alternative metal

New Music Alert: CloZure + Modern Mimes

February 29, 2024 — Leave a comment

Two dynamic female-fronted bands have recently released new singles. Hard rockers CloZure shared “The Devil Effect” on February 9th, while alt-rock outfit Modern Mimes served up “Roses in Ruins” one week later, on February 16th.

CloZure on the set of the video for “The Devil Effect”

Formed in Enterprise, Alabama, CloZure boasts a take-no-prisoners approach in their latest track, “The Devil Effect.” This is the band’s first release to feature new frontwoman Elizabeth Nikollaj. A song dealing with the emotional topics of betrayal and overcoming the anger and hatred it inspires, “The Devil Effect” showcases the renewed energy with which CloZure entered 2024. Featuring a stunning vocal performance from Elizabeth and some seriously wicked guitar work, the track understandably broke iTunes top alternative chart twice, as well as iTunes rock top 20, and it ranked at #3 on the iTunes metal charts. It also hit #1 on Amazon’s new alt-rock releases and #2 on the alt-rock best seller list. 

    Socials:

    – YouTube – Facebook – Instagram – Official Site –

    ***

    Modern Mimes [2023]

    Modern Mimes, who hail from the depths of Florida, are as velveteen and sultry as the summer nights in their homestate, and their latest single, “Roses in Ruins,” is a testament to that. According to the band, the song is about battling your inner demons, in whatever form they may take, and conquering that which poisons your roots. The track is as dark and heavy as its subject matter, and singer Adi Hernandez’s intonations soar to ever-greater heights, goosebump-inducing in their strength and clarity. “Roses in Ruins” is available for streaming on all major platforms. Modern Mimes also recently welcomed drummer Harley Mitchell to the lineup, so stay tuned for a new era in 2024!

    Socials:

    – Modern Mimes linktr.ee –

    Breaking Benjamin Announces Three Dates in May 2024 With Daughtry and Keith Wallen

    February 24, 2024 — Leave a comment

    I think these shows are considered part of the spring Breaking Benjamin/Daughtry tour, but Catch Your Breath not being there makes me wonder if there are more dates coming that are going to technically be a different leg of the same tour.

    Anyway, grab your tickets at breakingbenjamin.com!

    • 5/13 – Dothan, AL – Dothan Civic Center
    • 5/15 – Clarksville, TN – F&M Bank Arena
    • 5/16 – Johnson City, TN – Freedom Hall Civic Center

    Breaking Benjamin will also be appearing at Welcome To Rockville (Daytona Beach, FL) on May 12th and Sonic Temple (Columbus, OH) on the 18th.

    Orgy Shares Dates For Their 2024 North American Tour With Cold, Horizon Theory, and I Ya Toyah

    February 23, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Industrial/metal/glam/death pop outfit Orgy is celebrating 25 years of their debut album, Candyass. The band is hitting the road in North America this spring with Cold and special guests Horizon Theory and I Ya Toyah. You can get tickets and VIP packages at orgymusic.com and coldarmy.com!

    • 4/11 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
    • 4/12 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
    • 4/13 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s
    • 4/14 – Sioux City, IA – The Marquee
    • 4/16 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
    • 4/17 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
    • 4/19 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
    • 4/20 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
    • 4/22 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
    • 4/23 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go
    • 4/24 – Fresno, CA – Fulton 55
    • 4/25 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
    • 4/26 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
    • 4/27 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock
    • 4/28 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
    • 4/30 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
    • 5/1 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
    • 5/2 – Dallas, TX – Trees
    • 5/3 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
    • 5/4 – Shreveport, LA – Strange Brew
    • 5/6 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
    • 5/7 – Tallahassee, FL – Legacy
    • 5/8 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
    • 5/9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2024*
    • 5/10 – Greensville, SC – Radio Room
    • 5/11 – Knoxville, TN – Concourse
    • 5/12 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
    • 5/14 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s
    • 5/15 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
    • 5/16 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
    • 5/17 – Allentown, PA – Maingate Nightclub
    • 5/18 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
    • 5/19 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
    • 5/21 – Syracuse, NY – Song & Dance
    • 5/22 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s
    • 5/23 – Covington, KY – Madison Theater
    • 5/24 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
    • 5/25 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club

    Asking Alexandria: All My Friends North American Tour 2024

    February 21, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Asking Alexandria has announced their All My Friends North American Tour. The 27-date run features special guests Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive, and Nerv. You can grab your tickets and VIP packages now at askingalexandria.com!

    • 4/12 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
    • 4/13 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
    • 4/14 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans
    • 4/16 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
    • 4/17 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
    • 4/19 – Tampa, FL – 98 RockFest 2024 @ Amalie Arena*
    • 4/20 – Orlando, FL – 101 WJRR Earth Day Birthday 2024 @ Central Florida Fairgrounds*
    • 4/21 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
    • 4/23 – Richmond, VA – The National
    • 4/25 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
    • 4/26 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
    • 4/27 – Worcester, MA – Big Gig III @ DCU Center*
    • 4/28 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center
    • 4/30 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
    • 5/1 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
    • 5/3 – Milwaukee, WI – Hog Fest 2024 @ FiServ Forum*
    • 5/4 – St. Paul, MN – 93X Twin City Takeover 2024 @ Xcel Energy Center*
    • 5/5 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha**
    • 5/7 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre**
    • 5/8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
    • 5/10 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
    • 5/11 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House
    • 5/12 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
    • 5/14 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
    • 5/15 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues San Diego
    • 5/17 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim
    • 5/18 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre

    * Festival date: Asking Alexandria only

    ** No Memphis May Fire

    Clutch: New World Samurai Tour 2024

    February 19, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Hard rockers Clutch are hitting the road this spring with special guests Blacktop Mojo and The Native Howl. The New World Samurai Tour kicks off April 26th in Richmond, Virginia, and wraps on May 19th in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets are available at clutchmerch.com!

    • 4/26 – Richmond, VA – The National
    • 4/27 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen
    • 4/29 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre
    • 5/1 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
    • 5/2 – Estes Park, CO – The Stanley Hotel Concert Hall
    • 5/3 – Estes Park, CO – The Stanley Hotel Concert Hall
    • 5/4 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen
    • 5/5 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
    • 5/7 – Lubbock, TX – The Garden
    • 5/9 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns
    • 5/10 – Columbia, SC – The Senate
    • 5/11 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2024*
    • 5/12 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
    • 5/14 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
    • 5/15 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live
    • 5/17 – Sioux City, IA – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
    • 5/18 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre AC
    • 5/19 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival 2024*

    * Festival date

    Avatar: The Great Metal Circus 2024

    February 16, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Avant-garde metal band Avatar is playing a few dates in North America this May! With them will be rap-rockers Oxymorrons and the all-female rock outfit Conquer Divide. Tickets are on sale at avatarmetal.com!

    • 5/8 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
    • 5/9 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
    • 5/10 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
    • 5/11 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
    • 5/12 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
    • 5/14 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
    • 5/15 – Wallingford, CT – Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
    • 5/16 – Reading, PA – Reverb
    • 5/17 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2024*
    • 5/18 – St. Louis, MO – Point Fest 2024*
    • 5/19 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Metal Fest 2024*

    * Festival

    Carbonstone Explores the Complexities of Relationships in New Single “White Noise”

    February 14, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Carbonstone is releasing a new song, “White Noise,” on February 17, 2024, and this is one you don’t wanna miss! I was given an early listen of the forthcoming release, and it is certainly a standout track in the Carbonstone library.

    “White Noise” has an edge, musically revisiting the band’s heavier side. The aggressiveness of the guitars, carried by the combination of a driving drum beat and rapid-fire bass line, are the perfect foundation for a song that is thematically dark. 

    Front man Corey James utilizes his voice to evoke a visceral reaction from his listeners. The melodic delivery of the verses offers an audibly interesting contrast to the music; the clear intonation, almost a croon, lends beauty to the tale of heartache: “You poison everything, like you did to me…” Both the lyrics and the vocal performance speak of disappointment, a resignation to the situation our narrator finds himself in. “Somewhere I can’t be found, and now this wavelength is severed/We’re nothing but white noise.” 

    However, as the track progresses, anger and frustration leak through, raw growls woven intricately throughout until the breakdown, when they crescendo into a lengthy scream of catharsis. “Suffocating, close to breaking, you left me buried alive,” Corey snarls, and a strong sense of breaking free seems to be implied. Perhaps the struggle is not yet over, but the light at the end of the tunnel has been seen.

    “White Noise” is a song that deals with the complexities of our relationships, romantic and otherwise, and does so in a way with which we all can connect. This is a must-hear, so head to Spotify, presave it, and get ready for Friday!

    Seethe Spontaneously Drops New EP, Cavalier Dualities

    February 12, 2024 — Leave a comment

    Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe surprised his followers by abruptly releasing an EP, entitled Cavalier Dualities, to Bandcamp on January 29th. (It has since gone live on all major streaming platforms.) Staying true to the glitchy, yet melodic, sound that I have come to associate with Seethe, this trilogy of tracks is an eight minute, thirty-four second emotional purge – for both artist and listener.

    Cavalier Dualities is a brief glimpse into the repeating cycle of various mental health issues, depression prevalent among them. Seethe never backs down from addressing darker subject matter, and this is again apparent in all three songs.

    “Medicate” is the beginning phase. Whatever the struggle is with – mental health, addiction, etc. – this track references the attempt to best it, to medicate and cope and hopefully ascend from the depths, maybe even defeat it one day. 

    This is followed by “Smile.” In Seethe’s own words, “Smile” is about how, in life, sometimes all one can do is smile and move forward. Throughout the fight with one’s own personal demons is the occasional necessity to fake it ’til you make it, as they say.

    The EP concludes with “In Two,” a heart-rending song in which our narrator realizes (s)he is back in the hole, that (s)he had a brief moment in the light but has yet again fallen into the rut. This brings us back to the start, the need to medicate, and the cycle continues.

    The discordant music and vocal stylings seems to reflect the frustration and hopelessness that colors the whole sordid tale, a cry of “I’ve been here before and failed, but I have to keep trying.” And while Cavalier Dualities may be a story borne from the artist’s own battles, it is relatable to anyone who has ever persevered through a private, often unseen, war with oneself.

    You can listen to Cavalier Dualities on your favorite streaming service! And once you’ve checked out the EP, ready yourself for Seethe’s next release: the new single, “Away,” which is dropping on Valentine’s Day!

    Make sure you follow Seethe on his various socials so you never miss an update!