July 2022 – 1st 3 MAGAZINE

GUN – Serious Contenders

28th July 2022

Glaswegian rockers GUN release a brand new version of their seminal single: “Word Up”.

It’s the latest track to be cut from their upcoming album: ‘The Calton Songs’ (out 14 October, via Cherry Red Records) and arrives ahead of intimate acoustic shows around the UK this August.

Originally covered by GUN in 1994, this massive track saw the band win an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Cover and featured on their Top 5 album ‘Swagger’. The song itself is, of course, a retooled version of the evergreen Cameo hit from 1986.

Reimagined and revived by GUN for the Summer of 2022, the new version of “Word Up” is a totally different beast to the one that the fans know so well, boosted by the vocal talents of Beverley Skeete & The Sisterhood [Noel Gallagher, The Chemical Brothers, Mick Jagger] and phenomenal Brass provided by The Selecter. The band are describing it as the “Word Up Summer Jam” and it has all the raw, radiant energy its title would allude to.

Taken from upcoming album, ‘The Calton Songs’, the record will be released on Cherry Red Records on 14 October 2022; available on Cherry Red-coloured vinyl, CD, cassette and digital. ‘The Calton Songs’ is a full-blooded celebration of the band’s career so far with enthusiastic and brand new acoustic reinterpretations of the songs that made their name. These classics are bolstered by recent single ‘Backstreet Brothers’, a new and fully electric track that basks in the joys of both lives and good times shared, and brings the GUN story up to date,

As Jools Gizzi says of the album:

“When the pandemic hit we realised that it was the perfect time to try and counteract the bleakness that was all around. It felt like we couldn’t write anything, or of course tour. Out of that darkness came a desire to completely rework these songs that we know the fans love, and bring a different, stripped down vibe”.

Whilst Dante Gizzi adds:

“It’s ironic that those feelings of negativity led to something so positive, a celebration of our career up to now”.

‘The Calton Songs’ takes its name from the area of Glasgow where the band grew up, and where they still write their music. These new versions of great songs are cut through with un-ironic nostalgia but this is a band with an eye on the horizon for what’s to come. ‘Taking On The World’ announced the band to a global audience in 1989 and their next album ‘Gallus’ just marked its 30^th anniversary. ‘The Calton Songs’ is the latest milestone and follows-up ‘Favourite Pleasures’ from 2017 which made the top 15, making it their biggest album in almost a quarter of a century, since ‘Swagger’.

With ‘The Calton Songs’ now ready, initial work on a potential new studio album started and live dates in, GUN are truly firing once more. They remain in the Top 50 modern hard rock artists in the world according to industry data specialists, Chartmetric, with top 20 albums and singles. They have toured with The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Iron Maiden; this is a band with plenty to shout about. GUN in 2022 features Dante Gizzi [lead vocals], Giuliano ‘Jools’ Gizzi [guitar], Paul McManus [drums], Andy Carr [bass] and Tommy Gentry [guitar].

From Glasgow to the world was always the mentality, and their desire to entertain remains undimmed and on ‘The Calton Songs’; these ‘Backstreet Brothers’ remain serious contenders.

GUN GUN GUN GUN

GUN – ‘THE CALTON SONGS’ – OUT 14 OCTOBER, VIA CHERRY RED

LISTEN TO “WORD UP” (FEAT. THE SISTERHOOD) NOW

STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE

Around the release of ‘The Calton Songs’, the band will be hitting the road for a number of festivals and gigs. With a storming acoustic tour around Scotland planned this Summer, a series of fully fledged electric gigs will follow throughout November and December. All UK dates so far are as follows:

GUN – UK DATES

August

12 – IRVINE, Harbour Arts Centre @

13 – BLAIR ATHOLL Food In The Park @

16 – NEWCASTLE Trillians Rock Club @

18 – DUNFERMLINE PJ Molloys @

19 – STRATHHAVEN Frets @

20 – CUMBERNAULD Submarine @

September

2 – WITTON-LE-WEAR Stormin The Castle

October

29 – INVERNESS Monsterfest

November

30 – BRADFORD, Nightrain*

December

1 – LONDON, O2 Academy Islington*

2 – NUNEATON, Queens Hall*

4 – BLACKPOOL, Waterloo*

5 – BATH, Komedia*

6 – SUNDERLAND, Firestation*

7 – GALASHIELS, Mac Arts*

10 – GLASGOW Barrowland Ballroom*

11 – ABERDEEN The Lemon Tree*

@ Acoustic Tour

*Full Band

Tickets on sale here: https://www.gunofficial.co.uk/tour

https://www.gunofficial.co.uk

DARKO – Powerful And Determined

28th July 2022

Music News

DARKO Announces ‘SPARKLE’ EP Out October 21 New Single “Cruel To Be” Out Now.

DARKO invites listeners to get angry with a cutting new single ‘Cruel To Be’; a scalding attack on the “#BeKind” movement and influential online culture war ‘bullies’.

“We're often lectured about how much nicer the world would be if we were all “a bit more kind”, says new singer Tom West. “It’s a lovely sentiment, but if we aren’t standing up to bullies, we aren't being “more kind” at all, we're just being cowards and hypocrites. Calling out a bigot doesn’t make you as bad as the bigot.” West continues: “Often the worst bullies use their massive platforms to attack marginalised groups, and then claim they’re the ones being bullied when people fight back. Cruel to Be is dedicated to anyone who’s fed up with being told they're overreacting to being smeared and dehumanised by professional antagonists with enormous wealth, reach and influence.”

Tom West Vocals Rob Piper Guitar / Backing Vocals Chris Brown Guitar / Backing Vocals Karl Sursham Bass / Backing Vocals Andy Borg Drums

DARKO has pulled few punches since West – previously of Almeida – was unveiled as the band’s new vocalist, replacing Dan Smith who fronted the band from 2010 to 2020. Recently the band has made headlines for calling for a cull of misogynists within the punk rock community in ‘The Ladder’, and a misanthropic attack on selfishness in COVID-era Britain in ‘AUX’.

The theme of standing up to structural injustice endures here, with barbs such as “Be kind all you like, but does it nullify their cruel, barbaric policies?”

Alongside being perhaps the most provocative offering, this third single from the upcoming EP ‘SPARKLE’ is DARKO’s most sonically unconventional release to date. Longtime fans of the skate punk stalwarts are bound to have strong opinions about the departure of their signature double-time drum assault, in favour of explosive post-hardcore sensibilities, funk-influenced bass licks, and stadium-rock choruses taking the band’s sound to bold, unchartered territory.

SPARKLE will be available digitally, on 4-panel wallet CD and colored 12″ vinyl EP cut at 45 RPM.

Tracklist:

The Ladder

Aux

Cruel To Be

Quite

All songs written by DARKO

EP Produced and Mastered by Will Duff at Goliath Sound Studios

Drums Recorded by Daly George at The Ranch

Drums Edited by Charlie Munro at Munro Audio

Extra Vocals in The Ladder by Katz Hinsley, from Follow You Dreams

EP Artwork by Helena Smyth AlphineAyita

‘Cruel to Be’ is available now on all digital platforms, with ‘SPARKLE’ set for release via Lockjaw (EU) and Thousand Island Records (CA) this Autumn.

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PLASMAS – Heading For A Better Place

28th July 2022

Music News

Dundee five-piece – PLASMAS – return with a reverb-washed, retro-preened new single “See It Through”.

Blending gauzy guitars with woozy pop vocals and glittering like a sudden beam of sunlight on a dreary day, “See It Through” is the first glimpse of new music from PLASMAS in 2022 and arrives as an alluring and infectious track well-worthy of a late-night summer singalong.

With tight yet airy production, glistening layers of instrumentals and soaring hooks that tread the line between ‘90s pop and ‘00s shoegaze-flecked indie rock, “See It Through” is optimistic and reflective in equal measure; dreamily nostalgic yet reinforcing PLASMAS’ breezy upward trajectory.

Of the scintillating new single, lead vocalist Ross McQueen explains:

“I wrote this one in summer last year, on a belter of a summer’s day where I probably should’ve been outside but instead was sat in my room hopelessly writing.

I had become obsessed with the idea of writing a song that could be the soundtrack for a ‘90s American sit-com, or a coming-of-age film. Something like “Crash” by The Primitives or “99 Red Balloons”. Something cheesy andtongue-in-cheek but laced with just enough charm and self-awareness to get away with it. After many failed attempts and at the point of giving up, with a spirit of almost being past caring came the opening guitar melody and everything followed seamlessly after that.”

“SEE IT THROUGH”

OUT NOW

STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
-TAKEN FROM NEW EP, DUE LATER THIS YEAR-

+SCOTTISH HEADLINE DATES THIS JULY

Caught up in a daze of giddy ‘90s rhythms, the track evokes the closing scenes of a classic teen rom-com, sleek and shiny as though stolen from one of the guitar-wielding bands that stare out from the posters adorning the lead female protagonists bedroom walls.

PLASMAS : Ross McQueen (vocals, rhythm guitar) Conor McBay (lead guitar, vocals) Rory Strathie (synth) James Swan (bass) Sam Walker (drums)

Dubbed by the band as one of the best track’s they’ve written to date, “See It Through” was produced once more by Guy Galactic, who worked on the band’s earlier singles “Always” and “Is It Everything You Want?”. With nods to the multitude of influences that shaped their sound, the track dabbles in the retro-styled dream-pop of Newdad, the ansty shoegaze of bdrmm and the laidback sun-drenched rhythms popularised by the likes of Swim Deep and JAWS.

Ross adds:

“This song just feels like a celebration of saying, “F**k it, why not?”. It’s a breakup song, but not in the ‘I want you back’ kind of way. It’s more about when you’ve both moved on and are happier, but you just have that feeling in the back of your mind, ‘Hey, what if we gave it another go?’. Obviously that’s a terrible idea most of the time, but I’m sure everyone’s felt that way before. It’s hard letting go sometimes even when you know you’re in a better place.”

PLASMAS – UK DATES
27th July, Broadcast, Glasgow
29th July, Hunter S Thompson, Dundee
31st July, Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh

Tickets on sale now.

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SOLIS – Otherworldly Rhythms

27th July 2022

Music News

SOLIS is delighted to present the official video for her opalescent new single “Jungle”.

Starring the Irish songwriter and an all-female cast, the videography was undertaken by Tom Witts and Hayley Rawlings with additional editing by Rawlings.

Glimmering with balmy rhythms that are as sleek as they are lo-fi-tinged, “Jungle” is a scintillating masterclass in gauzy pop production. With alluring, sun-drenched melodies that nod to poignant and melancholic themes but ultimately reach an all-the-more optimistic conclusion, Solis says of the track:

“I wrote this song when I realised there’s always an option, always a way out, the hardest part is realising that. The EP as a whole was written from a place where I didn’t feel I belonged and was dreaming of something else “Jungle” and “Osmosis” in particular are about living in the city and being part of the rat race, the never ending cycle of work and spend and very little time for living.”

Taken from the Manchester-based artist’s new five track EP ‘Open’, the release comprises five tracks including hypnotic earlier single “Be Together” and debut release “Jigsaw”.

LISTEN TO THE ‘OPEN’ EP HERE

Across its five tracks, Solis flexes her knack for dreamy vocal melodies, ethereal rhythms and glinting, laidback percussion. Written by Solis, recorded at her home in Moss Side and produced by Andy Connor, ‘Open’ also features Jack Winstanley on bass and Max Barron on drums to bring the EP’s stellar set of songs to life.

Opening up about writing and recording ‘Open’, Solis explains:

“I wrote these songs about 4 years ago. As soon as we finished recording, I had a really serious car accident which had me recovering for a very long time and I’m finally ready to release this body of songs. This EP ‘Open’, will be followed by a second EP shortly after, both EPs were intentionally written to follow each other and act as a big body of songs.”

Joining those early singles are new offerings including lullaby-like “Osmosis” — a gentle pop track that sees chiffon vocals combined with soft percussive licks that glitter like a strobe of sun across water — and “Mystic Man”, an otherworldly cut of soft electric guitars and floaty melancholy.

Solis adds:

“”Mystic Man” is about something very personal in my life with someone very close to me. It’s more of a realisation that just because someone is close to you at one stage in your life, doesn’t mean you won’t evolve to be in a completely different wavelength.”

After releasing her debut single in 2020 and with two follow-ups under her belt last year, Solis has received a warm reception to her dreamy folk-tinted pop songs, gaining airplay on Stacey Copeland’s BBC Radio Manchester show and praise from This Feeling, VPX Introducing Radio and Even The Stars.

Gigging with friends on the Mancunian music scene, Solis has honed her captivating stage presence with a string of live slots supporting the likes of Blossoms, Phoebe Green, Inhaler and Fuzzy Sun, as well as performing at intimate gigs with Sofar Sounds in Manchester and Liverpool. Solis has also appeared at an assortment of festivals across the UK, including Kendal Calling, Liverpool Sound City and Dot to Dot.

With earlier releases already proving firm favourites at her live fixtures so far, Solis’ awaited EP ‘Open’ is set to further cement the rising artist as a stirring new voice that seesaws on the line between overcast melancholia and sun-drenched, lackadaisical pop.

https://www.facebook.com/solisbandmusic

https://www.instagram.com/solis.insta/

EPICA – Secure Your Tickets

27th July 2022

Mainly Metal

EPICA ANNOUNCE UNIVERSAL STREAMING EVENT FOR THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW.

Just one day after the release of their anniversary re-issues We Still Take You With Us and Live At Paradiso (for the first time!), symphonic metal titans EPICA will celebrate 20 years of existence live at Tilburg’s 013, the same place where they played their first show (supporting Anathema) back in 2002.

However, since the show has long been sold out and not everyone can join the celebrations on September 3rd, the band are bringing the show to everyone via the internet. Fans everywhere can tune in to an exclusive, pro-shot live stream of the entire show that will contain plenty of surprises in the setlist, several guests and spectacular stage effects!

Coen Janssen comments: “We are extremely happy to be able to share our anniversary – not only with the lucky ones who got a ticket – but also with everybody else in the world! Our loyal fanbase is everywhere around this planet and through this live stream we can let everyone be part of this party. It wouldn’t be a birthday bash without you!! So, grab your drinks and warn the neighbors, because this is going to be a noisy night!”

In addition, you will also get to witness the return of a band that had disappeared off the face of the earth for the last 20 years. SAHARA DUST reunite for a special one-off live performance to open the show.
Don’t miss them, because although you might have never heard of them, their history is heavily interwoven with Epica’s inception.

Starting live at 19:30 CEST, the shows will remain online for 72 hours for fans in different time zones to re-watch in their account at any time within that period.

Early bird tickets are available until August 12th, bundles are available with limited edition merchandise that will only be available with the stream or directly at the anniversary show in Tilburg.

Secure your tickets for this special event here:

www.epicastream.com

Night Swimming – A Perfect Blend

27th July 2022

Music News

Night Swimming release evocative debut double single Freight Train // A Wall.

Bath-based dream pop five-piece Night Swimming are pleased to announce the release of their debut double single ‘Freight Train // A Wall’ on August 12th.

Formed in 2021, the band have spent the last year honing in on their sound at sold-out headline shows in their home city of Bath and supporting the likes of China Bears and Parlophone Records’ own Sad Night Dynamite. They were also scouted by the Close Encounters Club to be featured in Glastonbury Festival’s 2022 ‘Longlist’ – chosen to be one of their 90 top acts.

Night Swimming’s sound incorporates the ethereal, melodic elements of the early Wolf Alice EPs and Slowdive albums; combining them with the minimalism of local idols Portishead and Massive Attack.

Produced by Calum Wotherspoon at Joe’s Garage in Bristol, and mastered by Novatines’ Tom Cory, their debut release Freight Train // A Wall is instantly striking. Combining atmospheric guitars, ethereal vocals and airy synths with echoing percussion and hypnotic choruses; each individual element is equally as evocative, while perfectly blended with a sugary sweet delivery that you can’t help but get lost in.

Meg Jones – Vocals

Sam Allen – Guitar

Jesse Roache – Guitar

Josh Nottle – Bass

Torin Moore – Drums

Freight Train was written as an introductory piece to the second track ‘A Wall’. The use of trip-hop influenced rhythms and sustained atmospherics evoke a trance-like feel, conveying a strong sense of detachment that seamlessly seeps into second track A Wall which vocalist and lyricist Meg Jones describes as ‘a collection of memories and images about communication in relationships’.

https://www.nightswimmingband.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nightsswimming

https://www.instagram.com/nightsswimming/

Mikey Ball & The Company – The Energy Of Infatuation

26th July 2022

Music News

Bournemouth based hard rock band ‘Mikey Ball & The Company’ release the lead single from their much anticipated new album.

The Morning’ is inspired by a story of a hidden relationship and how that pulled at the composure of the characters included.

Written during the last of the lockdowns this song took shape quickly and embedded itself well into every show since live music returned.

The track itself captures the youthful energy of infatuation as it drives from restrained verses to the full on chorus.

Catch them Live:

‘Through the Night’ Album Launch – 7th October

Canvas Bournemouth

Mikey Ball & The Company Online

www.facebook.com/mikeyballandthecompany

www.instagram.com/_mikeyballandthecompany

Mikey Ball & The Company on Spotify

JACK VALERO – A New English Guitar Hero

26th July 2022

Music News, Music Reviews

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when someone you meet has a super- famous parent, you either go straight in with that or completely bypass it. As a long-time fans of Jack Valero’s dad, the eponymous Billy Bragg, we went with the former.

Meeting the engaging, warm and personable Jack before his gig at the Green Note, Camden, we spoke about growing up with a famous dad, having space to find his own road and the journey to new –found independence.

We asked Jack when he realised his dad was- well, known by absolutely everyone. He told us he “grew up knowing- it was just a part of my life,” and that his dad would be away on tour sometimes for weeks at a time, but that he had not minded as he had brought him back “the best toys- I was more than happy for him to go away for a bit!”

Speaking to Jack, it’s easy to hear how his fluid, earnest, evocative lyrics come to him so easily"

1st 3 Magazine

Jack, born in Chiswick, London, moved to the Dorset countryside when he was six, ostensibly because they wanted a dog. Growing up in the countryside with his close-knit family of mum, dad and brother, music was all around him. He remembers “guitars lying around the house – but I was the same size as most of them!” Both parents being in the music business, did they encourage him to learn an instrument? Jack recalls having guitar lessons aged eight but, “it didn’t capture my interest or imagination.” After that, he listened to the Kaiser Chiefs and his attention was piqued by a certain riff. His parents told him it was a keyboard and so duly, piano lessons followed. But it was “all a bit stuffy”…

Guitar Hero - "… it was my ‘in’- the crossover from computer games to music"

Jack Valero

The turning point and beginning of his passion for singing and song writing was the computer game “Guitar Hero”. Jack describes being obsessed with computer games and explains he “just fell in love” with this one. The first of its kind, he recalls how the controller got him “in the headspace of how the hands work together… it was my ‘in’- the crossover from computer games to music. I was like- ‘do you know this song? That song? And (my parents) were like- ‘Of course we do!’ ” They showed him the discography of all the bands and Jack remembers his dad started to teach him the lineage of music.

We wondered whether there was any pressure on Jack to become a musician? He tells us that his parents “waited- they didn’t push me- until I’d found my own avenue into their world.”

I’ve always loved music and storytelling"

Jack Valero

Speaking to Jack, it’s easy to hear how his fluid, earnest, evocative lyrics come to him so easily- they are an extension of his personality. He describes how singing is so important; “intimate, because you ARE the instrument-it’s ultimately personal because you are laying yourself bare. You’re singing (which is personal in itself) and you’re singing your own lyrics, your own songs.” We asked if he watches or listens to himself and was surprised with the honesty and confidence of his reply. So many performers will tell you they never do this but Jack is unassumingly positive as he describes how once he has had space away, he can listen back and say, “Oh ok, that’s actually ok- these are good!”

And good they undoubtedly are… we talk about his two recently released songs, Heaven Help Me and his latest release Hollow Warmth (two of the promised trilogy), and how they both encapsulate his love of storytelling through song. Heaven Help Me is a lock down song “more or less- it’s a song about the world at that time.” The astronaut is grounded on earth, doing ordinary things but longing to be back in space- mirroring the desire the desire, the desperation for change and excitement but doing whatever you could to get through. Jack talks of a break up of a long term relationship just after lockdown. This, coupled with the break-up of his band in 2019 was obviously a difficult time but perhaps the catalyst for a change of direction. He describes this time as half spent “moping about” and the other half thinking- “No- I’m going to do it myself”.

And it is this juxtaposition- the self-confessed love of this word and its state that inspires and steers Jack Valero on his road. “I’ve always loved music and storytelling- writing about combinations of very boring, everyday things with something really abnormal.”

And we can see this in the video of Hollow Warmth. Made in the director’s grandmother’s house, it is a metaphor for juxtaposition and what Jack is trying to convey- that this is what life is; boring bits punctuated by amazing bits.

Which leads us to talk about his recent Glastonbury experience. A home from home, (Jack has helped his parents run a stage and been a guitar techie for his dad for the last 11 years) this year he played three shows of his own on two stages and recalls how the experience once again echoed his love of juxtaposition- one minute on stage at arguably the world’s most important music festival; and then at home watching Friends in his flat… “that’s kind of how it is in life…”

We asked Jack if he has any political statements to make (in light of his own lineage) and he talks through lyrics in various songs which do indeed reflect his opinion of the circus that appears to be today’s government. Having played with his dad Billy at Glastonbury, he says me they are going to play at the Tolpuddle Festival together too. He is more cagey about details of his third and final release of his promised trilogy, describing the song as “much bigger, almost an odyssey” than the other two.

And that is the perfect summation of what we want from Jack Valero- more music, more stories, more juxtaposition… and for his journey to go on and on.

JACK VALERO.COM

https://www.facebook.com/JackValeroMusic

Jack Valero interviewed at The Green Note, Camden on 11th June 2022

Jack played on a triple bill with Kelley Swindall and Evan Williams

Interview and photography Copyright of 1st 3 Magazine

Not to be reproduced without prior permission. Social media use only for persons depicted, event organisers and venue. Not to be cropped or altered in any way without prior permission.

DYNAZTY – All Killer

26th July 2022

Mainly Metal

“Final Advent”, the much awaited, new record by the Swedish melodic metal act DYNAZTY, will be out on August 26, 2022 via AFM Records

There are plenty of reasons why musicians succeed in getting the optimum out of their creative talent. In the case of the Swedish melodic metal act Dynazty and their latest album ‘Final Advent’, the extra time forced upon them by the pandemic may have been one important factor, but it would be short-sighted to attribute their impressive new material solely to the time they had to write, record and produce their new offering.

At the end of the day, what we have here is an ambitious band who have invested all their talent and experience, combined with heaps of enthusiasm, ambition and compositional/musical expertise. With a clear goal in mind, as singer Nils Molin admits: “We decided to come up with the most cohesive and definitive album and version of ourselves yet. Game plan: no fillers, all killers.” In view of the brilliant result, the verdict is clear: Goal achieved, full on target! ‘Final Advent’ is the most imaginative, complex and at the same time homogeneous album to date in Dynazty’s 15-year career. Their new masterpiece will be out on 26 August. Fans of the genre should definitely mark the date in their diaries!

Nils Molin (vocals) Love Magnusson (guitar) Mikael Lavér (guitars) Jonathan Olsson (bass) Georg Härnsten Egg (drums)

However, even without a reminder, we’re all more than likely to keep an eye on the album’s release date since Dynazty have started to present some initial gems from ‘Final Advent’ to their fans. The songs ‘Power Of Will’, ‘Advent’ and ‘Yours’ (including videos) can already be seen and heard on YouTube, in addition, more numbers will be released before the album’s arrival, again supported by outstanding video clips. “‘Power Of Will’ was one of the first songs we wrote for the album and it immediately mapped the route for the rest of the material. In my opinion the result is our most intense album so far and doubtlessly features some of the strongest songs we’ve ever written,” Molin says with pride. ‘Final Advent’ presents him and his four comrades-in-arms, guitarists Love Magnusson and Mikael Lavér, bassist Jonathan Olsson and drummer Georg
Härnsten Egg, as a musically tight unit, delivering first-rate material right down to the very last detail.

Molin agrees: “The performances by the whole band are definitely next level. I couldn’t be happier with the result! ‘Final Advent’ is the ultimate form, the ultimate version of Dynazty.”

The same can be said of the lyrics on ‘Final Advent’, which easily keep up with the rest of the album’s excellent compositional standard. Molin: “Each song has very individual lyrics. Some are short stories within a short song structure, such as ‘All The Devils Are Here’, ‘Yours’, ‘Heart Of Darkness’ and ‘Achilles Heel’, whereas ‘Power Of Will’, ‘Advent’, ‘Natural Born Killer’ and ‘Power Of Now’ have a message. ‘Natural Born Killer’, for example, warns of the dangers of blindly obsessing about and idealizing another person. And ‘Power Of Now’ is about the importance of viewing life as one long journey and cherishing fleeting moments throughout.” The story of ‘The White’, the third and final part of a trilogy that consists of songs on this and the two previous albums, starting with ‘The Grey’ on ‘Firesign’ (2018) and ‘The Black’ on ‘The Dark Delight’ (2020), is another highlight.

‘Final Advent’ was produced by the band themselves and primarily recorded in Love Magnusson`s studio in Stockholm, drums were recorded in Denmark at the Hansen Studios (owned by sound icon Jacob Hansen, who also mixed and mastered the album). The cover artwork was designed by Brazilian Gustavo Sazes, who has also worked for British Lion (feat. Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris), Kamelot, Firewind, Iced Earth and Nils Molin’s second band, Amaranthe. Molin: “It’s meant to be ambiguous, just like the album title ‘Final Advent’. Advent means the arrival of an important thing or person.

Molin could also have had himself and his bandmates in mind with that arrival because Dynazty will be on the road again as early as April 2022, to be followed by festival appearances in the summer. And there will definitely be more to come!

Band | Dynazty

Nate Smith – Crushing It

25th July 2022

Country News

Breakout artist Nate Smith has debuted the music video for his explosive new single, ‘Whiskey On You’, following its broadcast premiere on CMT Music and CMT.com (21/7).

Directed by Chris Ashlee, the hilarious video stars Smith along with TikTok creator Katie “Demps” Dempsey, who plays the singer’s crazy ex-girlfriend. The video has a 90s VHS type feel and follows the breakup between the two during Smith’s band’s practice. The garage band turned Nashville superstars then take the stage at a jam-packed Whiskey Jam in Loser’s parking lot, featuring real footage from Smith’s performance last month.

“I am thrilled for the ‘Whiskey On You’ music video to come out!!” Smith said. “I really wanted everyone to get to know my fun side. I couldn’t have had a better costar than Demps! She absolutely crushed it and will definitely make you laugh!”‘

Lauded as the “breakup song of the summer” by Country Now and “an enormously satisfying country kiss-off anthem” by Stereogum, ‘Whiskey On You’ amassed over 7.5 million total global on-demand streams in its first week, reaching No. 10 on the Country On-Demand Streaming Chart. The track also debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 14 on the Hot Country Songs chart, marking Smith’s first career entry on the chart. He also re-entered Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart at No. 1, becoming the top emerging act in the U.S. for the first time. ‘Whiskey On You’ has amassed over 50 million total on-demand streams to date and is currently climbing the country radio charts.

Following his headlining WHISKEY ON YOU TOUR, Smith will kick off his opening stint on Brett Eldredge’s Songs About You Tour .

For dates and tickets, visit NateSmithOfficial.com

Monthly Archives: July 2022

GUN – Serious Contenders

Glaswegian rockers GUN release a brand new version of their seminal single: “Word Up”.

GUN GUN GUN GUN

https://www.gunofficial.co.uk

DARKO – Powerful And Determined

DARKO Announces ‘SPARKLE’ EP Out October 21 New Single “Cruel To Be” Out Now.

Tom West Vocals Rob Piper Guitar / Backing Vocals Chris Brown Guitar / Backing Vocals Karl Sursham Bass / Backing Vocals Andy Borg Drums

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Youtube

PLASMAS – Heading For A Better Place

Dundee five-piece – PLASMAS – return with a reverb-washed, retro-preened new single “See It Through”.

PLASMAS : Ross McQueen (vocals, rhythm guitar) Conor McBay (lead guitar, vocals) Rory Strathie (synth) James Swan (bass) Sam Walker (drums)

SOLIS – Otherworldly Rhythms

SOLIS is delighted to present the official video for her opalescent new single “Jungle”.

LISTEN TO THE ‘OPEN’ EP HERE

EPICA – Secure Your Tickets

EPICA ANNOUNCE UNIVERSAL STREAMING EVENT FOR THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW.

Night Swimming – A Perfect Blend

Night Swimming release evocative debut double single Freight Train // A Wall.

Mikey Ball & The Company – The Energy Of Infatuation

Bournemouth based hard rock band ‘Mikey Ball & The Company’ release the lead single from their much anticipated new album.

‘Through the Night’ Album Launch – 7th October

Canvas Bournemouth

JACK VALERO – A New English Guitar Hero

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when someone you meet has a super- famous parent, you either go straight in with that or completely bypass it. As a long-time fans of Jack Valero’s dad, the eponymous Billy Bragg, we went with the former.

DYNAZTY – All Killer

“Final Advent”, the much awaited, new record by the Swedish melodic metal act DYNAZTY, will be out on August 26, 2022 via AFM Records

Nils Molin (vocals) Love Magnusson (guitar) Mikael Lavér (guitars) Jonathan Olsson (bass) Georg Härnsten Egg (drums)

Band | Dynazty

Nate Smith – Crushing It

Breakout artist Nate Smith has debuted the music video for his explosive new single, ‘Whiskey On You’, following its broadcast premiere on CMT Music and CMT.com (21/7).

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