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Hard rock, alternative metal outfit FACE OF A STRANGER have element's within their music, going on to release some EPs, single's, with all new music in the works as well. The band talks of their music, creativity, and what the future holds for them below.

 

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

(J) Myself and Mitch have known each other since 2011 and jammed together a couple of times when he asked me to come down and jam in early 2012 with a band he was putting together called “Loud Thought” which also contained current member Ben Slater on bass at the time. During that jam we actually worked on “The Road” and “Swallowing Grenades”, two of the songs off our first EP. In the time since then the line up has changed numerous times however recently we seem to have landed on quite a solid line up comprising of long time members myself, Mitch and Slater(now on guitar) and two old school friends of mine Dan Brewer on Drums and Stan McDonald on bass duties for live shows.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

(J) We came up with the band name back in 2012, we were looking through many different themes and ideas when I heard an Alter Bridge lyric in a song called Find The Real that i thought was really good, “There's a face I put on all my life Face of an angel I look in the mirror only to find, Face of a stranger” i took that back to the rest of the band and they all really liked it as a band name. We thought it was pretty striking and unique as there was no other bands we could find at the time with a similar name.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

(J) We are mainly based around Birmingham and The Black Country in the UK. 4 of us currently live in and around that area and Dan currently lives in Maidenhead and travels up every couple of weeks for rehearsals and gigs. This works pretty well as we do quite a lot of writing virtually and are always sending each other ideas so that when we do get together we have a pretty good idea of where the songs should go. The rock/metal music scene currently in Birmingham is really active with so many great bands, promoters and venues constantly putting on great events nearly every night of the week. We have played a couple of gigs recently with a band called Stoneload who are long time personal friends of the band and have a really cool grunge, stoner rock vibe going, they're definitely worth checking out.

4. How would you describe your style?

(J) I’d put us somewhere in the middle of Hard rock/Alt metal and metal as we have all of those elements in our songs. We have slow songs such as The Road which is this big emotional rock ballad and then all the way to a song like Sacrifice which is a fast, heavy song which features an outro section with layers of screams and really aggressive vocals throughout. I think something that people like about us is that no 2 songs sound the same and feel like there really is something for everyone.

(D)We take some distinct influences from the likes of Alter Bridge, Staind and Metallica, combining heavy but listenable guitar riffs, melodic bridges, punchy breakdowns, all sitting underneath powerful and commanding vocals. Not to sound cliche, but in recent years we have tuned down a couple of notes to help express the grit and aggression that we are trying to communicate to our audience.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

(D)We have released a number of EPs and singles over the years, but since 2020 and after a bit of a shake-up, we have released Oblivion, Stonewalled and Sacrifice, three tracks which we are very proud of. Our aggressive but melodic style is well represented in those three tracks, with more on the way.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

(D)We do! We have just heard the final mixes of a new 5-track EP which we expect to release early next year. We have really stepped up our game from both a production and composition perspective for our latest project and are excited to share it! The tracks combine uptempo riffing, huge, layered choruses, a swung, southern rock track and even a somber ballard thrown in for good measure.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

(D)We’ve played quite a few shows this year and our live performance feels like a very well oiled machine, now. October was a pretty busy month for us, with a gig every weekend in the West Midlands. We’re very much looking forward to our headline EP release gig, which is planned for February next year in Wolverhampton. We’ve toyed with the idea of putting a mini tour together and would love to make that happen. Maybe a goal for 2024.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

(M)We have a new single being released on the 1st December, and will be getting in front of the camera for our debut music video featuring the 2nd single off the new EP: 'Monsters Among Us'. We're hoping to jump on some festivals bills too and take our music to more ears and push ourselves just as hard as ever.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

(M)We're all across the board, from Apple Music to Spotify & Google, we have a YouTube channel with lyric videos available to view, and a new development is up and coming: we will be appearing on our YouTube channel performing acoustic versions of our own original songs, and some of our guilty pleasures, and downright great tracks that we've always wanted to cover...with suggestions from our online audience across the world, there will be competitions on there too, to win a free t-shirt, etc. Very excited for that. www.faceofastranger.co.uk is where our gig dates go, and merchandise, and more.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?⁰

(M) So if you're a first time listener, the most important thing I'd say is: "there's always gonna be something for everyone". When we approach a song, it's all about the mood: what's going through our heads when writing it, and how do we interpret that when recording it, or playing it Live?! It could be a fictional story, or a belief, or opinion, or personal experiences, or an observation That's what Face of a Stranger's songs are, they're a mood. And like moods, they strike different feelings. We just hope it grabs you and rattles your bones and makes you feel something.

 


Rock pop act ELOUR came together on a whim, as Elizabeth Ghandour a songwriter, singer, and guitarist, wanted to create music, but it did not go as planned as first. So it would form into ELOUR and other band members would soon come on to join in, creating something that would release an EP, and upcoming singles in the next year, plus more in-store! The band discusses these matters below.

 

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Elizabeth Ghandour is the songwriter, lead singer and rhythm guitarist.  Joe Scarpellino on bass and Ryan Vee on drums make up the rhythm section, and Ned Barclay rounds out the sound on lead guitar.  Joe also provides some vocal accompaniment.  Elizabeth used to have an Americana band, but was writing songs that fit her but not the genre, so she started ELOUR as a vehicle for those songs, and over time Ryan, Joe, and Ned came on board.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

The EL comes from Elizabeth and the OUR comes from Ghandour, and is pronounced as “allure.”

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We’re a Minneapolis band, so because of Bob Dylan, Prince, The Replacements, HÅ©sker DÅ©, Semisonic, The Jayhawks, and others, it’s an internationally recognized scene.

4. How would you describe your style?

Elizabeth describes it as Femme Rock.  It’s kind of a mix of rock and pop, with a punky attitude.  We reference Pat Benatar, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde, Hole, Garbage, and Elastica when trying to give an idea of the sound, but it’s not quite any of those.  One difference from those bands is, though ELOUR isn’t a metal band, Elizabeth screams if that’s what’s needed to get the emotion across.  The music presents a feminine, and sometimes feminist viewpoint, is emotional and, we hope, cathartic.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

In 2019 an eponymous EP was released.  At that time ELOUR was still in the process of becoming what it is today.  Looking back, it feels transitional, and we’re really grateful for the patience and effort of Mark Stockert at Underwood Studio in putting it together.  The sound grew and clarified over the pandemic years, leading to the release of Blood Running in April this year.  Jason Shannon at Zoo School Studio produced, recorded, and mixed, and we feel he nailed what we were going for!  You can expect high energy, lots of emotion, some operatic notes up in the stratosphere, and an overall rockin’ experience!

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

There’s some good material that may turn into some single releases in 2024.  The limiting factor is finance, not content!

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

For now, we’re looking at gigging mainly in the five state area of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Dakotas.  We hope to be found at a number of summer festivals in the area!

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We want to continue building our audience, get bigger shows, and actually make money!

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We’re on all the streaming platforms, and you can buy the music as a download from our website (https://elourmusic.com/), Bandcamp, Amazon, Apple, all the places.  CDs and vinyl are only available from our website and Bandcamp.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

We’d like them to come away with a sense of energy and catharsis, of knowing we all have our problems and frustrations, but we’re not alone.  And HOPEFULLY, they’ll also remember they really liked it, and come back for more!

 


The wait is over! Today greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS announce their new album Profane Prayer for the 1st March 2024. The album features nine brand new tracks and will be released via Nuclear Blast Records. In addition to the great news about the new album, the band is also releasing their first Single 'When the Lions Die'.

Singer Nick comments about the new album Profane Prayer: "The time has come! Finally, almost after 4 years, the 8th studio album of Suicidal Angels is true and ready to unleash itself in to the market, bringing you some new tunes to satisfy the needs and the appetites of the toughest audience! March the 1st of 2024, this beast will be out, in digital and physical form in all of Nuclear Blast’s channels. We have returned and it will be killer!!!”

He adds about the first single 'When the Lions Die': "Out of severe internal quest, thousands of reading pages to manage and conquer the multiple demons and beasts inside, several worlds collide, here’s is our first single, When The Lions Die!”

Pre-order the new album Profane Prayer here:

https://suicidalangels.bfan.link/profane-prayer.ema

Watch the video for 'When the Lions Die' here:
https://youtu.be/_ofxYJgSXAk?si=yPFIuaecTbddwOIL

Stream 'When the Lions Die' here:
https://suicidalangels.bfan.link/when-the-lions-die.ema

 


Australian Stoner/Sludge Metal band Magic Chicken Fudgetoe released their new single "Yahweh". The release was recorded, mixed and mastered by Ryan Pearce at "Savage Studios".

Check out the single linked below:

https://magicchickenfudgetoe.bandcamp.com/track/yahweh-2

Magic Chicken Fudgetoe was formed in 2015 at Perth, Western Australia by Josh McGuire (Vocals, Bass), Andrew Riordan (Guitars) and Reece Fleming (Drums).

 


SAVE US are an alternative rock/metal group founded in ‘23, with members spanning two continents. SAVE US explores the human condition delivering emotionally charged hooks nestled in atmospheric textures, fusing together a myriad of sounds ranging from the intensely heavy to the beautifully vulnerable, taking the listener on a journey through the many facets of the human mind.

Following on from big singles ‘Distance’ and more, SAVE US will release their fifth single ‘Haunt’ on UK label Year Of The Rat Records on the 24th November. In their incredibly short time as a band, they have already had support from MTV Gonzo, BBC Radio 1, Metal Hammer, Prog, Kerrang Radio, RTE2XM, Idobi Howl, Amazing Radio, Dreambound, BBC Coventry, Total Rock, TIDAL, Pandora, Forever Loud, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, BBC Bristol and more. The band also recently announced they will release their debut EP ‘LUCID’ on the 8th December, with plenty more music to come before then.

Miguel Owls - “Haunt dives into the struggles of being lost in the past. It explains how these thoughts always find a way to reach the surface pulling you into a downward spiral. Writing this song wasn't easy. I had to put myself in a vulnerable state of mind, but I wanted this song to be authentic and connect with others with similar struggles.” On the EP he continues - “The Lucid EP is a collection of songs exploring the human condition with an undertone questioning what any of it means, if at all, is it real? Sonically the songs traverse between heavy, intense moments married with emotive vocals, When writing this record we wanted to build atmospheres and give a sense of misdirect, taking the listener by surprise as we fuse together multiple genres, removing any barriers. The writing process was a crunch, wanting to launch the same year as forming the band, which was a challenge not only because of time constraints but working in two different time zones. That said, we are really happy with what we created over that time and can’t wait to release it into the world!”

SAVE US - Haunt (Video) -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Bvh-B5bsI

 


United Arab Emirates Gothic Rock project MIDAEV released 2 debut singles "Prometheus" and "Anybody Else". The singles were recorded in "SoundPort Studios" and mixed/mastered by Dmitry Smirnov. The works have deep philosophical and psychological subtexts, touching on acute themes, thereby opening a new page in the artist's creativity.

 

Check out the singles linked below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dxCd8G1Moo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZbR5NHqn4c


MIDAEV was formed in 2023 as a one-man project by Ruslan Midaev, formerly known to the underground audience as the leader of the "M.O.N.E." band decided to begin his solo work after his previous band went on hiatus.

 


Slow Burning Car is a Rock band based out of Los Angeles featuring Troy Spiropoulos (Lead Vocals/Bass), Zak St.John (Drums/Backing Vocals), Kim Clayborne (Backing vocals), Tommy Marcel (Guitar/Backing Vocals, Aaron Kusterer (Lead Guitar).

Slow Burning Car released their new sixth album entitled “Vicarious Disclosures”, including 9 new songs plus an exclusive acoustic cover of Iron Maiden’s classic “Wasted Years” from the 1986 album “Somewhere In Time”. Slow Burning Car’s version comes with a bouzouki intro!

In the album is included the single “Hard Time Walking”. 

Check out the video here:

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