Category Archives: TVD UK

Bristol-based artist Samantha Lindo mesmerizes with the release of her stunning new single “Worthy,” out now. This is the first single taken from her upcoming debut album Ancestry, due for release later this year.

The single was inspired by the story of Lindo’s great, great grandfather Samuel Brown, a black Methodist minister from Barbados whose faith and knowledge of himself as a worthy child of God, enabled him to defy societal prejudice and pursue an interracial marriage to Ada—a white Scottish teacher and daughter of previous plantation owners—in 1891.

“I called the track ‘Worthy’ because that is what I receive from their story,” Lindo elaborates. “In a world where still so often we base worth and identity on outside appearances, I wanted to claim his courage to defy social norms and a worthiness that comes from an inner knowing, not an outward status or position.”

“Worthy” is a wonderful introduction to this artist who has been making waves across the live circuit in West England for a number of years, becoming known for her effortlessly soul-tinged vocal performances, which have been described as “spine-tingling.”

“Worthy” is the first single to be taken from Lindo’s upcoming debut album, due in stores later this year and funded by the Arts Council and MOBO Awards.

In the annals of metal history, 2023 stands out as the time when the ultimate spectacle hit the stage: The Tour to End All Tours. This bold proclamation may have raised eyebrows, but the lineup spoke for itself. Featuring Finnish Eurovision metal titans Lordi, Japanese trailblazers Babymetal, and the colossal Swedish power metal band Sabaton, this tour was destined to be etched into the memories of metalheads across the UK and Europe.

Kicking off in Leeds last week, the tour thundered into London on Saturday night, unleashing Sabaton’s massive and spectacular show at the iconic Wembley Arena. As one of the big four of power metal and among Sweden’s most successful metal bands, Sabaton has earned their place at the helm for a night of over-the-top metal theatrics and storytelling.

Formed in 1999, Sabaton has undergone several lineup changes, but the current roster is firing on all cylinders and finds the band at their absolute peak. Joakim Brodén (vocals and keyboards), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Tommy Johansson (guitar), and Hannes Van Dahl (drums) bring the simple but powerful metal arrangements to life, and they look to be having quite a lot of fun in doing so.

The band is renowned for lyrics centered on historical events, particularly military history and warfare, drawing inspiration from legendary battles and heroic acts of soldiers throughout the ages. With acclaimed albums such as Carolus Rex, Heroes, The Last Stand, and The Great War, Sabaton has garnered a fiercely loyal fanbase and performed on countless stages and festivals around the globe.

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Bristol-based newcomers The New Cut recently released their debut EP “Merrywood” and its pretty darn impressive if you ask us.

The four track EP is headed up by a brand new version of their louche and infectious debut release “The Family Business.” The EP’s rousing melancholia and wry lyricism echoes a puckishness similar to the likes of Parquet Courts, with its sweet solemnity drawing similarities to The Monochrome Set, in equal measure.

Speaking about the EP, frontman Henry Gerrard elaborates, “the EP was named after the area Morgan (drums) and I lived when we first moved to Bristol in 2020. It’s a reflection of how we felt during lockdown and what was going on in our lives, moving away from home for the first time etc. It’s a fitting reflection of the time spent in our little flat in Bedminster through the pandemic and away from home”.

Having previously supported the likes of Buzzcocks and already confirmed to perform at The Great Escape and Dot to Dot festival later this year, The New Cut should certainly be considered ones to watch.

“Merrywood” is in stores now.

Get ready to rock with rising post-punk outfit Hypothetics and their new single “COMPLAIN!,” out now. Not that we’re complaining of course…

Taken from their upcoming EP, “COMPLAIN!” instantly packs a punch, channeling the likes of IDLES and Squid. Talking about the single, the band explain, “on ‘COMPLAIN!’ we allowed ourselves to be taken too serious for a moment. It’s a pleasure to play it live and hard not to have fun with.”

The Bristol-based quartet have been self-starters from the off, they have built a solid—and growing—fan base in and around their home city, becoming regular players on the local gig circuit and beyond. Keep an eye on these guys, they’re definitely ones to watch.

“COMPLAIN!” is in stores now.

PHOTO: STEVE ULLATHORNE | We are delighted to premiere the new video by art-pop artist Ch’Lu—aka Camilla Mathias—for her powerful new single “Sister I’ll Be There” ahead of its official release tomorrow.

You may not be aware, but today is National Siblings Day. In celebration of precisely that fact, Ch’Lu is releasing her poignant single “Sister I’ll Be There,” written as an ode to her sister during lockdown. Like many of us, Ch’Lu was unable to see her younger sister during the pandemic and so decided to write a song for her instead.

Today, we are exclusively sharing the video for the single—shot in half a day in Cornwall on a zero budget, also during lockdown—by the talented Vee Vimolmal. The music video features stunning coastal scenery enveloped with Ch’Lu’s Nunchaku drills.

Ch’Lu’s self-produced album is due in stores June 2023, and is funded by Arts Council of England. “Sister I’ll Be There” is out tomorrow, 11th April 2023.

Get ready to rock with Bristol-based INDIGOS. Taken from their upcoming EP “IN UTOPIA” their latest single “Hivemind” is the perfect introduction to this dynamic duo’s grunge-fueled soundscapes.

Paired with peppy dual vocals and juxtaposing jaded lyricism, “Hivemind” is instantly encapsulating, sounding akin to the likes of Demob Happy and IDLES. Talking about the release, that band explain, “‘Hivemind’ was inspired by a scene in the documentary film Samsara, which displays cultural imagery from around the world, and highlights the disparities between industrial complexes and natural wonders, the beautiful and the mundane.

The scene by Olivier de Sagazan is titled ‘Office Man,’ a performance piece where an office worker applies clay to his face in an increasingly aggressive fashion. We interpret this to be about an artificial sense of self, an existential crisis concerning one’s place and purpose in a capitalist society.”

Bigger and bolder than their self-titled 2020 debut release, INDIGOS’ latest project blends elements of ’90s alternative rock and heavy pop to create a sound that while nostalgic, is very much their own.

“Hivemind” is out now. INDIGOS’ sophomore EP “IN UTOPIA” is due in stores on June 21st 2023.

Is it too early to claim the best show of 2023? Probably, but I’m going out on a limb to say that W.A.S.P. delivered the number one contender in the metal category.

Yeah, maybe I should preface that with “old school” metal, but from the looks of the sold-out crowd at the Roundhouse last weekend, W.A.S.P. has crossed over to a new generation. And why not? The songs hold up incredibly well, and the fact that Blackie Lawless has tackled numerous trends and continued to remain relevant over forty fucking years is a testament to the sound and the antics that are very often imitated but never replicated.

I feel like everyone knows who W.A.S.P. is—even if you weren’t a metal fan, they have touched you or influenced you in one way or another. The poster child for shock metal in the ’80s, paving the way for Mason, Zombie, Slipknot, and countless others took controversy and explicit imagery to a new level. Their 1984 “hit” single “Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)” was banned in many countries while also becoming arguably their biggest hit. (It’s an incredibly catchy number, by the way, which you’ll be happy to know that after a long absence, it’s back in the set, and it fucking rips.)

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Prepare to be mesmerized by Australian twins Oceanique and their poignant new single “Time Passes.”

Oozing with ethereal harmonies from the offset, sister duo Oceanique prove their bond is undeniable on new single “Time Passes.” A highly relatable song about the feeling you get when you return to life after time away, “Time Passes” feels beautifully bittersweet and powerfully poetic throughout.

“You’re watching on, have some kind of idea but no one’s saying anything, and you’ve missed information, somewhere in the time passed,” the duo elaborate. “Its a song about distance, drifting apart from the people you love and navigating life whilst time just keeps on moving.”

The western Australian twins are basking in the excitement of their debut album Would The Light Hold Me, due in stores on Wednesday 29 March 2023. “Time Passes” is out now.

Toronto-based indie rock outfit Housewife embrace the travails of life with new single “Fuck Around Phase,” out now.

Life gets messy sometimes, and that’s ok. Housewife reminds us of this in the best way possible—with unapologetic alt rock. Talking about the single, Housewife’s Brighid Fry (she/they) says, “this song is about learning to enjoy yourself and be present after going through a difficult time. I want to embrace being messy and not take things too seriously!”

Housewife’s music regularly touches on the experience of being a young, queer, AFAB person existing in a male-dominated industry. In addition to exploring these themes in their songs, Fry is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, environmentalism, and is a founding member of the Canadian chapter of Music Declares Emergency, an organization that fights for immediate government response to protect ecological catastrophes.

“Fuck Around Phase” is in stores now.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Luke Sital Singh releases his aptly named new single “Strange Weather”—fairly fitting given the weather we’re currently having over here in the UK!

Taken from his upcoming EP of the same name, Luke Sital Singh returns more profound than ever with the release of his superb new single. Oozing with atmospheric folk-iness and Luke’s distinctively soft, soothing vocal, “Strange Weather” once again proves Luke is truly unique. Fans of the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Bear’s Den will feel at home here.

“Weather is a big metaphor,” Luke observes. “It affects your mood and how you look at life. Rain makes everything worse. If it’s sunny again, the problems are there, but they seem easier to deal with. I’ve never made note of the atmosphere before. The metaphor carried on for me, because everything was strange after the Pandemic. ‘Strange Weather’ was a summary of the EP and how I felt in general.”

Luke Sital-Singh’s new EP “Strange Weather” is in stores on 9th June 2023 via Nettwerk.

PHOTO: HARVEY PEARSON | Prepare to get wistfully whisked away with British newcomer Alice Auer and her jazz-infused single “Greek Street,” out now.

Alice Auer has been on our radar for a while now, and it’s pretty obvious why when singles like “Greek Street” are being created. Created by Alice with help from long time friends Conor Albert, James Smith, and jazz musician Seth Tackaberry, “Greek Street” is a blissfully glorious, soul-tinged single from the offset.

Talking about the release, Alice says, “I wrote ‘Greek Street’ in a day with my lovely friend and very talented musician/ producer, James Smith. Story wise, ‘Greek Street’ was inspired by the first date my boyfriend and I went on together at Jazz After Dark in Soho, London. I wanted to create some contrast in the song emotionally and musically, so we wrote the lyrics from the perspective of someone who had that relationship, that experience, that romance—but lost it and longs to have it back. We then took the bones of the song to Conor and let him work his magic.”

“Greek Street” is out now via London tastemaker label Young Poet (Conor Albert, WOOZE). Auer’s second solo project is due for release later this year.

I’ve seen some heavy shows in my life, but holy hell, this one takes the cake. Gojira absolutely destroyed the ten thousand-plus capacity Alexandra Palace in London last week, and this show was mental.

Not only was the music next level, but the stage show was one of the biggest and best I’ve seen in the past decade. Flames shooting up from the stage like a metal volcano, smoke machines and lasers—it’s like they were trying to set the place on fire, but in a good way. And the crowd, they’re going mental too—headbanging, moshing, crowd surfing, and screaming along to the words as if there was a prize for the best Gojira karaoke of the night. This was my first time seeing these guys, and I can’t believe it’s taken this long, as I really had no idea what I was missing. It was a sight to behold.

While French and metal aren’t two words you hear very often together in the same sentence, Gorija has put France on the metal map just as Sepultura did for Brazil back in the ’90s. And while there may be a few similarities in styles, brothers Joe (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Mario Duplantier (drums), along with Christian Andreu (lead guitar), and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass), Gojira is not your average metal band. These guys are on a whole other level. Their music is like a force of nature, with crushing riffs and complex rhythms that hit you like a tidal wave.

There’s no denying that Gojira are the current reigning kings of metal on the global stage, and no one can fucking touch them right now. As one of the most innovative and influential bands in the genre, they’ve developed a unique style that blends elements of death metal, progressive metal, and post-metal creating a sound that is both heavy and atmospheric. This technical prowess is also evident in their live performances where they are known for their tightness and precision. Their songs are complex and challenging with intricate rhythms and time signatures that push the boundaries of what is possible in metal music.

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Berlin-based newcomer SOUKOU has just released her powerful new single “Bloodline.” It’s the perfect introduction to this formidable artist ahead of her EP release later this year.

Channelling the likes of Robyn and Solange, SOUKOU combines neo-soul with synth-pop infused sensibilities creating a sound that feels otherworldly. SOUKOU’s honeyed vocals are at the forefront as they soar over twinkling piano keys and subtle percussion.

Talking about the single, SOUKOU explains, “This song is about generative trauma. It’s about my grandparent, my parents and me. Its about healing and letting go of the stuff that doesn’t belong to you; about freeing yourself.”

SOUKOU’s forthcoming EP centers around family and asks whether the next generation can be freer if we manage to detach ourselves from our traumas. Oozing with emotion and vulnerability, SOUKOU’s latest release encapsulates this profound artist perfectly. If “Bloodline” is anything to go by, we can’t wait to hear the rest of the EP, due for release in Summer 2023.

“Bloodline” is in stores now.

The first time I heard Dream Theater was back in 1992 when “Pull Me Under” took the US metal market by storm. I was working in a record store in St. Louis while going to university, and I remember thinking, what in the hell was this? It was heavy and melodic; it was progressive metal for metalheads. 

As soon as “Pull Me Under” hit MTV and the local radio station, people were coming in droves to buy this record. The problem was no one had heard of Dream Theater previously, and the majority of people wanted to just buy the single. (Yeah, there was this thing called a cassingle at the time. Look it up.) But there wasn’t one released for this song. The only option was to buy the entire CD or nothing. Images and Words started flying off the shelves. But just as quickly as it flew out the door, it started coming back in.

People were shocked that there were ballads on the record, most notably track two showing up immediately after the hard-driving “Pull Me Under.” “Another Day” certainly slowed the pace down a bit unexpectedly, but the album picked right back up with “Take the Time” and even peaked later on with “Metropolis.” But holy shit, the metalheads just couldn’t accept the fact that there were slower songs on the record. (The lack of patience, and what was acceptable as a metalhead, was very limited.)

Mind you, this is the same year that Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power was released, so extreme was in. (Pantera were label mates with the band ironically.) This was a decisive moment for the Dream Theater, and it split the metal community pretty much down the middle. The record label struggled a bit to figure out what to do with the band, and I think expectations were a bit muddled and the future was uncertain at best.

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Coming all the way from Dublin this week, Irish newcomer ESSIRAY has already made quite the splash with the release of her new single “Mr Perfect,” out now.

An indie-pop delight from the offset, “Mr Perfect” combines hints of soul, pop, and indie creating something truly mesmerizing and instantly infectious. Talking about the single, ESSIRAY, aka Rachel Murphy, explains, “’Mr Perfect’ isn’t about one person or one situation, for me it’s about the combination of emotions I’ve felt thoughout my early twenties and navigating my love life.

As a young woman in this male dominated society it can often feel like we’re being told how to act and how to present ourselves; trying to live up to this societal standard created by men. The track also has a lighthearted undertone of coming out of a relationship, those rose tinted glasses coming off and you’re just feeling happy in yourself.”

The single has already seen support from the likes of New Music Friday UK and Fresh Finds Pop on Spotify, and we expect great things are to come from this vibrant Irish native. Watch this space…

“Mr Perfect” is in stores now.