DESERT HIGHWAYS SIGNS HOBO MAGIC
Noosa’s Hobo Magic have signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Desert Highways. The Desert Highways folks say, “This is something we’ve been working toward since we saw them live for the first time last year and were unbelievably impressed. Hobo Magic are currently one of the ‘must see’ stoner/fuzz/groove bands right now. Although most stoner bands come from a blues background, Hobo Magic also has roots in jazz. Their sound meanders in and out of your consciousness and delves deeply into another realm that can only be felt.” They’ve supported the likes of Motherslug, Child and Lizzard Wizzard, as well as international spots for Windhand (US) and Beastwars (NZ). Desert Highways will release an EP (featuring tracks originally released online last year) while the band works on its full-length follow-up.
GRAVEYARD ROCKSTARS SCORE ACE FREHLEY SUPPORT
Sydney Australia’s favourite ghoulish sons, the Graveyard Rockstars had a massive 2014 and 2015 is about to see them pick up where last year left off. Their debut album Doomsday was released in December and have seen it gain some fantastic reviews from all over the world, including a 10/10 from Powerplay UK and here at home. Their Goth rock, industrial tinged sonics appealing to music scribes the world over and lauded for its different and fresh approach to what everyone else is doing right now. Self-produced and recorded at several studios around Sydney, the opus was then mixed by Darren ‘JENK’ Jenkins and yields a shattering, riff-heavy sound while retaining a melodic catchiness to rival Ebola. Doomsday represents the perfect opening statement from a band armed and ready to take the world by its throat and slam it into willing submission. They have a stack of shows coming up and have just been announced as support in Sydney and Melbourne for Ace Frehley. Catch them with Ace at The Forum on Saturday May 2 and at their own show at The Espy on Saturday June 30.
NEW DAWN OF AZAZEL ALBUM
New Zealand death metal monsters Dawn Of Azazel will release their fourth full-length album on Monday April 27, entitled The Tides Of Damocles. The ten-track slab of brutality is their first new record since 2009’s critically-acclaimed Relentless. It was recorded, mixed and mastered last year at Mana Recording Studios (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, Goatwhore) in Tampa, Florida, by Brian Elliot and J.J. Hrubovcak. The band says, “Tides is a diverse album, and we felt Vassalplasty is the song with the most immediate impact, heaviness and aggression mixed with a taste of some of the more psychotropic elements to be found on the rest of the album. The title is a play on the surgical procedure to straighten a fractured and weakened spine, the lyrical theme is retaining a backbone in the face of circumstances that would cause others to conform, submit or crumple.”
KEN MODE GET DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
Canadian trio KEN mode will release their new album, Success, on Friday June 19 in Australia on Season Of Mist/Rocket. It was recorded with legendary engineer Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Jesus Lizard, PJ Harvey)in a fully live and analog session in the band’s home town in November 2014 to capture the rawest, most faithful representation of their sound. A video has been released for album opener, Blessed.
OPETH TOUR!
Swedish progressive metal legends Opeth are set to return to Australia in 2015 in support of their 11th album Pale Communion. Hailed as one of the most influential progressive metal bands in the world, Opeth have an ever-growing fanatically loyal fan base in Australia and are returning for a headline run after their highly successful Heritage tour in 2013. One factor which makes Opeth’s live shows second-to-none is that their concerts are always filled with surprises and you never know what their setlist is going to be. Featuring songs from their earlier death metal material, up to their later symphonic prog-rock, an Opeth live show is like no other and is a must see for all die-hard fans. Tickets are on sale now for their show at The Forum on Thursday May 7.
