Leaving a longtime record label and starting over with a new one is never easy, but it’s become commonplace in the modern record industry, so artists need to be prepared. Today, our list is topped by a band experiencing such a change right now, along with a new supergroup and some underground releases. Check it all out here!
Architects, Lost Forever // Lost Together (Epitaph)
Following a five-year run on Century Media, Architects left the label last year and crowd-funded their DVD documentary, One Hundred Days: The Story of Architects’ Almost World Tour. The release of Lost Forever // Lost Together coincides with the band’s current European tour, which began in the UK on March 7th and will end on April 16th in France. Architects will then embark on a co-headlining tour of North America with Letlive, with support coming from Glass Cloud and I the Mighty.
KXM, KXM (Rat Pak)
KXM is a new supergroup featuring Korn drummer Ray Luzier, King’s X bassist and singer Doug “dUg” Pinnick, and legendary Dokken/Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch. The video for their first single “Rescue Me” debuted last week, and has already received over 60,000 views on YouTube.
Glass Hammer, Ode to Echo (Arion)
Glass Hammer is a progressive rock group from Chattanooga that has been around since 1992. With themes heavily based in fantasy literature, Glass Hammer is the perfect bands for metalheads that love book series like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. Co-lead vocalist Jon Davison joined legendary prog rockers Yes in 2012, but has maintained his position in Glass Hammer.
The Shrine, Bless Off (Tee Pee)
Bless Off is the second album from “skate-rock” group The Shrine. The group’s self-titled debut came out in 2011, after which they spent much of the year opening for Kyuss Lives!, the band that later became Vista Chino. If you’re looking for a stoner rock sound similar to what you’d hear from Vista Chino, then The Shrine is what you’re looking for.
Barren Womb, The Sun’s Not Yellow, It’s Chicken (Spartan)
Blending elements of hardcore, black metal, and straightforward rock ‘n’ roll, Barren Womb is a two-person act from Norway that formed in November 2011. We debuted their song “Evil Prevails” last Friday, so if you missed it, go check it out for an idea of what Barren Womb has to offer, which is a lot.
Biblical, Monsoon Season (New Damage)
The Toronto quartet cut their teeth playing with the likes of Kyuss Lives (now Vista Chino), Red Fang, Fucked Up, Torche, and Death From Above 1979. With their debut full-length, Monsoon Season, Biblical create heavy rock with a strong psychedelic kick to it. The album is out now, but can be heard in its entirety online.
Next Week: One of America’s leading Christian metal acts releases their latest album, leading a list that is mostly underground groups otherwise. Check it all out next week!
