Art Influences Everything...

Vegas’ iLL Patientz Sign to iTCHY Metal Entertainment

Returning to early roots, iTCHY Metal Entertainment puts a spotlight back on SinCity by signing up and coming Rap/Metal group, the iLL PATIENTZ.

After only two years on the Vegas music scene, this hard working group has caught the attention of fans and respect of local promoters by demonstrating an incessant work ethic and production quality rarely found in newcomers.

“Itchy continues to be a multi-genre outlet,” explains IME founder, Ed Fassio. “Although we were born out of heavy metal, we’ve grown through multiple artistic channels. Adding Ill Patientz to the roster reinforces our support of cross-genre expression.”

With a new release in the works and a fresh music video entitled “Kingdom Falls”, Ill Patientz is gearing up to take the world stage. Their new partnership with iTCHY music allows instant injection into the global marketplace and if early momentum is any indication of how fast this band plans to deploy, then everyone’s in for a wild ride.

Seattle DJ FesOne Joins iTCHY Music

In the endless pursuit to expand global awareness of independent art, iTCHY Music joins forces with NW veteran producer “Fes One”, adding another installment to the growing label’s roster.

Most recently, Fes produced the remixed beat of 80’s tune “Tainted Love”, increasing the tempo and adding a hip-hop groove for rap label mate Un the Rhyme Hustla’s forthcoming single “Run Away”.

“The Pacific NW continues to be a melting pot of artistic influences and creative outlets,” states iTCHY president, Ed Fassio. “As hip-hop becomes more embedded in the Seattle music culture, we’ll continue to explore ways to work with artists and producers that impact the genre. Fes’ work with Un is just one example of how we can help these artists have an individual voice while at the same time allowing for greater collaboration opportunities as they venture into the global market.”

Fes joins iTCHY Metal Entertainment as the third DJ behind Los Angeles’ DJ-XTC and Wu-Tang Coalition’s The French DJ-Swift.

New Release from The French DJ Swift

With engineering credit that includes Grammy award winner Richard “Segal” Huredia (Dr. Dre, Eminem), Los Angeles-based producer “DJ Swift” teams up with J Blac to release the latest dual-single drop, entitled “EMIGREEN” from the forthcoming album FIRST JOURNEY, a crossover between Hip-hop, Rock and Electro…

Featuring two new songs, Swift lends musical prowess to J Blac’s flow on the club-ready track “Dance” while reinforcing both artist brands on the b-side track “Who Dat?”

Fans can find the latest release at digital providers (Amazon.com / iTunes) world-wide and streaming now on Spotify and Google Play. Catch more of The French DJ Swift as he hosts the weekly Wu-Radio show on the web, or visit his website at www.djswift.net

Your German Metal Playlist for the First Quarter

If United Kingdom is accepted and verified as the birthplace of Heavy Metal, then probably Germany is where it experienced its coming of age. After the New Wave of British Heavy Metal took off from UK to spread like wildfire in other parts of Europe, Germans found ways to rev up those intricate guitar riffs by downtuning them, and turned those high-pitched shrieking to harsh and guttural staccato of words about subversion and rebellion. Since then, German metal bands have been reinventing themselves and constantly creating new techniques because of their passion for music. If you are looking for new metal bands to listen to while pumping up weights or playing poker at casinos, check out this list:

1. {Heaven Shall Burn} – Land of the Upright Ones
Five-piece German metalcore outfit Heaven Shall Burn once again will burst open your eardrums with their new song “Land of the Upright Ones” from their upcoming album Veto. Packed with their signature shredding riffs, hair-raising unisons, and extremely powerful vocals, this song will surely fire up your day and crush your head with an auditory sledgehammer. You might want to pop in this song while playing live poker games with friends, or even while playing online poker at De.partypoker.com. After all, this song will put you in a hyper gaming mode and make you want to sweep all those chips.

2. {Rammstein} – Mein Herz Brennt (piano version)
In 2001, Rammstein released their album Mutter, which contains “Mein Herz Brennt”, a ghastly slow waltz of shrilling keyboards and heavily distorted guitars, then overlaid by gruesome chanting. Last December, they released Till Lindermann’s surreal storytelling and spooky sonatas. While others find this haunting or even disturbing, others saw this as a masterpiece, a fresh breath for a song written several years ago. You can even listen to this while playing poker so that external distractions like talkative enemies, nosey spectators, or even people just passing by.

3. Atrocity – Pandæmonium
Combining elements of melancholy from doom metal and the brutal intensity of death metal, Atrocity became one of the most prominent heavy metal bands in the country. To celebrate their resurgence to a brave new world, they are working on their new album Okkult, an epic trilogy that is probably the most challenging phase of Atrocity as a band. With their song “Pandæmonium” already released on Facebook, you can have a glimpse of the band’s epic saga towards the heart of the beast.

4. Sodom – S.O.D.O.M.
German thrash metal giants Sodom are up to something again: this time, they are going to translate their uncompromising views regarding violence and current events. From their new album Epitome of Torture—a 10-track thrash metal genius which uses the aggressive riffs, bestial vocals, and in-your-face lyrical political discontent—“S.O.D.O.M.” is the perfect aural translation of frontman Tom Angelripper slowly pummeling your ears with a spiked ball wrecker.

A Band of Orcs Joins Hard Impact Music & Rock the Nation USA Roster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Band of Orcs Joins Hard Impact Music & Rock the Nation USA Roster

Santa Cruz, CA, metal monsters A Band of Orcs have joined the artist rosters of Hard Impact Music (Artist Management) and Rock the Nation USA Talent Agency (Booking). Both outfits are represented by Kataklysm and Ex Deo frontman Maurizio Iacono, a 20-year veteran of metal campaigning. This alliance made in the Nine Hells directly answers the pleas of A Band of Orcs’ human fans around the world that have long yearned to see the Orcs embark on national and international pillaging tours.

Front-orc and tribal leader Gogog Bloodthroat states, “All humans know orcs are good at smashing and thrashing and killing, but Romans are better at logistics of campaigning on the road. Now, tell me humans, what happens when the savagery of orcs combines with the organizational power of the Roman Empire? DOMINATION!!!!! That’s what. Soon your prayers to Gzoroth that we unleash live devastation upon you will be answered, so Tusk up and prepare for domination, we’ll be adding many heads to the pile. Hail Gzoroth!!!”

Maurizio Iacono adds, “Just when things have been done and overdone, there comes a band that surprises with a fresh idea, a great image, and great music to go with it. I ran into “A BAND OF ORCS” and I knew there’s something amazing about to happen here…beware the ORCS are coming near you, hide your kids !”

A Band of Orcs join a stable of other theatrical metal acts managed by Hard Impact Music, including Scottish pirate metallers Alestorm. And, of course, Maurizio Iacono’s own Ex Deo boasts a theatrical theme of Roman history. With the release of their debut full-length album “Adding Heads to the Pile” (Itchy Music & Entertainment, Produced & Engineered by Juan Urteaga: Machine Head, Testament, Hatriot) on Halloween of 2012, A Band of Orcs look forward to getting the war machine rolling in 2013 and pillaging your village.

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Lustmord Signs to Itchy Metal Entertainment

In the independent world of DIY artistry, one death metal band out of Phoenix, AZ helps write the playbook. Led by founding member, Anthony Lustmord the band of the same name (Lustmord) has been living the indie music grind for over a decade. Self-distributing multiple albums, creating an impressive business network, self-touring and launching their own record company, the band embraces the responsibility and tenacity needed to make a name for themselves amongst the sea of other hard-working underground metal acts across the globe.

But as the industry continues to evolve and morph within the digital realm, the need for artists to adapt and create synergies and teams beyond their own efforts is equally important. It’s on that premise that Lustmord became acquainted with LA media agent, Itchy Metal Entertainment (IME) in an effort to explore new ideas, expand the band’s global branding and compliment their existing momentum.

Itchy founder, Ed Fassio explains, “When Anthony and I first talked it was quickly apparent that this wasn’t a band that necessarily needed a record label. In fact, they were already established as such. But after a few discussions we both came to see the value of partnering; Sharing ideas and leveraging mutual resources.”

Relocating from Southern California to Phoenix in 2008, Lustmord reformed in 2009 with a line-up that would include Anthony along with ex-members of BLOOD HAVEN, Daniel Beck (Exiled) on drums, and Rock Rollain (Southwicked) on bass. In 2012, guitarist Carl Strohmyer also joined the band. Carl has also performed in Exiled, and was briefly a member of Blood Haven. He also performs in Winter Monolith. The quartet brings a combined 30+ years of indie music experience, delivering an assembly of fully produced materials and partnerships that include Alice Cooper and Universal Music, just to name a few.

“This isn’t about signing another act to the label,” continues Fassio. “Lustmord brings additional insight and experience to the team from a real-world perspective. They think like a label. They understand the challenges of the industry. They can bring those experiences to the greater community. Artists can no longer afford to be every man for himself but rather, every helping hand on board.”

From playing in touring bands on the local, regional, and national level, to working directly for labels in promotion, marketing, and A&R – Lustmord’s new alignment with Itchy Metal is poised to bring new products and ideas to market. IME plans to release the band’s 23rd album in March 2013.