The 2017 Riot Fest Lineup Includes Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker And More


Riot Fest is returning to Chicago’s Douglas Park this September, and the initial lineup is absolutely amazing. Continue reading


Starset – Vessels


The merging of tech metal with pop sensibilities is hardly a new concept; the ‘Djent’ movement is arguably (for better or worse) the prime example of such, whilst recently the likes of Chon have really showcased such soulful influences on their sleeves and thus offer technicality alongside warmth and accessibility.Continue reading


Chon – Grow


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In modern progressive metal there is an all too common tendency to flesh things out far too much, concentrating on writing the most overly complicated and difficult to decipher pieces possible. Many a band now chooses to write full album’s worth of long, drawn out songs, which cram so many ideas and virtuosity into without actually writing songs that you can latch on to and fully enjoy. On their full length début Grow (Sumerian Records), prog upcomers CHON show that sometimes, less really is more.

As typical for a progressive metal album, CHON pool from a huge range, and Grow has a great diversity at work, with signs of jazz and fusion, math-rock and contemporary prog metal to name just a few. But rather than thrown into overly long treks, Grow is built on short, bite size nuggets no more than the 4 minute mark. Yet despite these short durations it never feels overly cramped and proves comparatively accessible and easy to digest for bands of this ilk. A fair few hooks and catchy segments give this an inclusive and welcoming feel. The likes of ‘Can’t Wait’ with vocals prove the easiest to latch on to.

That being said it still has an abundance of complexity and layers for ardent fans to get drawn into and discover. For the most part an instrumental album, this has significant dynamic shifts and turns throughout which will take time to fully grasp. The task of making something that appeals to both newbies to prog and the most battle hardened is a very bold and almost nonsensical task, but it was a feat that CHON have managed with aplomb.

A fantastic début album from a band that are clearly a new shining light for the genre and a suitable gateway for new fans to prog.

 

8.0/10

CHRIS TIPPELL


Album Stream: Idlehands – Dena Mora


Idlehands. Photo Credit: Erik Bardin

Idlehands. Photo Credit: Erik Bardin

San Diego experimental indie rockers Idlehands is streaming their new album Dena Mora, out via Headphone Music (an Equal Vision Records imprint) in its entirety below. Dena Mora was recorded in Portland, OR with producer Kris Crummett (A Lot Like Birds, Closure In Moscow), and is the follow-up to the band’s 2013 EP, Common Soul. The band is finishing up the last number of upcoming live dates.

Jun 02: 51 West – Tempe, AZ
Jun 04: Eagle Aerie Hall – Henderson, NV [w/CHON]
Jun 05: House of Blues (Voodoo Room) – San Diego, CA

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Album Stream + Tour: Auras – Crestfallen + Tour With Contortionist and CHON


auras

Canadian progressive metallers Auras is streaming their new EP Crestfallen, out now via eOne Music/Good Fight Music in the US here. They are currently on tour with Contortionist and CHON on a brief May tour.

auras crestfallen ep

Crestfallen Tracklisting

01: Thrown
02: Terrene
03: Inordinate
04: Adverse Condition
05: Boundless

May 11: Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
May 15: Jack’s Bar – San Antonio, TX
May 16: Trees – Dallas, TX
May 17: The Abbey – Memphis, TN
May 19: Fubar – St Louis, MO
May 20: Expo Five – Louisville, KY
May 21: Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
May 23: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 24: The Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia, PA
May 26: Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME
May 27: The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
May 29: Agora Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
May 30: The Shelter – Detroit, MI

 


Audio + Tour: Idlehands – El Shakes + North America Tour Dates With Geographer and Empires


Idlehands. Photo Credit: Erik Bardin

Idlehands. Photo Credit: Erik Bardin

Idlehands is currently on tour with Geographer and Empires on a North American tour with dates posted below. They are streaming “El Shakes,” off of Dena Mora, out May 19, 2015 via Headphone Music/Equal Vision Records here.

Geographer w/Empires and Idlehands
May 15: Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
May 16: Sneaky Dees Concert Venue – Toronto, ON
May 17: Theatre Fairmount – Montreal, QC
May 19: Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA
May 21: Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
May 22: Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
May 23: U St. Music Hall – Washington, DC
May 24: Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
May 26: The Earl – Atlanta, GA
May 27: Gasa Gasa – New Orleans, LA
May 28: FItzgerald’s – Houston, TX
May 29: Trees – Dallas, TX
May 30: The Mohawk – Austin, TX

Idlehands
Jun 02: 51 West – Tempe, AZ
Jun 04: Eagle Aerie Hall – Henderson, NV [w/CHON]
Jun 05: House of Blues (Voodoo Room) – San Diego, CA

Idlehands on Facebook
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Equal Vision Records on YouTube

 


Album Stream + Tour: Auras – Crestfallen + On Tour with Contortionist and CHON


auras

Canadian progressive metallers Auras is streaming their new EP Crestfallen, out now via eOne Music/Good Fight Music in the US here. They are currently on tour with Contortionist and CHON on a brief May tour.

auras crestfallen ep

Crestfallen Tracklisting

01: Thrown
02: Terrene
03: Inordinate
04: Adverse Condition
05: Boundless

May 11: Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
May 15: Jack’s Bar – San Antonio, TX
May 16: Trees – Dallas, TX
May 17: The Abbey – Memphis, TN
May 19: Fubar – St Louis, MO
May 20: Expo Five – Louisville, KY
May 21: Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
May 23: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 24: The Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia, PA
May 26: Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME
May 27: The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
May 29: Agora Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
May 30: The Shelter – Detroit, MI

contortionist chon auras tour


Polyphia Supporting Dance Gavin Dance On Upcoming Tour


Polyphia-CaseyLee2015-bw-web

Dallas instrumental outfit Polyphia will be releasing a remastered and repackaged version of their debut album Muse on April 21, 2015 via Headphone Music/Equal Vision Records. The album was produced by Nick Sampson [Of Mice & Men, Asking Alexandria]. Stream the music video for “Finale” here.

The band says:

“We’re very excited to be re-releasing our debut, Muse, through Headphone Music / Equal Vision Records! The re-release features 11 remastered tracks with all new artwork designed by our very own Tim Henson,” shares the band. “We’re stoked to be on the EVR roster with the likes of The Dear Hunter, and alumni such as Circa Survive, Coheed and Cambria, and Portugal. The Man.”

TRACKLISTING: Muse
1. 87
2. Sweet Tea (ft. Aaron Marshall of Intervals)
3. Champagne (ft. Nick Johnston)
4. Aviator (ft. Jason Richardson of Chelsea Grin)
5. The Jungle (ft. Jakub Zytecki of Disperse)
6. Memory
7. Mood Swing
8. Hourglass (ft. Nick Sampson of I Am Abomination)
9. James Franco
10. Baditude (ft. Mario Caramena & Erick Hansel of CHON)
11. Finale

Polyphia_muse_cover-web

This Spring, Polyphia will perform as direct support to Dance Gavin Dance, with additional support from Hail The Sun and Stolas. All upcoming tour dates can be found below.

TOUR DATES
Polyphia – festival appearances
Mar 20: South By So What?! – Grand Prairie, TX
Apr 10: Texas Independent Fest – Austin, TX

Dance Gavin Dance w/ Polyphia, Hail The Sun and Stolas
Apr 14: Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA
Apr 15: Nile Theatre – Mesa, AZ
Apr 17: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Apr 18: Red 7 – Austin, TX
Apr 19: The Rail Club – Fort Worth, TX
Apr 20: Scout Bar – Houston, TX
Apr 22: Backbooth – Orlando, FL
Apr 23: Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Apr 24: The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
Apr 25: The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Apr 26: Empire – Springfield, VA
Apr 28: Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
Apr 29: Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Apr 30: Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA
May 01: Webster Hall (Marlin Room) – New York, NY
May 02: GameChangerWorld – Howell, NJ
May 03: Mr. Smalls Theatre – Millvale, PA
May 04: Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
May 05: The Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
May 06: Vega – Lincoln, NE
May 08: Jub Jub’s – Reno, NV

dance gavin dance polyphia tour

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