VIDEO PREMIERE: Stockholm's brightest new band The Riven debt "Shadow Man"

Self releasing their debut EP “Black Bird” in April 2017 Stockholm based heavy rock band The Riven will undoubtedly take 2019 by storm with the release of their debut full length set for release via The Sign Records.   Though little is known about their forthcoming album, the band have already started the promotion of the record with the recent release of the track “Fortune Teller” and today what better way to deliver  some Christmas cheer than to debut another kick ass track from arguably one of the brightest new talents in heavy rock.  Check out “Shadow Man” below and read what vocalist Totta has to say about the track

“There he goes into the unknown… The lyrics came to mind as I travelled on a train in Sardinia one warm and hazy afternoon. Representing your inner voice and angst, but also refers to your shadow that follows you wherever you go as long as you let the light shine on you. There was this one time when bass player Max decided to record a phrase on his phone. When I heard this ”oh shadow man” I knew this was the melody and name for the song I’d started writing some time before. The video for "Shadow Man" shows The Riven playing the song live. Roberto, who we worked with, captured us and the energy of a live performance. In Shadow man we wanted to introduce the band to everyone who hasn’t yet put a face on The Riven. Have a look, grab a beer and remember that Shadow man stands and falls with you.”   From Totta, The Riven

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

VIDEO PREMIERE: La Chinga, "Wings of Fire"

La Chinga’s classic-rocking, sophomore record “Freewhelin,’” harkened back to the days of yore when a band would roll into town and bring a party with them. Forged in 2012, La Chinga’s style of retro-rock serves up that saucy 70s vibe, with an Aerosmithswagger, Van Halenstyle riffing and that all important bad ass guitar solo. At the end of the day, each song is a party and luckily today y’all are invited for the ride as we debut their brand new video “Wings of Fire” lifted from their forthcoming album “Beyond The Sky”set for release via Small Stone Records on 07/09/2018 (available here).  Check out the video below and what director of the video R.D. Cane had to say about it.

La.Chinga….When they asked me to shoot a video I had to really think about how to pay all due respect to their guitar heavy forefathers and still visually knock the socks off of a whole new generation of young rockers. We knew we wanted to make it colourful and exciting but simple enough to not get in the way.  “Wings of Fire” just rocks.  La Chinga know their thing and they do it so well.  Thanks La Chinga, this was a blast to shoot and hanging out was very cool, I really can’t wait to do more…

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

TRACK PREMIERE: 70'S inspired Norwegian rockers Friendship debut "Ain't No Shame"

Friendship is a groovy power trio from Oslo in Norway where the drummer has lead vocals. The band was formed in 2010 and consists today of Fredrik Skalstad on drums and vocals, Sander Eriksen Nordahl on guitar and Martin Morland on bass. The musicians in Friendship have all ample experience from numerous releases and tours with other projects. This results in a tight, groovy and dynamic music performance you want to experience.

Friendship’smusic is based on rock, with influences from psychedelic and soul music from the late 60s, early 70s. Friendship is a live band, letting the energy of the moment inspire jams on stage. In these moments, the audience get a real feel on the level of craftsmanship in the band.

Friendshipreleased its debut in 2011, a limited orange hand numbered 7" single and their first full length in 2014. Now they have recorded and mixed their upcoming full length album at Studio Paradiso with Christian Engfelt (Big Bang, Cato Salsa Experience). The album, "Ain't No Shame"will be released ON 25/5/2018 May 2018 on the German label Kozmik Artifactz.  Today we’re streaming their third single entitled "Ain't No Shame"taken from the album of the same name and you can check it out below. Preorders are available HERE

Band info: Facebook

REVIEW: Green Lung - "Free the Witch" [EP]

By: David Jupp

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 19/02/2018

Label: Deckhead Records

In a genre packed with bands that draw on decades-old tone and aesthetic, it takes a mature hand to re-appropriate bygone creativity without sounding forced. Luckily there is a confidence and craft present in Green Lung’s writing that belies their months.  If Green Lung can expand the template that has served them so well across these four superb songs then a truly exciting future awaits.

“Free the Witch” CS//DD track listing:

1). Lady Lucifer

2). Free the Witch

3). Living Fossil

4). Older than the Hills

The Review:

It’s been two hundred and fifty days or so since Green Lungannounced themselves on the UKheavy-stage with their blistering demo ‘Green Man Rising.’ In the months that have passed since that promising release, the London quartet have refined their craft across a host of England’s underground stages. Now armed with a growing following and half-an-hour of new material, the question is can Green Lung transfer the heft and excitement of their live show to tape?

‘Free the Witch’ sparks with lead single ‘Lady Lucifer’ and a crescendo of crisp guitar hammer-on. As the tension builds and we reach the twenty-seventh second, Green Lung proceed to drop the hammer on what is sure to be one of 2018’s stand-out riffs. The groove on display here bangs with such an endearing audacity that you can only hope the record to follow will measure up. As guitarist Scott Masson whittles down the dirt, singer Tom Templar makes his entrance. Washed in reverb and folk-horror croon Templar transmutes the bands 70’s aesthetic, from cover to sound. ‘You smiled with lips incarnadine, whispered black magic, rites obscene.’ As the song climbs to its apex Masson cracks the reigns with an outrageous solo and “Free the Witch”’s opener sets a ridiculous standard.

Title track ‘Free the Witch’ is up next and is a much more direct affair. The lurch and swerve of ‘Evil Empire’ that crackled in the opener is now replaced with a full pelt nod to debut-era The Sword. Just as the record becomes in danger of reverting to type the arrangement peels back and Masson injects another well-judged solo. ‘Free the Witch’ lurches home on a bed of cultish chant and half-time stagger.

In making the jump to Bear Bites Studios (Vodun, Ghold) and employing Wayne Adams on production Green Lung have shed the compressed savagery of their live demo and allowed their stellar rhythm-section room to breathe. Track three ‘Living Fossil’demonstrates this upgrade perfectly and the song is all Andrew Cave’s. The arrangement follows a similar pattern but before any unwanted familiarity encroaches, Cave’s bass swaggers in for an overdriven solo. The months spent on various stages refining these cuts is evident and Templar hauls the song home, ‘Living fossil, a blast from the past.’

Green Lung’s debut closes in sprawling fashion with ‘Older than the Hills.’ Not content to banish their live demo to audio-history there is a clever re-integration of the vocal hook from ‘Freak on a Peak’but this time the extended track-length really allows the band to flex their muscles. Across its eight minutes each musician takes a moment in the spotlight, and as Masson’s guitar wails in the storm Cave and Wiseman’s rhythm section rumble home on an array of deft fills and charming girth.

In a genre packed with bands that draw on decades-old tone and aesthetic, it takes a mature hand to re-appropriate bygone creativity without sounding forced. Luckily there is a confidence and craft present in Green Lung’swriting that belies their months. This confidence is only emphasised by the fact that b-side ‘When the Axe Comes Down’ is left off their debut. When you are in a vein of writing so rich you can cast away such strong songs it can only be a good omen. And that is what ‘Free the Witch’ is, an impressive and rousing omen, of greater things to come. If Green Lung can expand the template that has served them so well across these four superb songs then a truly exciting future awaits.

“Free the Witch” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

TRACK PREMIERE:The Riven deliver a raw and soulful slice of heavy rock with "Ain't No Doctor"

London based heavy rock band The Riven are set to create quite the stir within the heavy rock fraternity, they are set to release their gloriously righteous  debut EP “Blackbird”on April 14 2017 and as a consequence it is destined to propel them to the top of every playlist by year’s end.  Make no mistake this band are going to blow up in stratospheric proportions.  The album's five tracks recall the glory of 70s hard rock and is influenced by bands such as Grand Funk Railroad and Deep Purple.

The Riven is the perfect juxtaposition of delicacy set against raw, soulful, heavy rock which tastes all the better when washed down with lots of hot sauce and cheap beer. Formed in West London after an alcohol-fueled songwriting session between guitarist Arnau Diaz and bass player Max Ternebring, they were soon to be accompanied by Charlotta Ekebergh on vocals and  Olof Axegard on drums.

Whilst comparisons with their contemporaries will undoubtedly come their way, naysayer take a walk, this delectable quartet are the perfect remedy for the blues of winter and compose music that warms the soul and puts a strut in your step.  So we are beyond stoked to debut a brilliant new track from their forthcoming EP which you can check out below entitled “Ain’t No Doctor”.  Now where's that beer and hot sauce!!

Band info: bandcamp