Bleeding Through, Byzantine, Amplifier

Bleeding Through on tour

Bleeding Through and Zao combine for a Brit-assault toward the end of June.

Hot on the heels of their valentines run of dates, the relentless & formidable Bleeding Through are heading back for another bite of the UK. The O.C. faves have been hard at work on their new album, set for release on Trustkill/Roadrunner in September, so expect to hear some new tunes being showcased!

Look for kids swinging from the ceiling at the following:

26 June - Underworld, London
27 June - Rock City, Nottingham
28 June - King Tuts, Glasgow
29 June - Jilly's Rockworld, Manchester
30 June - TJs, Newport

Returning with them will be the aggressive battery that is Zao. Treating the UK to a mere 2 shows last year, Zao return in support of the apocalyptic Ferret/Roadrunner album ‘The Funeral Of God’.

Zao combine elements of Bay Area thrash metal, precision tuned Carcass-like speed metal and the hard-fought credibility of hardcore with a dark vision that recalls Nick Cave, Danzig or Johnny Cash, and the (perhaps even dubious) lilt of British pop music and the more avant-garde outer reaches of rock n' roll.

Bring earplugs, and a safety helmet.

[Search/Link to our interviews with both bands!]
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Byzantine rises again!

Byzantine was the successor state to the Roman Empire which fell around 100 years after Jesus was crucified. The Byzantine regime exorcised an extremely complex rule with an intricate an unforgiving judicial system. It was also filled with corruption and underhanded schemes.

Here, in 2005 Byzantine rises again - this time a growing force to be reckoned with in heavy music. A West Virginian foursome have adopted the name of the fallen empire and are all set to build their own history with it! Frontman Chris Ojeda reckons the Byzantine philosophy goes some way to describing the band and their inescapably killer music. Make of that what you will.

Hailing from redneck country Charleston, WV the band have had to work extra hard to get recognised by the metal fraternity but being alienated from the major scenes has helped the band create something unique - an instantly enthralling sound that rests on good solid heavy metal with crunching yet melodic thrash at it's most exciting!

Despite any geographical restrictions Byzantine are fast heading for world domination - a literally awesome new album, due July 2005, should propel the band to major player status. Currently recruiting a new bass player after the departure of founding member Chris Adams - it's full steam ahead for Byzantine. The assault will take no break…

As proud of their Southern roots as they seem desperate to escape them the band can do both - the Byzantine bus is heading our way all set to bring you a taste of the Deep South guaranteed to not be found anywhere else!

Having slaughtered crowds alongside the likes of Lamb Of God, Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall, Nora, Himsa, All That Remains, Cannae and Crematorium - Byzantine this time bring D-Rail & Indica out to party.

The headline run (with support from D-Rail & Indica):

12 May - Phoenix, Plymouth
13 May - Hobbits, Western Supermare
14 May - RMs Rock Club, Merthyl Tydfil
15May - Corporation, Sheffield
17 May - Joiners, Southampton
19 May - Charlotte, Leicester
20 May - Civic Centre, Berkhamsted
21 May - Junction 7, Nottingham
22 May - Retro Bar, Manchester
23 May - King Tuts, Glasgow
24 May - Josephs Well, Leeds
25 May - Bar Academy, Birmingham
26 May - Toolhouse, Bridgend
27 May - Islington Bar Academy, London

Tickets are reasonable £6 in advance; doors @ 7.30pm

We suggest you drag your sorry arse to one of the dates!

In meantime, get more info on the official site by clicking Link to the left.
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Amplifier sign with SPV

The UK’s great rock hope – Amplifier - have signed to SPV. The Manchester’s band has eben lauded by media and fans alike as England’s “band on the brink”. SPV look forward to a long and successful partnership which will see the band’s much-deserved breakthrough.

Nominated for Best British Newcomer 2004 at England’s Kerrang Awards, and by Germany’s Visions magazine readers as one of 2004’s Best Newcomers, the relationship will begin with the re-issue of their self-titled debut album on 06 June.

The album will be a digipack with a Bonus EP that includes UK-only released B-sides and two music videos. A brand new EP will follow later in the year. In the meantime, Amplifier will be touring through European clubs and appearing at summer festivals.

Tour dates:

10 April - Zodiac, Oxford
11 April - Cockpit, Leeds
12 April - Barfly, London

All these dates are opening for Open Hand.

Amplifier on Festival stages:

04 June - Imagine Festival, Barfusserplatz, Basel (CH)
10 June - Southside Festival, Neuhausen ob Eck (D)
11 June - Hurricane Festival, Scheeßel (D)
12 June - Breda Barst Festival, Breda (NL)
04 June - Stone Hill Festival (CH)