Belgian gruff punks and self-proclaimed perennial underachievers Rich Widows are back at it with a digital only three song EP. ‘Jackie’ is, of course, named after Jacqueline Bouvier-Kennedy-Onassis, whose life is probably the most tragic story any rich widow could experience.
 
The EP kicks off with ‘Them Angels Only Know’. “It’s a song we’ve been playing live for a while now and the response has been pretty great”, guitarist Christophe gloats, “People have been throwing around compliments like Jawbreaker-ish or a mix of Alkaline Trio and the Lawrence Arms. Seriously… Even my mom thinks it isn’t all that terrible.”
 
Strange how a song about the appeal of substance abuse in times of depression and isolation can get motherly approval. ‘Them Angels…’ also comes with a unique video: a darkly comedic mix of AI-generated images, animation, and live footage.
 
“That blend was actually an idea by Croque Boulot, the artist who made it for us, because it would save time and we wanted to launch quickly”, Christophe continues, “But we couldn’t be happier with the result. It looks professional, especially for our standards.”

The second track is ‘Winter Snow’, a full-on rager of a track that was inspired by the likes of Good Riddance, old Rise Against, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite and… yes… loneliness.  It’s got the right singalong-parts and a healthy dose of dual vocals.
 
Closing track ‘Shake Hands’ is somewhat of a departure from the usual gruff punk Rich Widows has been making for 7 years now, with a bouncy backbeat in the verses and a chorus that grunge bands in the 90s used to make.
 
Recording was done by the sweet Tim Van Doorn (Antillectual, Joe McMahon, Billy Liar,… ). Mixing was done by Rich Widows’ own drummer, Adriaan De Belder, at The Noisefloor. And mastering was handled by Troy Glessner at Spectre Studios, known for his work on albums by New Found Glory, MxPx, August Burns Red, Devin Townshend and other crazy big names.
 
The digital only EP contains 3 songs, available for streaming (and download via Bandcamp) through most platforms. Due to not having sent any music to any record label, there are no plans to release physical copies. For now, at least.

Biography:
Rich Widows is a gruff punk band with songs about 3 am dive bars, bad decisions, wreckage and remorse. Back in 2017, a drunken discussion about Hot Water Music, The Lawrence Arms and Samiam quickly turned into the plan to start a punk rock band. Funny thing is they never really got to sound like any of those bands. On their first two EP’s, they borrowed hints of Jawbreaker, Dillinger Four and Pegboy if they were all soaked in beer, while debut album ‘Wreckage & Remorse’ saw the band releasing a more diverse set of songs, ranging from fast hardcore punk ragers to midtempo punk rock. Hell, there’s even a piano ballad on the album. Those releases helped them land gigs with bands like Get Dead and Nothington, as well as a spot on the famous Groezrock festival. 

Still not hindered by the lack of mainstream success, the band is now back with ‘Jackie,’ their latest and most accomplished offering to date.

https://linktr.ee/richwidows
https://richwidows.bandcamp.com/album/jackie
www.facebook.com/richwidows
richwidowspunkrock@gmail.com

In January 2024, the Athenian-based extreme act WOTHROSCH will present their latest release “Odium” through the medium of photography!

In collaboration with photographer Jane Fotou, WOTHROSCH will host an exhibition entitled “Odium Magno”, where each track of the record is represented by a single photograph, encapturing its lyrical themes.

Furthermore, the exhibition is accompanied by a newly-composed musical piece, once again entitled, “Odium Magno” which acts as the album’s alter-ego and stands as a reflection of how “Odium” would sound, if it existed in a parallel universe. Thus, transforming the whole photographic exhibition, into a multi-media art installation.

Like the album, “Odium Magno” aims to explore the darkest facets of the human condition and to take those who experience it, through the shadows and farthest depths of their inmost abyss.

“Odium Magno”, will be hosted by the Art Zone 42 Gallery in Athens (GR), from the 18th – 27th of January 2024 and is free to visit.

WOTHROSCH recently released a twisted new music video for the track ‘Tumor’, which is taken from their latest masterpiece “Odium”. The new offering was directed by the acclaimed Claudio Marino (SHINING, BEHEMOTH, TRIBULATION).

Up for a challenge? Gather in masses and watch ‘Tumor’ now via the official Hammerheart Records YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/PGrYgLV5esU.

Emerging from the gutters of Athens, Greece and inspired by extreme soundscapes, WOTHROSCH have embarked on a path to create their inmost sinister art, that explores the darkest facets of the human condition.

WOTHROSCH are a new band from the ever creative Greek scene and created something fresh and new, filled with darkness, a monster of an album that is a Sonic attack unlike you have ever heard. The artwork and the recording strongly contribute to an overall overwhelming experience when listen to “Odium”. Imagine the soundscape experience of SepticFlesh clashing into the furiosity of Anaal Nathrakh: that is what WOTHROSCH sounds like.

“Odium” means: “the state or fact of being subjected to hatred and contempt as a result of a despicable act or blameworthy circumstance”!

WOTHROSCH are not a band. They are a collective, a movement. They are an idea, a dogma. Amongst the contraries they revel. Midst the opposites they dwell. Where all is one and one is all. They are not a band. They are you. They are WOTHROSCH. Welcome to their world.

Style: Blackened Death Metal

Line up:

Philip Dellas – Vocals

Nassos Defiant Stergiou – Guitars

Recorded and produced: by George Emmanuel (SepticFlesh, Rotting Christ, Lucifer’s Child) at Pentagram studio, Athens

Mix & master: George Emmanuel

Cover: Seth Siro Anton

Follow WOTHROSCH

www.wothrosch.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/wothrosch

www.instagram.com/wothrosch

BASINFIRE FEST 2024

26. – 29. 6. 2024 // SPÁLENÉ POŘÍČÍ

After a sold-out show at Meetfactory, FEAR FACTORY will return to the Czech Republic for Basinfire on Wednesday 26th June – thus we are extending the festival by one night!

The change of key member and vocalist Burton C. Bell has been one of the most discussed topics in the metal scene in recent years. But the answer to the question of how the band has coped with the change is already known to the fans – perfectly! Milo Silvestro symbolically represents the new leadership of the band and is not only the rebirth of the iconic voice of C. Bell, but literally the ‘New Messiah’ of this musical factory, from which emerges another set of industrial components full of modern extremes, bringing to life the soundtrack of a dystopian post-apocalyptic future.

Also joining them on Wednesday will be Toronto deathcore quintet BRAND OF SACRIFICE. They’ve taken their next EP “Between Death and Dreams” a step further again. With an even more cinematic production, highlighted by massive choruses and brutal breakdowns, the EP is an exceptional evolution of their sound. With the new EP and other fresh singles – “Awaken in Ashes” and “Erease You” – it’s clear that the band has launched another, even fresher era from which there is no turning back.

Current line-up: BLIND GUARDIAN, BRAND OF SACRIFICE, FEAR FACTORY, IN EXTREMO, INSOMNIUM, KATAKLYSM, HALOCENE, SKÁLMÖLD, SUFFOCATION, SUICIDAL ANGELS

Website: https://basin.cz/en