News/Blog/Lyrics

Aug 22 2023

Blood Command – “World Domination” Album Coming September 2023 – Norway DeathPop Metal

Pre Order Blood Command 2023 Album “World Domination”

So far I am digging every track released. Blood Command keeps getting better and better, but where the fuck is the tank top merch! I need me some swag to wear on stage here in NY.

Members

Vocals – Nikki Brumen Guitars – Yngve Andersen Bass – Simon Oliver Økland Drums – Sigurd Haakaas

Who is Blood Command for?

Blood Command’s, Praise Armageddonism, is for fans of Paramore, Marmozets and the like, but the aggressive metal, punk, hardcore version if you can picture that. The song “Saturday City” and “The End is Her” are pretty picture perfect representations of the pop side of the band.

This is one those bands that has the ability to bond music lovers. If you like your music with screams, heaviness laced with punk energy and your significant other is into Paramore like pop hook madness then crank this Blood Command together while sporting your most awesome workout attire.

Not every song will be a winner with both sides, but there will definitely be some shared cuts.

Previous Release(s)

Blood-Command-Praise-Armageddonism-Norway-2022 — Blood Command *Praise Amageddonism* 2022

Release Date

July 1, 2022

Loyal Blood Records

Hassle Records

Tracklisting

1. “Praise Armageddonism” (Awake Theme) 2. “Saturday City” 3. “The End is Her” 4. “Everything You Love Will Burn” 5. “Questionable Taste in Friends” 6. “A Villains Monologue” 7. “Nuns, Guns & Cowboys” 8. “I Just Want That Movie Ending” 9. “Burn the Blasphemer” 10. “Last Call for Heaven’s Gate”

Praise Armageddonism – Review

I can’t say enough good things about the new 2022 Blood Command album, Praise Armageddonism. The album has been out for two and a half months and I can honestly say I listen to the album in its entirety all the time.

Praise Armageddonism has this umami thing to it, to put it in foodie terms. It’s a bowl of food where every bite looks the same & initially tastes the same, but in every bite you notice something different and as a result you can’t stop eating because you might taste something new and exciting.

Blood Command has a crazy knack for squeezing the most out of every album by using an instrument that comes out of left field. An example of this is the closing track “Last Call for Heaven’s Gate”. Blood Command likes to throw keyboards and horns into the mix and it always takes the song and album to another level.

I have always loved this super creative style of writing taking thrashy aggression and smashing it with ultra pop. Cheap Trick brought this type of song writing to my attention and The Wildhearts as well as all of the Ginger Wildheart projects such as Hey Hello or Mutation further amplified my creativity as a songwriter.

There is always something special when a single bass line, “Villains Monologue”, is enough to stir your shit up. It won’t stop playing in my head. The band chemistry & performance on Praise Armageddonism alone is enough to demand high praise. The bonus that the songs are as hooky as fuck is some tasty icing.

It feels like Nikki Brumen will be the vocalist for quite some time. Nikki compliments the band extraordinarily well and completes the band. Blood Command comes off as a band on a mission to devour and conquer, it’s not the Nikki & the dudes show.

If you dig what you hear and are interested in some band merch then head over to Blood Command’s bandcamp for exclusive vinyl record, apparel & music deals. If you don’t see anything you like make sure you visit the website store.

Skål, Cheers Mates!

Blood-Command-Praise-Armageddonism-2022 — Blood Command – Bergen, Norway

Why is Blood Command Unique?

Here is some interesting background info circling Blood Command.

I am almost positive vocalist, Nikki Brumen, is the third Blood Command singer. Praise Armageddonism, Blood Command’s fourth album, and is Nikki Brumen’s first Blood Command album. Becoming the new singer required Nikki to relocate from Melbourne, Australia to Bergen, Norway.

Nikki Brumen is the former singer of the Australia band, Pagan. Pagan disbanded and Nikki was hit up by Blood Command through social media asking her if she wanted the gig. This album was completely recorded with former singer, Karina Ljone, and then shelved when she hung up her dancing shoes for motherhood.

Blood Command then re-recorded this record with Nikki Brumen along with navigating massive distance between Nikki and the band due to Covid traveling restrictions.

I discovered Blood Command through Spotify with the 2017 album Cult Drugs and was instantly hooked on the creative heavy, dance, thrash aggression. I highly recommend checking out Cult Drugs. Both albums very similar but different and both you can set to repeat without fail.

Pro tip to all the young bands: band chemistry effortlessly creates a unique sound everyone digs, there is no chasing this sound, being genuine kills it live every time

Blood-Command-Nikki-Brumen-Live — Blood Command Vocalist, Nikki Brumen

What happened to Nikki’s previous band, Pagan?

From what I found, Pagan decided to just go their separate ways in January of 2020.

Courtesy of ManiacsOnline interview with Nikki Brumen:

“Pagan announced are break up in early 2020 and I knew I still wanted to play music, so I started jamming with friends and then all of a sudden I got a message on Facebook from Yngve and he introduced himself and said that he knew my band Pagan had split up, and he loved Pagan and that he had a proposition for me, would I want to front Blood Command, because their singer was leaving and I’d always had his dream voice.

I was a fan of Blood Command already, I’d actually put Blood Command as one of my top 5 bands of 2019 in an interview with Kerrang. So the stars really aligned. I couldn’t actually believe it when I read the message, like every friend that I told that I’d been asked to join a band not only from Norway but from Bergen which is my favourite place I’ve ever been, they were just laughing, saying that this cannot be real, surely you’re getting catfished. But it was real and it is real and it’s just amazing. ” –Nikki Brumen

Pro tip: Go hard or go home. It’s so easy to call it quits, but so hard to believe in yourself & keep going. Hard work & patience gives you a better chance at succeeding in this ridiculous industry

Nikki-Brumen-Pagan-Blood-Command — Pagan Featuring Nikki Brumen pre Blood Command (Why doesn’t Nikki have a beard too?)

Blood Command Music Video

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Apr 07 2023

Amie Bishop Female Fronted Hard Rock | Arkansas 2023

2023 Amie Bishop Update

Carly and I in 2021 had the pleasure of having a two hour phone conversation with singer/songwriter/songstress Amie Bishop of the now proclaimed Amie Bishop & The Slingerz.

The transformation of Amie Bishop’s music career from a singer on the hustle trying to keep a band together to putting together a solid unit and ultimately penning the name Amie Bishop & The Slingerz has been inspiring.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Black & White Band Promo Photo Arkansas Vanzig Studios — Amie Bishop & The Slingerz

There is so much drive, work and thick skin involved just to put band together and keep a band together let alone garnering positive press, doing photoshoots, pressing merchandise and booking shows in the hopes to build a fanbase.

Amie has been pulling it off over since our conversation back in 2021 and has set up a solid foundation to build on in 2023 to push the envelope even further.

The band has released two singles in 2023 streaming on all platforms: “Merry Go Round” and the Heart cover “Barracuda”. Between these two tracks it’s easy to hear Amie’s passion for music. I have heard a lot of Heart covers, but not anywhere close to how the band pulls it off.

I am really looking forward to having another phone with Amie regarding updates, plans & all her insight to what she is doing. Keep a lookout for this podcast episode either late February or early March.

Get yourself some killer band swag at AmieBishop.com.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz – Streaming on All Platforms

Who is Amie Bishop & The Slingerz for?

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz is for those into female fronted rock band drawing influences from classic rock and 90’s alternative.

At this time it seems the band is still trying to figure out who they are by writing music in a few different styles. In my personal they should look to Heart & do the modern version of that mixed in with all of Amie’s personality.

Members

Vocals – Amie Bishop

Guitars – Dan Schoultz

Bass – Matt Stone

Drums – Darin Williams

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Promo Photo

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Origin

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz originate from Hot Springs, Arkansas and have relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Sticker Art Arkansas — Amie Bishop & The Slingerz Sticker Art

Amie Bishop 2021 Podcast

Amie is a singer/songwriter, originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, is hell bent on pursuing a music career. Amie is a rock, metal and alternative chick drawing influences from Heart, Led Zeppelin, Portishead, Rob Zombie, Siouxsie & the Banshees and Pantera. Her latest single, Raven (May 2021), can be heard on Spotify now.

I initially was introduced to Amie when she began submitting to opportunities on ReverbNation. In an earlier podcast episode Carly Quinn and I listened to some random artists that submitted and Amie’s submission, Tune In, was one we talked about. Amie listened to the episode and we have been in contact ever since. We chose her to be our first artist phone call conversation because she has a killer voice, no bullshit hustle mentality and is experiencing all of the classic trials & tribulations artists go through.

Amie talks about all of the classic roadblocks an artist can have such as solidifying a band of like minds to figuring out how to market and promote. We had a really great conversation and look forward to having more in the future. Amie is open to collaborating with other musicians to keep pushing out her art so if you are looking for a female rock, metal, folk singer she can kind of do it all. Don’t be shy, she might even share her keto beer and eclectic cheeses with you.

Visit AmieBishop.com for all info and follow her on instagram @TheAmieBishop.

If you would like to work with Vanzig Studios please send an email to Airheads@VanzigStudios.com or send a DM @VanzigMoshPit

Amie Bishop & The Slingerz T-Shirt Merch Art Arkansas — T-Shirt Merchandise

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Feb 15 2023

How to Build a Fanbase in 2023?

Midnight Mob Carly Quinn & Mickey Squeeze Black Leather Acoustic Show Atlantic City, NJ

How to Build a Fanbase in 2023?

Musicians, artists, bands seem to have lost sight of what is actually important due to the convenience of streaming aided by an pandemic that turned the music industry on its head.

The conversation surrounding an artist’s success was always hype, energy and attendance at a live show. Due to streaming and social norms ironically favoring those not frequenting social gatherings & laziness the metric conversation became streaming numbers & social media traffic.

Musicians trying to create a music career were given some incredibly misguided information on how to build a fanbase due to this blip in the world & profound affect on the music industry. The truth is social media & streaming numbers can be bought, sold, gamed & faked, which is hardly new information.

The entire industry is aware of bloated profiles created by various individuals & agencies cornering the deceiving numbers market. An artist is wasting extremely valuable in person networking time if isolated at home hovering over a phone and a computer as well as killing their craft of songwriting.

Social media definitely has its place, but I would argue that its usefulness is connecting to music blogs, venues, promoters, record stores & other music fanatics not locally accessible. Social Media has created such a disruption for up and coming artists because it is hiding what is truly important for an artist.

There is only so much time in a day and most artists put a majority of their free time to social media instead of practicing the art of songwriting & performing. An artist’s number one priority is writing better music in order to stand out. The music will turn heads and speak for itself. The music is the product that creates a potential career.

An artist knows they have something special when you receive that repetitive super genuine reaction to their music every where they perform. The easiest way to gauge your music and skill as a self promoter / marketer is by making open mics a testing ground.

The proof in the pudding is the hustle everywhere you go. If an artist does not want to believe this then enjoy and revel in possibly 100K streams and most likely 1 in attendance at your local dive.

Everywhere I read regarding how to build a fanbase fails to mention performing at open mics . Open mics are completely free and already have the curated audience for you to network so there is no need to sift through people that might be interested in what you have to offer.

Open mics are a great place to create culture around your music Monday through Thursday, get in with venues & people others that may want help an artist succeed. It is also a good place for constructive criticism, free live content & zero stress.

Time and time I again I get asked how to get into certain venues and in with certain clicks. The response is always the same. Did you showcase for the venue or attend events at the venue? Did you start to build relationships with the bartender, security, DJ, promoter, local musicians?

You can answer most of these questions by doing an open mic on a Tuesday night from 8-10 for two hours instead of watching Netflix or creating the perfect social media post. Then after your open mic performance you can review the video footage and possibly post your performance and show how good you are. If the audio came out decent you can post it as a live performance to streaming sites adding to your EPK when you reach out to venues or other bands. Total cost is zero.

-Mickey Squeeze

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Feb 08 2023

Massive Wagons – “Triggered”, “House of Noise” UK Hard Rock 2023

2023 Triggered!

There are parts of the review below that I have updated after not listening to House of Noise in quite some time, but really quickly I wanted to draw attention to the October 2022 album release Triggered!. I am finally listening to it in February 2023.

Massive Wagons Triggered Tour Poster 2023 Vanzig Studios

All in all I am digging Triggered! more than House of Noise. Triggered! is a seamless continuation of House of Noise. Massive Wagons is wearing all of the same influences, but there’s seems more of a party vibe as well as slightly more aggressive than House of Noise.

The musicality of the band on Triggered! also is elevated. The production is stellar on Triggered! and is probably Massive Wagon’s most complete record to date showcasing all the band’s talents and personality.

Triggered! Tracklisting: 1. Fuck the Haters, 2. Please Stay Calm, 3. Generation Prime, 4. A.S.S.H.O.L.E., 5. Skateboard, 6. Gone Are the Days, 7. Triggered, 8. Giulia, 9. Germ, 10. Never Been a Problem, 11. Big Time, 12. Sawdust, 13. No Friend of Mine

Get yourself some killer band swag at the official website.

Massive-Wagons-House-of-Noise-Album-Art-2022-vanzig-studios — *Massive Wagons House of Noise Album Cover – England Hard Rock*

Release Date

July 17, 2020

Earache Records Ltd

Tracklisting

1.”In It Together”

2. “Bangin in Your Stereo”

3. “House of Noise”

4. “Freak City”

5. “Hero”

6. “Professional Creep”

7. “Pressure”

8. “The Curry Song”

9. “Glorious”

10. “Sad Sad Song”

11. “Hallescrewya”

12. “Matter of Time”

Massive Wagons 2020 House of Noise Album

Who is Massive Wagons – House of Noise for?

Massive Wagons 2020 Album, House of Noise, is born from the poppier brighter side of The Wildhearts / Ginger Wildheart catalog. It is also music that you could put behind Justin Hawkins falsetto vocals and it would sound like The Darkness.

I applaud the attention to detail with vocal melody, music melody lines & slick fun production with the dynamics of this album.

Members

Vocals / Guitars – Barry Baz Mills

Guitars – Adam Thistlethwaite / Stevie Holl

Bass – Adam “Bowzer” Bouskill

Drums – Alex Thistlethwaite

Massive Wagons 2020 House of Noise 2022 Triggered Band Photo — *Massive Wagons England Hard Rock*

Massive Wagons Origin? What are Massive Wagons?

Massive Wagons originated from Lancaster, England in 2009 by vocalist Barry “Baz” Mills and guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite.

Massive Wagons cited the following as inspiration: Airbourne, Black Stone Cherry, 90s punk, the Offspring, Green Day, UFO, Rainbow and Slade.

I was introduced to Massive Wagons with the 2018 album Full Nelson during covid lockdown 2020. I was listening to The Wildhearts on Spotify and after the album I was listening to was over Spotify chose to throw on the Massive Wagons track “Billy Balloon Head”.

I began to dig into the bands history and found out they were nameless until they booked their first show. The name Massive Wagons was chosen on the spot, paying homage to a funny nickname of a local barmaid. The name was permanently adopted.

Massive Wagons Black and White Band Photo England Vanzig Studios — Massive Wagons England Hard Rock

Massive Wagons Accolades

Courtesy of Earache Records website:

“Classic Rock Magazine put it, “blossomed from local concern to national conversation”, becoming a firm favorite of rock fans and press alike across Europe thanks to their no-nonsense anthems, electrifying live shows, unconquerable work ethic and fun-loving personalities.

“The first Lancaster band to achieve a UK Top 40 album, UK #9 album House Of Noise, UK #16 album “Full Nelson”. “House Of Noise” also picked up the Best British Album award as part of Planet Rock’s The Rocks 2021, and landed the #14 in Classic Rock Magazine’s Best 50 Albums of 2020.”

Massive Wagons Live 2021 Photo Credit ©Johann Wierzbicki — Massive Wagons Live

House of Noise – Album Review

Mid July 2020 England’s Massive Wagons put out their much anticipated album, House of Noise. This album is a follow up to their 2018 next level album Full Nelson where they were opening for bands like The Wildhearts. I instantly became a Massive Wagons fan when I heard the Full Nelson album.

House of Noise is definitely different from the Full Nelson album and I would suggest to give Full Nelson a play through first. I wouldn’t say House of Noise is a progression of better music but rather a lateral move to more of the pop side of Massive Wagons.

House of Noise is the product of a label/producer overcooking the material searching for hook madness. House of Noise doesn’t have that organic songwriting chemistry thing Full Nelson has. Organic, inspired to the nines can’t lose, songwriting are drunk nights where every little drunk side quest turns out to be awesome and then you talk to your buddy the next day and go over how awesome everything was.

House of Noise definitely showcases the creativity of Massive Wagons and explores what they excel at. All of the tracks are fun to listen to and even better when hammered but if you’re paying attention you will eventually zone out and it’ll play along in the background to whatever you are doing.

My initial comparison when I first wrote this review was that It reminded of Turbonegro’s Rock N Roll Machine or Dank Jones’s last studio record, A Rock Supreme. Listening back in 2023 House of Noise is a much better album than Rock N Roll Machine and A Rock Supreme.

Overall I love Massive Wagons even though I still prefer Full Nelson to House of Noise. The follow up album Triggered! was released October 2022. Massive Wagons is like Mustasch lite, The Darkness’s stepson or The Wildhearts hyper little bro still waiting to blossom into a dangerous little kid with only bad ideas that make girls feel funny like climbing a rope in gym class.

Cheers mates!

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Feb 01 2023

The Jackets – “Misery of Man”, “Pie in the Sky” 2023, Retro Garage Rock | Switzerland

The Jackets 2022 / 2023

The Jackets Pie in the Sky Single Cover Art 2022 Switzerland — The Jackets “Pie in the Sky” Single Cover Art

New single, “Pie in the Sky”, released November 4, 2022 via Wild Noise Records. The new single aligns with exactly how The Jackets left off with “Queen of the Pill”.

The follow up single “Misery of Man” will be released March 2023 and premiering via Vive Le Rock. Stay tuned!

Switzerland - The Jackets Queen of the Pill Album Review 2019 Vanzig Studios — The Jackets 2019 *Queen of the Pill* Album Cover – Switzerland

Release Date

June 14, 2019

Wild Noise Records

Tracklisting

1.”Dreamer”

2. “What About You”

3. “Steam Queen”

4. “Move On”

5. “Don’t Leave Me Alone”

6. “Queen of the Pill”

7. “Floating Alice”

8. “Losers Lullaby”

9. “Deeper Way”

10. “Be Myself”

The Jackets – Queen of the Pill 2019 Album on Spotify

Who is The Jackets – Queen of the Pill for?

The 2019 Album, Queen of the Pill, is focuses on the fuzz box classic 60’s retro garage rock stylings. Put on your go go boots & dial up the psychedelic ambience.

“The Jackets mix the best elements of Rock and Roll into a potent, irresistible cocktail with a ferocity that is full of good humor, high spirited fun, and full blast excitement! “- www.thejackets.ch

Members

Vocals / Guitars – Jack Torera

Bass – Samuel Schmidiger

Drums – Chris Rosales

The Jackets Live Black & White Photo Shoot — The Jackets Live Black & White Promo Shoot 2023

What is The Jackets Origin Story?

The Jackets originate from Bern, Switzerland and debuted in 2009 as a four piece with the album Stuck Inside on Subversiv Records.

Along the way they became the power trio they are known as today. In 2021 The Jackets decided to launch their own label Wild Noise Records, to house their entire catalog. Other notable label collaboration on multiple releases is Voodoo Rhythm Records.

The power trio is an international touring act successfully touring America & Europe on multiple occasions. Check out their current tour below.

You can listen / stream on all platforms. All of the killer merchandise can be found on Bandcamp.

The Jackets – Switzerland – Streaming All Platforms

The Jackets Queen of the Pill Photo Shoot 2019 — The Jackets 2019 *Queen of the Pill* Photo Shoot

Queen of the Pill – Album Review

My initial impression is the following, “Queen of the Pill would be on speed dial if Quentin Tarantino fucked Austin Powers while in the middle of a laser beam shark circle jerk”.

I honestly do not have all that much to say about this album because all tracks sound basically the same. If you dig one track you will be all in on the rest of the album.

If you are into fuzzy 60’s retro garage rock that’s a cocktail of Jefferson Airplane with a splash of Stooges and Kinks garnish then you are getting blackout drunk.

The 60’s psychedelic genre is definitely not my go to, but the band is dead on with this sound infusing their own modern take on this genre. Even though I do not have The Jackets on repeat I can’t ignore the songwriting prowess, musicianship and personality the trio delivers.

The hardest part of a recording artist is to convey a magnetic personality both in the studio, live and through their merchandise. The band has this down to a science. After one listen the message is loud and clear that the live show is where the catalog comes to life.

I will definitely be listening for more releases, but I do hope they change up the temp a bit more because it can be a tad redundant. I would be really curious what the sound become if they dialed into more of a 70’s punk vibe.

The Jackets – 2022 “Pie in the Sky” Single Video

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Please hit us personally here at Vanzig Studios for any reason whatsoever using the Contact Form. If you’re curious where Carly and I come from then read over our bio.