and a full look reveal somewhere in July or August. Because it’s more than just music.
The Birthday Massacre has dug into the band's past and presents a collection of songs recorded under the original moniker of "Imagica". Lovingly remastered from the original 4 track recordings, Imagica stands as a historical document of the early days of the bands career, and as a thanks to the loyal fans who have been asking for the release of this material.
01. Over
02. Remember Me
03. Under The Stairs
04. The Birthday Massacre
05. Nothing And Nowhere
06. Queen Of Hearts
07. Night Time
08. Play Dead
09. Open Your Heart
10. From Out Of Nowhere
11. Dead
