SLOWTORCH RELEASE "THE MACHINE HAS FAILED"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Slowtorch

The Machine Has Failed

Electric Valley Records

29 April 2022

Genre: Stoner Metal

Location: Bolzano, Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy.

FFO: Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Orange Goblin.

Electric Valley Records presents Slowtorch’s sophomore full-length, The Machine Has Failed, due out 29 April 2022 on multiple variants of vinyl, in addition to digital release. 

Formed in 2005, Italian stoner metal force Slowtorch has consistently delivered their signature barrage of straightforward, driving riffs, pounding drums, throbbing bass lines, and roaring vocals on stages across Europe. Think of Clutch meeting the forces of Black Sabbath and Corrosion of Conformity, and you will get the notion of the tough, paranoid, and vibrant tones Slowtorch peddles. Having a couple of EPs and a full-length (titled Serpente) under their belt, they have shared stages with acts such as Orange Goblin, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Volbeat, Suicidal Tendencies, Yawning Man, Mondo Generator, Colour Haze, and Truckfighters. The Bolzano quartet’s current line-up, comprising Matteo Meloni (vocals), Bruno Bassi (guitars), Karl Sandner (bass), and Fabio Sforza (drums), has remained together for a decade, dating back to 2012. 

On the upcoming album, The Machine Has Failed, Slowtorch rides out the storm with full strength and slow-burning grooves, capturing both the low-end stoner vibes and the incredible ‘70s metal/hard rock sparkles. A part of the record is a portrait of the current era, and the other part reflects the social commentary. Some of the lyrics are heavily influenced by the works of Huxley (Brave New World, Island) and Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451).

Track Listing:

1. Hammerhead

2. Book of the Dead

3. Man vs Man

4. Behold

5. Kraken

6. Sever the Hand

7. Charger

8. The Machine Has Failed

9. World Behind My Eyes

Credits:

Recorded at Sotto il Mare Recording Studios (Verona, IT) and NoLogo Recording Studio. (Leifers/Laives, IT)

Engineered by Luca Tacconi.

Mixed by Fabio Sforza.

Mastered at Swift Mastering (London, UK).

Artwork by Solomacello.

Band Photos: K. Micheli.

Available Formats:

- 4x Test Press

- 150x Solid Brown Vinyl

- 120x Transparent Aqua Blue Splatter Black Vinyl

- 30x Ultra LTD “Machine Edition”

- Digital

Pre-Order:

https://www.electricvalleyrecords.com/products (Vinyl + Merch)

https://evrecords.bandcamp.com/album/slowtorch-the-machine-has-failed (Vinyl + Merch + Digital)

Follow Slowtorch:

https://linktr.ee/SLOWTORCH

http://www.slowtorch.com

https://www.facebook.com/SLOWTORCH 

https://www.instagram.com/slowtorch_official

https://www.youtube.com/user/slowtorch

https://slowtorch.bandcamp.com

Follow Electric Valley Records:

https://linktr.ee/electricvalley  

https://www.electricvalleyrecords.com  

https://evrecords.bandcamp.com  

https://www.facebook.com/electricvalleyrecords   

https://twitter.com/electric_valley    

https://www.instagram.com/electricvalleyrecords

EAR DANGER RELEASE "STILL GOING STRONG"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

EAR DANGER – STILL GOING STRONG (40 years of Ear Danger)

Release date: April 9th, 2022

Building a time machine...

It’s not the first thing that springs to mind when we talk about a heavy-metal band’s ambitions. Still, this is what we had in mind to commemorate the fact that Ear Danger was founded no less than 40 years ago.

It was in 1981 when Dick Vijgen (drums, then 18 years old) and Matt Verschoor (bass, then 17 years old) went into the studio with Ear Danger to record their second, more or less iconic demo.

At that point in time, it was just a demo to them, made to get live gigs and it would have helped them, if they hadn’t been forced to fire the singer and one of the guitar players just a couple of months later.

That demo, however, rose to fame through massive tape-trading and can still be found back on different locations on the internet.

Looking back at the recording process, it was nothing short of a miracle that it turned out so well. The studio they chose had no experience with heavy metal whatsoever, the band had hardly any recording experience and relations within the band were already starting to deteriorate.

From the moment Ear Danger started up again in 2007, we have been approached by quite a few people who would have liked to release this demo, along with the following demo, on CD. The answer has always been no. Why? Simply, because there is no reason. They can be found on the internet, so those who’d like to listen to them can download the tracks.

Having said that, our 40th birthday inspired us to combine past and present in the best possible way. What if the 1981 demo could be recreated with the current line-up and modern day equipment, but without losing the characteristics of the old-school ‘80s production and sound, like a sort of musical time-machine?

Just as thrilled were Headbangers Records and Big Bad Wolf Records, who were more than willing to participate in the project and who will take a leading role in the distribution of the album.

Just as in 1981 the tracks are “Beelzebub’s Friend”, “Give’em Hell”, “You Need Warmth” and the ballad “Still Going strong”.This track is recorded as “Winterfest Edition”, referring to the day that Ear Danger played the Heavy Metal Maniacs Winterfest. Already during the soundcheck, Sander blew up the vocal speakers with a huge scream, leaving us with no option but doing some songs instrumental, while the audience chanted the choruses and some songs acoustic. Which was the case with the ballad “Still Going Strong”.

The B-side of the album features the 2018 EP “Storming The Gates”, which has not been released on vinyl yet.

Ear Danger is currently preparing recordings for their next album. Although all tracks have been written, there again, COVID forced us to slow down.

The album “Still Going Strong” – 40 years of Ear Danger is planned for April 2022.

Big Bad Wolf Records 

www.bigbadwolfrecords.nl

Headbangers Records

www.headbangerszineandgigs.nl