The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 star will square off against a haunted doll in Anathema: The Devil’s Doll. Check out some exclusive images below.

Inspired by actual events, a carefree night of thrills and temptation takes a sinister turn when a group of friends stumble upon an ancient curse.

As shadows close in and desire gives way to dread, they realize something malevolent is hunting them. To survive until dawn, they’ll have to confront not only the evil outside, but the darkest fears buried within themselves.

Marcel Walz (Blood Feast, Blind) directs from a script by Marc Gottlieb (Aquarium of the Dead) and Michael P. Call.

Robert Craighead (The Return of the Living Dead), Ramiro Leal, Bix Krieger (V/H/S/Beyond), Esmeree Sterling, Erika K. Marks, Kasia Szarek, Theo Rosenfeld, Brandon Papo, Monte Pittman, Nicholas Olbina, Dean Binfet, Olga Loera, Aris Le Beau, and Joseph Gatt (“Game of Thrones”) round out the ensemble.

The indie horror film is currently in production for a 2026 release.

The post Caroline Williams to Star in Haunted Doll Movie ‘Anathema’ [Exclusive] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

That’s what drew me into French progressive rockers Klone, who take inspiration from the above bands but still manage to create their own unique sound, one that offers just as much beauty and delight. And with their new album Here Comes The Sun, the band continues to evolve and grow their sound, taking it in new and wonderful directions.

To celebrate this release, we caught up with guitarist Guillaume Bernard to discuss the new album, how the band writes their material, who they’d want for a “dream collaboration”, and more. You can read this exclusive interview below.

The band recently announced that they will be opening for Devin Townsend on several European tour dates. More information can be found here. Make sure to also order your copy of Here Comes The Sun via iTunes.

‘Here Comes The Sun’ is the band’s fifth full length album. Describe this journey, both as musicians and how you each grew as well as for the music itself and
how it has changed over the years.

Klone is a band who don’t want to play the same music. At the beginning we were more influenced by metal band with a rock grungy touch. We learn to play music together and we decided to experiment all what is possible, like to include saxophones, harp, etc.. Over the years the music became more and more atmospheric and today we totally assume the rock progressive sides of the music. Here Comes The Sun is for us our best album with mature composition. We wanted something intense and deep.

You covered “Summertime”, one of the most recognizable songs in music history. What was it about this particular song that made you want to craft your own take on it?

This is a song I learn at school when I was young, and the melody still turn around in my head over the years. We decided to put a new blow on it and to work on the bluesy side of this music. It was a big challenge for us to do this cover and we’re really proud of it!

Your music is incredibly layered and textured. Being a band for nearly 20 years, I’m sure that you’ve all learned how to write with each other. But can you explain to me
a little bit about how you go about writing a song?

I’m the principal composer since the beginning of a band. I learn a lot of things listening to a lot of different music as classical music. I like to let my instinct guide me for that and I don’t like when the song writing process is not natural. Yann [Ligner] write his lyrics listening to the Klone’s music. The music inspire him a lot, and he’s like a painter who try to describe the music putting words on it.

I feel like there is a strong feeling of melancholy and nostalgia throughout the music of ‘Here Comes The Sun’. What do you take inspiration from in order to reach the
write mindset when writing Klone music?

You’re right! I take inspiration everywhere, when I’m walking on the street for example, ideas come in my head. There is also things in my personal life who touch me and finally I transform all this feeling in my music. Nowadays, the mood in the world his really dark, and that also touch me. I like the idea that the music have to describe the world where we live.

Considering that you’ve release so much material over the past decade, I’m guessing there is already material for a new album. What do you think the next Klone album
will sound like?

I think it’s too early to answer you about that… The only thing I can tell you is the point of beginning for the new album will be the last song of ‘Here Comes The Sun’, “The Last Experience”. I want something very heavy, dark, and ambient!

Some of the bands that you apparently take inspiration from are many of my favorites, such as Anathema, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Katatonia, etc… If you could collaborate with any musicians on material for your next album, who would be some of your dream choices?

I really like to have special guest for the next album. Why not Devin Townsend, the singer of Anathema, or Opeth!

Klone online:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter

The post Klone Guitarist Guillaume Bernard Talks ‘Here Comes The Sun’ (Interview) appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Earlier this year I lauded Iamethemorning and their album Belighted, which I still play with great frequency. Also, you can’t go wrong with Anathema or Steven Wilson.

If you’ve been wanting to get into prog-influenced rock or more indie alt-rock, this is a great place to dip your toes.

The post KScope Releases Free 10-Track Album Filled With Musical Goodness appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The album is rich, beautiful progressive rock, focusing more on the art of the genre, crafting wonderful tracks with some fantastic songwriting. There are some truly gorgeous moments, as well as a few haunting passages. I’ve spent the entire morning listening to this album and loving every second.

Head below to check this out, especially if you’re a fan of Porcupine Tree, Anathema, White Willow, Leprous, and bands of that ilk. Then, if you enjoyed it as much as I did, you can order the CD here.

The post Check This Band Out: Iamthemorning appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Much like Russian Circles‘ Memorial, there was a cold beauty about the song, calling to mind an endless horizon of glaciers, majestic yet dangerous.

And that was my mindset upon entering Myrkur, my opportunity to hear the full album in one journey.

The album opens innocently enough with “Ravnens Banner”, ethereal vocals that call to mind a choir in a medieval church, light streaming through stained glass windows. It all comes crashing down in a moment as the black metal aspect of the album takes over, drums punching through the mix of hazy, raspy distorted guitars. The track ends by combining the beauty and the rage that were previously separate.

“Frosne Vind”, the next track, sounds like it is a reimagining of “Greensleeves”, creating a lovely waltz that once again showcases the glorious vocal harmonies that this album thrives off of.

These two tracks embody the spirit of the album, some tracks focusing on metal while others focus on acoustic tones.

The atmosphere and images that kept coming to mind as I listened to Myrkur were those of foggy forests, ancient stone castles, winter nights where snowflakes swirled and danced in the moonlight.

While the album is beautiful and ofttimes wondrous, it feels like it never reaches its full potential. I can hear the hunger in this music but the bite wasn’t as fierce as I wanted. A little more risk, a little more daring, and the songs would’ve been stunners, aural journeys that took one’s breath away.

Additionally, a journey is meant to have valleys and peaks, each offering something memorable and unique that stands out as a cherished memory. While Myrkur tries to offer that kind of journey, it falters in creating those stand out moments, instead creating an album where it’s easy to recall certain parts of a song but mistake it for being in a different track.

The Final Word: Myrkur is an example of how metal, in its rawest, most passionate state, can often be unbelievably beautiful. Still, it is unpolished and the songs are difficult to discern one from another. And yet, even with the flaws I mentioned, I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the world of Myrkur.

The post [Album Review] Myrkur ‘Myrkur’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Now, the band has released their follow up in the form of Distant Satellites, a 10-track album that furthers the evolution of the band, from their beginnings in doom metal to the current electronic-infused rock that they just released. But is this release as strong as their past few releases or has it faltered and failed to reach the same heights? Read on for my thoughts.

Listening to the first few tracks of the album, I was struck by how much it reminded me of the opening tracks on Weather Systems. Both began with a track that built to soaring crescendos (“Untouchable Pt. 1” vs. “The Lost Song Part 1”), ultimately fading out before entering a “sequel” track that utilized elements of its predecessor in a more mellow manner (“Untouchable Pt. 2” vs. “The Lost Song Part 2”).

The third track on the album “Dusk (Dark Is Descending)” continued that pattern, reminding me strongly of the combined structures of “The Gathering Of The Clouds” and “Lightning Song”.

“Ariel” reminded me of their eighth studio album, We’re Here Because We’re Here. It’s a soft track, heavily reliant upon the piano, with simple, lovely melodies. As with many of their tracks, it dynamically builds before gently releasing the listener with a soft fade, like slipping into a soft slumber.

As the album progresses, more and more electronic influences start peeking out from behind the curtain, often times drawing them back entirely for a full revelation. Tracks like “You’re Not Alone” and “Distant Satellites” are punctuated with sharp, static programmed loops.

“Anathema” is an intensely beautiful song that echoes with pain and heartache. The end result is a song that is wholly befitting of bearing the band’s name, demonstrating elements throughout the entirety of their career.

The Final Word: While I have extolled many of the virtues that Distant Satellites has to offer, I must admit that the album didn’t grab me by the throat the same way that Weather Systems did. It’s a strong album that will get many replays but my admittedly astronomical expectations were not met.

The post [Album Review] Anathema ‘Distant Satellites’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The track grows and expands as it progresses, adding layers of instrumentation with each passage. You all know just how much I love this band, so do me a favor and give it a listen below.

The post Anathema Streams New Track “The Lost Song Part 3” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

You can pre-order the 3-disc deluxe edition here or the 2xLP version here.

The post Anathema Releases Clip From New Track “The Lost Song, Part 3” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The band comments, “We’ve been toiling away for over a decade on shaping our latest monster. It has been such a long and grueling process with countless collapses and relapses and a traumatic voyage on numerous levels, but this opus is finally in the flesh so to speak. It is an encapsulation of all those glorious tragedies we all find ourselves overcoming along the way, and essentially for us, a welcome catalyst. Sometimes the best art comes only through being unexpectedly forced through the city’s darkest avenues, so hope you’ll find us there.”

We’ve teamed up with the band to exclusively premiere the third track, “Out Of Your Mind & Into The Void”, which you can stream below.

Pre-order The Dead City Blueprint via Burning Shed.

The Dead City Blueprint track list:
1. Brave Young Assassin
2. Flame to the Oak
3. Out of Your Mind & Into A Void
4. To the Precipice
5. The Dead City Blueprint
6. A Great Unknown
7. The Rift
8. The Beacon
9. Scars from Limbo
10. Adrift Through the Arcane Isles of Recovery

Thine online:
Official Website
Facebook
Peaceville Records

The post Thine “Out Of Your Mind & Into A Void” Exclusive Track Premiere appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The band stated, “‘Distant Satellites’ is the culmination of everything Anathema [has] been working up to so far in our musical path. It contains almost every conceivable element of the heartbeat of Anathema music that it is possible to have.”

The artwork, which you can see below, was created by Korean new media artist Sang Jun Too and based around his Distant Light Installation.

The post Anathema Title New Album: Premiere Artwork And Set Release Date appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Guitarist/vocalist Daniel Cavanagh comments, “Anathema is delighted to return to the United States as special guests of our personal friends Ville Valo and HIM. It’s always a great occasion playing with our Finnish mates – as we’ve known each other’s music for many years and have been sharing stages together on a number of occasions since our main support to them in the UK for ‘Dark Light’ in 2006. To do this in the United States, the birthplace of rock and roll and one of Anathema’s true musical and spiritual homes, is just a fantastic prospect – especially so soon after our first headlining tour last autumn which was a success beyond our expectations. We hope to really provoke a strong reaction from the audience, and I’m sure we will perform a song or two from our brand new album, which is being finished as I write. HIM in the USA? Bring it on!”

I saw Anathema tour last year and it was fantastic! The band has enormous amounts of energy live and they performed every song flawlessly. Go and see them if they come near your neck of the woods. All tour dates can be seen below.

Tour dates:
3/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
3/08 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
3/09 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
3/12 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
3/13 – Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
3/14 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
3/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts
3/16 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
3/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
3/19 – Orlando, FL @ House Of Blues
3/20 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
3/24 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
3/25 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues

The post Anathema To Open For HIM On US Tour appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Yeah, I put these guys on my Most Anticipated Albums Of 2013. No, they didn’t release Thrones this year. That doesn’t change the fact that I want my grubby hands all over this album, the sooner the better. Hopefully the album will come out before I have to seriously fill out those damn AARP brochures I keep getting in the mail.

2012’s Weather Systems is a work of pure honest beauty and art and it was my Album Of The Year. Having spoken with multi-instrumentalist Danny Cavanagh about the upcoming album, I can say that I have nothing but the highest of expectations.

Pure f@%king blasphemous, heretical metal. Gimme more. Gimme it all.

Not only are Cattle Decapitation one of the most talented bands in the metal world, they’re also some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Their previous album Monolith Of Inhumanity was critically acclaimed (rightfully so) and the hopes for their next album are sky high.

Having already released two EPs, this project from Deftones‘ Chino Moreno, Far‘s Shaun Lopes, and Chuck Doom has attracted huge amounts of interest. After all, the music already released is fantastic, a strange, eerie industrial trip hop with hard rock flavors that compliment each other perfectly. I’m thoroughly excited for this album, which just so conveniently comes out February 11th.

This is and always has been my favorite TV show. The characters are endlessly charming and story is intoxicating, each episode pulling the viewer deeper and deeper into the quaint yet oddly supernatural mystery. And what tied it all together was Angelo Badalamenti’s amazing jazz noir score. I will be lined up and eagerly awaiting my chance to pre-order whatever amazing edition Death Waltz has in store.

Say whatever you want but I really enjoyed Sounds Of A Playground Fading. Yes, it’s not how the band sounded when Whoracle or The Jester’s Race came out but who can honestly expect a band to stay completely stuck in the same mindset while the rest of the world grows around them? The band has consistently released solid music and I’m always ready for more!

The return of the prog rock masters was one of the biggest announcements of this year, stunning fans (including myself) who were under the impression that Robert Fripp was through with music. Their return is easily one of the most anticipated releases of the year!

The Hunter was a triumph of progressive-tinged metal, a work that is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of this generation. So it’s no surprise that everyone is on pins and needles awaiting its follow up. On top of being incredibly excited for the new album I find myself just as excited for the band’s ridiculous and amazing music videos that I’m sure will be a part of the promotional push!

So this album isn’t expected until early 2015 but you never know with Metallica! Besides, how awesome would it be to have an album come out ahead of schedule, especially since it’s been over five years since Death Magnetic?

Luckily this release won’t take that long to get to my ears since it’s slated to be released on January 21st. So, just hold my breath, wait a little bit, and then I get to enjoy a new album from the Scottish post-rock legends.

Many people basically loathed Heritage but I saw it as a logical and natural continuation of the band and their musical stylings. Still, I’d love to hear something a bit more sinister and vicious, traits which signer/guitarist Mikael Akerfeldt has stated the new album will possess.

Once again, we cross our fingers and hope that everything works out so that these prog-metal giants can all gather together to release their fifth full length studio album. After all, it’s only been nearly eight years since 10,000 Days. Just…just give it to us already.

A definitive vinyl OST reissue to one of the most beloved horror franchises of all time? Gimme. Gimme right now. But in all seriousness, Waxwork Records is known for their immaculate care and attention to detail with their releases, so I know that this reissue is in fantastic hands. Now for a release date…

I’ve already got mine pre-ordered. Do you? I mean, this soundtrack is stunning. If you’ve seen the film then you know what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t seen it, get thee to Amazon, buy a copy (don’t argue with me here), and proceed to punch yourself in the face until the package arrives. Hopefully you’ll be able to see out of them swollen eyeballs to enjoy the film. But what matters is that your ears should be just fine to enjoy Krzysztof Komeda’s stunning score.

Terminal Twilight is an album that I still recommend as being something truly fantastic and enjoyable. It’s also got a ton of elements that are nods and homages to 70’s and 80’s synth-heavy horror soundtracks, so the fact that many horror fans don’t listen to it more just astounds me. It’s because of this sheer enjoyment that I get from listening to this album that I cannot wait for it’s follow up.

Late Love was one of the strongest debut albums I’ve ever heard from a band and I have no doubt that these Icelandic rockers can put together a sophomore album that’ll just blows my socks right off.

Follow @BD_JonnyB

The post Most Anticipated Albums Of 2014 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Make sure to check out our exclusive news about their upcoming as-yet-untitled album here.

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Anathema Stream “Universal” Clip On YouTube appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

“Untouchable (Part Two)” comes from the band’s release last year Weather Systems (review), which was my #1 album of 2012. The band will be touring in September (tour dates below) and you better believe that I’ll be at at least one of the shows.

Anathema, Alcest, Mamiffer tour dates:
9/12 Philadelphia PA @ Underground Arts
9/13 Springfield VA @ Empire
9/14 New York NY @ Gramercy Theater
9/15 Boston MA @ Middle East
9/16 Montreal QC @ Foufounes Electriques
9/18 Toronto ON @ Opera House
9/19 Flint MI @ The Machine Shop
9/20 Cleveland OH @ Peabody’s
9/21 Chicago IL @ Reggie’s
9/22 Minneapolis MN @ Mill City Nights
9/24 Denver CO @ Summit City Music Hall
9/25 Salt Lake City UT @ In The Venue
9/26 Boise ID @ Knitting Factory
9/27 Seattle WA @ Studio Seven
9/28 Vancouver BC @ Rickshaw Theater
9/29 Portland OR @ Hawthorne Theater
10/1 Oakland CA @ Oakland Opera House
10/3 Los Angeles CA @ El Rey Theater
10/4 San Diego CA @ The Casbah
10/5 Tempe AZ @ The Marquee Theater

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Anathema Release Live “Untouchable (Part Two)” Clip appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Vincent Cavanagh shares this enthusiasm, commenting: “I can’t wait. Such a cool line up – three bands that move in different spheres while sharing the intent to create music that is honest, forward-thinking and uninhibited.

“Mamiffer are true artists. The dynamic mix of stark piano, crushing melancholic textures and choral reverie is something to behold. Exactly the kind of thing I’m into, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Below are the tour dates as well as the track listing for the band’s upcoming live DVD/Blu-Ray Universal, which was directed by Lasse Hoile (Porcupine Tree, Opeth). The live set can be pre-ordered here.

Anathema and Alcest co-headline dates:
9/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
9/13 – West Springfield, VA @ Empire
9/14 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
9/15 – Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East Downstairs
9/16 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
9/18 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
9/19 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
9/20 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s DownUnder
9/21 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club
9/22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
9/24 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
9/25 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
9/26 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
9/27 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
9/28 – Vancouver, BC @ Richshaw Theater
9/29 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
10/01 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro Operahouse
10/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
10/04 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
10/05 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee

Universal track listing:
CHAPTERS:
Untouchable, Part 1
Untouchable, Part 2
Thin Air
Dreaming Light
Lightning Song
The Storm Before the Calm
Everything
A Simple Mistake
The Beginning and the End
Universal
Closer
A Natural Disaster
Deep
One Last Goodbye
Flying
Fragile Dreams

EXTRAS:
ENCORE:
Panic
Emotional Winter / Wings of God
Internal Landscapes
Fragile Dreams

A NIGHT AT THE UNION CHAPEL:
Kingdom
Thin Air
Angels Walk Among Us
A Natural Disaster
Fragile Dreams

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Vincent Cavanagh Comments On Upcoming Anathema N. America Tour appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The video features Nero Bellum of Psyclon Nine. The two groups will be touring August 26th through October 5th. All tour dates can be found here or below.

Kristof Bathory states, “Throughout our 12 year history, Dawn of Ashes strives each time to step up our shocking nature through the music and the imagery that we release to our fans. To us our music videos have always been the most crucial element when revealing to the world the dark and twisted tones associated with the Dawn of Ashes name. I feel that the release of the ‘Poisoning the Steps of Babel’ music video has really shown maturity within us. This video truly exploits how Dawn of Ashes continuously strikes the nerves of censorship while giving holy, organized religions a good slap in the face. Be prepared for the true values of shock; this video holds no remorse. It’s finally time, and the music industry needs a good taste of a pure derogatory form of evil.”

Dawn Of Ashes and Psyclon Nine tour dates:
Phoenix, AZ Aug 26, 2013
Albuquerque, NM Aug 27, 2013
Dallas, TX Aug 29, 2013
Austin, TX Aug 30, 2013
Miami, FL Sep 01, 2013
Tampa, FL Sep 02, 2013
Atlanta, GA Sep 04, 2013
Richmond, VA Sep 05, 2013
NYC, NY Sep 06, 2013
Baltimore, ML Sep 08, 2013
Philadelphia, PA Sep 09, 2013
Buffalo; NY Sep 10, 2013
Pittsburgh, PA Sep 13, 2013
Columbus, OH Sep 14, 2013
Cleveland, OH Sep 15, 2013
Ann Arbor, MI Sep 17, 2013
Cincinnati, OH Sep 18, 2013
Indianapolis, IN Sep 19, 2013
Chicago, IL Sep 20, 2013
Milwaukee/Madison, WI Sep 21, 2013
Minneapolis, MN Sep 22, 2013
St. Louis, MO Sep 23, 2013
Tulsa, OK Sep 25, 2013
Denver, CO Sep 27, 2013
SLC, UA Sep 28, 2013
Seattle, WA Sep 30, 2013
Portland, OR Oct 01, 2013
San Francisco, CA Oct 03, 2013
Las Vegas, NV Oct 04, 2013
Los Angeles, CA Oct 05, 2013

Dawn Of Ashes on-line:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post [Exclusive] NSFW Music Video Premiere For Dawn Of Ashes “Poisoning The Steps Of Babel” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The tour will come as the band releases a new live concert CD/DVD/Blu-Ray entitled Universal. Coming out on September 17th via Kscope and directed by Lasse Hoile (Porcupine Tree, Opeth), the concert was recorded at a one-off show at the ancient Roman theater of Philippopolis where the band was joined by the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra.

When I heard about this tour, this was my reaction. Seriously, I’ve been wanting to see Anathema for YEARS and it’s looking like it’s finally going to be a possibility. September 19th at the Machine Shop? I’ll be there.

9/12 Philadelphia PA @ Underground Arts
9/13 Springfield VA @ Empire
9/14 New York NY @ Gramercy Theater
9/15 Boston MA @ Middle East
9/16 Montreal QC @ Foufounes Electriques
9/18 Toronto ON @ Opera House
9/19 Flint MI @ The Machine Shop
9/20 Cleveland OH @ Peabody’s
9/21 Chicago IL @ Reggie’s
9/22 Minneapolis MN @ Mill City Nights
9/24 Denver CO @ Summit City Music Hall
9/25 Salt Lake City UT @ In The Venue
9/26 Boise ID @ Knitting Factory
9/27 Seattle WA @ Studio Seven
9/28 Vancouver BC @ Rickshaw Theater
9/29 Portland OR @ Hawthorne Theater
10/1 Oakland CA @ Oakland Opera House
10/3 Los Angeles CA @ El Rey Theater
10/4 San Diego CA @ The Casbah
10/5 Tempe AZ @ The Marquee Theater

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Anathema Announces N. American Co-Headline Tour With Alcest appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

I’ve been a huge fan of Blackfield since their self-titled debut album. I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on this release.

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Blackfield Unveils Details For New Album ‘IV’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

“The title track “Systematic Guillotine” is based on my nasty ego, my misanthropic hatred towards humanity, & the generalization of how I fulfill my confidence with everything that makes me rebel against normal society. In my mind, I create a human holocaust where my thoughts create visions of pain / suffering & then transforms my ego (self pride) into a vicious persona who doesn’t show emotions for what people have to say or how they view me.” -Kristof

Dawn Of Ashes will be touring with Psyclon Nine in late summer/early fall. Head on below for the tour dates and to download “Systematic Guillotine”.

Dawn Of Ashes and Psyclon Nine tour dates:
Phoenix, AZ Aug 26, 2013
Albuquerque, NM Aug 27, 2013
Dallas, TX Aug 29, 2013
Austin, TX Aug 30, 2013
Miami, FL Sep 01, 2013
Tampa, FL Sep 02, 2013
Atlanta, GA Sep 04, 2013
Richmond, VA Sep 05, 2013
NYC, NY Sep 06, 2013
Baltimore, ML Sep 08, 2013
Philadelphia, PA Sep 09, 2013
Buffalo; NY Sep 10, 2013
Pittsburgh, PA Sep 13, 2013
Columbus, OH Sep 14, 2013
Cleveland, OH Sep 15, 2013
Ann Arbor, MI Sep 17, 2013
Cincinnati, OH Sep 18, 2013
Indianapolis, IN Sep 19, 2013
Chicago, IL Sep 20, 2013
Milwaukee/Madison, WI Sep 21, 2013
Minneapolis, MN Sep 22, 2013
St. Louis, MO Sep 23, 2013
Tulsa, OK Sep 25, 2013
Denver, CO Sep 27, 2013
SLC, UA Sep 28, 2013
Seattle, WA Sep 30, 2013
Portland, OR Oct 01, 2013
San Francisco, CA Oct 03, 2013
Las Vegas, NV Oct 04, 2013
Los Angeles, CA Oct 05, 2013

Dawn Of Ashes on-line:
Facebook
Twitter

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post [Exclusive] Stream/Download “Systematic Guillotine” From Dawn Of Ashes appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Now, Off The Record has posted two fantastic videos that feature Anathema’s Danny Cavanagh and ex-The Gathering singer Anneke Van Giersbergen performing unplugged, the first of which is a beautiful version of “Untouchable, Part 2”, which comes from Weather Systems. The second video is of The Gathering’s song “Leaves”, which comes from their 1997 album Mandylion. Head one below to see them.

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

The post Anneke Van Giersbergen And Anathema’s Danny Cavanagh Perform Unplugged Version Of “Untouchable, Part 2” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

So I put together six of my most desired tour pairings, ones where the headliner and co-headliner would not only compliment each other but would take things to an entirely new level. Head on below to see my list!

Porcupine Tree with Karnivool
Both of these bands take progressive rock to near transcendental levels, mixing gorgeous melodies with crushing heaviness, often within the same song. Seeing the both of them perform live would be an out of this world experience.

Tool with Opeth
First of all, forgive me for my April Fools’ joke in 2011. But you have to admit, it was a good one!
But seriously, think about this for a second. Talk about a match made in heaven! Both are bands that refuse to write music that would suit “the masses” and are yet push musical boundaries, taking several genres and mixing them into something that only they can each pull off.

Katatonia with Anathema
While listening to some bands, it’s clear that they write the songs, they record them, and they go on tour. Then, they rinse and repeat. Mind you, there’s nothing wrong with that. Some bands write songs that are very direct and to the point.
But then there are bands that take it a step further and don’t release music, they release art. And that is the level that I place Katatonia and Anathema in. Seeing them perform is like going to a museum and really taking the time to appreciate what you are looking at. It’s not simply a concert, it’s a time for reflection and appreciation.

Alice In Chains with Pearl Jam
This is basically a way to make my inner 90’s grunge self make the unmanliest of squeals. Both Dirt and Ten are fantastic albums that helped shape and define my musical tastes as I was growing up. This tour would probably bring about the revival of the patch covered denim jacket.

Lamb Of God with Soilwork
The ferocity and aggression of both of these bands is undeniable. Lamb of God would bring a seriously heavy groove while Soilwork would bring the melody. It’s the type of concert that would result in many cases of whiplash due to headbanging.

Rammstein with Rob Zombie
Let’s be very clear here, this concert is all about fire. Both Rammstein and Rob Zombie put on amazing and explosive (pun intended) shows that would be something for the books. I’m pretty sure that the amount of pyro used over this tour would shift the global climate up a degree or two.

Alright fellow concertgoers, what tour pairings would you want to see? Let me know in the comments below!

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Make sure to check out my worst 5 albums here.

JONNY’S TOP 10 OF 2012

10. Lamb Of God – Resolution (Jan. 24th, Epic Records)

Clocking in at #10 is Lamb Of God‘s Resolution, one of the earliest releases this year. What you have here is one incredibly catchy, groovy album with blistering metal riffs every which way you turn. The possibility that this might also be the last LoG album unintentionally makes it that much more fierce and immediate.

9. Gojira – L’Enfant Sauvage (June 26th, Roadrunner Records)

The French extreme metal masters proved once again that they very well might be the future of metal. L’Enfant Sauvage is a punishing wall of intensity that walks that fine line between noise and beauty.

8. Petter Carlsen – Clocks Don’t Count (June 12th, Function Records)

This album would’ve slipped completely under my radar had I not seen Anathema make a post about how singer Vincent Cavanagh did guest vocals on one of the tracks. Listening to it, I found a gorgeous, rich album that shines as one of the best melancholic rock albums I’ve ever heard. If nothing else, the song “Even Dead Things Feel Your Love” would’ve landed Clocks Don’t Count on this list.

7. Carina Round – Tigermending (May 8th, Dehisce Records)

Another sonically diverse album that blends infectious rhythms with some heartbreaking moments of beauty, Tigermending is a journey that is wonderfully narrated by Carina Round and her stunning vocals.

6. Meshuggah – Koloss (Mar. 27th, Nuclear Blast Records)

If it’s sheer blistering, melt-your-face-off metal, there was no better album released this year than Koloss. The Swedish tech metal founders have once again proven their status as titans.

5. Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man (Oct. 22nd, Capitol Records)

One of the late releases of the year, The Huanted Man is nothing short of stunning. Bat For Lashes Natasha Kahn knows exactly when to fill the landscape with a wealth of instruments and when to dial everything back to the bare necessities. This is one of those albums that you put on and don’t touch a thing. Just sit back and enjoy.

4. The Gathering – Disclosure (Oct. 2nd, Dismanic Distribution)

This album slipped past me, only recently landing in my hands. But once I started listening to it, I couldn’t stop. It’s mixture of rock, pop, and electronic, all sprinkled with a sense of nostalgia and sadness. Oh, and I have to say how much I love that horns are used on this album. The first time I heard them, I was taken completely aback. It was so unexpected and yet fit so well. Now, I kinda want more horns on everything I hear.

3. Deftones – Koi No Yokan (Nov. 13th, Reprise Rcords)

The most recent release of the year is also one of the best. Koi No Yokan is Deftones at their strongest, mixing rich melodies with crushing distortion, all held together by singer Chino Moreno’s commanding voice. This release only proved how unstoppable Deftones really are.

2. Katatonia – Dead End Kings (Aug. 28th, Peaceville Records)

Much like Koi No Yokan, Dead End Kings is an album that mixes incredible melodies over fierce, vicious distortion. However, there is something about Katatonia that draws me in that little bit more. This album simply resonates with me on a deeper level.

1. Anathema – Weather Systems (Apr. 24th, The End Records)

Something about Weather Systems grabbed me more fiercely than any other album this year and hasn’t let go since. From the opening acoustic notes of “Untouchable Pt. 1” to the ethereal fade out of “Internal Landscapes”, Anathema crafted an album that is a celebration of life. In my eyes, this album has already earned the status of “timeless”.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion (May 8th, Roadrunner Records)

This prog masterpiece from Porcupine Tree‘s Steven Wilson and Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt is a throwback to the glorious 70’s era progressive rock. Sinister and daunting, it’s a difficult album to “get” on the first try. But subsequent listens prove how intense and thrilling this album can be.

Stolen Babies – Naught (Sept. 18th, No Comment Records)

This album is insane, twisted, nightmarish, and unbelievable amounts of fun.

The Birthday Massacre – Hide And Seek (Oct. 9th, Metropolis Records)

I love this band and this album only added to that feeling. Infectious electronic rock with innocently sweet vocals, it’s well worth owning.

Twitch The Ripper – Colorblind (Aug. 14th, Metropolis Records)

Like I’ve said before, I have an unabashed love of the 80’s and the electronic pop that filled that decade. Colorblind hit that era and gave it a modern feel that simply made the music all that much more glorious.

Baroness – Yellow & Green (July 17th, Relapse Records)

While not what many Baroness fans were expecting to hear, Yellow & Green is still a fantastic piece of melodic hard rock. Songs like “March To The Sea” and “Little Things” get my blood pumping while “Eula” is one of the most arresting “ballads” (their words) I’ve heard in years.

Garbage – Not Your Kind Of People (May 22nd, Stunvolume Records)

I don’t think anybody was expecting Garbage‘s return to music to be as strong as it was. This album blew me off my feet and I still shake my head in disbelief when I think of how the band still has “it” after all these years.

Daniel Licht – Silent Hill: Downpour OST (March 13th, Milan Records)

Daniel Licht blew me away with this soundtrack. While the game had it’s flaws (that freakin’ combat!!!), one thing that it had plenty of was atmosphere. This was largely in part thanks to Licht’s phenomenal original score that breathed new life into what I felt was a dying series. I still listen to this soundtrack any time I’m driving in the rain or the rare foggy day rolls in.

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On a personal note, this song is not only one of my absolute favorite tracks on the album, it’s also one of my favorite tracks of the year. The combined play count of this song on my iTunes and my phone probably number well into the triple digits. I truly cannot recommend this album highly enough.

Check out our review of Weather Systems here.

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Opening with “Yellow Theme”, the album begins deceptively soft and gentle before entering the filthy, riff-tastic “Take My Bones Away”. However, this mellow melodic beauty is a recurring theme for, even through the distortion and intensity, there is a beauty that never leaves. Even through the anger there is still guitar harmonies that are a joy to hear.

Were I asked to use other bands to describe Yellow, I would say it has the alt-rock flavors and acoustic beauty of Anathema mixed with the punk/hardcore metal styles of Wolves Like Us. Considering that I love both of these artists, this should be taken as a compliment of very high magnitude. “Little Things” might well be the track that perfectly exemplifies this half of the album.

The production is gritty, grimy, gnarly and I love it. This album isn’t meant to sound clean. Hell, just take a look at the cover artwork. It’s violent but beautiful, complex yet engaging, erotic yet nonsexual. All of these ideas can easily be used to describe the sound and music of the album.

Meanwhile, Green is, as a whole, much more light and mellow as well as sounding much more raw. It’s almost as though it was a collection of B-sides and studio takes that normally wouldn’t have made the cut but the band decided that adding it on would be for the best. And I’m not complaining. There are some wonderful moments on Green, such as the gorgeous and sunny “Stretchmarker”.

The Final Word: Shifting between heavy and beautiful (and often times mixing the two together), Yellow & Green is a fantastic evolutionary step for Baroness. This album comes highly, highly recommended.

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter or on Bloody-Disgusting!

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This year Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Storm Corrosion) leads with five nominations. He is followed by both Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), who each have four nominations, while Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and It Bites each have three.

A full list of the nominees can be seen here.

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And so it was that last night I decided to go for one of my walks, despite the cold temperature, the continuous drizzle, and the steady wind. Within a few minutes, a chill had worked its way into my skin, icy fingers gripping my bones. My brisk pace served only to ensure that I didn’t reach a point where my teeth began chattering.

The soundtrack for this journey was Petter Carlsen’s Clocks Don’t Count. Hailing from Norway, Carlsen received wider recognition when he opened up for Anathema on a European tour supporting his debut album You Go Bird. Hailed for his enchanting voice, melancholic melodies, and songwriting skills, fans began itching for a second album. Clocks Don’t Count was their answer. But does this album fare? Read below for my thoughts.

Opening up almost like a lullaby, “Table For One” is a slow tempo piece in ¾, giving it an almost hypnotic sway. It is here that one can easily compare Carlsen’s voice to Jason Mraz, but it would be an incredible mistake to assume that his music follows suit. This piece is sublime and gorgeous, beginning almost like a child falling asleep, the middle some eerily soothing phantasmagoria, and the end the child awakening only to wish that their dream had been uninterrupted.

In a way, perhaps this might be the most accurate way to describe the rest of the album. Listening from one end to the other, there is a feeling that Clocks Don’t Count isn’t like most other albums. At home, I laid back, easing myself into my couch, forgetting my headphones were wrapped around my head as I stared out my window at trees dancing in the wind, gray clouds moving sideways. Time seemed to stop as song after song played.

If I had to use several artists to describe Carlsen, I would fall upon Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Riverside, Anathema, and Opeth (specifically their Damnation album). And yet, even with these artists, there is something wholly unique about Carlsen, something that places him beside these artists, not behind them.

Keep an ear open for appearances from fellow Norwegian singer Unni Wilhelmsen (“Table For One”) and Anathema’s Vincent Cavanagh (“Built To Last”).

The Final Word: In the realm of alt-pop, I cannot think of an album that I would recommend more highly than Petter Carlsen’s Clocks Don’t Count. This is an album that I will return to many times, I guarantee that.

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Anathema has long been a band that I know I can come back to for solid, amazing music. From their start as a doom metal band to their progression into progressive alt-rock, the band has always delivered atmospheric, beautiful, emotional songs that resonated deep within. So when I heard that a new album, Weather Systems, was coming out, I knew that it was something I had to hear, something that I had to dive into. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and I have spent the past several days listening to the album. Join me below to hear my thoughts.

Starting with Untouchable part 1, the album starts with a quick fingerpicked acoustic while singer Vincent Cavanagh sings gently, beautiful vocal harmonies coming in to back him up at perfect moments. The song builds dramatically, adding in symphonies, distorted guitars, percussion, perfect drums, all with the fingerpicked acoustic laying a foundation. The lyrics tell the story of learning to let go of love. The pained calls of Cavanagh, “I had to let you go/Into the setting sun/I had to let you go/To find a way back home!” are nothing short of heartbreaking, even in their triumph.

The Gathering Of The Clouds and Lightning Song must be heard as a pair. The first flows effortlessly into the second and the emotional journey is astonishing. Female vocalist Lee Douglas proudly sings, with gorgeous vocal harmonies, “This world is beautiful/So wonderful/If only you could open up your mind and see/Your world is everything you ever dreamed of/If only you could open up your mind and see“. The climax of Lightning Song brought tears to my eyes and made me realize that I had forgotten to breath.

The Beginning And The End is another track that shows how to perfectly build a song without needing to change the foundation chords. Each new section only serves to amplify and expand upon what was already there. The guitar solo in this song is also stunning. Perfectly structured without any overplaying or unnecessary flair, it suits the mood wonderfully.

The production of the album is fantastic. Everything sounds warm, lush, and very organic. The mix is also fantastic, with instruments panned neatly and vocal harmonies precisely measured. And perhaps what is best about this album is the dynamics it offers. I kept my finger close to the volume control for much of the album, which is something I personally love.

This album is not meant for casual listening. It is an album that needs full attention and a bit of participation. The music hits on some of the most intense, sensitive emotions we can feel: loss, despair, love, heartbreak. I personally put this album on my sound system, sat back, and didn’t move from the first note until the last. Then I did it again. And then once more for good measure.

The Final Word: Anathema has not delivered an album: they have delivered an affirmation of the beauty of life, be it in sadness and despair or in joy and hope. Weather Systems is not just a contender for Album of the Year, it’s a contender for Album of my Life.

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