While You Were Away: Ministry’s Final Album, METZ Goes On Hiatus, New Music From Scowl, And More
Music is the gift that keeps on giving and this week there’s a lot to talk about. New music from Scowl and StrateJacket, plus Ministry’s final album, and METZ announcing their indefinite hiatus. All this and more on this week’s edition of While You Were Away.
StrateJacket unveil video for bouncy new single ‘Dreamcatcher’
StrateJacket have shared the video for their new single “Dreamcatcher” taken from their recently released debut album, Bad Start.
Inspired by The Wombats song “Moving To New York,” frontman Jackson Roemers said his goal for the song was to do something “more interesting” with the chords they were using. “I really liked the jangle pop vibe of the riff and wanted to do something a little different than the stuff we did on the rest of the album,” he says. “There’s more of a groove in this song and it doesn’t come off as angry as some of our other ones tend to. Add in Fabian’s [Angel, vocals/bass] killer bass line and you get this little ditty.”
Watch the video below.
StrateJacket’s new album, Bad Start, is out now.
Ministry signs with Cleopatra Records for final album
Ministry have announced they have signed with Cleopatra Records to release what is to be their final album. Frontman Al Jourgensen has been working with returning member Paul Barker on the record.
“Looking forward to how this new and FINAL Ministry record comes out,” said Jourgensen. “Turns out working with Paul is like riding a bike; you never forget how. Buckle up, this is going to be a good one. It seems that everything has come full circle, with the re-inclusion of Paul for the FINAL record, it’s like wrapping a bow on a 40-plus-year career.”
Barker adds: “After a couple years apart, these new recording sessions started in our tried-and-true manner: we started going in opposite directions that circled around which inevitably forced us to meet in the middle, much like a particle accelerator!”
So far, no further details have been revealed about Ministry’s final album.
METZ announce indefinite hiatus following their fall tour
METZ have announced plans to take an indefinite hiatus after their upcoming UK/European tour.
“We’ve collectively decided to close this chapter of METZ,” the band said in a statement. “The band will be on ‘indefinite hiatus’ while we take time to focus on other endeavors and enjoy more time at home with our families.”
They went on to talk about the “privilege and pleasure of touring the globe and seeing the world” for the past 15 years and thanked their fans and label, Sub Pop. They closed their statement saying “The intangible feeling of connection, community, and inclusivity that music creates has always been at the heart of what we do and will inevitably be what we miss the most. We will miss singing, screaming, sweating, and dancing with all of you.”
“We hope you join us for our final shows and help us celebrate something we will always hold dear.” Read the full statement below.
Scowl inks deal with Dead Oceans, unleash new single ‘Special’
Scowl are starting their next chapter by signing a new deal with Dead Oceans. To officially kick things off, they have shared their new single “Special.”
Speaking about the song, singer Kat Moss says:
“Malachi (Greene, guitarist) sent in the demo while we were touring the U.K. Then, Cole (Gilbert) added his touch on drums; Bailey (Lupo, bass) directed the bridge, and finally, Mikey (Bifolco, guitar) brought in his leads. ‘Special’ is a kamikaze. The lyrics are about threatening the audience by asking ‘What do you really want?’ in a desperate attempt to answer my own question, ‘What do I really want?’ But the answer is simple: I want to feel alive.”
Listen to it below.
Tours on sale this week
Foster the People will embark on the “Paradise State of Mind Tour” next year. The tour kicks off on January 25th in Seattle, Washinton, and runs through March 6th in Dallas, Texas. Good Neighbours join as a special guest. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 18th. See all the details here.
Disturbed will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, The Sickness, with a 2025 North American tour. The 34-date tour starts February 25th in Nampa, Idaho, and concludes May 17th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Three Days Grace will support the first 12 shows, while NOTHING MORE and Daughtry will support the last 22. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 18th.
Trash Boat have announced a short UK headline tour in support of their new album, Heaven Can Wait. The tour launches in Newcastle on January 27th and wraps up in Southampton on February 7th. Tickets on sale now.
Jesus Piece will tour the West Coast this December with Apex Predator, Desmadre, Extinguish, Gag, Fentanyl, Field Of Flames, Odd Man Out, Pink Michigan, Slime, and Slumped on select dates. The five-date tour kicks off in Los Angeles on December 5th and wraps up in Seattle on December 11th. See all the dates here.
