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Progressive Rock Visionaries Big Big Train Unveil “The Sharpest Blade” From ‘Woodcut’

Eric Alper
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Progressive Rock Visionaries Big Big Train Unveil “The Sharpest Blade” From ‘Woodcut’

Award-winning progressive rock ensemble Big Big Train release their 16th studio album ‘Woodcut’ via InsideOutMusic, their first full-length conceptual work. Formed in Bournemouth in 1990, the multinational lineup now delivers a continuous narrative centered on creativity, sacrifice, and The Artist, a character walking the line between inspiration and madness.

The new single “The Sharpest Blade” features violinist Clare Lindley sharing lead vocals with frontman and producer Alberto Bravin. Lindley explains, “Having gone for a walk in the woods… he begins to carve the heartwood… It’s so good that he feels it is perhaps not of his own hand.” The track blends storytelling precision with sweeping melodic depth

Big Big Train also recently launched The Artist’s Workshop, a special site dedicated to all things ‘Woodcut’ where fans can explore and unlock hidden content.

Woodcut feels like a Big Big Train record quite unlike any that came before—an assured union of music, storytelling and visual invention. The album is graced with a striking cover design from Dorset (England) based artist Robin Mackenzie – a black and white woodcut print, of course, derived from a woodcut which the band commissioned from him specifically for the album.

Available as a Limited CD + Blu-ray edition, including extensive liner notes as well as Dolby Atmos & 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by Shawn Dealey of Sweetwater Studios, the album will also be available as a stunning Gatefold 180g 2LP with special embossed cover, Standard CD Jewelcase & Digitally in both Stereo and Dolby Atmos versions.

Featuring 16 tracks across 66-minutes of runtime, Woodcut feels epic without outstaying its welcome. From the intimacy of ‘Inkwell Black’ to the grandeur of ‘Counting Stars’, Woodcut is a defiant analogue statement in a digital age—a handcrafted, deeply human exploration of art, faith and endurance.

The full track-listing is as follows:

1. Inkwell Black 00:56
2. The Artist 07:16
3. The Lie of the Land 02:55
4. The Sharpest Blade 04:16
5. Albion Press 05:46
6. Arcadia 05:46
7. Second Press 00:37
8. Warp and Weft 03:45
9. Chimaera 05:37
10. Dead Point 05:28
11. Light Without Heat 03:22
12. Dreams in Black and White 02:34
13. Cut and Run 06:19
14. Hawthorn White 01:54
15. Counting Stars 05:40
16. Last Stand 03:34

Swiss Nu-Core Titans PALEFACE SWISS Close ‘The Wilted EP’ Chapter With “Everything Is Fine”

Eric Alper
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Swiss Nu-Core Titans PALEFACE SWISS Close ‘The Wilted EP’ Chapter With “Everything Is Fine”

Swiss nu-core heavyweights PALEFACE SWISS unleash “Everything Is Fine,” the final single from ‘The Wilted EP,’ out now. Following a year of sold out tours across Europe, the UK, the United States, and Australia, the band sharpen their emotional and sonic intensity with a track that blends crushing weight and cinematic melancholy.

“‘Everything Is Fine’ tells the story of two lovers caught in situations they can not change,” Zelli explains. “In trying to numb the pain, it only cuts deeper because they keep asking why love fails even when they’ve done everything right.” The song hits with stark honesty, pairing towering heaviness with vulnerable depth.

Directed by longtime collaborator Kriss Jakob and co edited by Zelli, the video explores love, death, and disassociation through theatrical imagery. The visual continues the Wilted cycle’s symbolism, where once vivid blooms now appear curled and brittle. The aesthetic mirrors the EP’s themes of burnout, collapse, and uneasy regrowth.

Written during relentless touring, ‘The Wilted EP’ extends the narrative that began with ‘Cursed.’ With headline runs across Europe and the UK and festival appearances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Festival, PALEFACE SWISS carry this chapter forward at full intensity.

Oakland Hardcore Heavyweights Lionheart Detonate “Roll Call” From ‘Valley of Death II’

Eric Alper
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Oakland Hardcore Heavyweights Lionheart Detonate “Roll Call” From ‘Valley of Death II’

California hardcore force Lionheart fire back with “Roll Call,” the latest strike from their new album ‘Valley of Death II,’ out now via Arising Empire. Fresh off the impact of “Bulletproof,” the Oakland band double down with groove-heavy aggression and pit ready gang shouts that land with authority. The momentum is relentless.

“Roll Call” locks into razor sharp riffs and crushing breakdowns, reinforcing Lionheart’s standing at the top of modern hardcore. The track hits direct and unfiltered, built for packed rooms and raised fists. It is a statement of intent from a band operating at full throttle.

‘Valley of Death II’ marks a new chapter following their re-signing with Arising Empire. As the long-awaited sequel to their 2019 release, the album pushes darker tones and heavier dynamics across its run. The pressure never lets up.

Lionheart take this energy back to Europe for a January 2026 headline tour alongside Madball, Gideon, and Slope. With “Bulletproof” and “Roll Call” leading the charge, Lionheart enter this era in attack mode.

Progressive Death Metal Titans PERSEFONE Unveil ‘Live In Andorra’ With Orchestral “One Word”

Eric Alper
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Progressive Death Metal Titans PERSEFONE Unveil ‘Live In Andorra’ With Orchestral “One Word”

Andorran progressive death metal masters PERSEFONE release their first live album ‘Live In Andorra,’ capturing a landmark orchestral performance at the National Auditorium in Ordino. Recorded alongside the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra, the show celebrates 20 years of the band’s evolution with symphonic scale and razor sharp execution. The live version of “One Word” sets the tone with towering intensity.

“In every show, there are different moments, but nothing compares to the thrill of the intro that leads to the very beginning,” the band shares. “For this particular show, the song that was chosen to ignite the whole experience had to be ‘One Word’.” Performed live, the track expands with orchestral force, capturing the band’s stage energy in pristine detail.

Conducted by Albert Gumí with concertmaster Pere Bardagí, the orchestra weaves seamlessly through the set. Daniel R. Flys brings new fire to beloved material, reinforcing PERSEFONE’s dynamic precision. The album moves across their catalog, blending brutality and symphonic depth into a cohesive live statement.

Live In Andorra Track Listing:
Sounds and Vessels
One Word
The Equable
Stillness is Timeless
Prison Skin
Cosmic Walkers
Living Waves
Kusanagi
Leap of Faith
Merkabah
The Great Reality
Flying Sea Dragons
Mind as Universe
Outro

Available as Blu Ray + 2 CD with a 12-page booklet, limited to 500 copies worldwide, and digital album, ‘Live In Andorra’ stands as a monumental document of PERSEFONE’s power at home in Andorra.

French Sludge Metal Force CELESTE Revives ‘Morte(s) Née(s)’ For 15th Anniversary

Eric Alper
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French Sludge Metal Force CELESTE Revives ‘Morte(s) Née(s)’ For 15th Anniversary

Influential French sludge metal band CELESTE mark the 15th anniversary of their landmark album ‘Morte(s) Née(s)’ with a newly remixed and remastered edition, out now. The reissue sharpens the record’s bleak grandeur, reinforcing its status as a defining statement in extreme music. The updated closer “De Sorte que Plus Jamais un Instant ne Soit Magique” arrives as a towering centerpiece.

“At thirteen minutes, this closing piece is the ultimate representation of CELESTE at that point in time,” says vocalist and bassist Johan Girardeau. “Rather than a collection of riffs, it’s a fully realized musical narrative.” Featuring piano and string arrangements from Les Fragments de la Nuit, the track expands into cinematic territory. The scale feels immense and unflinching.

Originally released in 2010, ‘Morte(s) Née(s)’ has been remixed by Chris Edrich and remastered by Pierrick Noël, restoring depth and dimension to one of the band’s darkest works. The updated version of opener “Ces belles de rêve aux verres embués” further underscores the album’s suffocating intensity and melodic dissonance.

Emerging from Lyon’s hardcore scene, CELESTE fused black metal, sludge, and post-hardcore into a singular force. Two decades in, the band remain uncompromising and relentless. This anniversary edition stands as both a tribute and a reaffirmation of their enduring impact.

Wet Leg Drop Surreal “pokemon” Video From ‘moisturizer’

Eric Alper
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Wet Leg Drop Surreal “pokemon” Video From ‘moisturizer’

Fresh from their Grammy win, Isle of Wight indie rock band Wet Leg unveil the video for “pokemon,” a standout from their second album ‘moisturizer.’ Nominated for Alternative Performance, Alternative Album, and Best Album Cover, the band continue a huge run with a visual that leans fully into their surreal edge.

Directed by Elliott Arndt of Faux Real, the video stars Alice Longyu Gao in an unusual relationship with a giant egg. It is strange, funny, and unmistakably Wet Leg. On the track, Rhian Teasdale moves through obsession, longing, and unfiltered devotion across three and a half punchy minutes. The emotional range hits fast and lingers.

‘moisturizer’ dives headfirst into love in all its forms, from blissed out to chaotic. The band, Rhian Teasdale, Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobaraki, sharpen their chemistry across a record that balances bite with vulnerability. The momentum remains undeniable.

Upcoming Live Dates:
Sun 12th April – Coachella @ Indio, California
Sun 19th April – Coachella @ Indio, California
Wed 3rd June – Primavera Sound @ Barcelona
Fri 19th June – Isle of Wight Festival, Isle of Wight
Sun 21st June – PinkPop, Landgraaf, NL
Sun 28th June – La Prima Estate, Italy
Wed 1st July – Trinity College, Dublin
Wed 8th July – Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
Thurs 9th July – Millennium Square, Leeds
Fri 10th July – Alexandra Palace Park, London
Sat 25th July – Latitude Suffolk
Sun 26th July – Tramlines, Sheffield
Wed 12th August – Paredes de Coura Festival, Portugal

Los Angeles Alt.Punk Firebrands Death Lens Ignite With “Power”

Eric Alper
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Los Angeles Alt.Punk Firebrands Death Lens Ignite With “Power”

Los Angeles alt.punk outfit Death Lens return with “Power,” a fast, hook driven anthem set to appear in the latest Skate video game from EA. Fresh off tour with Militarie Gun, the band charge forward with their first new music since ‘Cold World.’ The guitars bite, the chorus soars, and the message lands with force.

Frontman Bryan Torres frames the track in direct terms. “I know the world feels out of balance, nothing seems certain, and waiting isn’t an option anymore,” he says. “The world has never waited for anyone, so we stopped waiting too. That’s POWER. Strength. Resilience.” The song hits hard and refuses to back down.

The video, directed by Marco Hernandez, features pro skaters Tristan Funkhouser, Tyler Pacheco, Zach Allen, Marley Humphrey, and O’Conner Nelson. It captures the speed and grit that define the band’s Southern California roots. The energy is relentless and built for movement.

Death Lens continue to carry melodic punk laced with hardcore urgency and social accountability. European and UK summer festival dates include Berlin Breakout, Vainstream, and Mighty Sounds Festival, with more to follow. Since 2012, they have fused chaos and purpose into a sound that leaves a mark.

Jason Isbell Takes ‘Foxes In The Snow’ Across UK And Europe

Eric Alper
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Jason Isbell Takes ‘Foxes In The Snow’ Across UK And Europe

Jason Isbell brings his 3x Grammy-nominated album ‘Foxes In The Snow’ to stages across the UK and Europe with The 400 Unit. The summer run includes a headline performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall and 14 shows spanning Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and Spain. It is a full-scale return for one of Americana’s defining voices.

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios and co-produced by Isbell and Gena Johnson, ‘Foxes In The Snow’ stands among his most celebrated work. The record has earned widespread acclaim and major year-end recognition. A special gold vinyl edition, limited to 1000 copies via Rough Trade, captures an intimate 10-song set recorded at Vicar Street in Dublin.

That exclusive release features “Gravelweed,” “Eileen,” “Bury Me,” the title track, and a cover of John Prine’s “Storm Windows.” The album builds on a catalog that includes ‘Southeastern’ and the award-winning ‘Weathervanes.’ On stage, these songs take on new dimension with The 400 Unit behind them.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit UK & EU Dates:
June
Tue 2nd Belfast, IE, Ulster Hall
Wed 3rd Dublin, IE, 3Olympia Theatre
Fri 5th Bristol, UK, Bristol Beacon
Sat 6th Gateshead, UK, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Sun 7th Glasgow, UK, SEC Armadillo
Mon 8th Manchester, UK, The Bridgewater Hall
Wed 10th Birmingham, UK, Symphony Hall
Thu 11th London, UK, Royal Albert Hall
Sat 13th Tilburg, NL, 013 Poppodium
Sun 14th Groningen, NL, De Oosterpoort
Tue 16th Brussels, BE, Cirque Royal
Wed 17th Hamburg, DE, Docks
Thu 18th Kværndrup, DK, Heartland Festival
Thu 18th – Sat 20th Vitoria-Gasteiz, ES, Azkena Rock Festival

Murkage Dave Unleashes ‘Brut Thoughts’ With “RNA”

Eric Alper
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Murkage Dave Unleashes ‘Brut Thoughts’ With “RNA”

UK outsider pop artist Murkage Dave releases his new album ‘Brut Thoughts’ via The Outlet on !K7 Music, marking a bold chapter in his singular catalog. Anchored by the intimate single “RNA,” produced by Kiddus and featuring backing vocals from Young Fathers and Kiddus, the record moves through grief, masculinity, and modern pressure with unfiltered honesty.

“This song spilled out of me across several months, watching my dad get ill, and then dealing with his passing,” Dave shares. “The idea of being a ‘real man’ is often connected to physical strength… But for me being real can be about other things.” “RNA” holds that tension, balancing vulnerability with resilience. The track carries weight and quiet power.

‘Brut Thoughts’ stretches beyond personal reflection, confronting immigration, political extremism, internet culture, and the broken social contract. “It’s millennial meme culture music,” Dave explains. “The cacophony of what’s going on in my head spilling out into song.” Drawing inspiration from Talking Heads, Sampha, The Smiths, and The Streets, the album blends outsider pop with political realism.

Collaborators include James of Yard Act under his solo moniker KONOPINSKY, Kayus from Young Fathers, Ellery of WU LYF, and Lauren Auder. The project took shape across London, Manchester, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and the Danish countryside.

Murkage Dave Live:
19 Mar – London @ Village Underground
20 Mar – Manchester @ YES – Pink Room

Tigers Jaw Charge Ahead With ‘Lost on You’

Eric Alper
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0
Tigers Jaw Charge Ahead With ‘Lost on You’

Pennsylvania alt rock band Tigers Jaw return with their seventh album, ‘Lost on You,’ produced and engineered by Will Yip at Studio 4 in Philadelphia. The record captures the band’s livewire chemistry, sharpening the interplay between Ben Walsh, Brianna Collins, Mark Lebiecki, Colin Gorman, and Teddy Roberts. It is a confident, expansive statement from a group that continues to evolve.

The lead single “Head is Like a Sinking Stone” surges forward with urgency and atmosphere. Built from a riff by Lebiecki and shaped collectively, the track pairs muscular guitars with vivid imagery. “When I was a kid I had a strange recurring dream of jumping off the high dive at Nay Aug Park pool in Scranton,” Walsh shares. “It serves as a kind of reminder to myself that beauty can be found in unexpected situations.” The song lands with emotional weight and momentum.

Across the album, Tigers Jaw move through driving midtempo alt rock on “Primary Colors” and “Baptized on a Redwood Drive,” while “BREEZER” and “Head is Like a Sinking Stone” feel immediate and unmistakably their own. The band threads themes of memory, anxiety, ghosts, and duality through songs that feel both reflective and propulsive. As Collins sings on “Primary Colors,” “I understand it all now/It’s not supposed to make sense.”

Track Listing ‘Lost on You’:

  1. Head is Like a Sinking Stone
  2. Primary Colors
  3. Baptized on a Redwood Drive
  4. BREEZER
  5. Lost on You
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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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