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A few months back we introduced you to Sweden’s SMASH ATOMS, and their first single/video “Down.” Since #grungeisback has been a rallying cry and “Down” has been added to almost two dozen US commercial rock radio stations.
Eager to follow-up the relative success of their debut and build upon it SMASH ATOMS share “Into the Light” now on all streaming/download digital platforms, while the video can be viewed at HERE
“Smash Atoms are very excited to release the next single ‘Into the Light’ today,” responds Martin Söderqvist. “The song dives into the depths of mortality and traveling beyond this life to where ‘many have gone before but no-one has come back alive.’ ‘Into The Light’ mixes chromatic riffing with a melodic chorus, which together with Kenji Tsunami’s visual art, takes the listener on a special journey.”
Both songs come from the band’s impending debut full-length, expected at the end of summer. Highly influenced by the ‘90s SMASH ATOMS intend to bring it all back in a new form. The quartet’s enjoyment and intention when creating their first album was to highlight a familiar yet captivating sound. Check out the music video for first single “Down” or stream/download the track at all digital platforms.
While the influences are obvious, there is something charming, nostalgic and infectiously endearing about the group’s material culminating in what will surface as a very strong album recorded at Crehate Studios (In Flames, Scorpions, Avatar) in Gothenburg, Sweden.
SMASH ATOMS’ story actually originates back to 2012 when they formed, releasing one smashing demo and playing a handful of magical shows before U.S.-born singer Glen Gilbert stepped out and the remaining trio changed their name to THE TORCH with Martin now also handling vocals. The Torch recorded two albums, gaining national Swedish radio play and touring all over places like Scandinavia, Germany and Italy. But two years ago, Glen (The Story Behind, Hide the Knives) and the guys reconnected and decided to revert back to their former incarnation and give SMASH ATOMS another chance and here we are. Check out “Into the Light” and “Down” and anticipate more captivating songs in the coming months.
Upcoming Live Shows -
6/6 - Belsepub Rockbaren - Gothenburg, Sweden
6/29 - Teater Buratino - Gothenburg, Sweden
8/17 - The Shack - Gothenburg, Sweden
8/24 - Ackerbrand Festival - Germany w/ Danko Jones
THE ABSENCE To Reissue Metal Blade Titles
Limited-Edition Colored Vinyl Versions Out May 17th; Pre-Order Now.
Florida’s The Absence came onto the scene in 2005 with their crushing Metal Blade Records’ debut, ‘From Your Grave.’ The album, and its two successive follow-ups, 2007’s ‘Riders of the Plague’ and 2010’s ‘Enemy Unbound,’ showcased the perfect mixture of heart-wrenching melodies and skull-pounding aggression truly making them one of the premiere bands of the US melodic death metal scene. For the first time on vinyl, rediscover the group’s early work with a reissue campaign seeing these three earlier efforts for the first time on vinyl. Long requested by the band and fans alike May 17th marks their availability via M-Theory Audio’s licensing arrangement with Metal Blade Records. Pre-order now HERE
“Revisiting these albums has been pretty fantastic. It's more than about time they receive a vinyl release, and what better way to listen!!!” states singer Jamie Stewart. “Cheers to Marco and crew for finally pulling this off! We hope you all enjoy spinning these records as much as we have!!”
FROM YOUR GRAVE – the crushing debut, produced and mixed by Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) and mastered by Alan Douches (All That Remains, Cattle Decapitation, Cryptopsy). On 300 limited sapphire colored vinyl.
RIDERS OF THE PLAGUE – the classic sophomore album produced by Jonas Kjellgren (Immortal, Overkill, Dark Funeral) at Mana Studios and featuring a myriad of guest guitarists - Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry), Santiago Dobles (Cynic, Pestilence), James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Cancer) and Jonas Granvik (Without Grief). Includes a cover of Testament’s “Into the Pit.” On 300 limited tiger’s eye colored vinyl.
ENEMY UNBOUND – the band’s third album, produced by then guitarists Patrick Pintavalle and Peter Joseph with tracking/editing assistance from Brian Elliot (Dying Fetus, Paths of Possession), and mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Sweden’s Black Lounge Studios. On 300 limited poltergeist colored vinyl.
These three records, all with revamped layouts by Sonatheria Media’s Marc Lopes (Metal Church, Ross The Boss, Let Us Prey), showcase the first half of the band’s career and the early talents of members drummer Jeramie Kling (later of Inhuman Condition, Venom Inc, Ex Deo), bassist Mike Leon (later of Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Havok) and singer Jeramie Stewart (also of Hot Graves). The Absence returned in 2016 and have been toured and released three more albums since including the M-Theory collaborations – 2018’s ‘A Gift For The Obsessed’ and 2021’s ‘Coffinized,’ and more recently the band’s self-released and self-titled sixth album this past March.
MYTHRAEUM Release New Black Metal Opus ‘Oblivion Aeternam’ 6/6/24
Pre-Order CD and Limited-Edition Colored Vinyl Now
Three weeks ago San Diego-based Black Metal aggregate MYTHRAEUM gave us the first glimpse into their new magnum opus with lead single “Skies Torn Asunder”
"This track will definitely be a favorite for fans of epic metal,” boldly claimed MYTHRAEUM. “It takes the melodic, fast-paced riffing style of acts such as Wintersun and Kalmah and gives it a darker, more aggressive edge.”
Today MYTHRAEUM reveal the cover artwork for ‘Oblivion Aeternam’ and a release date, 6/6/24 for digital, Digipak CD and limited-edition blue jean colored vinyl. The vinyl is even more special as this 2LP set includes the band’s previous ‘Halls of Mythras’ EP as bonus tracks on side 4 (previously only released digitally).
‘Oblivion Aeternam’ was produced by the band and Ethan Stouder, and mixed/mastered by J.F. Dagenais (Kataklym, Misery Index, Exodus). Pre-Order now HERE
Last year we introduced you to MYTHRAEUM via the EP release, ‘Halls of Mythras.’ The band won us over after beating out over 140 other artists vying to win the Wacken Metal Battle, competing at the prestigious German festival and showing obvious potential.
That potential while hinted to on the EP, is now becoming clearly defined as heard on the new single from the group’s forthcoming new full-length. “Skies Torn Asunder” steps up from what was heard previously and further previews the barbarity, yet musical majesty that the quintet possesses sure to please fans new and old of harsh, cold and extreme music.
“Skies Torn Asunder” can be heard on all digital streaming/download platforms or watch the video HERE
Formed a few years back, MYTHRAEUM spawned from the mind of guitarist Wraith (Alonzo Larios) who assembled some of San Diego’s finest metal musicians who shared the same spark of mysticism and misanthropic musings which befell the black metal scene in Scandinavia several decades earlier. These young musicians had ambitions of crafting a brand of black metal that dared to push the musical boundaries by blending crushing heaviness with harrowing technicality, and ethereal melodies in an alchemical process which weaved esoteric myths of nature, gods, love, hate, death, and rebirth.
Wraith alongside Hagalaz (Ben Wilson) on drums, Spectre (Nicholas Lepisto) on bass, Algiz (Zach Simsay) on guitar, and Plague (Anthony Vivoli) on vocals combined into a new energetic and driving force playing shows including the Wacken Metal Battle victory and the EP release, ‘Halls of Mythras,’ featuring the songs “Where Roots Refuse To Cling” and the live clip “Terrestrial Despair” shot at Wacken Open Air
Upcoming Live Shows –
5/3 - Solaris Brewing & Blending - Menifee, CA
6/7 – Record Release Show - Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
