‘Me (Moth)’ is the debut YA novel by Amber McBride. Photo: amazon
Amber McBride teaches English literature at Northern Virginia Community College and has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. Her work has been published in Ploughshares, Provincetown Arts, Decomp, and more. “Me (Moth),” her debut YA novel-in-verse, is about a teen girl who is grieving the deaths of her family, and a teen boy who crosses her path. (amazon, 2021)
“Me (Moth)” – Moth has lost her family in an accident. Though she lives with her aunt, she feels alone and uprooted. Until she meets Sani, a boy who is also searching for his roots. If he knows more about where he comes from, maybe he will be able to understand his ongoing depression. And if Moth can help him feel grounded, then perhaps she too will discover the history she carries in her bones. Moth and Sani take a road trip that has them chasing ghosts and searching for ancestors. The way each moves forward is surprising, powerful, and unforgettable. Here is an exquisite and uplifting novel about identity, first love, and the ways that our memories and our roots steer us through the universe.
Malison will release Death’s Embrace on September 3, 2021. Photo: google
New album releases are coming next month from Metal Assault Records. These are the September heavy hitters that are releasing new music: Malison, Dawn Fades, and The Blue Prison. See descriptions below. (Metal Assault Records, 2021)
Malison – Death’s Embrace Metal Assault Records Release date: September 3, 2021
Created in 2014, Malison is reaching the heavy metal community with clean vocals and a unique amalgamation of speed, shred and harmony. The band released their first, self-titled album via the legendary Combat Records and embarked on a Southwestern tour in support. Since then, they have become a staple of San Diego metal shows and have toured the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. Malison is ready to release their second album featuring a stable and hungry line-up, as well as a new set of thrashing and melodic songs.
Malison is: Steven Rondina (vocals, bass) Mario Lovio (guitar) Nick Mafi (drums) Eddie Spade (guitar)
Blending together the best elements of traditional heavy metal, thrash, power metal and neoclassical shred, San Diego, California quartet Malison capture the energy and fury of their live show onto their newest full length studio album, Death’s Embrace. Recorded at San Diego based Plaudit Studios, the new album will be released by Metal Assault Records on physical and digital formats on September 3, 2021. Pre-orders for the album and merch bundles are available online.
Dawn Fades – Ode Metal Assault Records Release date: September 10, 2021
Los Angeles CA post-metal group Dawn Fades will release their sophomore album Ode on September 10, 2021. Ode will be available on vinyl, CD and all digital platforms via Metal Assault Records. The single and music video for “Taste” is available here. Pre-order can be place online.
Comprising six songs spanning ethereal experimentation and crushing heaviness, Ode shows a band unshaken by the time away from the stage, more resolute in their vision and execution. Mixed by heavy music mainstay Josh Newell (Intronaut, Anthrax, Linkin Park), the album manages to be more mature and rawer than their critically acclaimed self-titled 2019 debut. Retaining the core elements of their highly successful debut, Dawn Fades takes their musical evolution to the next level on Ode, undoubtedly leaving an even stronger impression on listeners.
Frontman and songwriter Sam Sherwood says the album is “a picture of feelings about the trappings of the world we find ourselves in.” The band also includes Scott Rosenquist on drums, Markus Erren Pardiñas on 8-string bass, and Nate Hertweck on guitar. LA Weekly describes Dawn Fades as “a mashup of Deftones and Neurosis, with hints of Eyehategod and Enslaved.” Ode will be available everywhere September 10, 2021.
Ode track listing: 1. Dearth (8:17) 2. Taste (5:11) 3. Ode: Part 1 (1:51) 4. Ode: Part 2 (5:56) 5. Front (6:57) 6. Chains (8:36) 7. Turning (3:23) Total Runtime: 40:11
The Blue Prison – The Blue Prison Metal Assault Records Release date: September 17, 2021
Instrumental progressive metal duo The Blue Prison have filmed their first ever official music video and are streaming “Kaleidoscope” from their upcoming self-titled album now. Watch and listen to “Kaleidoscope” here.
Slated for release September 17, 2021 on Metal Assault Records, The Blue Prison will be available on digipack CD and on all digital music platforms along with exclusive merch bundles. Pre-orders for the anticipated debut launched today and can be accessed on The Blue Prison bandcamp page. All pre-orders include an instant download of “Kaleidoscope.
The Blue Prison is: Keigo Yoshida (guitar) Jaime Munoz (drums)
Through four EPs and one single released over the past six years, The Blue Prison has presented a stellar blend of sweeping progressive metal patterns, heavy dissonant guitar riffs, groovy rhythms, as well as shades of jazz fusion and ambient music. Their full length debut explores all of these elements and more. The Blue Prison is a multifaceted collection of melodic music that is heavy as hell and teeming with technical prowess and compelling musicianship.
The Blue Prison track listing: 1. Beacon (1:22) 2. Alchemist (4:57) 3. Shadows (5:27) 4. Artemis (3:34) 5. Kaleidoscope (4:28) 6. River (1:30) 7. Tyrant (4:16) 8. Vengeance v2.0 (5:35) 9. Los Angeles (3:23) 10. Rosetta (3:50)
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