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EXUVIAL Set to Release Ambitious Sci-Fi Concept Album November 2024 + New Music Video "Autonomic Awakening"
Progressive metal outfit Exuvial is poised to make waves in the metal scene by announcing their debut concept album “The Hive Mind Chronicles Part I: Parasitica” set for release on November 22, 2024. This ambitious project marks the first installment of a planned trilogy, promising listeners an immersive journey through themes of science fiction, human nature, and our complex relationship with AI and technology.
The band's lyrical content draws inspiration from various sources, including iconic science fiction films like Contact, Alien, and The Matrix, as well as video games such as Metroid. These influences have shaped Exuvial's unique approach to storytelling, exploring themes of extraterrestrial intelligence, existential dilemmas, and the limits of human understanding. The band comments on what’s in store:
“We love concept albums, so we approached this project with intentionality, carefully considering which elements could be reintroduced in various forms to tie it all together. Additionally, we aimed to blend elements of progressive metal, black metal, and technical death metal, allowing the songs to dynamically ramp up or down. This approach lets the parts breathe, giving each musical passage the space to develop fully and resonate. By doing so, we create an ebb and flow within the tracks, providing intense, high-energy sections while also incorporating moments of calm and reflection. This contrast not only enhances the emotional impact of the music but also ensures that each element can be appreciated in its own right."
Featuring 11 progressive tracks, the album includes overtures and interludes that provide moments of respite amidst the chaos. The songs are characterized by heavy compositions with a diverse array of riffs, twists, and turns. The ambitious and adventurous song structures intricately weave together to narrate the unfolding story. The music spans a dynamic spectrum, ranging from technical and djent-inspired riffs to introspective acoustic passages and everything in between.
Today, the band unveils their latest music video for the single "Autonomic Awakening". The song marks a pivotal moment in the album's story, offering a glimmer of hope and a chance to shift the tides of the conflict within its tale. Musically, the track aims to capture a somber yet hopeful mood, leading up to the album's climax.
Guitarist Fernando del Valle III adds:
"Autonomic Awakening mirrors its lyrical journey with an introspective start featuring acoustic guitars and soft snare percussion, evoking beauty and contemplation. The mood shifts abruptly to a darker 5/8 passage, erupting into distortion and intense screams alongside double-picked tech death riffs.
Verses unfold with melodic double-picked guitars, alternating with breaks of beautiful clean vocal harmonies that convey the struggle against inner turmoil. The song progresses into expansive sections of big chords and locked-in grooves, showcasing a melodic guitar solo that reflects moments of clarity amidst chaos.
Evolution continues with groovy syncopated rhythms and atmospheric synths amidst odd-time signatures, followed by chunky riffs and dynamic drum fills that build to a satisfying groove. Piano and vocals enrich the composition, leading into melodic clean vocal harmonies over a groovy melodic progression, culminating in a poignant guitar solo and dual harmonies. The track concludes with gentle acoustics and piano, capturing the song's journey through contrasting emotions."
Recommended for fans of The Faceless, Obscura, and Ne Obliviscaris, “The Hive Mind Chronicles Part I: Parasitica” is due out on November 22nd, 2024, and is available for pre-order at https://silentpendulumrecords.com/collections/exuvial
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3A8ryOQ
Track Listing:
1. Hive Mind: Overture (0:55)
2. Hive Mind I: Convergent Evolution (5:44)
3. Hive Mind II: Advent of Segmentation (7:54)
4. Hive Mind III: Neural Convolution (4:42)
5. Holometabolous (5:30)
6. Hypermanipulation 8:55)
7. Autonomic Awakening (6:46)
8. Parasitica (feat. Sanjay Kumar) 5:18)
9. Subterranean Swarm (feat. Ben Towles) (6:12)
10. Requiem for Ruin (1:06)
11. Necrotic Dissolution (feat. Ben Gassman and Kyle Chapman) (5:45)
Album Length: 58:45More info: https://linktr.ee/exuvialmusic
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DISTANT at Irving Plaza 10/19/24
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NARCOTIC WASTELAND (ex-Nile Dallas Toler-Wade) Announces "Cemetery Slam Tour" w/ Pyrexia + SwarmFest (Tampa, FL) + New Music Video "Barbarian"
Narcotic Wasteland, fronted by ex-Nile guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade along with drummer Joseph Howard (Fields of Elysium), Neuromorphic) and bassist Kenji Tsunami (Ontogeny), will be hitting the road with Long Island, NY old school death metallers Pyrexia for the "Cemetery Slam Tour" from November 15th to 23rd. Narcotic Wasteland will also perform at this year's SwarmFest in Tampa Bay, FL following the tour (dates listed below).
Plus fans who purchase tickets for Austin and Houston show dates will be automatically entered in the raffle to win a Jackson guitar signed by all the bands playing. Check out the Instagram videos below.
Houston, TX - Nov 18th - https://www.instagram.com/p/DBRf47Ai0ue/
Austin, TX - Nov 19th - https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_HMo0PCUQ/
In additional news, the trio unveiled their new music video for the single "Barbarian" this past September and will be featured on their forthcoming album "Digital Cordyceps" out on Megaforce Records (release date TBD) to follow their 2017 breakout sophomore album "Delirium Tremens".
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the track:
"For me, Barbarian is a prime example of me doing the thing I love and that defines me the most. Continuously striving to improve my craft as a musician and a songwriter. But also the overall message of this song. Live!!! Be free!!! Find your own path!!! Question everything!!! And also we don't need politicians or religion to shape our moral centers. In fact, It seems they distort the truth every chance they get. This whole album cycle has seemed to have this recurring theme about the narcissistic oligarchy that we have all fallen victim to. I Dallas Toler- Wade the barbarian will fight this mockery until I leave the land of the living, and even after that, my powerful voice will echo through the halls of time!!! Because I am a barbarian!!!"
Digital Single - https://orcd.co/nwbarbarian
Pyrexia (Headliner) + Narcotic Wasteland Tour Dates:
11/15/2024 - Oklahoma City, OK - 89th Street
11/16/2024 - Fort Worth, TX - The Rail Club
11/17/2024 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
11/18/2024 - Houston, TX - BFE Rock Club
11/19/2024 - Austin, TX - The 13th Floor
11/20/2024 - Tulsa, OK - The Vanguard
11/21/2024 - Corpus Christi, TX - Boozerz Friday
11/22/2024 - Shreveport, LA - Strange Brew
11/23/2024 - Long Beach, MS - TRAX
Narcotic Wasteland only
11/24/2024 - Tampa, FL - Swarmfest - Brass MugNarcotic Wasteland is a relentless force in the metal realm, known for its infernal performances and unyielding sound. Led by former Nile guitarist Dallas Toler Wade, the band has forged an unholy covenant with legions of devoted followers, spreading chaos and devastation wherever they tread.
A face-melting experience, Narcotic Wasteland unleashes blistering guitar wails to heart-pounding drum onslaughts, with every track promising to be an infernal ritual that will leave metalheads possessed by the spirit of pure chaos. Prepare for sonic hellfire!
More info: Narcoticwasteland.com | Facebook.com/narcoticwasteland | Instagram.com/narcoticwastelandofficial | Twitter.com/Narco_Wasteland | Tiktok.com/@narcoticwasteland
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CLAUSTROFOBIA at Palladium Times Square (10/12/24)
From what we understand, this was its first time in NYC… the band brought raw power to the stage. They are three piece band and they stomped like maniacs.
They were fast, they were mean. I'll say that or i am too old or they are too young but the adrenaline during their set was high at all times.
For this being their first time, they did a fine job. We will be paying attention to their releases from now on.
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