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This week's round-up: New music from The Funeral Portrait, Mojo Thunder and Papa Roach ft Carrie Underwood









Look for emo rock outfit THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT to release their second full-length album GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY via Better Noise Music on September 13. The album’s story arc is told across its 14 tracks (see listing below) which blends religious and violent imagery. It’s a thrilling and evocative mix of the holy and unholy, the sacred and sacrilege. Guest appearances include Bert McCracken of The UsedSpencer Charnas of Ice Nine KillsDanny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and Eva Under Fire.  Pre-orders for GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY are available via digital download, CD, and vinyl HERE


“This album is a statement,” says vocalist LEE JENNINGS. “Its title reflects our conviction, respect, and most importantly, DEVOTION to its message. This record talks of love and loss. That the people we love, the passions we dedicate ourselves to, the culture we are surrounded by, and the society we partake in, will all inevitably hurt us. Yet through the pain and struggle of it all,” he adds, “we still choose to love, unabashedly, even when it kills us. It is a warning of the challenges life will present us all with and a universal truth that suffering is inherent in all joy.”


THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT today, August 2, have released a new industrial-tinged track, “Blood Mother.” JENNINGS says, “This southern-fried riff machine brings a low, pulsing energy to the record. It harks on modern medication and the fear of risking losing your personality and sense of self once prescribed.” The music video for “Blood Mother” can be seen streaming below, or via YouTube HERE. Stream/download the song digitally HERE


The track’s release marks the start of their U.S. tour supporting Five Finger Death PunchMarilyn Manson, and Slaughter To Prevail in Hershey, PA. The tour will stretch until September 19 ending in Houston, TX. Next, the band head to Louisville, KY for Louder Than Life (September 28), followed by Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA (October 12). Throughout the tour the band will also appear on a handful of one-off shows with Marilyn Manson and Slaughter To Prevail. In addition, the band have announced a special “double feature” night on August 6 in Detroit, Mitch. It consists of a free in-store performance at Rock of Ages from 5-7 PM, followed by a private ghost hunt with the band at Eloise Asylum in Westland, MI starting at 8pm. Limited to 30 spots, tickets are currently available HERE.




Kentucky's renegade rock and roll band Mojo Thunder release their sophomore album The Infinite Hope on Friday 30 August 2024. T



The Infinite Hope album will debut digitally Friday 16 August 2024, ahead of its Friday 30 August physical release date of the CD and vinyl.


The album is available to pre-order HERE.

Written by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sean Sullivan, guitarist Bryson Willoughby, and drummer Zac Shoopman, "Let it Fall" is an emotionally rich rocker that truly defines what the band refers to as “Southern Alternative.”



"It is about personal mistakes that lead to losing someone you're in love with,” says Sullivan about “Let It Fall.” “Seeing as nothing new (perhaps better) can begin until the old has been put to rest."



Willoughby, who penned the track's title adds, "We often deny ourselves grace in our lowest moments, and Let it Fall embodies accountability, forgiveness, and the permission to let go so you can move forward."


Commenting on the song structure Shoopman says, " It was a true exercise in playing only what’s necessary for me. The way everything weaves together and climaxes into the final chorus feels great." Of his lyrical contributions he adds, "The idea that we’re all just a bit of evolved cosmic debris is fascinating to me, which is where the line about being dust from a star came from."



On the album as a whole bassist Andrew Brockman says, "We've tapped into something I don't think we were capable of a few years ago, and it's been awesome to grow as musicians and people with this group."



The Infinite Hope explores topics such as activism ("Caroline"), tragedy ("Memphis"), the dark side of the American south ("Holy Ghost'), Love ("Grace," "Coming Back To You") and the search for truth ("Greetings from Western Art"). Champions of self-empowerment and authenticity, the band has cultivated a community built around acceptance. There is a sense of belonging in the music, and as the album title suggests, a call for hope.


Produced by Duane Lundy (Ringo Starr, Justin Wells, Sturgill Simpson) at the Lexington Recording Co. Lundy said, "We all shared the desire to do things as a unit, to perform, to mine for as many dynamics and emotion in their performances, but still putting the priority on the songs," says Lundy about the recording process.



Continues Lundy, "The lyrics are thoughtful and meaningful, something that I feel like is often slighted in current rock material, but my main takeaway was the quality of people they are. Their invitation meant a great deal to me, and I feel like I have four new family members."







CARRIE UNDERWOOD UNITES WITH PAPA ROACH TO SING “LEAVE A LIGHT ON (TALK AWAY THE DARK)”


 

ARTISTS WILL BE DONATING ROYALTIES IN PERPETUITY TO THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION



8-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood unites with Rock icons Papa Roach on a new recording of their multi-format hit single “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)”,



The dynamic duet was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, and continues the mission of the Californian band to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, alongside partner organization(s) the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), who will receive royalties generated from both artists from the song, in perpetuity. The release will also raise awareness for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States and Canada.


 


“We were humbled that Carrie was open to our mission, and hearing the power of Carrie’s voice in that recording session we were blown away” said frontman Jacoby Shaddix. “Not only is her vocal ability unequaled, but the impact of her voice brings a new meaning to our cause and will help people all over the globe. It’s an honor to have a “Rock Star” bring life to this track with us.”




“I’m such a huge fan of Jacoby and Papa Roach and was honored to be invited to record ‘Leave A Light On’ with them,” says Underwood“It’s a beautiful song and the message behind it and the band’s mission to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness has never been more important.”


 

“Leave A Light On”, a band favourite, was first performed live last year on their tour with Shinedown and Spiritbox. In each city, including Nashville where Papa Roach fan Carrie Underwood was in attendance, the song was preceded by an emotional video PSA delivered by frontman Jacoby Shaddix, who pledged a donation to the AFSP on behalf of each city’s attendees, culminating in a $155,000 donation at the end of the tour.


 

The accomplishment motivated the band to commit even further by re-naming the single as “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)”, in conjunction with the AFSP’s “Talk Away The Dark” campaign, and pledged a perpetual royalty from the song’s use, in any manner, to the AFSP, continuing their mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.


 

The compelling song has connected with audiences globally and became the band’s 12th #1 and 26th Top-10 hit reaching #1 at Rock and Top-10 at Alternative in the US. The band’s efforts in raising money for the AFSP have not ceased and are now estimated to be over $250,000 - and growing.


 

"Papa Roach's "Leave a Light On/Talk Away the Dark" has tapped into a cultural moment in which people are eager and ready for the message the song contains: that we all go through difficult times and that we can all be there for each other. We want to thank Carrie Underwood for joining with Papa Roach to record this new, inspiring duet version, which will reach even more fans and connect them to AFSP’s Talk Away the Dark campaign," said American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CEO Bob Gebbia. "We are also incredibly grateful to Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood for their commitment to providing those struggling with their mental health information and resources that can help. These amazing artists are educating the public about the importance of taking care of our mental health, and they are generously supporting the AFSP's mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide." 

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