Brisbane symphonic metal outfit Seraphic are today revealing their filmclip for new single “The Monster Within” (out now at Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, Google Music, Deezer and Pandora!) and announcing their Single launch show Friday October 12 at Woolly Mammoth! Tickets are on sale now for the epic, operatic night at Woolly Mammoth’s site.

In this brand new single, Seraphic build upon their core, quintessential instrumentation – soaring soprano vocals, lightning guitar solos, memorable melodies and keyboards as a driving melodic force – but the addition of more prominent rhythm guitar grooves and harsh vocals cements the framework for a stronger, darker and more modern take on traditional symphonic metal. 

The vision for “The Monster Within” video was simple: a visual representation of the darkness within us slowly taking over, and our ongoing battle to never give in. Imbued with an overarching theme of duality, the six-minute film is a feast for the eyes with its fleeting, unpredictable flashes between shadows and light, and the abstract personification of one’s dance with the devil. The narrative is actually represented through dance, and the ongoing, intense struggle illustrated by the dancers is elegant yet powerfully compelling. The video ends somewhat ambiguously, leaving it open to the interpretation of the viewer as to whether the darkness ultimately takes over, or whether the real struggle is learning to accept the light and dark that is within us all. 

Operatic vocialist Sam Wolstenholme said that the new track The Monster Within is “…an incredibly significant and deeply personal track for me. I wrote this song when I was going through quite a dark time in my life – and I realised I wanted, and needed, to make some major changes not only to my life, but also within myself. Since then, things have changed for the better for me, and I’ve been able to channel a lot of that personal growth into my craft and creative process. So, releasing this track is a really important milestone. I’m so proud of the track. The lyrical content deals with some very heavy and explicit themes of addiction, which I have used as a kind of analogy to represent the internal battle with our demons that we all face at some point in our lives, and the intent is that at least on that level, it’s relatable and cathartic for listeners!” 

Seraphic worked alongside Chris Themelco from Monolith Studios after hearing his production work for bands like Trigger, Espionage and his own band Orpheus Omega and the amazing filmclip was produced by SilentDez Productions. Wolstenholme went on to praise the production house and their process. “They nailed our shadows-and-light/internal struggle/duality brief and worked really hard to get the very best product they could according to our requirements. The dancers we hired were phenomenally talented, and overall, everyone in the team pulled things together so beautifully.” 

Seraphic came into existence in 2015 – and their career so far has seen them take the stage alongside bands such as Queensryche, Wednesday 13 and Overkill – and co-headline Ye Gods of Metal Fest and Darkcell’s debut Psycho Circus festival and embark on a highly successful Australian East Coast Tour. 2017 saw Seraphic release their debut album “Journey to Illumination” to rave reviews, followed by a hugely successful album launch show at New Globe Theatre.

Seraphic’s new single “The Monster Within” is available online now for streaming and purchase at Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, Google Music, Deezer and Pandora and tickets for their single launch are on sale now at Woolly Mammoth’s site, Tickets for Halloween Hysteria are available at Oztix and tickets for Kamelot’s show are available at Oztix as well. 

Andrew WK
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Party Angels were in the house at The Corner Hotel for the arrival of Party God himself Andrew WK. Having been warmed up by local party experts The Bennies, it was safe to say this was one show that everyone was very keen to be able to exhibit their best party moves.

Arriving with the curtain drawn and a crescendo of music to amp up the crowd the man didn’t fail to deliver as promised the ultimate party. With hair swinging wildly around, some insanely impressive guitarists over to the left of the stage ramping things up the crowd of devotees was promised all that are more.

Playing through his extensive set list including ‘ Tear it up’, ‘ We want fun’, She is beautiful’ and of course the iconic ‘ I get wet’ there wasn’t a single moment of slowing down at all. He was a ball of energy from the time he stepped onto the stage to the final curtain.

The crowd responded in kind, partying, moshing and in general soaking up the unique experience that is Andrew WK and his band. The energy in the room was nothing short of electric, and at times intoxicating.

With the show Andrew WK gave the audience what they were craving- a few hours to un-wind, let loose and have fun. The party God’s and party angels were smiling brightly in the room the whole night.

Words by Amanda Lee Starkey

Behind the Lens Lewis Nixon

Fresh-off the success of his recent release ‘On The Beat, True Story,’ Gabreal is back withcaptivating visuals to accompany the single which premiered on the biggest underground platform TRASH.

Shot in Sydney’s La Perouse, Malabar and Norton St Leichhardt, the video came about after recording the song. Gabreal met with his videographer P.J Svododa with the idea to bring lyrics into its own life, which is why they had a lot of different elements showing through out the all.

On the video, Gabreal said, “This video is very dark, and the music is also dark. We had so much fun shooting the video,”
“The message I want to bring across the audience is for them to finally understand who I am as person they finally get to hear my truth and my background where I’m from,”

Gabreal’s bold and honest creativity has seen him quickly emerge in the music scene. Like many migrants in Australia his previous life has a dark past. As a child of war, he was always on the move, having lived in four different countries such as Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and Australia, Gabreal decided it was time to start rapping about his past experiences and release his burdens through his lyrics with his recent release.

Championing a sound that falls into the spectrum of indie hip hop, Gabreal has an unstoppable vibe. His latest single chops down his life into one big song, he talks about heartbreaking events that happened in his life as child growing up being born in war with some of lyrics even getting him to shed a tear.
Gabreal speaks three different languages, Dinka, English, Luganda. He started making music as teenager after being inspired by his father who is a guitarist.
‘

On The Beat, True Story’ is an extravagant example of what Gabreal has to present to the hip hop industry. The single is off his upcoming EP ‘Afterparty’ due to drop in September this year.

“Rapper Gabreal has arrived at a very telling time in Australia,” Pilerats

“Gabreal’s bold and honest creativity has seen him quickly emerge in the music scene.” AAHH

BASTILLE

RESCHEDULE AUSTRALIAN DATES TO
JANUARY 2019

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Frontier Touring has been forced to rescheduleBastille’s upcoming shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The rescheduled concerts will take place on Friday 18 January 2019 at The Forum in Melbourne and Saturday 19 January 2019 at Sydney’s Big Top, with special guest Nicole Millar appearing at both shows.

The UK four-piece are one of the most instantly recognisable and unstoppable pop forces in British music today, with their highly anticipated third album on its way. Their latest release is the smash hit collaboration with Marshmello, ‘Happier’. It follows the epic single ‘Quarter Past Midnight’. Last November saw the release of ‘World Gone Mad’, lifted from the Netflix film Bright starring Will Smith, as well as a collaboration on Craig David’s ‘I Know You’.

The four piece’s debut album, 2013’s Bad Blood, landed immediate traction with fans, featuring multi-platinum mega-hit ‘Pompeii’ (463 million+ YouTube views) and singles ‘Flaws’ and ‘Laura Palmer’. 2016’s Wild World continued the trend, giving the band a #1 album debut in the UK with tracks such as ‘Good Grief’ and taking them from quintessential alternative popsters to festival favourites in just a few years.

Joining Bastille at their Australian shows will be burgeoning pop sensation Nicole Millar. After two huge EPs and collaborations with Cosmo’s Midnight, Golden Features, and most notably Peking Duk on ‘High’, Millar released her debut album Excuse Me (EMI), featuring singles ‘Gimme A Break’ and ‘Blindfolded’.

BASTILLE
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
JANUARY 2019 (prev. September)
With special guest Nicole Millar
Presented by Frontier Touring

Formed in Perth by Chris Chen (ex-Rainy Day Women) The Peppermint Club has evolved from an aspiring studio project into a formidable band.  We caught up with Chris to talk music and he gave us his Picks of the 60s.

Chris from The Peppermint Club’s Picks of the 60’s

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever

I love how this song can take you somewhere almost extra-terrestrial and you soon find yourself riding along on its psychedelic musical journey. The message of the song is powerful and the arrangements are genius. To me, it’s one of, if not the most, creative tunes I’ve heard.

The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations

There was a point in time where I was listening to this song over and over and over again. It was as if Brian Wilson had access to the recording technology that we have today and formed a banger of a pop song. I love the driving cellos in the chorus, orchestral instrumentation and of course that spooky, spacey Theremin that sings throughout. This was the first song I heard that made me realise that there was much more to The Beach Boys than their surf and sun type tunes and they have since been a big influence in my song-writing.

Procol Harum

As soon as I heard that Bach-styled organ and longing drums in the intro I was hooked, then came the poetic vocals shrouded in vivid imagery which seemed to have this really nostalgically sorrowful thing to them. It’s a beautifully-sad song with a relatable theme.

The Cowsills – The Rain, The Park & Other Things

I think if there was a song that summed up the flower power of the 60’s it would be this one. It kind of just throws you back in time and there’s something really lovely about the way their harmonies blend so seamlessly that you can’t help but smile and bop along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiMCTjO_dHI

The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset

The last song I’ve decided to include on this list is yet another song with great imagery and flowing harmonies. Something about the song feels really grounding and I like the way the

lyrics and music work so well together. It’s got this wonderful bitter-sweet thing about it and is so different to rest of their songs.///

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_MqfF

The Peppermint Club Album Launch

Saturday September 22
The Aardvark (Norfolk Hotel Basement), Fremantle
w/ CAMARANO, Yo Yo Sun (fb event)

Based in Sydney, emerging Pop/RNB singer Tiana Troy has released an emotive track‘Breathe’ produced by Jarrod Bain.
Tiana gives us a first taste of her sound, channeling smooth RNB feels of Aaliyah and stand-out vocals similar to Ariana Grande, ‘Breathe’ is a wonderful introduction in the music-sphere for this 15-year-old artist.

Of the song, Tiana says, “My track is about me coming out of my shell and me expressing
the way I feel,” “When I perform my songs I tell a story I put my emotions into the songs so the audiencecan feel what I’m feeling. I used to be shy to sing but the more I sang in front of people the more I pushed myself and I gained more confidence.”

The result is beautiful melodies, clear vocals, and a nostalgic sound that takes one straight back to the 80’s/90’s RNB.
Born with Peruvian, Russian and Italian roots, the young star is set to take on the world with her lush vocals and pop-esque vibes.
Whilst Tiana is relatively new to the scene, the promising star has already performed at notable venues in Sydney and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Emerging Soul/RNB singer Kirrah has released an infectious new single ‘Fallin’ featuring Junez.

‘Fallin’ is for the hopeless romantics out there, it’s about falling in love and the excitement
of finding something new and letting yourself give in to it. Channeling old school RNB vibes, Kirrah’s vocals stand-out in this track, hypnotising youinto a love-filled trance.

On the track Kirrah said, “So many songs these days are about resisting love or experiencing heartbreak but this track celebrates falling head over heels as the wild party it is,”

“When I was living in Brisbane last year I went to Junior’s place and we were going through his huge library of beats. He showed me so many bangers but as soon as I heard this one I loved it and we recorded my vocals. It took almost a year to go back and finishoff the song so I’ve been restless to finally share it for so long,”

Kirrah is a Canberra native who has graced the music and entertainment scene from theage of seven forming an arsenal of performances in musicals, plays and live social and corporate events.

Her experience extends from performing in-front of a sellout crowd in musicals such as The Bodyguard, Rent, Footloose, Legally Blonde and the much raved Wicked production where she won two awards. She has also performed for the likes of Australian Icon ‘Jimmy Little’, ARIA winning group ‘Idea of North’, the Deputy Prime Minister and Governor General of Australia. Most recently, she performed back up for James Arthur when he visited Australia, Conrad Sewell and Ben of The Voice Australia.

Parallel to this, full knowing that she is ready to show the world what she has been working to build and create for over 10 years, a significant amount of her focus is currently directed at the release of her debut album set to drop this year.

Today sees the release of  RAINIER FOG (BMG), the first new album in five years from multi-platinum rock band ALICE IN CHAINS

The album’s release follows a weeklong takeover of the band’s Seattle hometown that began with the Mariners hosting an “Alice In Chains Night” this past Monday at Safeco Field

On Tuesday, the  quartet—vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, vocalist/guitarist William DuVall, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney—became the first band ever to perform on “The Loupe,” the Space Needle’s brand-new revolving glass floor located 500 feet in the air.

SiriusXM will broadcast Alice In Chains’ acoustic Space Needle performance exclusively onSaturday, Sept 1 @ 7am Sydney time on their Lithium channel.
www.siriusxm.com/lithium

RAINIER FOG marks a few firsts for the band: in addition to it being their first album in five years, it’s their first album for BMG and their first time recording in their hometown of Seattle in more than 20 years (worth noting that the album title is a tribute to Seattle). They recorded at Studio X, the same facility where they tracked 1995’s self-titled Alice In Chains album (back when the studio was known as Bad Animals). The RAINIER FOG recording process also saw the band spend time at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles and at the Nashville studio of producer Nick Raskulinecz. RAINIER FOG is the third straight Alice In Chains album recorded with producer Nick Raskulinecz and engineer Paul Figueroa. The album was mixed by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool).

RAINIER FOG follows 2013’s Grammy nominated The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, which entered Billboard’s Top 200 chart at No. 2 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums charts and the iTunes Rock Album Chart. Its first two singles, “Stone” and “Hollow,” both shot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and “Voices” hit No. 3. All three tracks stayed on the chart for over 20 weeks.

ABOUT ALICE IN CHAINS
Over the course of their remarkable career, ALICE IN CHAINS have garnered multiple Grammy nominations, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and amassed a diehard international fanbase whose members number in the millions. They remain one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of all time.