Artist Interview
Pop Evil recently dropped by Revolver HQ to chat about "Footsteps" being a No. 1 single, "Pop Evil Day" (declared by the mayor of Grand Rapids, M.I.), touring plans, and much more! Check out the video below and let us know what you think in the comments!
The group's new album, 'Up,' is out now. For more on Pop Evil, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Los Angeles-based metalcore act The Ghost Inside released their album, 'Dear Youth,' last year via Epitaph Records. Today, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new music video, "Move Me." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Vocalist Jonathan Vigil said, "Everyone has those times when things don't go their way. Sometimes it's worse than others and it feels like it will never end. The thing to remember is that just as easily as things went south, it could all turn back around in the blink of an eye. Almost as if you're waking up from a bad dream."
The Ghost Inside have also announced a tour where they are putting the spotlight on each local scene and giving bands from there the opportunity to open up every night! For tickets and information, visit their website and check out tour dates below!
To get 'Dear Youth,' visit iTunes or the band's merch store. For more on The Ghost Inside, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
The Locals Only Tour
10.23 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
10.24 Reno, NV @ PB&J's
10.26 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
10.27 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
10.28 Richland, WA @ Ray's Golden Lion
10.30 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Loading Dock
11.01 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
11.03 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
11.04 Toledo, OH @ Frankie's
11.05 Lansing, MI @ The Loft
11.06 Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
11.07 Reading, PA @ Reverb
11.08 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
11.09 New York, NY @ The Marlin Room at Webster Hall
11.10 Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
11.12 Raleigh, NC @ Southland Ballroom
11.13 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
11.14 Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
11.16 Ft. Worth, TX @ Tomcats
11.17 San Antonio, TX @ Korova
11.18 Lubbock, TX @ Jake's Sports Cafe
11.20 Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater
11.21 Upland, CA @ The Grizzly Den
11.22 Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
11.24 San Diego, CA @ SOMA Sidestage
Rammstein have teamed up with Revolver to premiere their live clip of "Benzin," recorded at Madison Square Garden in New York City, from their new 'In Amerika' DVD/Blu-ray. Check out the video below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Rammstein's sold-out concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden, their first U.S. show in 10 years, is the centerpiece of the new 2-DVD package. It pairs the Madison Square Garden concert, filmed and recorded in 5.1 surround, with a feature-length documentary film directed by Hannes Rossacher. A 20-minute film about the making of Rammstein's sixth album, 'Liebe ist für alle da,' is also included.
Shot in high definition with 14 cameras and 5.1 surround audio, Rammstein's 'Live from Madison Square Garden' concert film features complete performance of 18 songs is captured in the film.
'In Amerika' is out now! Click the links to purchase the DVD, Blu-ray or visit Rammstein's store.
For more on Rammstein, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Live From Madison Square Garden track listing:
01. Rammlied
02. B********
03. Waidmanns Heil
04. Keine Lust
05. Weisses Fleisch
06. Feuer Frei!
07. Wiener Blut
08. Frühling In Paris
09. Ich Tu Dir Weh
10. Du Riechst So Gut
11. Benzin
12. Links 2 3 4
13. Du Hast
14. Pussy
15. Sonne
16. Haifisch
17. Ich Will
18. Engel
Detroit electronic-rock project Blue Stahli recently released his new album, 'The Devil,' via FiXT. Here, revolver catches up with the frontman to talk about his new album, 'The Devil, working with Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies, having his music featured with marvel, and more! Interview by Kate Russell.
To get 'The Devil,' visit iTunes or FiXT's webstore. For more on Blue Stahli, follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
When did you first start making music as Blue Stahli and how did the name come about?
I had bounced everywhere from a weird underground electronic project, to being the guitarist in a drag queen-fronted punk band, then the composer and deejay for a burlesque troupe. While making show music for the burlesque troupe, I was also keeping demos and scraps of songs on hand, or writing out little half-ideas on an acoustic for things that would eventually become Blue Stahli tracks. Actual dedicated songs toward Blue Stahli didn't begin until I moved to Detroit in the fall of 2007.
The name came about when I happened across an abstract painting called "Untitled Blue" by an artist named Susanne Stahli. It grabbed me to such an extent, it was like every other piece of artwork suddenly turned into a sepia wash or black and white. I tend to see music in subtle diffusions of color, like if you were looking just to the side of a neon sign at night. This painting looked like the visual representation of the songs that were the most cathartic to me. You know those songs that resonate with you so deeply that you get something like a "warm chill" that runs along your spine and envelops you? It was like someone painted the flash I saw in my brain when that happens.
Your music has appeared in various movies, TV shows and video games. Which has been your favorite place to hear your music?
One of the biggest for me was landing in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' because I wrote the song custom specifically for that trailer. It was very different than what they originally asked me to do, so it was a real Hail Mary pass, and a good confirmation of trusting my instinct. That song is now the intro track to 'The Devil' and opens the album with the cinematic flair of a Marvel trailer. On the Marvel tip, I lost my mind showing up in 'Iron Man 3' because even though it was just an album cut, the track they picked was something I wrote with Iron Man scenes playing nonstop in my head!
How has your writing process or focus shifted since releasing your self-titled album in 2011?
I still feel like I'm doing the same thing in the same way: Beating my head against a wall and trying everything wrong before getting something right. But the songwriting aspect feels tighter this time around. I had more confidence in writing vocal hooks and fashioning the songs to feature big stacks of vocals instead of burying them and obscuring beneath more dominant music.
What led you to call your latest album 'The Devil'? Is there anything particularly special about the album's title track?
What originally kicked it all off was back when my grandfather passed. I was back in my hometown for his final hours, then stayed to help do the memorial service. I was digging through family photo albums for pictures to display at the memorial and happened upon a photo of me as a little kid, taken at Halloween, wearing a homemade devil costume. It damn well lightened the mood, and all I could think was how hilarious it would be if that were an album cover or t-shirt. I took a pic with my phone and texted a few people telling them this was the new album. Since I'm the type to take ridiculousness too far, to the delight of no one, I loved the idea the more I talked about it. A graphic artist I've worked with for years—even back in the "weird underground electronic project" in high school—Shawn lifted the pitchfork from the homemade devil costume in the picture, cleaned it up and it became the logo for this album. That picture of me did indeed wind up as a cover on the two EP's for this album, 'The Devil (Chapter 01)' and 'The Devil (Chapter 02).' Hell, there's a Devil Baby t-shirt and stickers as well, so I encourage everyone to get as many stickers as possible and post them around your city in interesting places.
What's one thing that you want listeners to know about 'The Devil'?
After the self-titled album, there were a few people who would comment wanting more songs with all out screaming. Thing is, I had become bored with the scream angle. It felt like everyone was doing it, and just wasn't something I wanted to do a ton of. I was much more interested in melody and the more expressive ways of delivering the same power a scream would carry, though writing a catchy hook that you can't help but sing along with. So I dreamed of this album being full of even bigger, louder, darker, meaner guitar riffs than the self-titled album, juxtaposed with stacks of vocal hooks and melodies that get stuck in your head on the first listen. This all felt way more natural, and doesn't mean that there aren't aggressive vocal moments. There's still a few screams here and there and definite gritty vocals, but everything is there to serve the melody. I'd say this album also exemplifies the multi-genre nature of Blue Stahli pretty damn well.
What are some of the themes addressed with 'The Devil'? Does each track connect in some way other than involving your signature style?
I don't know that I could ever do a concept album. I'm far too scattered. Though someone did recently tell me that in listening to the record they could hear an aspect of the devil being represented in the presentation of almost all the tracks. So maybe I subconsciously stuck to theme without even meaning to. Typically, I never divulge what songs are actually about, because the important thing is for people to make their own interpretation and apply it to their lives. I will say that the track "Shoot Em Up" is satire that was born out of disgust for clickbait-hungry media and the approach of ratings and entertainment at all costs, most especially innocent people caught in the crossfire. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, is the track "Rockstar," which was written to be the ultimate motivator, and very purposefully upbeat and simplistic so as to be an anthem.
You collaborated with Emma Anzai from Sick Puppies and other—how did you go about choosing which artists to work with for this project?
I wasn't going to have any collaborations on this album! It all happened by chance. I noticed Emma started following me on Instagram and Twitter, so I shot her message saying that I have no clue how she even would have heard of Blue Stahli, but that I'm actually a big fan of hers. She hit back and said that if I ever needed bass on anything, that she'd love to contribute. Emma is one of the best rock 'n' roll bassists in the world, so after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I set about getting her assets for "Not Over Til We Say So" to crazy on and do backing vocals. The song is absolutely elevated to new heights because of her presence on it. Mark Salomon came about because he had recently reconnected with Klayton of Celldweller. I was a big fan of Mark's from back in the day and he just has such a unique sound and approach. When doing aggressive stuff, he can be a human pitbull, despite actually being a chill guy with great taste in standup comedy. When there was even the possibility of him doing vocals, I wrote the lyrics for the verses of "You'll Get What's Coming" expressly for his delivery and cadence, and the vocal line for what I know he'd be best at. As for The Surly Dude Mass Choir, who make an appearance in the gang shoutouts of "Armageddon," yelling right along with me . . . some rumors say it's a band of viking-esque nomads who roam the earth, just rhythmically shouting at inanimate objects. Other rumors say that they are actually comprised of a well known active rock band clearly slumming it on one of my songs as a lark.
What's next?
I'll be following up 'The Devil' with a companion album of tracks called 'Premonitions.' 'Premonitions' are strange alternate versions of the main tracks. Pushing different elements and arrangements to the forefront in a much more experimental manner that is more in line with the dark sound design of 'Antisleep Vol. 03.' Sometimes it's taking main elements and reinterpreting the song in a new way. After that, I'll be finishing up 'Antisleep Vol. 04,' beginning an 'Antisleep Vol. 05,' then putting together a Blue Stahli live show so I can tour this action and come jump around like a spider monkey, meet fans in person, and thank them for supporting Blue Stahli. Seriously, I'm massively appreciative of everyone who digs this.
Slipknot have released a video for "XIX," the leadoff track from 2014's '.5: The Gray Chapter.'
The song was written as a eulogy for bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in May, 2010 from an accidental painkiller overdose.
Watch the video below and let us know what you think in the comments.
Trivium recently played a small, intimate show at New York City's Saint Vitus Bar. Revolver caught up with the band after the show to talk about what this small show means for them and their fans—as well as the new record, touring, and so much more!
Check out the interview below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Chicago-based deathcore act Born of Osiris will release their new album, 'Soul Sphere,' on October 23 via Sumerian Records. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song, "Goddess of the Dawn." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
To get 'Soul Sphere,' visit iTunes or the band's merch store. For more on Born of Osiris, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Revolver's own Derek Soto was on hand to catch all the action for Trivium's small club show on September 24 at Saint Vitus Bar in New York City. Check out the photos he captured for us below–you can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Los Angeles-based rock act Stitched Up Heart will release their new full-length offering in spring of 2016 via Another Century. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song and music video, "Finally Free." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Vocalist Mixi said, "Our video, 'Finally Free,' will be our first release on the label and a perfect taste of what's next for Stitched Up Heart. There has been much growth internally and musically and 'Finally Free' is a great representation of that. We are currently on tour right now 'til November and then will finish our first full length release for Another Century. Couldn't be more pumped for the next chapter!"
For more on Stitched Up Heart, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Queensryche's Todd La Torre (vocals) and Michael Wilton (guitar) dropped by the Revolver HQ to chat about their new album, 'Condition Human,' upcoming tour plans, La Torre being "the new guy," and much more. Check out the interview below!