Tag: Katatonia

0 Rockshots Records: BLUE HOUR GHOSTS Posts Lyric Video “Shine”, New Album “Due” Out February 12, 2021

February 8, 2021
by Asher
· Blue Hour Ghosts · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 8, 2021

For fans of Katatonia, Porcupine Tree, Amorphis

Rockshots Records: BLUE HOUR GHOSTS Posts Lyric Video “Shine”

New Album “Due” Out February 12, 2021

Alternative prog metal act BLUE HOUR GHOSTS are sharing with fans the latest lyric video for their single “Shine” in support of the upcoming release of their new album “Due” out on February 12th, 2021 via Rockshots Records.

Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/YnXAgF43ZIk
Spotify: https://backl.ink/144204268
CD pre-order: http://bit.ly/Due_CD
Digital Album pre-save: https://backl.ink/143813663

The band comments on the track:

“Shine is a melancholic andante/mid-tempo rocker with a “grungy” feel, introduced by piano and vocals, before a riveting guitar riff sets on; then, a subtle, atmospheric verse makes way for a truly powerful and dramatic chorus; the song ends with a final climax that brings the listener back to the initial melodies in a circular fashion. The track is literally packed with hooks and melodies that greatly enrich the musical fabric, sustaining Ricky’s wholehearted singing. In spite of its somber tone, the song is about finding the courage to accept our flaws and unlock all the beautiful things we keep inside ourselves, to overcome our fears, our sense of inadequateness or incompleteness, and the cages sometimes relationships bind us to, which can smother our will and diminish our self-esteem. It’s an exhortation to take the initiative, bear the suffering and then find out how an ugly duckling can become a swan, even through pain and waiver.”

BLUE HOUR GHOSTS’ forthcoming “Due” is the follow up to their 2016 self-titled debut album. Teaming up once again with Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi (session musician for Fear Factory, Grenouer, Levania, Noveria), BHG‘s “Due” is their sophomore effort continuing their blend of progressive, classic, gothic metal, and alternative rock.

Taking a fresh, powerful, and intense melodic assault, “Due” depicts a wide range of soundscapes ranging from full metal aggression to soft, acoustic atmospheres, passing through infectious and catchy hooks and refrains that will enthrall any music addict, along with sophisticated layered arrangements to satisfy the most demanding palates. Throughout the 9 songs, all the ghosts hiding in the blue hour are made alive in the deep and heartfelt narration provided by both music and lyrics, offering a unique and compelling listening experience.

Keyboardist Simome Pedrazzi comments about the new album:

“With “Due” we are trying to engage new and established fans with an enjoyable, fresh, and yet sophisticated multi-level listening experience. All the nine songs offer an abundance of hooks that can stick into the ear from the first listen and remain impressed into the listener’s mind, stimulating his/her curiosity. There is no room for boredom, as within each song and throughout all the album, powerful and atmospheric sections alternate with each other in a seamless flow, thus keeping the attention high. The variety of musical colours displayed throughout the album and the extreme care we put into obtaining a lush and polished sound will allow for an extremely pleasant sonic experience.”

Previous Singles:
“Walking Backwards” – YouTube (Visualizer)
“On Black Clouds”- YouTube (Music Video)

Track Listing:
1. Walking Backwards (4:01)
2. On Black Clouds (3:45)
3. Dead in August (5:12)
4. Damn Wrong (4:23)
5. Shine (5:19)
6. Fearless (4:00)
7. Lower the Wires (3:57)
8. Disheartened (4:27)
9. Involved/Bored (3:52)
Album Length: 39:00

Album Credits:
Ricky DC – Vocals
Diego Angeli – Guitars
Francesco Poggi – Guitars
Simome Pedrazzi – Keyboards
Matteo Malmusi – Bass
Andrew Gunner – Drums

Produced by Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi for dysFUNCTION Productions
Recorded and Engineered by Giuseppe Bassi
Mixed and Mastered by Giuseppe Bassi
All music and lyrics written by Blue Hour Ghosts
Additional arrangements, keyboards, sound design and programming by Giuseppe Bassi
Artwork concept and paintings by Blue Hour Ghosts
Band photos by Patrizia Cogliati – Musicphoto
Graphic layout by Francesca Dalla Costa – Secondalinea Officine Creative

Discography:
Blue Hour Ghosts (Buil2Kill Records, 2016)
Do You Believe in Ghosts? (Live) (Buil2Kill Records, 2018)
Due (Rockshots Records, 2021)

More Info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/bluehourghosts
Twitter.com/bluehourghosts
Instagram.com/bluehourghosts
Bluehourghosts.com

– 30 –

“One of the best debut albums since a while in the melodic metal world. An album complete in itself, but with every track standing strong on its own as well.” – Lords of Metal (NL), 80/100

“A damn strong output, super catchy, with cool melodies and also varied, proggy, exciting and with great vocals, and all this as the debut. All attention!” – Crossfire Metal (DE), 85/100

“This band knows how to rock in a very catchy way!” – White Room (NL)

“Blue Hour Ghosts burst upon the scene with a flaming debut album, bringing out a breath of adrenaline and a compelling mix of modern prog, classic metal, aggressive rock and spine-chilling melodic traits” – Rock Hard Italy (IT), 8/10

“This is really a cool record, nothing is missing! Blue Hour Ghosts succeed right away from their first chapter.” – Metal Hammer (IT), 82/100

—

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0 MetalInsider Track Premiere: Sennight Offer Up A Taste Of Their Upcoming 2021 Album With Melancholic “Arise”

December 9, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Sennight

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – December 9, 2020

For fans of Katatonia, Opeth, Kamelot

Sennight Offer Up A Taste Of Their Upcoming 2021 Album With Melancholic “Arise”

Track Premiere via MetalInsider

Featuring Album Guests Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable),
Ron Dalton Jr. (Your Chance to Die, Final Curse), Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual)

L-R – Sennight – Adam Mast – Bass, Vocal | Trevor Norris – Guitar

Atlanta’s Sennight is dropping a new single “Arise” off their upcoming 2021 album “New Takes The Old”.

Sennight drives forth with their heavy, melancholic brand of melodic metal that can quickly be felt by the listener who is washed over with pronounced energy. It commands attention and is not a sound that is easily forgotten. Compared to their first demos, which were more of an alternative metal sound, their music has gotten faster and more energetic since then.

Lyrical content from Sennight is largely inspired by various European mythologies and epic stories: people striving and persevering against terrible odds and having otherworldly experiences. The single “Arise” is heavy rock infused with extreme metal rhythms along with a guest solo by Ron Dalton Jr. (Your Chance to Die, Final Curse, the band explains the track in their own words:

“Arise takes influence from a few different heavy music genres including heavy and extreme metal. Lyrically the song talks about breaking free of any inhibitions and fears in order to have a full life experience. ‘Arise, untied, the iron pulled apart.’”

Hopeful and confident, the forthcoming album “New Takes The Old” will be comprised of ten songs with a variety of colors, sometimes energetic and penetrating, other times somber and plodding. The album was recorded over several sessions at Jam Room Studio in Columbia, SC, and a few parts were done remotely at guitarist Trevor Norris’ home studio. Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable) and Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual) also recorded their guest solos remotely.

Ever ambitious, Sennight has more plans for releases after this upcoming 2021 album drop.

Recommended for fans of Katatonia, Opeth, and Kamelot, “Arise” can be heard via its premiere on MetalInsider HERE.

Sennight‘s previous single “Tearing Free”, can also be heard on Bandcamp, Spotify. Apple Music.

Track Listing:
1. Perfect Symmetry
2. New Takes The Old – ft. guest solo Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable)
3. Tearing Free – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
4. When Daylight Dies
5. Golden Crown – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
6. Who Am I – ft. guest solo Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual)
7. Arise – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
8. I Am
9. Misbegotten
10. Go

Album Band Line Up:
Adam Mast – Vocals, Bass, Guitars
Trevor Norris – Solo guitars
David Holquin – Drums

More info:
Facebook.com/sennightofficial
Instagram.com/sennight.official
EPK

About:

Atlanta’s Sennight was founded in 2017 by bassist/vocalist/songwriter Adam Mast. After years of playing bass in the extreme metal scene, his musical tastes and direction changed and he began writing in a more melodic/heavy metal direction. Influenced by melodic metal bands such as Katatonia, Opeth, and Kamelot, he sought to craft a sound with heavy guitars and drums entwined with harmonic vocal melodies.

Sennight’s first EP “Fear of the Unseen” came out in May 2019, recorded at Jam Room Studio in Columbia, SC with engineer Zac Thomas. Joining in on the studio tracks were a couple of ace North Carolina metal musicians: Drummer David Holquin (Violent Life Violent Death) and guitarist Ron Dalton Jr. (Your Chance to Die, Final Curse).

Wasting no time, Sennight reentered the Jam Room Studio in late 2019, again with Thomas at the console, and began recording their first LP “New Takes The Old” with guitarist Trevor Norris officially joining the band in early 2020. Holquin and Dalton Jr. helped again with studio tracking and the sessions along with guest guitar solo appearances from mainstay southeastern metallers Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable) and Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual).

Up to this point, the writing has been done by Mast who fully demos the songs on a DAW and sends them to the other studio players. The guitar solos are fully made by the individual players and the drums are creatively improved by the drummer. When it comes to their live shows, metal fans can anticipate a high energy set with a big guitar sound, in true classic rock band style with no backing tracks. Sennight’s debut album “New Takes the Old” can be expected in 2021.

– 30 –

—

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0 The Reticent’s New Video “Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath” Continues The Tale of A Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease From Concept Album “The Oubliette”, Lyric Video Premiere via NewFuryMedia

November 11, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Reticent

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 11, 2020

For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

The Reticent’s New Video “Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath”
Continues The Tale of A Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease From Concept Album “The Oubliette”

Lyric Video Premiere via NewFuryMedia

Out Now! New Album “The Oubliette” via Heaven & Hell Records

North Carolina conceptual metal proggers The Reticent released their latest critically acclaimed concept album entitled “The Oubliette” via Heaven & Hell Records this past September. The full length was produced again by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit), and it tells the tale of man’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The record follows the journey of an old man named Henry, which is based upon a relative of songwriter Chris Hathcock who’s real name was Cyrus. The name Henry was chosen as a somewhat more universal name, but also because Henry was one of the Alzheimer’s patients featured prominently in the documentary “Alive Inside”. The concept of the album is to demonstrate Henry’s descent through the seven stages of Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t know where he is or why he’s there. He doesn’t remember his wife is dead. He doesn’t recognize his son. Step by step the disease takes his memories, his ability to speak, his ability to walk, his ability to breathe.

To lyrically visualize the third stage of Alzheimer’s, The Reticent has put together a new lyric video for “Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath”.

Hathcock adds about the track:

“Henry has brief moments of clarity when he realizes that “holes are deepening in his mind” and he vaguely grasps some of what’s happening to him. More calm and reflective the music echoes the patience that the doctors urge. The beautiful thoughtful acoustic opening gives way to powerful progressive rock, calm folk, and driving metal all to the conclusion that Henry’s best is long behind him.“

The video for “Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath” can be watched and heard via its premiere on NewFuryMedia HERE.

The Reticent‘s new album “The Oubliette” follows the band’s2016 release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, which was an autobiographical concept record that chronicled the day before, day of, and the day after the suicide of band founder Chris Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve. Critics and fans of the record alike were moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances along with the band’s award-winning live performances that are both an audiovisual and emotional experience that utilizes film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music.

Even though the recording of “The Oubliette” was delayed four times due to a severe injury to Hathcock’s right arm (the deltoid bursa to be exact), he was able to perform all instruments on the full length, he actually began lining up players to fill in for him as doctors told him he may be endangering his arm’s functionality if he didn’t take an extended break from playing. Luckily, rest allowed him to recuperate enough to complete the record. Although, the process was slowed because he was in pain the entire time, every recording session began with him taking at least 800 mg of Ibuprofen to make it through.

Chris Hathcock comments on “The Oubliette”:

“As with my previous album, I hope that ‘The Oubliette’ will provide listeners with a rich and emotionally challenging audio experience. This is undoubtedly the most ambitious record The Reticent has attempted to date. The hope is that listeners will be personally affected by the music on a deep level and that it may draw some attention to a disease that is frighteningly prominent but frequently poorly understood. There will be moments that are soothing and there will be moments that are overwhelming. The story I have to tell is not a happy one but it is an important one – and it is often through the pain that we find the most profound reflection and calls to action.”

“The Oubliette” (Heaven & Hell Records) is available on Heavenandhellrecords.com (CD), Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music.

Music Video – Stage 2: The Captive – YouTube

Track Listing:
1. Stage 1 – His Name Is Henry (9:46)
2. Stage 2 – The Captive (6:00)
3. Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath (7:13)
4. Stage 4 – The Dream (11:47)
5. Stage 5 – The Nightmare (12:14)
6. Stage 6 – The Oubliette (10:38)
7. Stage 7 – ________ (6:10)
Album Length: 1:03:50

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals, Additional Percussion
James Nelson – Lead Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Stankiewicz – Bass
Mitch Moore – Drums

For more info:
HeavenandHellRecords.com
TheReticent.net
EPK

– 30 –

“Each time I have listened to this, my rating of it has gone up until it could not go any higher. This album will hit the spot musically, tug at the heart strings and chill you to the bone. 5/5 – The ProgSpace

“Once again The Reticent enlist the aid of Jamie King for production, giving The Oubliette the same quality in sound and balance as its predecessor. The instruments sound fantastic, and Hathcock’s singing is stellar. His blend of clean (often yearning) vocals and harsh moments used to demonstrate the confusion and fury of Henry is perfectly arranged… I can safely say my expectations have been met, and at times exceeded, by The Oubliette. Hathcock has taken yet another personal subject and transformed it into a taut, compelling progressive metal opus” – Angry Metal Guy

“it’s clear that this is a very personal story from Chris Hathcock. He poured his heart and soul into the concept, and the way the tracks flowed, the story is very real and vivid. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, because it mostly affects the patient’s loved ones more than the patient himself. It’s a long process of slowly letting go, until the disease claims another victim. This process is carefully matriculated through music here, and it’s something all fans of music will want to experience. Especially considering the number of us who have been affected in one way or another by this ravaging disease. 9/10” – Metal Temple

“Prog’s most emotionally gutwrenching one-man band returns with plenty more feels… The Oubliette is the next album released under The Reticent‘s name, and tells the story of the protagonist Henry’s decline as a result of Alzheimer’s disease, heavy subject matter again inspired by life experience of Hathcock. The Reticent‘s track record for dealing with such serious subject matter was promising, and with The Oubliette they deliver on said promise.” – Metal Storm

“The Reticent have delivered a narrative masterpiece… I give 10 out of 10 bangs” – Rock Magazine.net

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 The Reticent Streaming Concept Album “The Oubliette”; A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease; Album Stream Premiere via TheProgSpace

September 23, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Reticent

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 23, 2020

For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

The Reticent Streaming Concept Album “The Oubliette”; A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease

Album Stream Premiere via TheProgSpace

New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

North Carolina conceptual metal proggers The Reticent will be releasing their new album entitled “The Oubliette” via Heaven & Hell Records on September 25th. Produced again by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit), the album tells a tale of man’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Before it officially drops, the band wants to share this story with the full length’s stream premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

“The Oubliette” follows the band’s critically acclaimed 2016 release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, which was an autobiographical concept record that chronicled the day before, day of, and the day after the suicide of band founder Chris Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve. Critics and fans of the record alike were moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances along with the band’s award-winning live performances that are both an audiovisual and emotional experience that utilizes film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music.

Even though the recording of “The Oubliette” was delayed four times due to a severe injury to Hathcock’s right arm (the deltoid bursa to be exact), he was able to perform all instruments on the full length, he actually began lining up players to fill in for him as doctors told him he may be endangering his arm’s functionality if he didn’t take an extended break from playing. Luckily, rest allowed him to recuperate enough to complete the record. Although, the process was slowed because he was in pain the entire time. Every recording session began with him taking at least 800 mg of Ibuprofen to make it through.

Finally completing “The Oubliette”, The Reticent shares another stirring autobiographical tale, this time about the tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease. The album follows the journey of an old man named Henry, which is based upon a relative of songwriter Chris Hathcock who’s real name was Cyrus. The name Henry was chosen as a somewhat more universal name, but also because Henry was one of the Alzheimer’s patients featured prominently in the documentary “Alive Inside”. The concept of the album is to demonstrate Henry’s descent through the seven stages of Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t know where he is or why he’s there. He doesn’t remember his wife is dead. He doesn’t recognize his son. Step by step the disease takes his memories, his ability to speak, his ability to walk, his ability to breathe. The music of “The Oubliette” traverses styles as divergent as jazz and black metal all within the framework of emotionally driven progressive metal. With each track sonically independent from its predecessor, the album moves the listener from experience to experience, vague memories to dreams and nightmares all toward its heartbreaking finale. Fans and critics alike will be very eager to sink their teeth into another intense emotional outpouring of progressive metal.

Chris Hathcock adds:

“The Oubliette” is due out via Heaven & Hell Records on September 25, 2020.

Album Pre-Order HERE.

Music Video – Stage 2: The Captive – YouTube

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals, Additional Percussion
James Nelson – Lead Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Stankiewicz – Bass
Mitch Moore – Drums

For more info:
HeavenandHellRecords.com
TheReticent.net
EPK

– 30 –

“The Reticent have delivered a narrative masterpiece… I give 10 out of 10 bangs” – Rock Magazine.net

“In a way, Chris pulled off the perfect fusion of PINK FLOYD’s The Wall and Operation Mindcrime by QUEENSRYCHE, all treated with the sensitivity of a modern Crossover between OPETH and EDGE OF SANITY. We obviously recognize the paw of Neal Morse and Steven Wilson in the most complex and melodic parts, but this fourth LP of the master arises in synthesis of the modern progressive.” – Metalnews.fr

“The Oubliette – being a true concept album – follows the 7 stages of Alzheimer’s. And – by that same token – tries to portray the emotions of the afflicted. In a way, this record is like one of those deep, dark, gleamy chocolate cakes. The ones that look at you with ominous malevolence, just before the evil clown jumps out. This thing is so full of psychological horrors and innuendo that – after a few listens – you start getting the jitters. Not because of the clown, of course, but because all of that has the ring of truth to it. And worse, the disease could hit you, too. Because there’s no defense.” – Rock Music Raider

—

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0 Rockshots Records: Out Now! Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis) Reissue “Last Of The Stories of Long Past Glories”+ New Lyric Video of Unreleased Track ”Not For You”

August 28, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Sinisthra

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2020

For fans of Katatonia, Anathema, Amorphis

Rockshots Records: Out Now! Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis)
Reissue “Last Of The Stories of Long Past Glories”

+ New Lyric Video of Unreleased Track ”Not For You”

After the recent release of the new album ‘The Broad and Beaten Way’, Finland’s Sinisthra featuring Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen and Italian label Rockshots Records have joined forces for a reissue edition of the band’s debut album ‘Last of The Stories of Long Past Glories‘, out today August 28th, 2020.

Originally released in 2005, the new physical version of the album includes four bonus tracks: ‘Ice Cube Sun” (demo version), ‘Unrevealed’ (demo version), ‘Not For You’ (unreleased track), ‘To Have And To Hold’ (unreleased track).

Today the band is releasing the lyric video of the unreleased track ‘Not For You’.
Listen to it on YouTube.

Drummer Erkki Virta comments about the new release:

“Our debut album was released 15 years ago and now gets a reissue, with four bonus songs: “Not For You” was originally intended to be a bonus for a Japan release that never happened. Also included is our full “Empty Banalities Adorned With Dashing Eloquence”- demo from 2004, as well as the opening track of our first demo from 2001, called “To Have And To Hold”. Revisiting these songs now, I think the album has aged rather well and only occasionally makes me cringe. The band was still finding its’ feet but all the basic elements of Sinisthra were already in place. I’m happy that it’s available again.”

Orders of ‘Last of the Stories of Long Past Glories” (reissue CD version) – including 4 bonus tracks – are available on Rockshots Records‘ official store: https://bit.ly/Lastofthestories_CD

“Last of the Stories of Long Past Glories” (standard version) is already available on digital stores:
Spotify
Apple Music

Reissue Track Listing:
1. Coming Up Roses
2. Ice Cube Sun
3. Fearless Under The Falling Sky
4. To The One Far Away
5. Unrevealed
6. My Sweet Nothing
7. Fucking Fragile
8. Innocence…In A Sense
9. Completely Incomplete
10. Ice Cube Sun (demo version)CD version only
11. Unrevealed (demo version) CD version only
12. Not For You (unreleased track) CD version only
13. To Have And To Hold (unreleased track) CD version only

Sinisthra is:
Tomi Joutsen – Vocals
Markku Mäkinen – Guitar
Erkki Virta -Drums
Timo Vainio – Keyboards
Marko Välimäki – Guitar
Janne Telen – Bass

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/Sinisthra

About:

SINISTHRA comes from Finland and has been in various stages of existence since 1999. Their style of music is basically metal, drawing from a wide source of different influences and blending them to a sound that can’t really be compared to any one single band. Always quite melancholic, most of the time quite heavy, and often with strong shades of 70’s prog with lesser shades of 90’s grunge.

The name SINISTHRA derives from the Italian word sinistra, meaning “the left side” and representing the allegory of creativity, femininity, individuality and general free-thinking pathways of the Left Hand, without the hollow “satanic” or any other religious connotations. The lyrics veer away from most commonly used themes and focus heavily on more personal and intimate subjects. Sinisthra is all about contrasts, frail yet crushing, sad yet content, silent but roaring. Melancholy without utter despair. Darkness tinged with light. Gravel covered with honey. The only dogma is never to acknowledge musical boundaries, and never to use the words “love” and “death” in the lyrics.

The band released one album in 2005, called “Last Of The Stories Of Long Past Glories” to favourable reviews and got labeled “gothic metal”, somewhat misleadingly, but as the singer Tomi Joutsen joined Amorphis, his career skyrocketed and Sinisthra’s didn’t, so due to lack of time from his part, things slowed down.

Now Sinisthra has completed their second album “The Broad And Beaten Way” and are ready to finally release it. The road has been long, winding and mostly uphill, and promises to remain so in the future as well.

– 30 –

—

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0 The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease; Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection; New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

August 27, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Reticent

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 27, 2020

For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease

Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection

New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

NC’s The Reticent return in 2020 with a new album entitled “The Oubliette” set for release on Heaven & Hell Records on September 18th. The full length is produced again by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit) to follow the band’s critically acclaimed 2016 release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, which was an autobiographical concept record that chronicled the day before, day of, and the day after the suicide of band founder Chris Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve. Critics and fans of the record alike were moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances along with the band’s award-winning live performances that are both an audiovisual and emotional experience that utilizes film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music.

Even though the recording of “The Oubliette” was delayed four times due to a severe injury to Hathcock’s right arm (the deltoid bursa to be exact), he was able to perform all instruments on the full length, he actually began lining up players to fill in for him as doctors told him he may be endangering his arm’s functionality if he didn’t take an extended break from playing. Luckily, rest allowed him to recuperate enough to complete the record. Although, the process was slowed because he was in pain the entire time. Every recording session began with him taking at least 800 mg of Ibuprofen to make it through.

Chris Hathcock adds:

Today, the band shares the first tale and the second track on the emotionally gripping release “The Captive”.

Hathcock explains:

“The song starts with Henry hearing the orderly instructs him to return to his room as marching drums cadence him to get moving Now convinced that he is being wrongly imprisoned and believing his wife is being kept from him, Henry begins to oscillate between anger and despair made all the worse by the fact that he still doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Decidedly aggressive death metal spearheads the track before Henry’s anger falls into a defeated frustration represented by the pensive midsection.”

Watch and listen to the video for “The Captive” via its premiere on MetalInjection HERE.

“The Oubliette” is due out via Heaven & Hell Records on September 25, 2020.

Album Pre-Order HERE.

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals, Additional Percussion
James Nelson – Lead Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Stankiewicz – Bass
Mitch Moore – Drums

For more info:
HeavenandHellRecords.com
TheReticent.net
EPK

– 30 –

“First-rate Progressive Metal, technically high-standing and delivered with a very high level of genuine emotion and passion.” – Rock Music Raider, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“…The fact is On the Eve of a Goodbye is one of the best concept albums of recent memory” – Angry Metal Guy, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“This record is why I listen to music.” – The Gauntlet, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“The Reticent is progressive in the truest sense of the term, and remains one of the best-kept secrets in metal…Once again, The Reticent delivers a stirring and unforgettable album that will absolutely appeal to fans of Opeth (especially Damnation and Heritage-era Opeth), Porcupine Tree, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Katatonia and Anathema.” – Hard Rock Haven, review of “Le Temps Detruit Tout”

“The Reticent’s On the Eve of a Goodbye took me by surprise and proceeded to floor me in all its heartbreaking, sophisticated glory” – Teeth of the Divine, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“I can safely say that this album stands with any classic concept album that people will try and compare it with” – Power of Metal, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
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0 Rockshots Records: Sinisthra (ft. Amorphis’ Tomi Joutsen) New Music Video ‘Eterne’

May 8, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Sinisthra

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 8, 2020

For fans of Katatonia, Anathema, Amorphis

Rockshots Records: Sinisthra (ft. Amorphis’ Tomi Joutsen) New Music Video ‘Eterne’

New Album “The Broad and Beaten Way” Out May 15th via Rockshots Records

Finland’s Sinisthra featuring Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen are sharing the new music video for single ‘Eterne’ off their forthcoming album, “The Broad and Beaten Way” due out May 15, 2020 via Rockshots Records.

Listen to ‘Eterne’ at the following links:
Music Video HERE.
Spotify HERE.

The band adds:

‘”Eterne’ is the most straight- forward song on the album, almost a total opposite to the first single “Closely Guarded Distance”. It’s the album opener and sets the stage for things to come, with the expulsion from Eden taking place and everything irredeemably changed. The video was shot in a ruined house that was my childhood home. It solidifies the fact that things can’t be reversed although some echoes might remain of what used to be.”

Best described as sadness tinged with despair and hope, “The Broad and Beaten Way” encapsulates raw emotion set against heavy and brooding music. This album comes 15 years after the debut record “Last of the Stories of Long Past Glories”, and its manifestation has been a slow and arduous process. The songs were written ages ago while other projects, primarily vocalist Tomi Joutsen’s presence in Amorphis, were given priority from the band members.

Guitarist Markku Mäkinen writes the majority of the music for the highly elusive band whose original and complex sound has often been mislabeled. The band explains the evolution of their music:

“We all had a history in thrash and death metal bands, but when the band originally came together in 2000, there was not much metal at all in the sound, it was leaning more towards grunge and at times trip-hop. After the first album in 2005, the sound took a lot more metallic turn, and something came in from 70’s prog as well. Metal genres are irrelevant to us.”

The name for the album comes from “Paradise Lost” by John Milton; “The Broad and Beaten Way” is a bridge from Hell to Earth with the lyrics taking inspiration from the fall of man, and from leading a chaotic and self-destructive modern-day life and trying to find solid ground and perhaps even some peace of mind. “Eterne” is the first song, where the metaphorical Adam and Eve are expelled, both from Eden and from their union, and in the last song “Ephemeral” Adam, solitary, finally accepts his past actions as futile.

The melancholic sojourn, suitable for fans of Katatonia, Anathema, and Amorphis is available for pre-order at the following links:
CD – http://bit.ly/Sinisthra_CD
Digital (iTunes) – https://bit.ly/Sinisthra_digital

Lyric Video ‘Closely Guarded Distance’ HERE.

Track Listing:
1. Eterne (4:19)
2. Closely Guarded Distance (13:10)
3. Halfway To Somewhere Else (7:43)
4. Morning Frail (5:56)
5. Safe In The Arms of The Everlasting Now (7:26)
6. Ephemeral (4:05)
Album Length: 42:43

Album Credits:
Music by Markku Mäkinen
Vocal lines by Tomi Joutsen
Lyrics by Erkki Virta

Sinisthra is:
Tomi Joutsen – Vocals
Markku Mäkinen – Guitar
Erkki Virta – Drums
Timo Vainio – Keyboards
Marko Välimäki – Guitar
Janne Telén – Bass

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/Sinisthra

About:

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Rockshots Records: Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis) New Single ‘Closely Guarded Distance’; New Album “The Broad and Beaten Way” Out May 15th

April 10, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Sinisthra

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – April 10, 2020

For fans of Katatonia, Anathema, Amorphis

Rockshots Records: Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis) New Single ‘Closely Guarded Distance’

New Album “The Broad and Beaten Way” Out May 15th via Rockshots Records

Finland’s Sinisthra featuring Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen are sharing the first single ‘Closely Guarded Distance’ off their forthcoming album, “The Broad and Beaten Way” due out May 15, 2020 via Rockshots Records.

Listen to ‘Closely Guarded Distance’ at the following links:
Lyric Video HERE.
Spotify HERE.

The band adds:

“”Closely Guarded Distance” is the centerpiece of the album and probably the hardest to digest of the whole lot. So we chose it as the first “single”. It’s some 13 minutes long, divided into three parts. The first phase is the courting, the second phase is the fulfillment and the final phase is the aftermath. Musically it’s an amalgamation of several half-finished and half- discarded songs we had lying around. I think it represents what Sinisthra is about, with all our main ingredients neatly distilled into one song.”

Guitarist Markku Mäkinen writes the majority of the music for the highly elusive band whose original and complex sound has often been mislabeled. The band explains the evolution of their music:

“We all had a history in thrash and death metal bands, but when the band originally came together in 2000, there was not much metal at all in the sound, it was leaning more towards grunge and at times trip-hop. After the first album in 2005, the sound took a lot more metallic turn and something came in from 70’s prog as well. Metal genres are irrelevant to us.”

The name for the album comes from “Paradise Lost” by John Milton; “The Broad and Beaten Way” is a bridge from Hell to Earth with the lyrics taking inspiration from the fall of man, and from leading a chaotic and self-destructive modern-day life and trying to find solid ground and perhaps even some peace of mind. “Eterne” is the first song, where the metaphorical Adam and Eve are expelled, both from Eden and from their union, and in the last song “Ephemeral” Adam, solitary, finally accepts his past actions as futile.

Album Credits:
Music by Markku Mäkinen
Vocal lines by Tomi Joutsen
Lyrics by Erkki Virta

Sinisthra is:
Tomi Joutsen – Vocals
Markku Mäkinen – Guitar
Erkki Virta – Drums
Timo Vainio – Keyboards
Marko Välimäki – Guitar
Janne Telén – Bass

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/Sinisthra

About:

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 THE RETICENT Releases Dark Somber Cover of Metallica’s “Fade To Black”; New Album “The Oubliette” Coming 2020 via Heaven & Hell Records

April 3, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Reticent

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – April 3, 2020

For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

THE RETICENT Releases Dark Somber Cover of Metallica’s “Fade To Black”

New Album “The Oubliette” Coming 2020 via Heaven & Hell Records

The Reticent has a new single out, a cover of Metallica’s classic “Fade To Black”, which will be featured on the progressive metal band’s forthcoming album “The Oubliette” produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, etc.) and due out later this year via Heaven & Hell Records.

The already somber tune is matched up with an equally solemn black and white video. Chris Hathcock, the founder of the band, who performed all main instruments and vocals on the track, goes into depth about choosing the cover:

“The original is a timeless classic, but in listening to it I thought that perhaps the sadness of the words were somewhat attenuated by the catchy and driving riffs. It thematically fell right in line with the over concept of “The Oubliette” as that blanket of loneliness and despair can fall over the suicidal and Alzheimer’s patients alike. I decided to reduce the instrumentation as much as possible to increase that sense of isolation and only used effects to increase the atmosphere. Minimalist and empty sounding like a hospital room. The result hopefully draws more attention to the stark hopelessness in the lyrics. The distance and atmosphere in the track are meant to feel not just isolated, but almost ghostly – as if we are hearing the baleful thoughts of a man void of hope trapped in a hospital bed.”

The Reticent began as an almost exclusively melancholy acoustic project for Hathcock. As time has gone on, the sound of the band got heavier and more diverse. The progressive nature of the band’s most recent offerings now encompasses such a wide scope that one can’t listen to a single song and know the band’s sound.

Recommended for fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and Katatonia; “The Oubliette” will be the fifth album in The Reticent’s discography and is expected out in 2020 as the release date is TBA.

To hear the stream of The Reticent‘s cover of Metallica’s “Fade To Black”, please the following link: https://youtu.be/h4rUYRcVbys

To listen to The Reticent‘s previous release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye” produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale the Summit) please visit one of the following links on Spotify, Bandcamp or Apple Music.

For more info:
TheReticent.net
Facebook.com/thereticentmusic
Instagram.com/thereticentofficial

About:

The Reticent are an NC outfit that Hard Rock Haven put it, “progressive in the truest sense of the term”. Beginning as an atmospheric acoustic side project for mastermind Chris Hathcock while he toured with war-metallers Wehrwolfe, The Reticent has become a fully realized emotional experience rooted in progressive rock and metal. This is epitomized in the band’s critically acclaimed latest release on Heaven & Hell Records, “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale the Summit) – a tragic autobiographical concept record that chronicles the day before, day of, and day after the suicide of Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve.

Critics and fans of the record alike have been moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances. The Reticent has gone even further in their live performances to create an audiovisual emotional experience unlike any other by utilizing film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music. Such unique and evocative performances have earned The Reticent a reputation throughout the east as a stellar live show – taking in awards for their live performances from magazines like YES! Weekly. This intense live experience is achieved thanks to the incredible talents of The Reticent’s other members: James Nelson (Ozai), Cliff Stankiewicz (Abacab, Interstellar Overdrive), and Mitch Moore (Rites to Sedition, Inferion).

As of 2019, Hathcock has begun preparing The Reticent for a new concept album and all new stage shows. The forthcoming album (again produced by Jamie King), “The Oubliette” is another stirring autobiographical tale, this time of the tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease. Fans and critics alike are eager to sink their teeth into another intense emotional outpouring of progressive metal as The Reticent prepares to release new music and strike back out on the road.

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 MORGAN RIDER & THE DEEP DARK RIVER Premiere “Ignite The Tempests” Music Video via Decibel Mag

January 2, 2020
by Asher
· Morgan Rider and The Deep Dark River · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 2, 2019

For fans of Woods of Ypres, Katatonia, Amorphis, Shawn James, Amigo The Devil

MORGAN RIDER (Vesperia) & THE DEEP DARK RIVER Premiere “Ignite The Tempests” Music Video

New Album “Leviathan and The Deep Dark Blue” Out Now!

L-R: Morgan Rider [Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Percussion], Nathen Morrison [Cello]

Canada’s Morgan Rider & The Deep Dark River are kicking off 2020 with their new music video “Ignite The Tempests” via Decibel Magazine HERE.

The track comes off their second installment in The Deep Dark River quadrilogy saga – “Leviathan and The Deep Dark Blue” (North Soul Records) released this past November. The album combines all the humble qualities of doom influenced metal, blues, folk and classical into a well-balanced, artfully crafted musical reflection on life, hope and old-fashioned storytelling while delivering a uniquely fresh and uplifting listening experience.

Morgan Rider explains the story of track:

“For ‘Ignite The Tempests’, the choruses are slower and doomier, they give a reprieve from the harder intro, mid section and outro to tell the story of The Tempest, who is enraged and casts his full weight upon the shore-dweller structure – crushing it utterly. His throes ignite the storms of the oceans and his writhing withers the numbers of the loathsome shore-dwellers. With a titanous gale of might, he sends the waters in full force at the green shores – crushing the structures of the poisoning shore-dwellers, bringing ruinous death to their kind and drowning the lands for many miles.”

“Leviathan and The Deep Dark Blue” available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music.

Tour Dates:
Jan 2 – Georgetown, ON – Uncorked On Main
Jan 4 – St. Thomas, ON – Railway City Brewing Company
Jan 10 – Lindsay, ON – Boiling Over’s Coffee Vault
Jan 11 – Cambridge, ON – Jackass Brewery
Jan 12 – Bowmanville, ON – Chronicle Brewing Co.
Jan 25 – Campellford, ON – That Little Pub
Feb 1 – Belleville, ON – The Beaufort Pub

Track Listing:
1 – Beneath The Crushing Tides (2:12)
2 – The Immeasurable Fathoms (6:35)
3 – Dread (4:38)
4 – Ignite The Tempests (5:01)
5 – The Seafaerers (4:50)
6 – When The Waves Are Stilled (7:15)
7 – Where the Light May Never Reach (2:53)
8 – The Immeasurable Fathoms (Acoustic) (4:59)
9 – Dread (Acoustic) (4:00)
10 – Ignite The Tempests (Acoustic) (5:33)
11 – The Seafaerers (Acoustic) (5:02)
12 – When The Waves Are Stilled (Acoustic) (5:28)
Album Length: 58:31

For more info:
Morganridermusic.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

About:

Born in 1989, singer, songsmith and multi-instrumentalist Morgan Rider had his earliest imaginings of life as a musician while contending with an often tumultuous childhood. Overhearing his mother – who is a trained operatic soprano – his love and understanding of music blossomed at an early age. Morgan eventually spending his adolescent and early adult years performing in touring metal bands – appearing on tours and large festivals across North America and Europe.

During the summer of 2017, Morgan’s adoration of folk, classical and blues music finally culminated into a project and the beginnings of a collection of songs. The name Deep Dark River had been stuck in his head for years, as a byproduct of his writings and alluding to the very nature of his ideas as a musician and artist. As such, Deep Dark River became the name by which he would perform beneath.

While his ideas began to take form, so did his mindset for what became the early stages of Deep Dark River. In March of 2018, the first original Deep Dark River single ‘The Golden Bough’ was released digitally worldwide. Morgan began performing live and also toured solo to the Canadian east coast to promote the single. In the summer of 2018, the debut album Deep Dark River was released and supported with a full Canadian solo tour over 5 weeks.

As 2018 neared its end, Morgan called upon his friend Nathen Morrison to contribute cello to the sounds of Deep Dark River, solidifying the project as a duo. The pair immediately began rehearsing and recording the first of a four-album quadrilogy – which Morgan had written the bulk of on his travels. The first single featuring the pair – Starfire – was released in March of 2019 along with the album “King of The Forest” released on June 21st, 2019 via North Soul Records. Not slowing down, the pair have their next album just months later “The Deep Dark Blue” planned for release via North Soul Records on November 22nd, 2019 with its lead single ‘The Seafaerers’.

– 30 –

“The result is an epic album which will appeal to fans of the dankest black metal as much it will to those of folk music, as it ploughs a dark furrow somewhere between the two, possessing as it does the atmospherics of the former and the story-telling ability of the latter. Quite an achievement, and one beautifully realized.” – Uber Rock

“Morgan Rider and the Deep Dark River and their sophomore record, “Leviathan And The Deep, Dark Blue”. It is, lyrically, truly a precious gem in a world where the written word matters little to the consumers of music. It does portray music, in its entirety, as an integral and an indispensable work of art, and for that, listeners worldwide can be only grateful.” – Metal Temple
—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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