Category: Track/Video Release

LA’s Enigmatic DRAAGYN Takes Flight On Incendiary New EP “Bent Rib”

Los Angeles’ enigmatic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist DRAAGYN, known for her critically lauded, genre-bending blackened metal and cryptic persona, has revealed her first new music in 2 years in the form of a new EP titled “Bent Rib.” Out now, the 3 song record runs the gamut of musical design, incorporating experimental elements of black, doom and progressive metal among others that could be described as a turbulent orchestra of beauty and decay.

Commenting on the EP, Draagyn states: 

“We all just want to belong. So we fool ourselves. We let others’ view of who we are become our purpose. We are convinced this hall of mirrors is the true path of souls. This cuts us off from life. The cosmos. The greater powers to which we are all connected. But there is a cord. We can find it and pull ourselves back or choose to watch it slowly strangle us. I wrote ‘Bent Rib’ as an incantation. To release myself from a world I do not belong. To weave the yarns of fate and call it my own. Man has no power over me. He does not determine me. Draagyn is the light, and is the dark. Draagyn is the good, and is the evil. Draagyn is world creator and its destroyer. It matters not whether you understand. What is important is that there is a purpose.”

DRAAGYN’s debut EP, “Bent Rib,” is an aural three-headed serpent of cacophony, “Appetite of Man,” “Beating Heart Cadaver” and “Bent Rib,” each with their own mystifying identity and slithering scales of sonic perplexity that lure you in with enchanting whispers then set you ablaze in an inferno of furious rage. 

Stream “Bent Rib“:
Apple Music – https://apple.co/3wwEzN2
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3QUnUv0
Youtube – https://youtu.be/lGA3DwACT00

“Bent Rib” follows a string of mind-bending singles including “A Night Between Two Days,” “Venom” and “Majesty.”

About DRAAGYN:
From her previous releases, Draagyn has been coined a “genre-bending blackened tour de force” by Decibel and Brooklyn Vegan. As songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Draagyn’s sound straddles the spectrum of light and dark, bridging delicate emotions with the raw force of metal and rock in a truly singular style. Her songwriting guides other musical outliers into masochistic darkness, and yet, in stark contrast, just as quietly whispers to the wretched and heartbroken, offering refuge in her tender melodies. And while the foundations of Draagyn’s music remain rooted in rock, she does as she pleases. She may choke it with blast beats, crush it with proggy groove, or drown it in folky, pensive vocals. But the recipe works. The deep musicality of her approach is undeniable, and for those both patient and brave, her songs lure listeners to another world, free of expectations and genre constraint. Draagyn threatens us with her tumultuous vision of death and musical rebirth.

Follow DRAAGYN:
https://www.draagyn.com 
https://www.instagram.com/_draagyn_ 
http://draagyn.bandcamp.com/ 

King’s X launch ‘Give It Up’; second single from the bands forthcoming album ‘Three Sides of One’

The legendary King’s X, comprised of dUg Pinnick, Ty Tabor & Jerry Gaskill, recently announced the release of their 13th studio album ‘Three Sides of One’ on the 2nd September 2022, representing their first new music in 14 years. 

Today sees the release of the second track taken from the album, and you can listen to ‘Give It Up’ here: 

dUg comments: “After I turned 71, death was on my mind every day, Chris Cornell killed himself, and I was thinking of that. Lyrically, it’s about not giving up until you naturally die. I want to ride it out until it’s over. I’m laughing about how I haven’t gotten a will yet, but I should have one. Musically, I wanted it to be really simple, so you can dance to it.” 

Listen to the bands previous single ‘Let It Rain’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWUrrCB_Ulo 

‘Three Sides of One’ will be available as Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD+LP-booklet & as Digital Album. There will also be a Limited Deluxe 180g Orange/Red Marble 2LP+CD+LP-booklet that also includes a poster and a hand-numbered print, as well as an exclusive variant of the front cover artwork. Pre-order now here: https://kingsx.lnk.to/ThreeSidesOfOne 

During 2019, the members congregated at Black Sound Studio in Pasadena, CA with Emmy Award-winning producer Michael Parnin to bring ‘Three Sides of One’ to life. Despite consistent touring, they hadn’t cut a new LP since 2008. Nevertheless, the guys picked up where they left off. Creative confidant and collaborator Wally Farkas rolled through, and they channelled their incredible chemistry on tape.

Of the new album, dUg Pinnick comments:

“When I think of it, King’s X feels like a couple of old best friends coming together, shooting the shit, and having a good time, it’s instinctual. When I would listen to demo tapes of Jerry and Ty for the record, it gave me a great perspective on how blessed I am to be in King’s X. What they did on Three Sides of One sounded so good. For as familiar as it is, it’s like I’m in a new band.” 

Ty adds:

“This time, we sat around, listened to each other’s ideas, and would collectively say, ‘Let’s work on that’. It was the most enjoyable album I’ve personally ever recorded in my entire life, period.” 

Jerry continues: “I’ll cherish what we did in my heart forever. Everything lined up perfectly.”

The full track-listing is as follows:

1.         Let It Rain 04:28

2.         Flood Pt. 1 03:03

3.         Nothing But The Truth 06:03

4.         Give It Up 02:59

5.         All God’s Children 05:32

6.         Take The Time 03:45

7.         Festival 03:30

8.         Swipe Up 03:46

9.         Holidays 03:22

10.       Watcher 03:43

11.       She Called Me Home 03:57

12.       Every Everywhere 02:40 

King’s X background:

Along the way, they architected a catalog of seminal releases. KERRANG! famously scored their 1988 full-length debut, Out of the Silent Planet, with a rare “5-out-of-5-stars.” On its heels, the landmark Gretchen Goes To Nebraska continues to inspire think pieces with Ultimate Classic Rock going as far to proclaim, “no one else has crafted anything remotely like it.” They notably appeared on the soundtrack to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and Guitar World christened the self-titled King’s X one of “The 30 Greatest Rock Guitar Albums of 1992” (a year notably highlighted by Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power, Alice In Chains’ Dirt, Megadeth’s Countdown To Extinction, Dream Theater’s Images and Words, and many more). Following Dogman, the group graced the stage of Woodstock 1994 and toured with everyone from Pearl Jam and AC/DC to Mötley Crüe and Iron Maiden. They also attracted one of the most diehard fanbases in music with Ear Candy [1996], Tape Head [1998], Please Come Home… Mr. Bulbous [2000], Manic Moonlight [2001], Black Like Sunday [2003], Ogre Tones [2005], and XV [2008].

Their first full-length studio offering in 14 years, Three Sides of One, represents the culmination of this trip and of a bond forged way back in 1979.

VLMV SHARE ‘THERE ARE MOUNTAINS (UNDERNEATH US)’ FROM UPCOMING ALBUM 

 

NEW SINGLE ACCOMPANIED BY MOVING FILM FROM CINEMATOGRAPHER GABRIEL STANGER 

 

South ​​London ambient post-rock project VLMV have shared new single ‘There Are Mountains (Underneath Us)’  via Nice Weather For Airstrikes. A moving composition with an accompanying video from acclaimed cinematographer Gabriel Stanger, the song follows previous releases Steady, Thyself, For Empire and The Navigator in anticipation of their album release ‘Sing With Abandon’ next month. Featuring guest vocals from Anja Madhvani (Her Name is Calla) and Claire Knox (A-Sun Amissa), ‘There Are Mountains…’ is a creeping and beautiful piece of music, building carefully and slowly to a triumphant but melancholy crescendo.

London based cinematographer Gabriel Stanger has created an enigmatic video. A beautiful monochrome treatise,  tells the story of mother and son coming together – open for interpretation of their family bond and connection. The serenity in the video fits perfectly with the track, an emotive and poignant video to accompany closure in both music and visual. 

An ambitious yet concise album, ‘Sing With Abandon’ was born as songwriter and producer Pete Lambrou explored navigating life in the pandemic, multiple lockdowns and a country deciding to break up with its loved ones. Lyrically focused on feelings of isolation and separation, from our shared collective human experience to the deeply personal and everything in between, ‘Sing With Abandon’ touches on the isolation found within the communal experience of a country locked down and in crisis. 

Formed in early 2015 by songwriter & producer Pete Lambrou (Codes In The Clouds, Monsters Build Mean Robots), VLMV released their debut mini album via Fierce Panda Records in August 2015, along with ‘Remixes & Reworkings’, a digital overhaul of their esteemed debut shortly after. Described as “heartachingly beautiful” by Prog Magazine, VLMV shared the follow up, ‘Stranded, Not Lost, in 2018, earning a nomination at the Prog Awards alongside critical acclaim.  

Hailing from London, VLMV have received widespread praise for their immersive live shows, gaining them slots across the UK and Europe including ArcTanGent, Dunk! Festival, Portals Festival, Post In Paris and many more.

VLMV will play The Lexington, London for their one and only UK headline show this year Friday 26th August. 

‘Sing With Abandon’ will be released August 19th via Nice Weather For Airstrikes and can be pre-ordered now 

‘There Are Mountains (Underneath Us)’ is out now

Pete Lambrou on ‘ There Are Mountains (Underneath Us)’:

“The album has been a long process for us after delays with session musicians and studio restrictions. We ended up going back and forth; writing and rewriting; taking a step back and coming at it from different angles so it feels comforting to know it’ll be out in the world so soon! The drum beat / synth loop was actually created by happy accident on my Korg ArpOdyssey. After manipulating lots of incoming audio, it spat out a chopped up beat with the tempo of 61.2567bpm. And that was that…”

Jethro Tull launch video for ‘Mine is the Mountain’

British Progressive Rock Luminaries JETHRO TULL released ‘The Zealot Gene’ earlier in 2022, their first new studio album in over 18 years. Garnering critical acclaim, as well as the bands first UK top 10 album since the 70’s, it also saw the band entering high in the charts in Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Austria and more. 

With the band now back out on the road in Europe, they recently added the fan-favourite new track ‘Mine Is The Mountain’ to their live set. To celebrate, a new video for the track has been commissioned, created by Tom Hicks who previously did the clip for ‘Shoshana Sleeping’. Watch the video now here:

Of the track, Ian Anderson comments: “Mine Is The Mountain is, perhaps, a late-life partner to the Aqualung album song My God. I had, as usual, a strong visual reference at the core of the lyrics. A miserable, committed trudge up Mount Sinai by Moses to face an angry maker before he must deliver the goods to his followers below is a powerful image, best imagined unless you are a wilderness trekker and much younger than I.”

Watch the previously released videos below:

‘The Zealot Gene’: https://youtu.be/1APwlHY50vo

‘Sad City Sisters’: https://youtu.be/lsQJl8tXO1Y

‘Shoshana Sleeping’: https://youtu.be/uPTeqsBd1Ik

Jethro Tull have a busy live schedule over the next few months, visiting countries across Europe. Find the full list of dates here: http://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/ 

“Ripe with fresh inspiration and resonant of past glories, it belongs high in the Tull canon.” – Prog Magazine

“The music is light, bright, tight and recognisably Tull” – Classic Rock Magazine

A record that began to take shape as early as 2017, ‘The Zealot Gene’, in many ways, seeks to defy convention during a time when the business of being a touring and recording artist has never faced more uncertainties. Tull bandleader Ian Anderson holds no reservations about the role for which the mythos and themes of Biblical storytelling played in the lyrical content of the new album, saying:

“While I have a spot of genuine fondness for the pomp and fairytale story-telling of the Holy Book, I still feel the need to question and draw sometimes unholy parallels from the text. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly rear their heads throughout, but are punctuated with elements of love, respect, and tenderness.”

Looking back on the earth-shaking disruption of the Coronavirus pandemic, which ultimately ended the band’s touring plans and hopes of a 2020 release for ‘The Zealot Gene’, Anderson shares, “It was so sudden. Amidst the concerns and warnings of the scientific community and a few more enlightened politicians, we all retreated in disbelief to our homes to wait out the storm.”

Listen & order the album here: https://jethrotullband.lnk.to/TheZealotGene

With more than 30 albums to their credit and sales totaling more than 50 million, Jethro Tull are one of the most successful rock bands of all-time with a catalog that contains classics that still resonate today. Led by Ian Anderson, Tull still continue to tour throughout the world, entertaining audiences of all ages. 

The band currently consists of:

Ian Anderson – Flute, acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals

Joe Parrish-James – Guitar

Florian Opahle – Guitar (album only)

Scott Hammond – Drums.

John O’Hara – Piano, keyboards and accordion

David Goodier – Bass guitar

Virgil & Steve Howe – announce release of new album “Lunar Mist”, launch title track 

Steve Howe, legendary guitarist with Yes, is pleased to announce the release of ‘Lunar Mist’ – the second collaboration with his late son Virgil Howe who tragically passed away in 2017. Continuing his journey that is fueled by the love and energies he draws from his wife Jan and their family, a passion for the guitar, and of course, the never-ending drive to create and perform music, ‘Lunar Mist’ will be launched on the 23rd September 2022. Watch the video for the album’s title track here: 

Crafted using Virgil’s unreleased material that had a connection in spirit to their debut collaboration ‘Nexus’, Steve compiled everything together in January 2021 to start work. Stemming from an unreleased bonus track, titled ‘Lunar Mist’, from their debut album, Steve worked at expanding on Virgil’s musical ideas. As Steve explains: “I started by writing chord charts for all the other tunes, before adding guitars and bass guitars to embellish them and bring them to completion. In the most part I kept them as he’d written them but sometimes I expanded them with further ideas and improvisation.”

The result is an album that is unique in both musicians body of work. “Virgil shows some different musical characteristics here that were such a joy to play on. There’s more of his great drumming and a broader inventiveness in his compositions” says Steve.

The album will be available on Limited CD Digipak, 180g Black LP + CD & Digitally, all adorned with a front cover painting by Virgil’s daughter Zuni. Pre-order the album here: https://vshowe.lnk.to/LunarMist 

1.         Lunar Mist 03:52

2.         More Than You Know 03:05

3.         Plexus 04:09

4.         Mariah’s Theme 03:16

5.         A Month In The Sun 04:39

6.         As If Between 02:43

7.         Never Less 02:55

8.         Lothian’s Way 03:06

9.         Free Spirit 02:45

10.       Eternal 03:09

11.       Dirama 02:38

12.       Pinnacle 02:02

13.       Pagoda 02:19

14.       Martian Mood 03:59

Music has been a constant in Steve Howe’s life. In the sixties, he made a name for himself as guitarist of psychedelic pioneers Tomorrow. Joining Yes in the seventies, he helped propel that band to progressive rock superstardom. The eighties found Steve at the top the charts once again as a founding member of supergroup Asia, and later, GTR. Concurrently, Steve developed a brilliant solo career, performing and honing his skills as a producer, releasing more than twenty albums. Together with wife Jan, he’s raised a family, and steered side projects with son Dylan in The Steve Howe Trio.

Steve Howe’s creative passion has put him on a lifelong journey on pathways, ranging from jazz, blues and classical, to folk, bluegrass and rock. His prolific solo career defies easy categorization, making each new album a venture into genre-bending territory that always bears his inimitable imprimatur. Always pushing forward with studio craft and virtuosity, each of his albums reflects the insights he has gathered along the way.

The Fierce & The Dead – Golden Thread released on 22nd July via Spencer Park Music

The Fierce And The Dead release Golden Thread, the 2nd single from their upcoming 4th album ‘News From The Invisible World’, once again featuring vocals from bassist Kevin Feazey, described as psychedelic metal with a shoegaze feel.

Recent Press:

“A fresh psych-fuzz freakout from one of the UK’s trickiest-to-pin-down instrumental rockers – except their first new music in four years isn’t actually instrumental, featuring vocal contributions from Kevin Feazey for the first time. (A) peak grunge- channeling chorus riff, which takes equal billing with the verse’s shoegaze-worthy washed-out chords.”

Guitar World (Essential tracks of the week)
“The work of a truly original band pushing forth and genuinely progressing”

Real Gone

“Be prepared to have that phrase – annoy and irritate your friends with it floating around your brain for days. Surely the sort of hook that makes a good single?”
At The Barrier

“Modulates between being a dark, fuzzed-out ripper and an exploratory post- rock/jazz fusion. It’s an exciting track that shows off TFATD’s mastery of post-rock songwriting and excellent mix/master engineering. Highly recommended.” Independent Clauses

Biography:

The Fierce And The Dead are releasing singles ahead of their first album in 4 years with (for the first time) vocals from bassist Kevin Feazey. Their music has been championed by Kevin Cole of KEXP, Stuart Maconie on BBC 6 Music and Steve Davis on his Interesting Alternative Show.

The Fierce And The Dead formed in London in 2010, with all 4 members originally from Rushden, Northants, they mix in elements from psychedelic rock, old metal records, post-rock, prog, broken analogue synths and shoegaze.

They released their breakthrough 3rd album ‘The Euphoric’ in 2018, via BEM records, which was Classic Rock Magazine’s Prog Album Of The Year and 8th in Prog Magazine’s critics choice. Prog magazine included them in their 100 Prog Icons and they have appeared ranked highly in the magazine’s Readers Poll for multiple years and categories, although the band never considered themselves to be deliberately prog. Pre-COVID headline shows in Manchester and London sold out months in advance. 


They have toured with Hawkwind, Big Business, Dave Lombardo, Crippled Black Phoenix, Evil Blizzard and Monkey 3 and at festivals in the USA, Europe, and the UK including Freak Valley, Prognosis, Arctangent, HRH, Kozfest, Ramblin Man and Rosfest and will support Kings X in Italy in September 2022. They have released 3 studio albums alongside 4 EPs and 3 live albums.

The Fierce And The Dead are:

Kevin Feazey – Vocals/Bass/Keys

Matt Stevens – Guitar/Keys

Steve Cleaton – Guitar/Vocals

Stuart Marshall – Drums

Order the single from bandcamp:

Music | The Fierce And The Dead (bandcamp.com)

Threshold announce new album ‘Dividing Lines’+reveal first single & music video for ‘Silenced’

THRESHOLD return with their 12th full length album ‘Dividing Lines’, which is set to be released on 18th November via Nuclear Blast Records.

‘Dividing Lines’ marks the second album since the return of former vocalist Glynn Morgan, who reunited with the band on their previous effort ‘Legends Of The Shires’ (2017). A darker album than ‘Legends Of The Shires’, the band have described it as “Legends’ darker, moodier older brother”.

Get your first taste of the album with the single ‘Silenced’, which comes with a stunning new video.

Stream ‘Silenced’ on all platforms here: https://bfan.link/silenced

Richard West comments on the song: “Silenced is about how we seem to be heading towards less voices, less artists, less venues, less platforms where everyone can be heard. People seem so scared to speak out or debate anything anymore. I know I sound old but I miss the good old days! When freedom of speech goes then society is lost.”

The video was filmed by Sitcom Soldiers in the UK who also filmed the band’s last video ‘Small Dark Lines’. The video portrays a boy coming up against a threatening foe, only defeating them by summoning a mighty scream (unsilenced).

Pre-order Dividing Lines here: https://bfan.link/dividing-lines
See below for available formats: 

FORMATS:
CD Digi
2 LP Gatefold – Black
2 LP Gatefold Gold
2 LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Orange Black Splatter
2 LP Gatefold Orange Black Marbled
2 LP Gatefold Transparent Red Black Splatter

THRESHOLD line up:
Glynn Morgan | vocals

Karl Groom | guitars

Richard West | keyboards

Steve Anderson | bass

Johanne James | drums

VLMV RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘THE NAVIGATOR’ FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘SING WITH ABANDON’

 FEATURING GUEST VOCALS FROM HER NAME IS CALLA’S ANJA MADHVANI 

London ambient post-rock project VLMV have shared new single ‘The Navigator’ via Nice Weather For Airstrikes. His third musical offering of 2022, VLMV mastermind Pete Lambrou has crafted a timeless piece that showcases honesty and self-reflection via lush harmony arrangements and delicate piano lines. The single comes as a follow up to Steady, Thyself and For Empire in anticipation of their summer album release – Sing With Abandon. 

Listen now: VLMV – The Navigator (Revere Cut) (orcd.co)

 ‘The Navigator’ is organic and slow burning with a crushing, instant sense of nostalgia and vulnerability with soaring guest vocals from Anja Madhvani (Her Name Is Calla). The piano was recorded on Adele’s old touring grand piano at Old Chapel Studios in Chichester whilst bassoon and cello loops were created by recording legato notes and processed through a 4-track, reversed and tape-looped to create endless lo-fi drones. 

 An ambitious yet concise album, ‘Sing With Abandon’ was born as songwriter and producer Pete Lambrou explored navigating life in the pandemic, multiple lockdowns and a country deciding to break up with its loved ones. Lyrically focused on feelings of isolation and separation, from our shared collective human experience to the deeply personal and everything in between, ‘Sing With Abandon’ touches on the isolation found within the communal experience of a country locked down and in crisis. 

Formed in early 2015 by songwriter & producer Pete Lambrou (Codes In The Clouds, Monsters Build Mean Robots), VLMV released their debut mini album via Fierce Panda Records in August 2015, along with ‘Remixes & Reworkings’, a digital overhaul of their esteemed debut shortly after. Described as “heartachingly beautiful” by Prog Magazine,, VLMV shared the follow up,  ‘Stranded, Not Lost, in 2018, earning a nomination at the Prog Awards alongside critical acclaim.  

Hailing from London, VLMV have received widespread praise for their immersive live shows, gaining them slots across the UK and Europe including ArcTanGent, Dunk! Festival, Portals Festival, Post In Paris and many more. 

 ‘Sing With Abandon’ will be release on August 19th via Nice Weather For Airstrikes and can be pre-ordered now 

‘The Navigator’ is available now

 Pete Lambrou on ‘Sing With Abandon’:

“This album is founded on feelings of isolation and separation that lockdown had on each of us – both on a personal and on a human race level. We’d become a nation – a world-divided. And although I hadn’t tried to represent that in album form, these things tend to slip out. I could never sit down and write a song about the state-of-the-world, but I believe that if you don’t try and force it, whatever is there deep down, will come to the surface in some way.”

 

King’s X announce ‘Three Sides of One’; first new studio album in 14 years; Launch new single ‘Let It Rain’

The legendary King’s X, comprised of dUg Pinnick, Ty Tabor & Jerry Gaskill, are pleased to announce the release of their 13th studio album ‘Three Sides of One’ on the 2nd September 2022. With the announcement comes the first new music from the band in 14 years, with the release of the album’s heavy first single ‘Let It Rain’. Listen to the track here:

Of the new album, dUg Pinnick comments:

“When I think of it, King’s X feels like a couple of old best friends coming together, shooting the shit, and having a good time, it’s instinctual. When I would listen to demo tapes of Jerry and Ty for the record, it gave me a great perspective on how blessed I am to be in King’s X. What they did on Three Sides of One sounded so good. For as familiar as it is, it’s like I’m in a new band.” 

Ty adds:

“This time, we sat around, listened to each other’s ideas, and would collectively say, ‘Let’s work on that’. It was the most enjoyable album I’ve personally ever recorded in my entire life, period.” 

Jerry continues: “I’ll cherish what we did in my heart forever. Everything lined up perfectly.”

‘Three Sides of One’ will be available as Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD+LP-booklet & as Digital Album. There will also be a Limited Deluxe 180g Orange/Red Marble 2LP+CD+LP-booklet that also includes a poster and a hand-numbered print, as well as an exclusive variant of the front cover artwork. Pre-order now here: https://kingsx.lnk.to/ThreeSidesOfOne

During 2019, the members congregated at Black Sound Studio in Pasadena, CA with Emmy Award-winning producer Michael Parnin to bring ‘Three Sides of One’ to life. Despite consistent touring, they hadn’t cut a new LP since 2008. Nevertheless, the guys picked up where they left off. Creative confidant and collaborator Wally Farkas rolled through, and they channelled their incredible chemistry on tape.

The full track-listing is as follows:

1.         Let It Rain 04:28

2.         Flood Pt. 1 03:03

3.         Nothing But The Truth 06:03

4.         Give It Up 02:59

5.         All God’s Children 05:32

6.         Take The Time 03:45

7.         Festival 03:30

8.         Swipe Up 03:46

9.         Holidays 03:22

10.       Watcher 03:43

11.       She Called Me Home 03:57

12.       Every Everywhere 02:40

King’s X background:

Along the way, they architected a catalogue of seminal releases. KERRANG! famously scored their 1988 full-length debut, Out of the Silent Planet, with a rare “5-out-of-5-stars.” On its heels, the landmark Gretchen Goes To Nebraska continues to inspire think pieces with Ultimate Classic Rock going as far to proclaim, “no one else has crafted anything remotely like it.” They notably appeared on the soundtrack to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and Guitar World christened the self-titled King’s X one of “The 30 Greatest Rock Guitar Albums of 1992” (a year notably highlighted by Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power, Alice In Chains’ Dirt, Megadeth’s Countdown To Extinction, Dream Theater’s Images and Words, and many more). Following Dogman, the group graced the stage of Woodstock 1994 and toured with everyone from Pearl Jam and AC/DC to Mötley Crüe and Iron Maiden. They also attracted one of the most diehard fanbases in music with Ear Candy [1996], Tape Head [1998], Please Come Home… Mr. Bulbous [2000], Manic Moonlight [2001], Black Like Sunday [2003], Ogre Tones [2005], and XV [2008]. 

Their first full-length studio offering in 14 years, Three Sides of One, represents the culmination of this trip and of a bond forged way back in 1979.

Lonely Robot launch ‘Recalibrating’, first single from forthcoming new studio album ‘A Model Life’ 

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by vocalist, guitarist & producer John Mitchell, recently announced the release of their fifth studio album ‘A Model Life’ on the 26th August 2022. Today, sees the launch of the album’s first single, ‘Recalibrating’. Listen to the track now here:

John comments: “A post apocalyptic breakup…the world you once knew has burned to the ground like Nero’s Rome. The only thing for it is to move forward and reset your mind. To ‘recalibrate’ if you will.” 

An album that brims with frustration at the state of things, while tugging remorselessly at the heart strings, A Model Life is plainly the most honest and vulnerable Lonely Robot record to date. From opener Recalibrating, which muses on the aftermath of a broken relationship, and Digital God Machine – a sardonic tribute to keyboard warriors everywhere, to the boys-don’t-cry pathos of Rain Kings and the absurdly moving, adoption-themed Duty Of Care, these new songs provide a scattershot but profoundly emotional soundtrack to a restless and uncertain world.

John comments: “Making ‘A Model Life’ was very much a lifeline and indeed wake up call at the end of a particularly personally challenging couple of years. Creating it made me realise that ultimately, life is impermanent and the one true thing that gives me a focus and anchor is and has always been music. Long may that be the case.” 

The album will be available as Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+CD & as Digital Album. Pre-order now here:

Lonely Robot – Recalibrating (lnk.to)

The full track-listing is as follows:

1.     Recalibrating00:05:02
2.     Digital God Machine00:06:08
3.     Species In Transition00:06:19
4.     Starlit Stardust00:05:48
5.     The Island Of Misfit Toys00:04:18
6.     A Model Life00:05:27
7.     Mandalay00:01:56
8.     Rain Kings00:06:33
9.     Duty Of Care00:06:24
10.  In Memoriam00:05:53

A lone soldier on the frontlines of creativity, John Mitchell has been at the forefront of forward-thinking and progressive rock for decades now. As a member of such revered prog ensembles as It Bites, Arena, Frost* and his own projects Kino and The Urbane, he has become a uniquely vital contributor to the modern scene, while his credentials as a producer for countless contemporary rock acts are unquestionable. But since 2015, John has been operating under name Lonely Robot: a solo project in all but name, it has enabled him to fully express his own musical vision, via some of the most vivid and fascinating music of his career to date.