Thoughts And Feelings – Michalis Latousakis
Vocalist, composer, and vocal coach Michalis Latousakis, also known as Lupe, was born in 1991 in Athens, Greece. Lupe’s first step into the music industry was the formation of Mosquito in 2014, a gothic rock band, releasing the “Colorless” demo (2014). and its debut album, entitled “Interlacing Eternity” (2017), via the Brazilian label, Deepland Records.
In 2019 he created his solo project and released the debut album, “Burn”, via Alcyone Records. Apart from his solo project, Lupe, in cooperation with Efraimia, has just released the debut EP, “Leyes” (2020), with their newly formed, neoclassical darkwave duet project, Onism.
Currently, the Greek vocalist is completing his second solo album, under the title “Dark Room”, which is due to be released on May 2021. Both of Lupe’s solo albums are based on improvisation, spontaneity and the pure expression of thoughts and feelings, standing within the borders of gothic/darkwave – however, you’ll sense a lot of other genres as well!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lupegoth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lupe__official/
Bandcamp: https://lupeofficial.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77Hwm78ejI6hh8H2aRuKec?si=uL2uR2EvS8qREKO-zBMPmw
i-Tunes: https://music.apple.com/gr/album/burn/1481181372
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/100261622?autoplay=true
Sharing The Passion – Matt Stell
Matt Stell has shared his brand-new single, “That Ain’t Me No More,” out now on RECORDS Nashville / Arista Nashville / Sony Music.
“The early reaction to ‘That Ain’t Me No More’ has really been incredible,” shared Matt. “This song really impacted me and it seems to be resonating with folks at country radio as well. I’ve said it before but the thing that almost all of us in the music business have in common is a passion for the music itself. Seeing the positive reaction from people who’ve made music their life’s work is really special.”
Matt premiered the “atmospheric power ballad” (Rolling Stone) last month on The Bobby Bones Show, and showcased it during his Country Radio Seminar New Faces virtual performance. At the performance, Stell credited country radio for his debut success as a new artist. It was then revealed during an emotional pre-taped video, that same success allowed him to pay off his Mom’s horse trailer as a surprise Christmas gift. Written by HARDY, Hunter Phelps, Smith Ahnquist, Jake Mitchell and Nick Donley and co-produced by Matt with Ash Bowers, “That Ain’t Me No More” is available to stream/download here now.
With the single delivering Matt’s first new music since October 2020’s Better Than That EP and a series of acoustic video performances to accompany each song (watch here), the Arkansas native is one of only seven new artists in the last five years to have their first two singles top the US country radio charts.
With 380 Million cumulative streams across his catalog to date, Matt Stell is adding to this tally with his newest single, “That Ain’t Me No More,” the follow up to his back-to-back US #1s, Platinum-certified track “Prayed For You” and Gold-certified ” Everywhere But On.” As one of only seven debut country artists in the last five years to have their first two singles top the charts, Matt is celebrating these successes as well as having been named one of Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music class of 2021.
In 2020, Stell kicked off the year with a performance on “Good Morning America,” leading into his first headlining tour. He started Penned Up – his hugely successful eight-week Instagram-live series, was the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for “Prayed For You,” one of NSAI’s 10 “Songs We Wish We’d Written,” and performed the National anthem for NASCAR and NFL events. In October he released his new EP, Better Than That. Co-produced by Stell with Ash Bowers, the eight-song EP includes the recently released “If I Was A Bar,” and its innovative music video filmed during quarantine, where Matt played all 13 characters. Matt was also featured on “Over Yonder,” a collaboration with viral sensation and Christian rapper Lathan Warlick, which powerfully blends hip hop patriotism with a call for unity.
The 6’7 Arkansas native has come a long way from playing college basketball for Drury University and making the choice to head to Nashville instead of Cambridge, MA where he was accepted into Harvard University’s Extension School Pre-Med program. Following his dream of writing and performing, the self-taught vocalist and guitar-player made the move to Music City in 2014, landing a publishing and management deal with Wide Open Music and a record deal with music industry powerhouse Barry Weiss’ RECORDS Nashville/Arista Nashville. Stell has received “Ones To Watch” shout-outs from multiple partners, including Vevo DSCVR, MusicRow’s Next Big Thing, CMT Discovery Artist, YouTube Music Artist on the Rise and more.
IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING HERETIC FEST 2021
It is with great regret that I must inform you yet again of the postponement of Heretic Fest 2021, a statement I am sure you anticipated.
HERETIC FEST WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON THE 13-15TH MAY 2022.
I can assure you that no one is as disappointed as I am about this, but with the current restrictions, and the threat to people’s health, this year is just not possible.
I did think long and hard about the decision to move, and I felt next year was the better option. With the mix of people losing jobs, and other shows starting back up to towards the back end of the year, I didn’t want it to be a fight between what shows people can afford to see, each show should be packed with people out for a good time.
Don’t forget, we also have the Blackwater Conspiracy headline Show on the 19th September 2021 which will be going ahead as planned.
I would like to thank everyone so far for their support, through all of this and the bands and their agents in particular, sorting through now 3 different Heretic Fest arrangements.
It’s not all bad news, a couple of slots across the weekend have been made available, and I am now officially opening up the shortlists again, if you have already applied for 2021, please apply again to make sure you don’t miss out.
In a band, have a friend who is or just want to help? Share this post around to reach as many applicants as possible. All applicants must send me their latest EPK to: hereticfest@gmail.com (no private messages to the Heretic Fest page or my private page as these will be missed, Heretic Fest messaging will be for customer queries only)
Ticket update:
All tickets purchased through See Tickets WILL REMAIN VALID.
Any tickets purchased through bands, you will need a full refund as these will now be VOID.
With all that in mind, call your hotel, book off work and grab your tickets, because Heretic Fest is here to stay, it just moved a little further away, big things are happening at Heretic Fest and I can’t wait for you all to be a part of it’s future.
Stay safe, stay awesome, Hannah Heretik x
Antagonistic Territory – DEMONS
Demons, the heavy, experimental project of longtime Mae guitarist Zach Gehring is back with a new song “Play Acting Virtue”, offering fans a taste of the band’s upcoming album ‘Privation,’ set for release on April 30 via Spartan Records.
"This song was one of the earlier ones written for Privation. I was listening to a lot of Converge, and I still hear the influence applied through our filter. The music was written on an acoustic. It was a block headed riff that came alive when Drew built the drum part. He achieved the perfect balance of chaos and drive. Lyrically, I was caught up on this promise that truth somehow brings freedom, or truth liberates you. I think that can often have the opposite impact. I think the truth is often treated as a sort of shallow poetic device, or an ephemeral enlightenment. But it’s an obligation that never fully subsides."- Zach Gehring (Vocals/Guitar)
DEMONS
As a new year ushers in new nightmares, art counters with menacing mechanisms for catharsis and a spillways for aggravation. Norfolk, VA’s Demons return with their blistering second full length, Privation, a distorted and aggressive contribution to a collective ringing of alarms amidst destructive times.
"The title of the record is concerned with loss, deprivation, and lack," says Zach Gehring (vocals/guitars). "In our context -- this is reflective of where we are at personally, culturally, and politically. It's a structural aspect of our lived experience -- and it is particularly aggravated of late.”
Drawing from the spirit of band’s like Metz, Gulch, Converge, Propagandhi, the Demons crew (the aforementioned Gehring, Chris Mathews [vocals/guitar], Jonathan Anderson [bass], Drew Orton [drums]) punishingly delivers ten tracks of raw and confrontational fury, motivated from within a spiraling sociopolitical landscape that evokes critical self-reflection and frustration.
“[We’re] just sad and angry about the very visible fascism, racism, and sexism that, despite having always been present, is particularly alarming when we see it boastfully manifest in places of mainstream leadership,” says Gehring. Additionally, and perhaps more upsetting, is the allegiance so many offer to it. We always want to hope these ugly dimensions are marginalized — but it’s clear they are mainstream. There’s nothing to be happy about, or proud of. It’s all become very grotesque. A malignant 4th level simulacrum.”
Musically, Demons has found even more synchronization on Privation, with a set of songs that are self-described as “more focused,” “a little more punk rock,” and “just better.” While a seemingly simplistic account, the description holds true in all the best ways. Fans of the previous full-length and EPs will find solace in a continuation of form with Privation, but with the dials all turned further clockwise — louder, faster, tighter, and more urgent.
Lyrically, the band stays in antagonistic territory, both externally and internally. “It’s hard to get a hopeful gasp these days, and I think that is an underlying presence no matter what we are writing specifically about,” says Gehring. “Generally speaking, in terms of our words, we usually filter a specific stimulus through some mechanism, some interpretive approach. I do think you could find consistent stylistic distinctions between my words and Chris’ words, but I think we are both equally motivated in terms of self-reflection and critique.”
As Rome burns, the fallout is squarely desperation in an existential sense. While hope is not generously offered through the country’s disparaging top-down reality, it’s the chorus of voices and noise from below that will drive the next move — one that is neither scarce or lacking in courage or justice for our collective well-being.
Hitting Home – Blameshift
“CAME FOR BLOOD” is out March 5th and Blameshift are giving away a PRS Guitar hand- painted by world famous artist Ron Williams.
Active Rock Powerhouse band, Blameshift, partner with PRS guitars and world famous painter Ron Williams aka RONZWORLD in support of their new single “CAME FOR BLOOD” due out on March 5, 2021.
THE STORY of “Came for Blood” – As fate would have it, we recorded this song right before the pandemic hit. It was Jan 2020 and the band flew to LA to record some new songs with our producer Erik Ron (Godsmack, Panic at the Disco). The game plan was to release this first single and tour non-stop as usual. Fast forward the song comes out March 5th followed by the music video with an MMA /Fight Club Vibe. “Came for Blood” is about the underdog getting last licks and winning. It hits home more than we knew after the rest of 2020 ran it’s course.
3 WAYS TO WIN!!
Winner announced end of March!
Ron Williams aka RONZWORLD gained popularity among Rock fans and musicians in 2015 by partnering with The Music Experience to deliver custom/hand painted “Official Festival Guitars” to the Danny Wimmer Presents portfolio of music festivals (Welcome to Rockville, Epicenter, Sonic Temple, Bourbon & Beyond, HomeTowm Rising, Louder Than Life and Aftershock). Blameshift was fortunate enough to get Ron on board as they launched a contest around their new single, “Came for Blood.” The band’s good friends at PRS Guitars supplied the canvas and Ron got to work.
Blameshift is a four-piece active rock powerhouse comprised of singer Jenny Mann, guitarist Tim Barbour, drummer Jeff Maurer and bassist Mike LaRoche.
Although the band hails from Long Island, NY their real hometown is on the road, as evidenced by their decade-long tour history covering over 25 national tours from New York to Los Angeles and all points in between. It has been through this effort that the band has built themselves an impressive resume: a nationwide strong and loyal fan base, relationships with Taco Bell, MTV, Hot Topic, BlankTV and YouTube, placements on E! Network (Keeping Up With The Kardashians), Oxygen (Real Ink), MTV (The Real World), and a number of instrument and gear sponsorships.
While cranking through their relentless touring schedule, their work with producer Erik Ron (Godsmack, New Years Day, Panic! At The Disco) has brought them a steady presence on rock radio stations and SiriusXM, as well as over 2.8 million streams on Spotify.
Right before the lockdowns, the band returned to LA to record their latest batch of songs with Ron. Spearheaded by the defiantly powerful single “Came for Blood”, these new songs mark the next stage of Blameshift’s musical evolution. One that has their signed aimed straight back to the road, and a return to their hundreds of homes on the road where there’s sure to be many large and loud family reunions.
Epic Darkness – KING OF ASGARD
KING OF ASGARD have released ‘frôðr‘ as the first single taken from their forthcoming album “svartrviðr” (“black wood”), which is slated for release on May 28, 2021.
The Swedish blackened death veterans also reveal cover art, tracklist, and further details of their fourth full-length.
KING OF ASGARD comment: “The first single of our forthcoming album ‘svartriðr’ is called ‘frôðr’ and it is a typcial King of Asgard tune in classic epic length that includes all of our traditional ingredients”, remarks bass player Jonas Albrektsson. “The song represents our sonic vision of a sacrificial ritual, a glimpse of an ecstatic trance through a one-eyed point of view. The Old Icelandic word ‘frôðr’ means a ‘sage’ or a ‘wise’ as a noun. We give sound to the myth of the threefold death and self-sacrifice through which the god Óðinn finds the runes while hanging from the world-tree, pierced by his own spear. It is a symbolic suicide to gain knowledge and unlock cosmic secrets. In order to visualise the sound of ‘frôðr’, we recruited Jimmy Johansson from Super Lino Puro Productions, who provided brilliant images to the lyrics of ‘frôðr’ that now flicker in front of your eyes. Enjoy!”
Tracklist
1. frôðr
2. rifna
3. hæimr
4. kvikr
5. ammobiærg
6. svartrviðr
7. harmdauðr
8. fæigR
KING OF ASGARD have prepared well for their fifth sonic assault. With “svartrviðr” (“black wood”) the Swedes continue on the course and refine the style of songwriting that the blackened death veterans established with their latest EP “taudr”.
In the band’s own words: ” We see ‘svartrviðr’ very much as a continuation of what we have started with ‘taudr’ in 2017″, write the Swedes. “We combined all the elements that grew out of and with King of Asgard since the beginning, which means aiming for the perfect balance between the grim and the epic, darkness and twilight while keeping our sound crushing and stripped down to essentials.”
KING OF ASGARD are a perfect example for the classic Swedish metal style that oscillates between harsh and evocative Nordic blackness and the captivating epic melodies of their homeland’s death metal – being easily at home in both worlds. When the band came into being in 2008 in Mjölby, in the province of Östergötland, a part of it grew out of the ashes of that city’s split-up cult act MITHOTYN, while another part had moved on to form the heavy metal outfit FALCONER.
With their first three albums “Fímbulvintr” (2010), “…to North” (2012), and “Karg” (2014), KING OF ASGARD firmly established themselves as a powerful presence within their scene. Due to their lyrical topics and visuals relating to the old legends of Östergötland as well as Norse myth and sagas, runic writing and art styles, the Swedes are sometimes categorised within the Viking or pagan metal spectrum. This label is probably also owed to the occasional use of traditional melodies. Yet, KING OF ASGARD clearly went their own way and with a marked penchant for story-telling at epic length, they forcefully claimed a muscial realm of their own.
The release of “taudr”, which can either be seen as a short album or as a long EP, in 2017 brought a fresh gust of wind to KING OF ASGARD as new members had joined the band. This left singer and guitarist Karl Beckman as the sole remaining memento to MITHOTYN, while a crew of young locals arrived, armed with invigorating enthusiasm and the weapon of great talent, which those newcomers a little later also started to display in death-buzz VANHELGD.
This new line-up remained stable until the present and worked diligently and hard to create their next full-length that explores the new creative and musical opportunities to the full. Teaming up with Magnus “Devo” Andersson, who could easily claim the title of MARDUK’s house producer, KING OF ASGARD made sure to maintain a black twist to their individual sound.
KING OF ASGARD invite you to explore the dark secrets of the Viking world and those glimpses at ancient rituals that lurk deep within Old Norse writings.
Release date: May 28, 2021
Line-up
Karl Beckman – vocals, guitars, choir
Jonas Albrektsson – bass, vocals
Ted Sjulmark – guitars, choir
Mathias Westman – drums
Recorded, mixed & mastered at Endarker Studio by Magnus “Devo” Andersson
Produced by King of Asgard and Magnus “Devo” Andersson
Cover Artwork by Mattias Frisk
Style: Swedish Blackened Death
www.facebook.com/kingofasgard
Pre-sale link
http://lnk.spkr.media/king-of-asgard-svartrvidr
Available formats
Digipak CD, and Gatefold black vinyl 2LP
Drink It Up – Enjoyable Listens
Enjoyable Listens have recently enjoyed support from Steve Lamacq who played last single ‘That’s Where My Shoes Were’ and have just been confirmed for SXSW 2021.
The band formed in 2018 as a two piece. Luke Duffett and then partner, Jimbo Savage lived in a derelict pub in Greenwich. They were both pursuing separate paths as songwriters, but in a novel attempt to make beer money (they lived across the road from a Wetherspoons, you see), they’d dress up and busk by the Cutty Sark. Luke wore a skeleton suit and a bowler hat, Jimbo, a long orange linen dress and 1970’s hustler daddy sunglasses. They were quite successful in the late summer months. That was really where it all started. They spent the following months developing their craft and amassing supporters across London’s stalwart venues. Namely The Old Blue Last, The George Tavern, The Windmill, Off The Cuff, Paper Dress, The Social, The Bird’s Nest and Sister Midnight Records.
They also played a number of sell out shows in the Home Counties (Beford Esquires, Milton Keynes’ Craufurd Arms), including support slots for The Orielles and British Sea Power.
The last year was quite kind to the band. They started off 2019 with a 14 date nationwide tour that saw them establish a small, but devoted and growing ecosystem of fans that were willing to part with their cash for one of their highly coveted ‘Jamie, spiel den track’ t shirts that have long since sold out.They also had released two limited runs their single ‘The Terror’ on Oxford’s vinyl label, ‘All Will Be Well’, both of which sold out in a number of days. The act has recebtly joined the End Of The Trail Creative roster.
Total Cult – Mick Blankenship
Mick Blankenship, the American rock artist, producer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist released his cover of Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” to all digital outlets.
“Cult of personality was not only a legendary Rock song but a staple in my live set list, as well as, my playlist. The band Living Colour made a massive statement in the 90s with their message and the world heard it! They captured a unique sound that remains in my musical soul. The song is part of who I am as a musician. I have the utmost respect for Living Colour. The reason I chose this song to cover was because history seems to repeat itself and the message within “Cult of personality” may be even more relevant today than ever! Music unites everyone and we need unity. Some people just “understand” through music as opposed to the mass misinformation of the media that keeps us divided. We need to turn off the news and turn up the radio!” says Mick.
“Cult of Personality” can be Streamed/Downloaded at www.mickblankenship.com
or iTunes, Spotify, Amazon
Piecing Things Together – DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT
Industrial Metal band DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT will release their highly anticipated new album titled Bring Out The Dead, on March 26, 2021 via Armalyte Industries.
The Sweet Meats Slaughterhouse was founded in 1895 by Wilhelm Schröder. Internationally known for his advances in industrialized butchery…he produced 30% of the meats consumed in the United States. In 1915 tragedy struck the small town he called home when all the livestock took some unexplained fatal disease. The ever resourceful Schröder turned to the only available meat. The townsfolk. When they discovered the terrible truth – they enacted their own form of justice. Feeding the once prolific Schröder to his own machines. The Sweet Meats Slaughterhouse remained eerily quiet and vacant..until one night…horrible noises resembling music emanated from the dank hallways.
DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT Music can be purchased here:
https://deadanimalassemblyplant.bandcamp.com/album/bring-out-the-dead-2
DAAP combine elements of rock, metal, industrial, and bring a strong post-apocalyptic / horror influence to our characters and stage show. Shows include: Knotfest 2015, Wasteland Weekend 2018/2019, multiple successful independent tours including a national tour in 2019, Twitch.tv appearances, collaborations with international artists Mothmeister, and direct local support for numerous national touring acts from metal, to horror punk, to industrial.
The fanatical cannibals of Dead Animal Assembly Plant have whipped up their own recipe for the horrors of the modern age: with a touch of rock, dash of metal, pinch of industrial, sprinkle in some electronics and heaping helping of madness. Welcome to the slaughterhouse.”
The band released single “A Violent Breed” in May, 2020.
Tracklist: |
BRING OUT THE DEAD – ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT
Except “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” – derived from an old American folk song
VIOLINS ON ‘SACRED DISGRACE’ BY LULU BLACK (WWW.STRINGSFROMTHECRYPT.COM)
ADDITIONAL GUITARS ON ‘BEHOLD THE RIGHTEOUS PLAGUE’ BY REGULO JUNIOR
GUEST VOCALS ON “GOD’S GONNA CUT YOU DOWN” BY OUTER STACE OF PHOTONA AND TIME BITCH
MIXED BY FERNANDO RUIZ JR AT PRIMAL RECORDING STUDIO – PORTLAND, OR (WWW.NANDOMUSIC.NET)
MASTERED BY KEVIN HAHN AT OPAL STUDIOS – PORTLAND, OR (WWW.OPAL-STUDIO.COM)
PHOTOS BY MOTHMEISTER (WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/MOTHMEISTER)
BAND PHOTO BY KENDRA SHECK AT WASTELAND WEEKEND
EDITING/LAYOUT BY REBECCA ‘BUZZ’ WAGER
DAAP is:
Z.Wager – Vocals
Eric ‘Zero’ Bergen – Guitars
Rebecca ‘Buzz’ Wager – Guitars
Jason ‘Skorn’ Moore – Drums
Nick ‘Nix’ Snyder – Bass