Better Noise Music, home to bands including Five Finger Death Punch, The HU, Dirty Heads, Nothing More, Bad Wolves, Asking Alexandria and many more, have released their Best Of 2023 edition of The NOISE, their monthly trailer highlighting the label’s newest music.
Just in time for Halloween season, BETTER NOISE FILMS, the production company behind Netflix’s hit Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt, released their critically acclaimed 2022 revenge horror-thriller THE RETALIATORS overseas in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand on VOD/Digital. In conjunction with the new release, a new LYRIC VIDEO was released for the acoustic version of the film’s theme song, The Retaliators Theme Song (21 Bullets) which was written by Nikki Sixx and features ASKING ALEXANDRIA, ICE NINE KILLS and FROM ASHES TO NEW.
“Writing a new theme song for a horror flick was inspiring,” says Sixx. “This was my first time writing for a horror-thriller film, and it took me in a different direction from the first theme song I wrote – ‘The Dirt (1981)’ by Mötley Crüe. I worked with some great new artists to create a new sound that will stretch Mötley Crüe’s audience to new fans. I had a great time writing it, and I think our fans will love it too!”
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH released their new video for the AFTERLIFE track JUDGMENT DAY, which tackles the subject of human trafficking and comes off the back of their world tour with METALLICA.
Also, the band have set a world record for most #1 albums in the history of Billboards Hard Rock Chart with their latest album, AFTERLIFE.
Black Thunder (ft. Serj Tankian and DL of Bad Wolves) includes a refreshed look at the culturally shaped track with a new perspective and English-translated vocals. Its original “visually stunning” (Louder Sound) music video was filmed in THE HU’s home country of Mongolia, logging 3 million views to date. The video for Serj Tankian and DL featured track is directed by Michael Lombardi (The Retailiators, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach)
THE HU band leader GALA. “The lyrics and the video have several different meanings on the surface as well as on a deeper level. Therefore, every version of ‘Black Thunder’ carries a certain unique idea. Our producer and our band members were amazed by the additions that were made by DL and Serj and their unique singing styles, which added to our beloved song. DL’s powerful vocals, topped by the Serj’s signature voice and one-of-a-kind Armenian-American style, is shedding different light to The HU’s music. We hope our fans enjoy this featured version and feel the soul of the song through their ears.”
ASKING ALEXANDRIA shared the album’s electrified first official radio single Psycho.
“‘Psycho’ is one of those songs that is talking about when you feel trapped inside your own head, trapped by your own vices and your own downfalls,” explains guitarist BEN BRUCE. “Whether it’s being stuck in a relationship that doesn’t work for you, or feeling like you can’t stop drinking or doing drugs, or maybe you’re stuck in a job that you hate, and you’re just battling yourself in your own head wondering ‘why am I still here? Why do I keep doing these things?’. Ultimately, at the end of the day we all feel a little bit crazy…a little bit like a Psycho. It’s just a fun song that we can all relate to, and stylistically we thought to ourselves ‘how do we make a song that sounds like it could live on the ‘Like A House On Fire’ album, but also like it could live on the ‘From Death to Destiny’ album?’. So musically, from a writing standpoint, it was a really enjoyable experience to meld those two eras of Asking Alexandria together and see what that might look like.”
BAD WOLVES refuse to follow. Instead, the platinum-certified, 5x #1 Hard Rock radio- charting band circumvent convention by stretching the boundaries of hard rock with earthquaking heaviness, enigmatic experimentation, and enthralling melodies. The group are starting a new chapter on their own terms with their fourth full-length album DIE ABOUT IT. Nodding to inspirations as diverse as The 1975 and Meshuggah, BAD WOLVES challenged themselves to experiment and redefine their sound on DIE ABOUT IT with trusted collaborator Josh Gilbert (As I Lay Dying) who co-produced the album alongside BOECKLIN and DL. With a story that emphasizes the sarcastic statement pointed towards those defending their own beliefs into absurdity, wrong or right, BAD WOLVES believe if you’re gonna cry about it, then you might as well DIE ABOUT IT.
DIE ABOUT IT features the new song and video LEGENDS NEVER DIE.
“We wanted to write a song for our heroes, whether that’s our children, mothers, fathers or the likes of, sending their stories into eternity, forever igniting spirits and imaginations of those who follow,” DL shares. “With every retelling, their legacies resonate forever. This song reminds us that true greatness can never be extinguished. Legends NEVER die.”
FROM ASHES TO NEW are ready to break boundaries with their hybrid, high-energy mix of hard rock, nu-metal/hip-hop, electronic and alternative that’s underlined throughout their new album, BLACKOUT.
FROM ASHES TO NEW also released another sample of BLACKOUT with their latest single, Hate Me Too. The anthemic track is paired with a cheeky music video with a dark yet comical twist on getting out of a toxic relationship.
“So many of us fall victim to the classic toxic relationship,” says Matt Brandyberry. “Feeling like you can’t live without someone but knowing you’d be better off if you could. Oftentimes these feelings are mutual, but neither of you can see it. Sometimes we just need an anthem to remind us that being stuck isn’t always the only option and violence never is.”
The music video for Nothing More‘s BEST TIMES (Feat. Lacey Sturm) was directed by Michael Lombardi (The Retaliators, Papa Roach, The HU) and takes an inside look at a couple’s relationship and how life’s ‘best times’ can sometimes pass us by without being acknowledged and is a reminder to appreciate those moments as they occur.
“This song is a real special one,” reveals NOTHING MORE frontman JONNY HAWKINS. “It’s definitely one of the most positive feel-good songs we’ve ever written and it obviously stands out on the album by being that ray of hope too. I didn’t think it could get any better, but when we thought about featuring another singer and Lacey’s name came up it was a no-brainer. She’s been a shining light and is one of those singers that makes you feel and believe every word out of her mouth whether you agree with it or not. We knew her voice would take it over the top… and that’s exactly what she did! We couldn’t be more proud to have her collaborate with us on this and to get it out to the world for everyone to feel and embrace when you need a song to help get you through.”
CROSSBONE SKULLY, the exciting new multidimensional project led by mastermind Tommy Henriksen (guitarist and musical director for Alice Cooper’s band & member of Hollywood Vampires) released their incendiary new video for their single The Boom Went The Boom, featuring Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen. The track is the second taste of new music from CROSSBONE SKULLY’s debut album, due in 2024. Legendary producer Mutt Lange emerged from retirement to executive produce the album, and was reunited with Collen on this track after having produced and co-wrote several of Def Leppard’s monumental albums. The Boom Went The Boom highlights its rebellious message.
Describing the new track, HENRIKSEN says: “Like dynamite beneath deceit, ‘The Boom Went The Boom’ reveals the truth’s explosive power in song, shattering masks and echoing the reckoning of lies, for when trust erodes, The Misfits Will Rise!”
Emerging Detroit-based rock outfit EVA UNDER FIRE celebrated the one-year anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut full-length album LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY with news of a deluxe edition. The original album, which features tracks with guest performances from Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Jonathan Dörr (formerly of Ego Kill Talent) and From Ashes To New, now gets the deluxe treatment with 10 bonus tracks including a cover of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs; two acoustic tracks; four Noise Machine-remixed tracks; two reimagined tracks featuring country rocker Cory Marks; and more.
EVA UNDER FIRE released one of the LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY: DELUXE EDITION bonus tracks; it’s a new version of their passionate single Unstoppable which has received a country flair courtesy of breakout country rockstar CORY MARKS.
Following from a busy and highly successful 2022, the Austin-based rock band Fire From The Gods were thrilled to announce the release of a brand new single Thousand Lifetimes (feat. Corey Glover of Living Colour).
Taken from the band’s highly praised latest record Soul Revolution, the single gains new life with the Corey Glover collab.
Frontman AJ Channer comments: “Linking up with Corey Glover is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. Living Colour were trail blazers. His voice compliments the track in a big way. Enjoy this family. Respect.”
On BOUND FOR GLORY, HYRO THE HERO collaborates with some of the leading names in rock including David Draiman (Disturbed), Brandon Saller (Atreyu), Chad Gray (HELLYEAH), Spencer Charnas and Dan Sugarman (Ice Nine Kills), REDDSTAR, AJ (Fire From The Gods) and Markus Videsäter (Solence).
“I’m incredibly honored. Hyro is a truly amazing artist and I had a blast working with him. This track is exactly what the world needs right now. It’s time to believe again,” David Draiman (Disturbed).
“It’s always nice to collaborate with up-and-coming talent, especially when you’re a genuine fan. I was stoked to hop on this song with Hyro The Hero. He embodies what a true artist is meant to do: make you feel something. This song is a great reminder that we’re stronger together when facing our demons,” Corey Taylor.
Combining modern rock anthems with emo-drenched pop-punk melodies, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT caters to outcasts from all walks of life. Their over-the-top theatrics and loud, uncompromising music offer audiences a sense of community where the “weird kids” can let loose. The band released the new single Generation Psycho, a sarcastic take on our current cultural climate. Generation Psycho will be featured on THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT’s debut album via Better Noise Music. The massive, no-holds-barred release was co-produced by Johnny Andrews (Three Days Grace, Motionless In White, Halestorm) and Josh Landry, aka Lø Spirit (Motionless In White).
“‘Generation Psycho’ is a statement piece from our band, a song about the out of control feeling so many people have about our culture, our society, and our government,” shares vocalist Lee Jennings. “The song captures the creeping fear of the future, of being outcasted and abandoned, and of falling through the cracks. We are hoping to connect with the disenfranchised and struggling with this song, the people who don’t know where to turn for help or guidance. We want to offer solace for people in this situation, so they know they are not alone in their fears, worries, and anxieties for themselves & their loved ones. So often it does feel like the whole world has gone crazy. We are no strangers to it and empathize with the experience.”
In the few years since their formation, NYC modern rock outfit TEMPT have created a style, verve, vibe, and quality that is of their own making. Their tailored virtuosity is reminiscent of the giant rock acts of the 70s and 80s with a layer of timelessness that makes their music instantly memorable.
The quartet also released a new video for a single, the sparkling melodic rock anthem Burn Me Down.
“Our new single ‘Burn Me Down’ delves into the intense and addictive nature of a toxic love,” reveals ALLEN. “It captures the bittersweet realization that someone has the power to consume you completely, even when you know it’s not healthy. It’s a raw expression of the conflicting emotions that arise when you can’t resist the fire that’s destined to burn you.”
Marcello shares, “‘Burn Me Down’ reflects the chaos of passion and desire. We wrote it with driving riffs and electrifying energy to capture that feeling. it’s about the kind of love that both exhilarates and destroys, and the inner turmoil we experience when we’re caught in its relentless cycle, unable to escape the allure of someone who has the power to ignite and consume us.”
