Primus.

Primus is a rock band formed in California in the mid-1980s by two ex-members of thrash metal band Blind Illusion, Les Claypool and Larry Lalonde. Les (vocals and bass guitar) has been the only constant member. They have had two guitar players (although Larry has held onto the role for the past 16 years) and many different drummers (although Tim Alexander and Bryan Mantia were the only ones who recorded with the band, and Jay Lane was the only other one who had creative impact) in the past.

Their music has proven difficult to define; while usually considered by critics to be funk-metal or alternative metal, Primus has been called everything from "thrash funk" (as the band blends funk-style bass technique with thrash influenced guitar riffs and songs tempos), to "alternative rock" to "the Freak Brothers set to music." Les Claypool himself once described their music as "psychedelic polka." Thanks to the diversity of their sound they have been able to gain fans from nearly all rock subgenres. Primus is the only band to have their own ID3 genre tag in Winamp. They are characterized by their irreverent approach to music — they release their records on Claypool's Prawn Song Records label, a parody of Led Zeppelin's Swan Song, and their catchphrase was, for several years, "Primus Sucks!". In 2003 the band dropped that catchphrase, as well as Tim Alexander's nickname "Herb".

Early Days (1984–1991)

Primus began as Primate in the mid-1980s with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth. Drummer Peter Libby was added in later, although the band would go through many other drummers throughout their early history. They formed in El Sobrante, California, United States. After rising to local music scene stardom with their brand of funk/metal fusion, Huth and current drummer Jay Lane left in 1989 to pursue other projects. Claypool recruited death metal guitarist and one time Joe Satriani student Larry LaLonde (usually referred to as "Ler" later) and eclectic drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander. Primus gained even greater popularity and soon released their first album, Suck on This, a live recording culled from two of their Berkeley concerts. The album was financed by Les' father.

In their early days, Primus were heavily associated with the Bay Area Thrash scene. Opening for bands such as Testament and Exodus they picked up a following of fans who were involved in the scene as a result. Today, Primus is one of few "alt-metal" bands commonly enjoyed by "true metal" fans, perhaps as a result of this.

It is an infamous fact that after the death of their bassist Cliff Burton in 1986, Metallica strongly considered Les Claypool (a close friend of the band) to be Cliff's replacement. After much deliberation, James Hetfield decided that Claypool was "too funky for Metallica", and Jason Newsted was chosen instead. The rest, for both Metallica and Primus, is history.

Primus played a number of early shows at Barrington Hall, a notoriously free-wheeling Berkeley student housing co-operative. Barrington Hall is often referenced in the band's music: the song "Frizzle Fry" refers to a Barrington party, and the album Tales from the Punchbowl refers to the LSD-spiked punch that was frequently served at Barrington social events.

In 1990 the band released their first studio album, Frizzle Fry also on Prawn Song and released singles for "John the Fisherman" and "Too Many Puppies." With a music video — featuring Kirk Hammett — a studio album, and a tour with Jane's Addiction, Primus's popularity grew to the point where they attracted attention from Interscope Records, who signed them in 1990.

Peak Years (1991–1996)

Primus' major label debut was Sailing the Seas of Cheese supported by singles "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver," and "Tommy the Cat (featuring Tom Waits)," which both appeared on MTV (a third single "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers" was also released but did not feature a video). The band also appeared in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey and made music for Beavis & Butthead. With a major label behind them, Sailing the Seas of Cheese went gold and the band toured in support of Rush, U2, Anthrax, and Public Enemy. Today, Sailing the Seas of Cheese is considered an alternative rock classic by many critics.

After the release of Sailing the Seas of Cheese, in 1992 Primus released a cover song EP Miscellaneous Debris, with their version of XTC's "Making Plans for Nigel" managing to break airwaves.

In 1993, Primus released Pork Soda, which managed to debut at #7 on the Billboard Top 10. The album was darker than previous Primus efforts, dealing with murder, suicide, and alienation. The band has commented that prior to recording, they had been touring for nearly two solid years and were thus in a somber mood. "My Name Is Mud", "DMV", and "Mr. Krinkle" were hits, the latter inspiring a video featuring Claypool in a pig suit and tuxedo playing upright bass in an abandoned warehouse as a carnival of oddities parades behind him, including Claypool's wife and her twin sister. The band reportedly put their heart and soul into the video, but it received next to no airtime on MTV.

Pork Soda also carries the distinction of being the first full length album recorded at Claypool's house. The band would subsequently record all of their albums in his home studio.

In 1993, Primus headlined the alternative rock festival Lollapalooza. They also made an appearance at the Woodstock '94 Music Festival where they performed "My Name is Mud" with predictable results (Claypool claims to still have mud in his speakers). It was clear that Primus-mania was growing, and the band was churning out material frequently. In the previous four years they had released three albums, an EP, six music videos, and a home video. To top that all off, they toured with Rush, who they consider to be one of their biggest influences.

During a lull in 1994, the original Primus lineup consisting of Claypool, Huth, and Lane reunited to record Riddles are Abound Tonight under the band name Sausage. Among the pre-Primus songs they recorded were "Temporary Phase", "Prelude to Fear", and "Shattering Song." The video to "Riddles Are Abound Tonight" featured the band in blue leotards performing on stationary bicycles.

In 1995, Primus released their fifth album, Tales from the Punchbowl. It was very well received and contained Primus's most successful single to date, the Grammy-nominated "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver." The ubiquitous song was accompanied by an equally ubiquitous video with the band members dressed up in cartoonish plastic cowboy costume (similar to the suits worn in the then current Duracell battery commercials). So great was their popularity that the band was invited to perform on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien's shows. Two other less successful singles, "Mrs. Blaileen" and "Southbound Pachyderm" (the latter of which featured a claymation video that apparently only got played on MTV a small number of times) were also released.

Many falsely believed "Wynona" was about actress Winona Ryder. Claypool has acknowledged several times that the song is not about Ryder, indicating that the song's name is spelled and pronounced differently. While this placated Ryder, her then boyfriend Soul Asylum vocalist David Pirner took offense and renamed one of his songs "Les Claypool's a Big Fucking Asshole" in concert. Claypool was apparently not even aware of this at the time, although this did cause tension between fans of Primus and Soul Asylum for a brief period.

Mantia Era & Hiatus (1997–2002)

Disturbed by their sudden fame, Primus gradually began to disown "Wynona." It would not be long before Claypool stated that they would stop playing it altogether. Nonetheless, Alexander left the band in 1996 due to creative differences. Rumored replacements for Alexander included Mike Bordin of Faith No More, but in the end he was replaced by Bryan "Brain" Mantia of Limbomaniacs and Praxis. Mantia was one of the many drummers Claypool auditioned for the original line-up of Primus before settling with Alexander — Mantia bowed out beforehand due to a foot injury.

With Mantia aboard, Primus was asked in 1997 to compose the theme song to South Park after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone professed to be big fans. (Les Claypool was an early supporter of their Spirit of Christmas video postcard/demo.) Primus also contributed to the South Park "Chef Aid" album with the song "Mephisto and Kevin", telling the story of Gopherboy. By this time, bands that were influenced by Primus's bottom-heavy rock — such as Tool, KoЯn, and Limp Bizkit— were starting to gain a growing audience in the alternative metal genre which Primus had helped to promote.

1997's Brown Album was a departure from previous Primus leaving the majority of fans disappointed. Critically, it was Primus's least successful album, having received, for the most part, adverse reviews. Commercially it did not do as well as previous efforts. Both singles "Shake Hands With Beef" and "Over the Falls" flopped. The band would later distance itself from the album. Claypool would go so far as to comment in concert, "does anyone want to hear anything from the Brown Album? Me neither."

Antipop was released in 1999, and was the first album to feature heavy input from outside musicians and producers. The album was seen as a 'return to form' by most long term Primus fans, featuring harder edge song-writing fans had been craving as well as greatly improved production over the previous album. The band toured with Ozzfest and released a video for "Lacquerhead" that was banned from MTV because of its drug content, even though it was an anti-drug song.

In 2000, Primus performed a cover of the Black Sabbath classic "N.I.B." with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. This track appeared originally on the album "Nativity in Black, Vol. 2: A Tribute to Black Sabbath". The single hit number 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock tracks, the band's highest charting single in nearly a decade. The track would later be released on Ozzy's Prince of Darkness box-set in 2005.

After touring to promote Antipop throughout 2000, citing studio mismanagement and general dissatisfaction, Primus went on indefinite hiatus in 2001.

During the hiatus, Alexander released two albums with the band Laundry and performed with Blue Man Group, A Perfect Circle, and Born Naked, among others. Claypool explored the jam band scene with Oysterhead (featuring his friend Trey Anastasio of Phish as well as Stewart Copeland) and his own Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. He also collaborated with Mantia in Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains. LaLonde joined Mantia to produce two experimental No Forcefield records, and tried unsuccessfully to start a recording studio.

Reformation (2003–Present)

In late 2003, Claypool reunited with LaLonde and, in a surprise move, Tim Alexander to record a DVD/EP called Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People, which Claypool described as the first DVD with supplementary music, as opposed to the contrary. The band staged a two month tour in which they performed two sets per show, the second consisting of their 1991 release Sailing the Seas of Cheese in its entirety. 2004 saw them continue touring, and even performing their 1990 release Frizzle Fry in its entirety. For these two tours, the band sold recordings directly recorded from the sound-board online, following an example of other bands such as Phish. The performance in Chicago was video taped as well, and was released on the 'Hallucino-Genetics' Live DVD. The band's style as of their last EP was based on the jam band style with extended soloing from band members and less focus on lyrics. This follows the musical evolution of Les Claypool's work during the Primus hiatus, it is unknown whether this style was simply temporary or if the band has permanently switched over to it.

On July 19, 2005, it was announced that Primus was going to release a new full-length album by spring of 2006 with an international tour following shortly thereafter. The release would have been the first full-length Primus album since 1999's Antipop, and the first full-length album with Alexander on drums since 1995's Tales From the Punchbowl.

Later that year, the band performed at Lollapalooza in July and Vegoose in October while still spending time recording new songs; no new tracks were performed at these festivals.

As spring of 2006 came and went, Primus' reported new album did not materialize. The band has been tight-lipped about the album's progress, although an update on Tim Alexander's website stated that he was still working on new Primus material at the time.

Primus performed at the 1st Annual Hedgpeth Festival in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin that year in July. No new tracks were performed, and no word was given by any of the members regarding the new album.

October 17th saw the release of the band's first ever greatest hits compilation album They Can't All Be Zingers on Interscope Records as well as a DVD released on Prawn Song Records called Blame It on the Fish: An Abstract Look at the 2003 Primus Tour De Fromage. The DVD contained live footage from the band's 2003 reunion tour, interview segments, behind the scenes footage, and other assorted material including a 30 minute mockumentary about the band in 2065.

In November 2006, the band commenced the month-long Primus: The Beat a Dead Horse Tour 2006. During the tour, Primus began performing "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" for the first time in 7 years. The music video game Guitar Hero 2 for the Playstation 2 was also released in November and featured the Primus song "John the Fisherman." The game would later be released for the Xbox 360 in April 2007.

In 2008, Primus continued their post-hiatus trend of performing at large outdoor festivals when they played the Rothbury Music Festival over the July 4th weekend in Rothbury, Michigan and the Outside Lands Festival during late-August in San Fransisco, California.

Side Projects

Since reuniting in 2003, the band members have balanced their Primus duties with a number of various other projects. Les Claypool continues to tour and record with his "Fancy" band. They have released one full-length album, Of Whales and Woes (2006), and a live DVD, Fancy (2007). Claypool has also tried his hand at cinema, writing and directing the jam band spoof Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo (2006), and playing the role of a preacher in James Isaac's indie horror film Pig Hunt (2008). He also published his first novel, South of the Pumphouse (2006), and even started his own wine company, Claypool Cellars.

Tim Alexander released the debut album titled This Is a Dream from his project Fata Morgana, which was written, produced, and almost entirely performed by Alexander. He is also playing shows and recording material with his other group Into The Presence consisting of Nicki Tedesco and Luis Carlos Maldonado. Both albums feature a number of guest performers, many of whom Alexander has worked with at one time or another throughout his career.

Larry LaLonde joined the touring band for System of a Down vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Serj Tankian in 2007 in support of Serj's debut solo album, Elect the Dead, which also subsequentally features several appearances by former Primus drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia.

Chelsea Wolfe

Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas

Napalm Death

This is the official NAPALM DEATH Facebook page.

Alcest

This is the official Alcest Facebook profile.

Perturbator

http://perturbator.com

High On Fire

High on Fire is a sludge metal group based out of Oakland, California, US. It was founded by the guitarist of Sleep, Matt Pike, and likewise features similar musical tones such as heavy use of drone, extreme distortion, lagging pace, and a mood reflective of stoner rock.

Nothing

American Post Shoegaze

Igorrr

Booking : luc@doomstarbookings.com & romain@thelinkprod.fr

Publishing : publishing@season-of-mist.com

Cult of Luna

Cult of Luna (formed in 1998) is a Swedish post/progressive metal band who achieved their big breakthrough in 2004 with their third album “Salvation” – hailing from Umeå, Sweden.

TTNG

Eivör

My new album 'Enn' is out now. ✨💜

linktr.ee/eivormusic

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Maruja

Artists in the truest sense of the word, Maruja’s ferocious combination of punk, harsh noise, and transcendent cosmic jazz is fast marking them out as one of the most exciting new acts in the country. The years spent relentlessly honing their craft are paying off in style, driven not just by passion but rather an all-consuming need to create and perform with a visceral intensity, they are both electrifying and terrifying.

Anyone who’s seen a Maruja show will know what drummer Jacob Hayes means when he talks about an atmosphere that’s “both feral and loving.” Maruja gigs are a spiritual experience – free-flow jams of uncategorisable music. Punk meets free jazz, with lyrics, rooted in rap, that are all about the message; vicious guitar loops, psychedelic bass, transcendent saxophone – and a voice, in Harry Wilkinson, that stretches from a Manchester version of Zack de la Rocha, to a call to prayer.

Their long-awaited debut album Pain to Power captures those moments in live performance when, as Jacob puts it, “things move to another level – the flow state”. The band compose in a unique way: their music is largely improvised, and they bring their personal feelings into every jam – so it was natural that contemporary politics bled into their songwriting. “Trump came in on 20 January, slap bang in the middle of our recording process,” says saxophonist Joe Carroll; and the band have followed the conflict in Gaza with grim attention, resulting in (as bassist Matt Buonaccorsi puts it) “that combination of heavy tragedy and hope. This is a tragedy that’s beyond horrific, it’s so oppressive that hope itself seems impossible to find.”

This cycle of tragedy and hope is there at the heart of Pain to Power. “It starts off brutal and turns into something powerful and expressive,” says lyricist, rapper and singer Harry. “We have to trust in that circle of life, and in our power to overcome pain.” The album follows the arc of a live show: an onslaught of energy, arriving at a place of transcendence, the music itself “rising from the ashes”.

Some of the most political music is the least prescriptive. At their heart, Maruja fight against an increasingly individualistic society. At the end of every show, Harry repeats the same mantra: “We wish you peace, prosperity and unity in these times of global oppression. Together we are stronger, please raise a fist for solidarity”. Everyone joins in, he adds.

Pain to Power was put together in an astonishingly short time – just two months, at the start of this year – and was produced by Samuel W Jones, already expert at giving Maruja records the feel of the crowd that wasn’t there.

The lead single Look Down On Us is a hair-raising critique of late-stage capitalism, morphing into a poignant meditation on the need for hope fuelled by plaintive sax.

The ferocious Bloodsport (“Complicit! Crossfire! No Vision! Live wire!”) was finished in just two hours. The song started with a guitar loop and a pounding drum roll, but the boys realised it had the same BPM as many of the records in their vast drum and bass collection: “so this is drum and bass through a punk filter.”

Harry almost raps, even talking about the record, his words coming in a rhythmic flow of energy. Maruja have always been acutely aware of mental health, and Bloodsport takes world events and examines their corrosive effect on the individual: “We're swallowing our fears till our kids are overdosing… I'm an addict addicted to my bad habits…”

“How does someone feel when they have no power?” Harry says. “All they want to do is find a little bit of dopamine to release them from the oppressive cloud that hangs over their head. All of these narratives coalesce into mental health crises. How are you going to pull yourself out of that? It takes courage to try and find inner peace, to recognise our own flaws…”

Pain to Power identifies the frustrated energy of a disengaged populace, and of people who want to protest but are finding it harder and harder in the current climate. On a recent American tour, the band spoke with fans who have taken to wearing balaclavas on peaceful demonstrations, afraid of arrest and deportation.

Maruja have a strong message of spirituality and talk about it with an understanding that recalls John Coltrane and other jazz giants of the past. It is a sentiment captured in Born To Die (“We are universal spirits and our kingdom is this earth,”) which whirls into a storm of cymbals and industrial feedback.

“Music itself is healing,” says Harry, “and we should help other people in a culture that is very repressed. The only spiritual things left in the world are music and love. Spirituality is ridiculed – people would rather believe in nihilism, which shows how disconnected we are.”

The tension of Pain to Power – the rage that informs those heavy opening songs – is repeatedly built up and broken by sonics reproducing the euphoria at the end of Maruja shows.

Zaytoun, with its vocal cries like seagulls, is a fully-improvised free-jazz piece, named after the Arabic word for olive tree: a symbol of peace and resilience with connection to the land that is deeply rooted in Palestinian culture. “That’s what our jams are,” says Joe. “Coming together to release this energy. We can’t do it by ourselves, so it symbolizes our unity.”

Saoirse, meaning ‘freedom’, and inspired by the band’s own Celtic roots, is a showcase for sax and strings. This remarkable track looks at the ties between Ireland and Palestine, epitomised in the Irish protest slogan “Saoirse don Phalaistin”. Among his grandfather’s possessions in Sligo, Joe found a decades-old comic strip depicting a “Black and Tan” Irish soldier boarding a boat to Palestine. Lyrically the song speaks to the power of unity to combat division with frontman Harry Wilkinson’s deeply moving mantra: 'It’s our differences that make us beautiful’.

The exquisite nine-minute opus Reconcile, with an entrancing polyphonic interlude and a story all of its own in the drums, is about embracing love, being at peace with the cycle of destruction. “The hatred will always come,” says Joe. “Embracing love is the overall message.”

The shuddering metal of Trenches was inspired by one of Maruja’s regular messages to fans before gigs: “See you in the trenches!” The song is a nod to the band’s personal story – and to their belief in the power of music to effect change: “We use those words, see you in the trenches,” says Joe, “because the message of the band is about community – trying to make a difference.”

Does he think Maruja can make a difference?

“Yes. Music used to be a superpower – Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, all these artists were speaking to the Black Power movement, and music was at the height of culture. The world is crying out, especially on the left, for people to build from a place of community. For years it’s been your solo artists, your Ed Sheerans – but to have a band, a community… We see it at the shows, the countless personal stories we’ve heard.”

Maruja don’t hide their political feelings at gigs, but they have to be increasingly subtle at US shows at the moment; in Washington recently, Harry spoke about a kakistocracy – being governed by those who are unfit to lead.

“We have to be careful about the way we put things, in order to reach as many people as possible. It’s strange when you have world leaders out there committing atrocities and there are no consequences at all! But if it’s harder to say stuff, it means it needs saying more than ever…

Their music, their very dynamics, speak loud enough: and the four-way friendship at the heart of the band is a metaphor for the kind of unity they’re seeking.

Matt and Harry studied music and performance together in Manchester, before Harry transferred to electronic music production. In their early days, Maruja sounded as funky as Parliament. Joe pushed it further into jazz territory when he brought his sax into the picture: his playing can bring to mind the mesmerising loops of Sufi music.

As for the jazz references, they have no training. It is more of an attitude, they say – a sense of possibility and freedom. “Jazz is having no boundaries,” says Harry, “and being completely free to express yourself. There is no formula, no rules. It comes from us loving what we do. We could improvise together all day and have the best day of our lives.”

“It’s about the energy of letting yourself go, something you can only achieve when you have been at it for prolonged hours,” Jacob adds. “You have to be really comfortable with one another emotionally so you can allow your unconscious to take over. We go into a trance-like state when we’re playing – an hour goes by, and you have no sense of time.”

“When we play, it’s always to do with getting things out that have been trapped in us,” says Harry. “Whether it’s war across the sea, relationships, society’s pressures – it’s always like you’re relieving some kind of pain. It’s about not being afraid of being vulnerable on stage, completely letting yourself go. People can see how free you are. I never felt as free in my life as I do on stage, jamming with the boys.”

“killer from front to back and I can’t wait for these guys to get into album mode….when these guys eventually go into full record mode, it’s going to be incredible” – Anthony Fantano

“will leave listeners breathless but begging for more” – DIY Magazine

Michael Cera Palin

Hey Elliot, i wanna make more interesting punky/emo music with people, would you wanna start up a project that sounds kinda like that?" ~Jon Williams (via Facebook Messenger) Funny name, right? booking: michaelcerapalin@gmail.com

Sikth

Arcane Roots

Oathbreaker

Agent Fresco

“AGENT FRESCO HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT EMBRACING COMFORT ZONES. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT PUSHING OUR OWN EMOTIONAL AND MUSICAL BOUNDARIES.”

– ARNÓR DAN ARNARSON

Sometimes, you can feel where a band is from. Agent Fresco are as untamed, graceful, momentous, dangerous and unpredictable as the land they come from. Agent Fresco are from Iceland – a country almost impossible not to be influenced by. “Living in a country that has summers of non-stop light and winters of almost complete darkness is bound to have an impact on your state of mind,” says vocalist, composer and frontman Arnór Dan Arnarson. So that’s settled.

Agent Fresco’s music is a reflection of this ever-changing landscape, with its overwhelming sense of freedom and vastness. This is a progressive Art Rock band that needs to be experienced from a few steps back to be grasped in its entirety, like a bold work of art. In the last couple of years, their iridescent, propulsive, arty and highly addictive music made the highly esteemed Reykjavik band – comprised of Arnór Dan, Þórarinn Guðnason, Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson and Vignir Rafn Hilmarsson – become the favourite of a music-loving nation and an act sparking international interest. Or, to use the words of MTV’s own Halley Bondy: “By and large one of the best bands to come out of Iceland”. And this in a country with a higher band per capita ratio than most others!

All it took was one album. A Long Time Listening, released in 2010, caused disbelieving faces, breathless wonder and bottomless enthusiasm for a passionate musical display like this. Prog Rock, Avantgarde, Metal or Alternative? Jazz, Post Rock or even Djent? The critics raved, vying with each other in a futile attempt to label these tunes from Iceland. “An amazing album by the best rock band in the country today,” was the verdict of the country’s most important national newspaper, Morgunblaðið. Even by the wide-open standards of Icelandic music Agent Fresco’s interpretation of the rock genre is unusually soulful and multi-layered, with a quicksilver rhythmic pulse and mother-of-pearl harmonies reflecting every mood colour imaginable. “There’s an incredible amount of artistic freedom in this band,” Arnór Dan states and Þórarinn adds: “The moment we stop pushing boundaries we can call it quits. I truly hope that never happens.” For Agent Fresco, the challenge is of utmost importance. The challenge to surpass oneself, to go places, to enter new territories. This is only possible by maintaining integrity, says Arnór Dan: “I truly feel like we’re creating something unique and honest while we challenge ourselves on a professional and personal level.”

An especially profound challenge lay in the concept of the first album. A Long Time Listening was centered around his father’s death. “It made me realize how monumental music can be,” he says. “It not only gave me the chance to deal with the loss of my father, it also gave me the possibility to honour his name in the best way possible.” It’s true, every single listener will experience this album in a different way, will get something else out of it. Arnór Dan is not the guy to tell straightforward stories. “I find that creating layers of imagery within the song helps the listener experience the song more uniquely and leads them to a more personal interpretation. Writing lyrics in a direct manner just never fascinated me.”

This was five years ago. Since then, two tours have led Agent Fresco through Europe, taking festivals such as Roskilde and Euroblast by storm. Their reputation for being a rare treat when heard live, an intense monster once unleashed on stage, quickly added to their prestige. “Playing live is a whole other feeling, so different from composing,” comments Þórarinn. “It’s about interpreting your own work – kind of like dancing with yourself.” This didn’t go by unnoticed as the band learned after their stunning gig at Reykjavik’s own Iceland Airwaves. “Seriously, this band is so impressive and the way the entire room sings along to their stunning Eyes Of A Cloud Catcher is a moment that’ll live long in the memory of all here,” an enthused Paul Brannigan of Kerrang Magazine wrote after seeing the band at this prestigious festival.

But the second album… well, it just wouldn’t come. A classic case of catch-22 for Arnór Dan as he again had plans to exorcise some pretty serious demons with the help of this record. “The emotional trigger for this album was a disgusting encounter with violence that I had three years ago,” he remembers. “Two guys attacked me very late one night and I was left behind with a broken eye socket, a cut to the eyebrow and a concussion. This changed me. I decided to let the anger and angst intensify and I kept them animated throughout the entire writing process to feed off of these raw emotions.”

That’s why the album is called Destrier. “A destrier (pronounced DES-treer) was a medieval warhorse, born and raised for battle. I found this to be a beautiful, mysterious and muscular companion for the songs and a perfect concept for the album.” But the events of Arnór Dan’s brutal encounter were still so close to him that he couldn’t let them go. “In hindsight, I now realize that it got a bit out of hand in the end. I almost fell victim to my own personal Stockholm Syndrome in dealing with my anger and that is what I wanted to capture in the See Hell music video.” This stunning second single, with its thoughtful, tragic images, leads into the dark world of the second album. “It’s amazing and terrifying how destructive angst and anger can be to your physical health. I constantly lost my voice, had a difficult time sleeping, experienced anxiety attacks and had a very hard time focusing during the last stages of the recording.”

At long last, the mission Destrier is accomplished, and it outstrips its predecessor almost effortlessly. The 14 new pieces of music are a cornucopia of musical atmopsheres, ideas and textures, an emotional tour de force through lightless chasms, up to the skies, leading from the darkest aspects of human existence to moments of sheer beauty. Suddenly, it is all just too clear why this album took so long: works like these are not to be written between lunch break and dinner. Agent Fresco managed to maintain the musical variety of the debut album, but stretch it even further. “I’ve tried to explore and analyze difficult emotions such has anxiety and anger while Þórarinn experimented with how harmonics and rhythms can be perceived differently by the listener.” Þórarinn’s take on it is this: “There are so many ideas that have not been explored, especially of the rhythmical kind. I’ve also been very fascinated by the harmonic series and its relationship with sound, perception and links to other aspects of music and natural sounds.” This makes Destrier his very own playground of visionary ideas.

To be precise, Destrier is a journey through every guitar-drivengenre developed before, with influences ranging from classical music to philosophy, from poetry to ancient myth, to create their very own brew of emotionally packed pieces. Rolling Stone described Agent Fresco as “an Icelandic band that somehow veered from blazing alt-guitar rock to Steely Dan-ballad piano figures and Queen stadium-gig hurrahs, often in the same song, to decisive euphoric effect.” The Music Void’s take is this: “a male version of Björk with a band coming from a Rage Against The Machine angle.” Yep, it’s in there too. But far from coming close to the core.

Destrier is proof that too many cooks do not necessarily spoil the broth. The album is conceived as a work of art, not just a mere collection of songs. “I’ve always found it natural to write and produce a record as a unified work or art,” Arnór Dan shrugs. Agent Fresco’s music is not for mere entertainment purposes, that should be clear by now. Although, to be fair, they wouldn’t mind if you’d use it so. “My music is an extremely powerful outlet for me and I believe that writing lyrics help me evolve emotionally and intellectually as a human being,” says Arnarson. “Being creative and making music simply gives me a purpose.”

– Björn Springorum

Agent Fresco are,

Arnór Dan Arnarson: vocals

Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson: drums / percussion

Vignir Rafn Hilmarsson: bass / upright bass

Þórarinn Guðnason: guitar / piano / programming

Conjurer

MASTER BOOT RECORD

I am a 486DX-33MHz-64MB processing avant-garde chiptune, synthesized heavy metal & classical symphonic music. 100% Synthesized, 100% Dehumanized.

Amplifier

Amplifier Bar - Live music venue and bowling bar

at 393 Murray st

Svalbard

Julie Christmas

Darkher

www.instagram.com/darkhermusic

Bookings: darkhercontact@gmail.com

Label: Prophecy Productions

Nordic Giants

Lost in Kiev

S.O.M.

Town Portal

PUPIL SLICER

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Kate

Josh

Luke

Bookings: haydn@northernmusic.co.uk

Alpha Male Tea Party

Jo Quail

Cellist som blander klassisk, metal og avantgarde.

Overhead, the Albatross

Gösta Berlings Saga

Instrumental rock band from Stockholm, Sweden.

We've been doing this for what feels like 20 mins but it's probably closer to 'since forever'.

Buy records and merch at www.tnor.se/gosta-berlings-saga

Heck

Itoldyouiwouldeatyou

Chalk Hands

Pil & Bue

Explosive duo-rock band

Papangu

Bruit ≤

https://instagram.com/bruit_official

Witchsorrow

You Win Again Gravity

Leeched

Night Swimming

mgmt: lewis@atticusmgmt.com

https://linktr.ee/nightswimmingband

Moksha

Forlorn

There are at least 2 bands with the name Forlorn. 1.) Through the band 122-Stab Wounds, Alvarin & C. Worhn hooked up to form the fundament of Forlorn. At this point, Forlorn was still a mere project in the developmental stages. While working on their debut EP. Forlorn signed a deal with Head Not Found to release 2 CD's. Soon thereafter, Forlorn were joined by S. Aske on vocals and the first EP was completed. The work for "THE CRYSTAL PALACE", their full-length debut, began early after the recording of the EP; and was to be the final release on Head Not Found and with vocalist S. Aske. In 1999, Forlorn signed a 2 CD contract with Napalm Records. The release of their Napalm Records debut resulted in the piece "OPUS III - AD CAELESTIS RES", which took a new turn in the Forlorn saga, both musically and lyrically. Still dealing with epic stories, the music went on to become more intense, yet keeping the atmospherical elements intact. After the release of "OPUS III", a major change happened in the Forlorn camp which would prove to be a turningpoint. C. Worhn announced his departure and from there on Alvarin sought out new members who could participate in evolving Forlorn and who was sure to be devoting, all as one...one as all... To correspond with the all new Forlorn, Alvarin changed his artist-name accordingly, and now goes under the artist-name "Hennex". Hennex found such members through engaging a talented BM drummer, S. Winter, whose dedication and seriousness would be an inspirational source for the band. Next to be recruited was Dolgar, who by then had just left Gehenna due to internal conflicts. When asked to join Forlorn, he did with extreme dedication and with new ideas which will rock the very foundation of BM. Next in line Forlorn found Vulpes, originally a devoted and brilliant guitarplayer, but was asked to join Forlorn on bass. He accepted and has from there on been a permanent and fully dedicated member. Forlorn also recruited Iego to handle the keys, however, things did not work out the the band hoped for, so Forlorn subsequently recruited a new keyboardplayer; B. Lonafell - a talented and skilled musician, but once again it was the wrong man for the job. These days Forlorn are happy being the strengt of four, but have recruited Kine Hult (keyboard) for live shows. And by this Forlorn has come full circle. The machinery...the horsemen...the power is unleashed - prepare for metal worthy the gods of time! Their latest audio-chapter "HYBERNATION" has gained massive acclamation around the world, and the band are now claiming new times as well as new ground!!! - Forlorn 2.) Forlorn, a metal act from the West Midlands in England. Exploding on the metal scene in early 2006, they have created a sound which is powerful, yet remains unique compared to other metal acts. Forlorn are known for their heavy sound and strong live performances. They have recently recorded their debut E.P, 'Hearts To War'. www.myspace.com/forlornmusic

god alone

Giant Walker

Humanfly

HAAL

Bucket

Dublin-based 3-piece Bucket embrace elements of noise rock, hardcore and industrial to forge an exceptional and shockingly abrasive sound. Bucket aim to test the limits of volume and intensity, delivering a punishing and energetic live show. In spring 2025, Bucket released their debut EP Muck, a blistering listening experience and a brutal display of the Irish band’s raw and chaotic sound.

Zatokrev

ZATOKREV

lowheaven

Benthos

Progressive Metal / Mathcore from Milan, Italy.

New album From Nothing OUT NOW via InsideOutMusic.

Stream/buy here: https://benthos.lnk.to/FromNothing-Album

Sans Froid

Iskandr

Sara Zozaya

Erotic Secrets of Pompeii

🐐 WEIRD ROCK FOR STRANGE TIMES 🐐

From Bristol, UK.

Ringlets

No Violet

Hang Linton

Dimscûa

Swamp Coffin

Worn Out

NEW EP ‘LOW’ OUT NOW 💀

Vinyl via Ripcord Records 🇬🇧 & Bandcamp 🌎 Tape via Death Farm Records 🇪🇺

https://linktr.ee/wornoutnoise

Sleemo

Shearling

Civil Service

Bruise Blood

PREYRS

preyrs.com

Wildernesses

L.O.E

Senor Pink

The Grey UK

Believe in Nothing

Moksha (UK)

Meatdripper

Chat Pile

Cool World out October 11 via The Flenser: https://orcd.co/jj690dz

Psychonaut

Australian Power Speed Thrash Death Rock Metal

KLÄMP

SEVIT

Tanzana

Barrens_Official

SCALER

fka Scalping

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza

Kathryn Joseph

Witch Fever

Our sophomore album ‘Fevereaten’ is out now

https://www.witchfever.com/links

Cardiacs

A.A. Williams

MANAGEMENT: takeheedhb@gmail.com

BOOKING: haydn@northernmusic.co.uk

Zeta

The Intersphere

Múr

Múr, deriving its name from the Icelandic term for “brick wall,” forges apocalyptic soundscapes that transcend conventional boundaries. With a mesmerising blend of post-rock and progressive metal, they transport the listener to a realm of introspection and self-discovery, where shimmering guitars, haunting vocals, and unrelenting rhythms combine with a roaring keytar to form a sonic wall of raw emotion. Through their unique blend of atmospheric textures, evocative songwriting, and raw emotional intensity, Múr has garnered critical acclaim both within their homeland and beyond, solidifying their position as one of the country’s most promising and exciting musical exports.

battlesnake

The rising titans of Australian hard rock and pure heavy metal, Battlesnake have quickly ascended from the underground, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique blend of powerful riffs and dynamic songwriting. Channeling the likes of Queen, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath into something familiar yet ground breaking. Renowned for their high-octane live performances, epic theatrical compositions and relentless energy, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in contemporary metal. Mortals tremble, all hail Battlesnake!

otay:onii

Born in Haining, China, Otay:onii (Lane Shi) is a troubadour, performing musician, multidisciplinary installation artist, working sound designer and film composer who’s currently resides in NY. She is also the vocalist of the punk spit band Elizabeth Colour Wheel (US). Otay:onii was honored bronze prize for “Best Female Vocalist” from Global Music Awards, “Best Sound” from the Audiovisual Arts Industrial Incubator Awards, her recent music video “Un deciphered” is an official selection by the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival. Otay:onii ’s installation performance piece Unwrap! opened its first edition at Ming Contemporary Art Museum in Shanghai (2021), as well as series of improvised sound pieces at Himalayas Museum, FanRong Museum, and more. Electronic, ambient, sound collage or noise, Otay:onii breaks down structures that chains her neck and feet, aiming to be free on the ride of acute instincts and establishing a bodily connection through the synchronization of the heart and mind. She believes in echos, and “solving a puzzle with another puzzle that can't be seen, be touched, but to feel”

Youthmovies

SKLOSS

XO Armor

THE BAND YOU KNEW AS CODA IS NOW CALLED XO ARMOR! YOUR FAVORITE NEW HEAVY ACT BASED IN KOBLENZ, GERMANY!

Møl (DK)

WORN OUT (IRE)

ZAHN

eivør

Eivør Pálsdóttir is a Faroese singer, songwriter, and producer whose genre-defying sound has captivated audiences across the globe. Hailing from the remote village of Syðrugøta in the Faroe Islands, Eivør’s music seamlessly weaves together Nordic folk traditions with dark electronica and cinematic pop, creating an otherworldly yet deeply emotional experience. Over the course of her two-decade career, Eivør has released twelve studio albums, with her latest record, ENN (2024), marking a bold evolution in her artistry. Sung entirely in her native Faroese, ENN explores themes of nature, desire, and resilience, combining organic instrumentation with haunting electronic soundscapes. The album, released via independent label Season of Mist, has solidified Eivør’s status as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary music. Eivør’s powerful vocals and immersive live performances have earned her a devoted international following. She has toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, and beyond, selling out headline shows and supporting renowned acts such as Heilung. Her dynamic stage presence has graced major events, including The Game Awards at the Hollywood Bowl and the UEFA Champions League opening ceremony. Beyond her solo work, Eivør is widely recognized for her contributions to acclaimed soundtracks, including Netflix’s The Last Kingdom and the award-winning video game God of War Ragnarök. Her unique ability to blend haunting melodies with evocative storytelling has garnered critical acclaim, along with numerous awards such as the Nordic Council Music Prize, Icelandic Music Awards, and multiple Faroese Music Awards. With a fearless approach to music and a deep connection to her Nordic roots, Eivør continues to push creative boundaries, inviting listeners into a sonic world that is as raw as it is ethereal. For more information, visit eivor.com.

Din of Celestial Birds

L.O.E (Last Of Eden)

LOST IN KYIV

Arc Tan Gent 2026 @ Fernhill Farm

Arc Tan Gent 2026 @ Fernhill Farm

Performers