News Update Week Ending 09-07

HM Magazine raises subscription rates
In a legitimate non-price-gouging move, HM Magazine has raised its subscription rate for the first time in over 12 years (the last time we raised our rates was July of 1996). The one-year subscription price (6 bi-monthly issues) is going up to $18. The good news for readers of this e-list is that you can subscribe now at the old rate ($15). Go to sub

Family Force 5 Is # 30 On Billboard Top 200
Family Force 5's sophomore release, Dance Or Die, released August 19 by Transparent Media Group/EMI, has debuted at # 30 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart and # 8 on the Alternative Rock Chart with first-week sales totaling 12,989. Dance Or Die charged out of the gate with its funky rhythms, contagious club grooves and undeniable hooks. Just off the Vans Warped Tour '08, Family Force 5 will hit the road again in October for a headlining club tour to more than 20 North American cities, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit and Toronto. Dance Or Die, the Atlanta-based group's second album, is replete with rippling rhythms, assaulting electronics, raucous rock 'n roll, and an all-encompassing futuristic vibe. From the sci-fi synth textures of "Fever" and the thrash-tinged robotic rocker "Radiator" to its ultra-contagious title track, Dance Or Die has been described as "a musical version of Mad Max meets 2001: A Space Odyssey." After garnering rave reviews on the Vans Warped Tour '08, Family Force 5 looks forward to their headlining "Dance Rawr Dance 2" club tour this fall with Danger Radio and Play Radio Play. The tour begins on October 6 in Raleigh, NC and will continue to more than 20 cities throughout October and into November. Family Force 5 has built a sizable and loyal fan base by averaging 250 to 300 days on the road each year. In addition to watching the band's members thrashing the stage in self-designed futuristic "spacesuit" fashions, fans at this fall's "Dance Rawr Dance 2" shows will bear witness to the "Family Force 5000," a massive drum machine they personally invented that, at first glance, looks more like the next NASA launch computer than it does a musical instrument. "It is the only fully-functional giant drum machine in the universe. It's a six-and-a-half-foot tall, 760-pound juggernaut of pads, knobs, and switches that inhales electricity and exhales lightning," says Family Force 5 vocalist and guitarist Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds. "The Family Force 5000 started as a joke three years ago. Then we mentioned it to a friend, who happens to be a wizard in electronics, and he was able to bring our sci-fi idea to life. The fact that we have a huge, light-up, chunky machine on stage is pretty cool, and it adds to the robotic rock element of this season." The Dance or Die release is a strategic partnership between the Transparent Media Group founded by the Olds brothers, manager Chris Woltman and producer Joe Baldridge with EMI Music Marketing and Tooth & Nail Records.
More info on Family Force 5 can be found:
myspace.com/familyforce5

Agraceful Releases New Track On MySpace
Dayton, Ohio’s Agraceful have rolled out another new track on their myspace page, “In Oceans”, which is the fifth track from their album The Great I Am which was released August 19th on Sumerian Records. “Every song off of our record has been up on our myspace at one point in the past few months, except for the new recordings of the old songs. ‘In Oceans’ is the last song from the record that anyone who doesn’t own the album hasn’t heard.” Agraceful’s guitarist Kasey commented on the addition of the song to their myspace. Agraceful is currently on tour with Oh, Sleeper in support of their record.
For tour dates, band information, and more, check out:
myspace.com/agraceful

Haste The Day Posts New Videos
Haste the Day will be launching new videos for the fans every week as they prepare for the release of their new album Dreamer on October 14th. Among the one’s already posted is a short montage for their new single Madman which will be released on September 9th via I-Tunes. Also posted is a video showing the band during their photo shoot for the new album taking place in an industrial area by the railroad.
Check out the videos here:
youtube.com/hastethedayband

This Beautiful Republic's Single Breaks Top 10
Forefront Records stand-out band This Beautiful Republic has exceeded expectations with its sophomore offering, Perceptions. In addition to winning over critics, the band’s latest project has made an impact at radio, currently boasting the No. 9 Christian Rock song, “No Turning Back.” Released Tuesday, Aug. 19, the verdict is already in on This Beautiful Republic’s follow up to its successful 2007 debut. Rock radio echoes this response, as debut single “No Turning Back” sets precedent for future radio success from the album. Only three weeks on the charts, “No Turning Back” has already infiltrated the Top 10, and shows no signs of slowing down. Vice President of National Promotions for EMI CMG Label Group, Grant Hubbard comments, “This is a great start at radio for This Beautiful Republic and its new project. The charts are competitive these days, and we believe this early radio momentum is a good indication of what is to come for the band.” Perceptions is an effort that decidedly goes to the extremes of modern rock and timeless worship. It was produced by Allen Salmon (Mute Math) and comes in the storied wake of This Beautiful Republic’s first two years of touring together as a major label act. The band shared stages with headliners Sanctus Real and Family Force 5 among others and traveled overseas for shows in the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. This fall the band takes to the road on its headlining “No Turning Back” tour.
For more information:
ThisBeautifulRepublic.com
myspace.com/thisbeautifulrepublic

Dance Gavin Dance Tops Billboard New Artist Chart
Dance Gavin Dance has released their new s/t album to rousing results. The band landed on the Billboard New Artist chart at #7 and at #171 on the Billboard Top 200. Alternative Press said of the band’s blend of rock, emo and prog as “They inject a formulaic genre with traits so vitriolic that Congress is allegedly scheduling an inquest.” The band have just finished a headlining tour dubbed the “Party Star” tour with A Static Lullaby, Lower Definition, Secret and Whisper, and Four Letter Lie. They will begin a national tour with Senses Fail, Sky Eats Airplane and Foxy Shazam this October.
Tour Dates
10/8 Richmond, VA
10/9 Charlotte, NC
10/10 Columbia, SC
10/11 Charleston, SC
10/12 Jacksonville, FL
10/14 Sebastian, FL
10/15 Port St Lucie, FL
10/16 Tallahassee, FL
10/17 Nashville, TN
10/18 Little Rock, AR
10/19 Houston, TX
10/21 McAllen, TX
10/22 San Antonio, TX
10/24 Albuquerque, NM
10/25 Tucson, AZ
10/26 Pomona, CA
10/28 Bakersfield, CA
10/29 San Luis Obispo, CA
10/30 Santa Cruz, CA
10/31 Sparks, NV
11/1 Salt Lake City, UT
11/2 Colorado Springs, CO
11/4 Des Moines, IA
11/5 Columbia, MO
11/6 Milwaukee, WI
11/7 Poplar Grove, IL
11/8 Toledo, OH
11/9 Grand Rapids, MI
11/11 Covington, KY
11/12 Cleveland, OH
11/13 Pittsburgh, PA
11/14 Buffalo, NY
11/15 South Burlington, VT
11/16 Hartford, CT
11/18 Providence, RI
11/19 Lancaster, PA
11/20 Farmingdale, NY
11/21 Allentown, PA
11/22 Sayreville, NJ

Code Of Ethics Releases New Album For Free
Christian electronica / pop band Code of Ethics is releasing Lost In Egypt on September 9, 2008 as a free digital download. Lost In Egypt is the first new recording for Code of Ethics in 8 years since their Dove award nominated project Blaze. Soon after their last release, Code of Ethics front man and founder Barry Blaze left for Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Cynthia to lead worship at a North Florida Church. It was in 2004 that Blaze suffered a near fatal motorcycle accident that left him with head trauma and permanent hearing and vision loss. It has since taken four years and multiple surgeries to restore only partial hearing and vision, but inner healing came as he let fear and vulnerability develop his faith into a first hand experience of trusting God with blessing and tragedy. It is the need to share this God Story that has lead Blaze to once again record. "Lost In Egypt is that original electronic /pop sound that CoE has been known for" says Blaze. Only a handful of hardcore, longtime CoE fans would know that the title track was written as part of his very first demo tape. Blaze adds, "I have changed the music but the lyrics have stayed the same. But this song means so much more to me now than when I first wrote it." Lost In Egypt's lead-off track, "Smile," reminds us that no matter what trials or tribulations we may be going through, that we can just smile and have peace for awhile when we rest in God. The idea to first release Lost in Egypt as a free download was an easy one.
Blaze states, "God kept laying on my heart to give away what I don't own." And starting September 9th, the 10-song album will be released on the label Razzbarry Records and can be downloaded from the Code of Ethics website for a limited time. When the album give away is over, Lost in Egypt will then be released internationally through Go Global Entertainment.
For more info on Code Of Ethics:
coeofficial.com
myspace.com/coeofficial

A Christian Version Of Guitar Hero?!
The same company that brought you Dance Praise has announced Guitar Praise! Grab the guitar and play along with top Christian bands! Shred those riffs or blast the bass…you add a unique sound to the solid Christian rock. But watch out: if you can't keep up, the artists will take a break and stop the music. Crank it up and try again, you'll soon be rockin' with the best while praising the Lord!
Tracklisting includes:
Backsliding Blues by Petra
Breathe Into Me by Red
Broken by 12 Stones
Falling Further by Spoken
Foreverandever Etc. by David Crowder Band
Friend Like That by Hawk Nelson
Jesus Freak by dcTalk
Love Addict by Family Force 5
Rebirthing by Skillet
Same Ol' Sinner by Bride
The Pit by The Crucified
The Real by Nevertheless
When The Walls Tumble Down by Whitecross
and many more.
Check out here for more info:
guitarpraise.com

Worth Dying For Leads Worship At Creation Festival Tour
Rock worship band WORTH DYING FOR will be hitting the road this fall for the first-ever Creation Festival: The Tour. Known for their annual summer festivals, Creation is now taking the festival experience on the road for a two-month, 30+ city tour that features some of Christian music’s top acts. Creation tapped Integrity Music’s WORTH DYING FOR to lead worship for the events, where they’ll perform music from their self-titled debut album. The band previously appeared at the 30th Annual Creation Northeast and Northwest festival events this past June and July, where they led thousands in worship from the festival’s main stage and worship tent. While there, WORTH DYING FOR also worked with online content provider VideoRocket to host backstage and “behind the scenes” reports and develop youth-focused devotionals. WORTH DYING FOR also created an original music video, “Fight,” for VideoRocket that became the most-demanded video broadcast during the festival. Nick Kulb, Executive Producer, Creation Festival: The Tour states, “We are very excited to have WORTH DYING FOR on Creation Festival: The Tour with us this fall. We had a blast getting to know them at the Festivals this summer and we’re looking forward to not only an amazing worship time each evening, but also a lot of fun off-stage as well. They did a great job with their Creation Fest videos for VideoRocket and I’m sure the Tour videos will give a fun perspective to the behind the scenes coverage.” WORTH DYING FOR sets out for Creation Festival: The Tour on October 9 in Cincinnati where they will be doing what they do best – worshipping God and sharing their love for Him with others. Other artists on the tour include Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pillar, KJ-52, Fireflight, Run Kid Run, Esterlyn, Capital Lights and guest speaker Bob Lenz. Released this spring, WORTH DYING FOR’s debut CD marks the national launch of a movement destined to impact youth culture in a whole new way. Featuring 15 pop/rock anthems and impassioned ballads, the debut CD draws heavily on themes that define the band’s mission: “infiltrate, destroy [the darkness] and rebuild today’s youth culture.”
For more information:
myspace.com/worthdyingformusic

Norma Jean Kicks Off Headlining Tour On October 3rd
NORMA JEAN--who deliver the most furious, and yet melodic, music of their career with their new album THE ANTI MOTHER--will headline "The Anti Mother Tour" presented by Solid State Records. The six-week nationwide U.S. tour--with additional sponsorship from Hot Topic and Monster Energy Drink--kicks off Friday, October 3 in Knoxville, TN and wraps Saturday, November 15 in the post-hardcore group's hometown of Atlanta, GA. NORMA JEAN will be joined by fellow labelmates Haste The Day, The Showdown, MyChildren MyBride, Children 18-:3 (October 3--October 26) and Oh Sleeper (October 28--November 15). NORMA JEAN's explosive fourth album THE ANTI MOTHER--which Alternative Press magazine hailed as "...the best record of their career" (September 2008)--was just released last week on Seattle indie Solid State, debuting at #29 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, with over 16,000 copies sold in the first week alone. Critical reaction continues to pour in for the group. In the current Hails & Horns August cover story, writer Reyan Ali explains: "Whether you want to classify them as metalcore, hardcore, screamo or simply 'heavy,' NORMA JEAN will always remain a band more interested in chasing their own instincts and ideals than genre limitations, meshing a vicious crush of guitars with purposefully non-expository lyrics that rake deep into questions about personal and social insecurity." Revolver writer Tim Grierson claims that standout tracks "'Death of the Anti Mother,' 'Self-Employed Chemist,' and 'Vipers Snakes and Actors' have a swinging, furious urgency..." (September 2008). In the group's Alternative Press September feature story, writer Andy Kelham notes: "...amazing and potentially a standard-bearer for an entire genre, THE ANTI MOTHER is an unexpected record for Norma Jean: It's heavy without being dense; melodic, but not basely so...the crunching 'Opposite of Left and Wrong' (with Page Hamilton of Helmet) and the lush (Chino) Moreno collaboration 'Surrender Your Sons,' are not only musical firsts for the band but two signposts to their bright future..." Elsewhere Decibel magazine writer Jeanne Fury gave the album an 8-out-of-10 rating, "...with THE ANTI MOTHER, the band truly realized that they don't have to play into the hands of the brutal-is-better mentality in order to make heads roll. Just as important as the coveted hardcore breakdown is the tempered wind-up that precedes it, psychologically setting you up to blow your top. When that shit hits, its like gorilla knuckles going through a concrete floor. You wanna get down? 'Self-Employed Chemist' is a frantic jig that sounds like a thousand rabid children hacking away at a piñata packed with explosives" (October 2008).
Norma Jean Headlining Solid State Records' "The Anti Mother Tour"
10/3 Knoxville, TN
10/4 Nashville, TN
10/5 Sauget, IL
10/7 Oklahoma City, OK
10/8 Dallas, TX
10/9 Houston, TX
10/10 San Antonio, TX
10/11 Odessa, TX
10/12 Albuquerque, NM
10/14 Tucson, AZ
10/15 San Diego, CA
10/16 Pomona, CA
10/17 Ventura, CA
10/18 Santa Cruz, CA
10/19 Reno, NV
10/21 Portland, OR
10/22 Seattle, WA
10/23 Spokane, WA
10/24 Boise, ID
10/25 Salt Lake City, UT
10/26 Engelwood, CO
10/28 Des Moines, IA
10/29 St. Paul, MN
10/30 Chicago, IL
10/31 Louisville, KY
11/1 Pontiac, MI
11/2 Cleveland, OH
11/4 Buffalo, NY
11/5 Pittsburgh, PA
11/6 Lancaster, PA
11/7 Syracuse, NY
11/8 Sayreville, NJ
11/9 Hartford, CT
11/11 Baltimore, MD
11/12 Norfolk, VA
11/13 Charlotte, NC
11/14 Charleston, SC
11/15 Atlanta, GA
For more information on NORMA JEAN, visit:
normajeannoise.com

War Of Ages Launches Contest
War Of Ages have teamed up with Hot Topic to offer a really sweet contest. The grand prize winner will receive an autographed ESP guitar and a copy of the brand new War Of Ages album Arise And Conquer. A couple runners-up will also win a copy of Arise And Conquer. Check out the contest here.

ShoutFest Presents Strongest Lineup In Tour History
SHOUTFEST, Christian music’s most ambitious annual youth ministry driven one-day rock concert event, will have the strongest lineup in its six year tour history, with performances by such headlining artists as Third Day, Reliant K, Newsboys, Thousand Foot Krutch, Family Force 5, Sixpence None the Richer, Starfield and Trin-i-tee 5:7. More than 25 bands and solo artists will perform at one or more of the festival events unfolding on two live stages in three U.S. cities. Other artists set to perform at one or more of the events are Grits, DecembeRadio, This Beautiful Republic, After Edmund, Jason Morant, Mission Six, Between the Trees, Nevertheless, I Am Terrified, Revive, Magellan from Club DreamLab, One Minute Halo, Say You Will, Manic Drive, British band The Steels, Gabriela Hindy, One Friday, JJ Weeks, comedian Bob Smiley, The Biggest Loser's Dan Evans and Compassion International speaker Brad Duncan. “SHOUTFEST is more than another Christian event or rock concert — we consider it to be a real ministry opportunity for the local church,” notes producer Van Hohe. “Our overall goal is to lose the title 'tour' and transform this into a tool that local churches and youth leaders can use to raise awareness and impact lives for Christ, ultimately leaving each market with a lot of young lives closer to God’s Kingdom and in a relationship with local ministries who will be there in the days and weeks following when those kids start to encounter real issues. This puts the focus where it should be — on the local church.” SHOUTFEST has partnered with ministry sponsor Book of Hope USA who is providing concert goers a free book and online tools that give insight into overcoming the growing struggles of today's youth. Hohe says, "Our deep relationship with Book of Hope USA and others continues to build on the concept of making this thing a tool of the local church. How many young people are literally dying inside all the while thinking that no one in their day-to-day lives could ever truly understand what they are going through? This is why I do what I do. We are here to equip the local church with relevant information and resources as well as providing a killer rock show." In addition to Book of Hope USA, author Renee Yohe will be at SHOUTFEST New Orleans to share her journey out of depression which has become an online sensation with the "To Write Love On Her Arms" website. Other ministry sponsors this year include global poverty relief organization Compassion International, The Conquerers and the all-new Oral Roberts University.
For more info on ShoutFest:
shoutfest.com

Kekal Announces Limited Free Download of Acidity
Based on the success of their free download of 1000 Thoughts Of Violence, Kekal is releasing a full download of their new album, Acidity. To those of you who haven't got a chance to fully experience their album, now is the time! And to those of you who are opposed in getting the music for free, don't worry, they also are open for donations!
Go here for download information, go here.

©2008 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved

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