Grave Noise Interviews

Louisville, Kentucky based high fantasy inspired metal quintet, Volcandra are poised to leave an enduring mark on 2024 with their sophomore full-length, The Way of Ancients. Out on March 1st, 2024, via Prosthetic Records.

Concerning the new album, we said:

Fantastical tales told through the medium of blackened melodeath, Volcandra’s The Way of Ancients is one hell of a fresh-sounding offering. For all its story-telling qualities, it is an emphatic metal album, and a lot of the time, hits hard enough to rival the more extreme side of this sound.

Read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-volcandra-the-way-of-ancients-prosthetic-records/

We spoke to vocalist Dave Palenske about the new album, the progression of the Volcandra sound, imparting story-telling aspects into the music, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://volcandra.bandcamp.com/

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Defocus, the dynamic and powerful German metalcore quartet are back with their brand-new album, ‘there is a place for me on earth’, out on March 1st, 2024, via Arising Empire.

Speaking of the new album, we said:

Album number two is as strong as album number one. Hell, in many places it’s stronger. The Defocus train continues to pick up speed, and at this rate, they are going to be absolutely huge.

Read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-defocus-there-is-a-place-for-me-on-earth-arising-empire/

We spoke to vocalist Simon Müller & guitarist Jeffrey Uhlmann about the new album, following up the stellar debut release, digging deeper, getting comfortable with more experimentation, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://defocusband.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Jack J Hutchinson, the London, UK based guitarist and singer/songwriter released his brand-new album ‘Battles’ on February 9th, 2024. An album that finds Hutchinson at his most exposed and is charged with the power of catharsis and purging darkness and hurt.

About the album, we said:

With a ton of heart and soul, focusing on being acutely anthemic, and having the song-writing chops to keep listeners well and truly interested from beginning to end, Jack J Hutchinson meets the hefty expectations most have for him with this big release. Featuring ten groovy, guitar-focused bangers that are packed with vitality.

Read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-jack-j-hutchinson-battles-earache-digital-distribution/

We spoke to Jack about the new album, the work that went into it, his vision and how he finds the strength to express himself, the importance of playing live, a love of sci-fi, zombie movies, and so much more!

Find out more here: https://linktr.ee/jackjhutchinson

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Norwegian metallers Borknagar are back with their brand-new album, ‘Fall’, out on February 23rd, 2024, via Century Media Records.

Concerning the new album, we said:

There are many outstanding points to crow about with this new album, but perhaps the most significant is the balance. The balance of instruments, the balance of talents, the balance of epic soundscapes and heaviness, the balance of Borknagar history and forward movement. Fall has it all, and it is one of the most well put together releases we’ve had from this band. Showcasing a freshness to things, while also being undeniably Borknagar.

Read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-borknagar-fall-century-media-records/

We spoke to guitarist Øystein G. Brun about the new album, the journey to its release, his process and ability to focus on the music, the consistent love of doing this, growing as an artist, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://borknagar.com/

Website: https://gbhbl.com/

Ko-Fi (Buy us a coffee): https://ko-fi.com/gbhbl

Big Cartel: https://gbhbl.bigcartel.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GBHBL

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GBHBL_Official

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gbhbl

Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

The iconic extreme experimental death metal line-up of Job For A Cowboy had some long-awaited unfinished business. After nearly nine long years of silence, they have awoken from their slumber, forging Moon Healer, the follow-up to their previous landmark album, Sun Eater. The new album will be released on February 23rd, 2024, via Metal Blade Records.

Concerning Moon Healer, we said:

Though let’s clear something up, this is not just a Job for A Cowboy nostalgia run, I don’t think the band would have bothered if they didn’t have anything fresh to bring to the table. Especially as nine years is a very long time in music, and the metal world has been constantly moving forward. So, it is delightful to find Job for A Cowboy stepping up in so many areas to tower above many a pretender of the technical and progressive death metal sound. If you’re hoping this album is as challenging as it is savage, you’re in luck, because Moon Healer is undeniably this, and so much more.

Read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-job-for-a-cowboy-moon-healer-metal-blade-records/

We spoke to bassist Nick Schendzielos about the new album, the past decade and how Job for A Cowboy reached this point, nostalgia and its dangers, moving forward and being fresh, the power of the bass, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://jobforacowboy.bandcamp.com/album/moon-healer

Website: https://gbhbl.com/

Ko-Fi (Buy us a coffee): https://ko-fi.com/gbhbl

Big Cartel: https://gbhbl.bigcartel.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with vocalist/pianist Fabienne Erni of Illumishade.

Swiss modern metal upstarts Illumishade unveiled their sophomore record and Napalm Records debut, Another Side of You, on February 16th, 2024. Fronted by vocalist Fabienne Erni and guitarist Jonas Wolf (both of Eluveitie) and completed with orchestration and synths by film composer Mirjam Skal, bass by Yannick Urbanczik, and drums by Marc Friedrich.

About the new album, we said:

A few missteps here and there, but overall, Another Side of You is an enjoyable romp through the melodious cinematic mind of Illumishade. Absolutely no-one can fault the talent on show here, but snip a few tracks out, and it would be a much more persuasive release.

You can read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-illumishade-another-side-of-you-napalm-records/

Find out more here: https://www.illumishade.ch/

Website: https://gbhbl.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with bassist Jay Humphreys of Gen and the Degenerates.

Alt-punk collective Gen and the Degenerates will release their much-anticipated debut album ‘ANTI-FUN PROPAGANDA’ on February 23rd, 2024, via Marshall Records.

We spoke to bassist Jay Humphreys about the new album, the ups and downs of making it, breaking down some of the specific tracks, the 'have fun' mantra of Gen and the Degenerates, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://www.genandthedegenerates.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with vocalist Lena Scissorhands of metallers Infected Rain.

Infected Rain continue to march forward with an inordinate amount of momentum coming off the back of a successful couple of years. On February 9th, 2024, they released their 6th studio album, ‘Time’, via Napalm Records.

Everything you love, everything you admire, and everything that has made Infected Rain such a big name is present in this record. It might be the most encapsulating release they’ve ever done, and everything they have done to this point has led to this moment.

You can read our full review of the album here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-infected-rain-time-napalm-records/

Find out more here: https://www.infectedrain.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Justin Nardy is the owner and founder of Expert Work Records, an independent label that seeks out unreleased material of defunct bands, and releases them for both old and new fans to enjoy. Justin has made a career in music, playing in many bands such as Sooprize Package, Amputee Set, Bald Eagle, New Tongues, and his current project, Twenty One Trillion.

Sweetheart were one of the key post-hardcore acts on the underground scene of Ohio. Before breaking up in 2005, the band recorded one LP and an EP that never saw the light. Until now. On February 2nd, 2024, Expert Work Records released these records.

First, there is the single track EP ‘The Process Of Making Us Well', which is the longest piece of music ever recorded by Sweetheart. Then, there is the full album, 'The Unbearable Tightness Of Being'.

We spoke to Justin about his extensive career in music, covering a wide array of the bands he has been in, the labels he has worked with, Expert Work Records, his relationship with Sweetheart, the interest in releasing these forgotten records, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://expertworkrecords.bandcamp.com/

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Big Cartel: https://gbhbl.bigcartel.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gbhbl

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5A4toGR0qap5zfoR4cIIBo

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with vocalist Benjamin Fordham of trap/metal band Swarm6ix.

New Swedish rock trio The Gems – featuring ex-Thundermother members vocalist Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson and guitarist/bassist Mona “Demona” Lindgren – rose from the ashes with their debut album, Phoenix, released on January 26, 2024, via Napalm Records.

Featuring a mammoth 16-tracks, Phoenix is a statement of an album that shows a united group at the heights of their talents. Focusing on delivering anthemic rock tunes that are filled with heart and soul, but delivering thumping drumbeats, massive riffs, and epic vocals all the way through.

You can read our full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-the-gems-phoenix-napalm-records/

We spoke to drummer Emlee and guitarist/bassist Mona about the new album, about making The Gems a force in the rock world, breaking away from the Thundermother name, the desire to play live as much as possible, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://thegems.se/

Website: https://gbhbl.com/

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Contact: [email protected]

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hr/podcast/the-gbhbl-podcasts/id1350465865

Intro/Outro music created by HexedRiffsStudios.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSpZ6roX36WaFWwQ73Cbbg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hexedriffsstudio